“Because there aren’t many young men in Powder Town,” a voice says as the doorway’s blanket is pulled back. The woman standing in the frame has hair that falls to her hips, but otherwise she is so strikingly like Saph that I wonder if they’re twins. “The Loyalist army has swallowed most of the wastes’ men, even the once-decent ones, and a town can only continue to thrive if it continues to reproduce.” She jerks her head at Asher. “This one was decent and free of the General’s influence. My sister is of prime childbearing age. The Tender saw a good match and encouraged it.”

Asher beams. “Cleo, you just called me decent.”

“I still hate you. Come inside.”

We slip into the one-room home. It is dark, even with a few candles burning. Half the space is filled with bed mats and pillows. The other holds a small eating area overflowing with the scents of fresh bread and a flavorful stew. My stomach immediately growls.

“She cried when you left, you know,” Cleo says as she surveys Asher. “I’ve never seen my sister cry.”

Asher looks genuinely confused. “She hated me. She was furious when the Tender suggested that we lie together. I think her exact words were, ‘You can’t tell me what to do, Tender. I am my own person to give to who I want. I’d rather gouge my eyes out than share a bed with that piece of driftsand.’”

Cleo sighs. “You’re a decent man, Asher, and decent is hard to come by. After almost two moons, you were growing on her. I think maybe she was starting to picture a future she never imagined possible.”

I glance at Asher. I used to know him so well, but this person before me is full of secrets, and he looks conflicted now. It makes me wonder if maybe he didn’t mind Saph so much either—that if he hadn’t felt an obligation to look for my pack, he could have grown fond of her too. The thought makes my stomach uneasy.

“Thank you for taking us in,” I say to Cleo. “We won’t be any trouble.”

“I believe that of you. Not so sure about this one.” She jabs a finger in Asher’s direction, but she’s smiling now. “I just came back from the market. Are you hungry?”

Asher practically drools. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Chapter Twenty-Three