“Go,” she said. “It’s embarrassing being seen next to you when you’re this beat up.”

“What?” Lachlan asked. “Be fair, come on. Rain’s one of the esteemed. He’s blessed with power. He’s like nobility around here.”

“Bastard nobility, maybe,” Rain said.

“You’re blessed,” Lachlan said, voice firm. He smiled, then said, “And I’m your humble, obedient servant that would be glad to take you anywhere you want to go. I’m at your service.”

Rain glanced again at Allie. “If you could give me a ride to the machine shop, I’d be grateful.”

“Absolutely. Bye Allie.”

“Bye.”

Lachlan led Rain to his car. It was a nice one, a sleek blue sedan, roughly five years old, and in near-pristine condition considering it had survived the end of the world. Rain got in the passenger seat with a wince and a grunt.

Every part of him hurt.

He could remember being in the room, the repeated words, and he dreaded tomorrow. Every moment that passed ratcheted up the dread.

Being hurt and facing a night like that magnified the fact that he didn’t feel rested. Even naps were beyond him, when his thoughts were this disturbed.

He looked over at Lachlan, and felt a twinge of sadness.

The car whisked its way along the road, slowing here and there to give a wider berth to the people walking on either side.

“You like Allie, huh?” Rain asked.

Lachlan laughed. “Yeah. It’s part of why I asked you if you wanted a ride. I’m at your disposal if you need anything at all, though. Don’t think I’m disloyal or selfish.”

“It’s okay,” Rain said.

“I sort of hoped I could give her a ride too and have a chat.”

“I guessed that too.”

“You know how I’m sort of the poster boy for the Fallen?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m eighteen, and I’m of a good age for marriage. They say I’ve really helped out, so I can have my pick of almost anyone. I made it really clear I don’t want anyone who doesn’t want me, and the leadership told me anyone I took would come to love me in time. That’s how it works.”

“Okay,” Rain said.

“But I’d rather have someone who wants me, still. So I was wondering, you know…”

“If Allie was interested?”

“Do you think she is?”

“I could tell you,” Rain said. “But that’s only what I think. With something as serious and binding as marriage, you’d want to be sure. I can ask her outright, then pass it on to you.”

Lachlan chuckled. “Yeah?”

“If you want.”

“Now I’m nervous. Yes. Yes! She’s great, you know. There was a campfire a month ago—”

“You heard her playing guitar?”

“She sang. She doesn’t like singing because some of the others, like Jay—don’t think I’m disloyal…”

“It’s fine.”