If You Want To

Night had fallen over the lodging, and people were finishing their preparations for bed one by one.

Enya was among those who hadn't finished eating yet.

Sitting with her knees together in front of the bonfire, she took a bite of flatbread topped with cream and sneaked a sidelong glance at Tarmin.

Tarmin, holding a cup of water, brightened and looked at her.

He'd laid out his bedding separately beside hers and was sitting apart from her.

“Enya. Want some water?”

“No, I don't need any.”

“But if your throat gets dry—”

“I said I don't need any. I've got water right here, you know?”

She firmly pointed to the water bottle at her feet, and Tarmin hunched his shoulders...