“There are other ways to stay warm,” Lin says.

Before Braizen answers, I chime in. “Lin is right.”

Both men turn quickly, their expressions making it clear they’d forgotten I’d trailed them up the hill. When Lin realizes I agree with him, his eyes widen.

“A fire risks The Others finding us,” I continue. “If what the Idunns say is true, they’re already looking for me. Best not to give them aid.”

Braizen nods slowly. Disbelief still washes over Lin’s face. He is truly not used to being agreed with, I note.

“So, what do the two of you propose then?” Braizen asks.

Lin braces his hands on his hips. “Well, I… There are a few options. Uhm. So, the first thing we could consider, possibly, after a vote, of course,” he stutters, and his cheeks burn red.

“Body heat,” I state.

Lin sighs, all too relieved he didn’t have to be the one to say it.

“Body heat,” Braizen repeats.

I feel warmth lance through me but ignore it. “We can all tiptoe around the obvious, but it’s growing cold. What do you think Lorna and Torr will say?”

Braizen’s face pulls back in shock. “Torr?!”

I hadn’t realized I’d used the nickname. After a moment of paralysis, I clear my throat.

“What? I can save his life, but I can’t shorten his name?”

Lin’s eyes crinkle, and he snickers. Braizen stares at him then turns to me. “Call him whatever you like. Hells, call us all whatever you’d like.”

Lin raises a finger. “Uhm, I suggest you refrain from doing so with Lorna,” he cautions. “She won’t be pleased. Trust me.”

I release a lighthearted laugh, and we clamber down the hill.

Nerves consume my sore body when I hear them approach. First, Lorna arrives, her arms filled with wood that she dumps on the ground. Sweat beads across her flushed face, and hundreds of loose hairs escape her braid. She spits, then, like us, focuses on the giant pile of wood wobbling behind her. Torrent is a bark mountain, carrying at least fifty pounds of wood in his massive arms. He releases the load and sends us a devilish grin.

“Good news,” he announces proudly. “We cut tons of branches, and none of them came alive!”

“Better news,” Braizen counters. “We’re all going to sleep naked together.”

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty

Braizen

“What’s the matter, Lorna? Never been naked with a man before?” Torr teases as he yanks off his tunic. His massive chest is covered in golden hair. The man is pure muscle, so much muscle that I sometimes wonder how much space is left for a brain. He tosses the tunic at Lorna, and she growls.