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“Yes, Corporal Ke his head

“I’ in It’s Per-Cum-Ske”

Seth’s hands continued to tenderly rub Millie’s upper ar into knots

“I’ll be right there,” he answered

She kept her eyes closed for as long as possible, until one of his hands lifted her chin, forcing her to look at hied in her throat at the sole “Who is Per-Cum-Ske?”

His sober gaze went to the door behind her “He’s the current leader of the Comanche”

All her self-pity and sorrows vanished, while fear gripped her insides like a huge fist at the seriousness of his tone She latched on to his shoulders, grasping the material of his jacket “Seth—”

“There’s nothing to fear,” he said “I’ve known Per-Cum-Ske for years”

“Why then do I see worry in your eyes?” The question surprised her, for she hadn’t realized that hat she’d say But his troubled look sent a chill clear to her toes

He sh it was as false as some of the ones she forced upon her own lips She’d created so many, they were easy to spot Yet this was the first one she’d seen him display

“I,” he said, brushing her forehead with his lips, “am worried about your tea” He took one of her hands, led her to the table by the door “I’ll have Briggs send over a pot You stay here Acclimate yourself to your new home”

Her mind insisted she didn’t need tea, but her voice refused to comply, so she simply nodded