The feeling of Fen's hand in mine as we walked back to Camp was a euphoria I'd never experienced before. Like someone had finally claimed me. Wanted me. I was with him, and he was with me. With me. Me! I wanted to spin in a circle with my arms in the air, shouting, "Meeeeeee!"

When we got to Camp, though, I kind of expected him to pull his hand away. To avoid being seen with me that way. Niralessa had made her disapproval clear, and I knew he cared what she thought. I couldn't blame him for wanting to avoid her ire.

But he didn't do that. He held on when we entered the clearing, and kept holding on when people began noticing. Illis, who had been speaking with Minocken, shook her striped head with disapproval. I lifted my chin and looked her straight in the eye, daring her to say something to my face.

Minocken said something then, which caused her to frown. He said something else that I couldn't hear, and the look she gave him roughly said, "How can you say that, you traitorous cow?" The whole exchange ended when she flounced away from him.

It made me intensely curious what he'd said to her, but I was more worried about finding Tessia. Did she have more information yet? Why did she seem to be avoiding me?

My stomach got that sinking feeling, when I realized maybe she had gotten bad news and didn't want to tell me. She was considerate like that.

"Fen, have you seen Tessia?" I whispered.

"No, why?" he whispered back.

"I need to talk to her."

"Okay. Why are we whispering?"

"I talked to Niralessa last night."

His eyes narrowed with concern. "About what?"

I summarized what happened.

His brow lifted. "Wow, you told her all that?"

I shrugged. "It needed to be said. Do you know what she means by 'we'll see'?"

His mouth twisted. "It usually means no."

My stomach sank further. I might not get to call Foresthome home anymore.

I spotted Niralessa reentering Camp, twisting her damp hair into a braid.

A bath. First thing I was going to do after all this drama settled was take a bath.

"There she is," I said, nodding my head toward her. "Let's go."

I had to pull Fen's arm, because he didn't seem all that excited to have this discussion. To his credit, however, he didn't let go of my hand.

Niralessa's eyes flicked to our joined hands as we approached, and I felt Fen tighten his grip as if to reassure himself. Her expression wasn't quite a frown, so that was something.

"What did you decide?" I asked, not bothering with pleasantries.

She took her time surveying Fen and me before answering. "I wanted to talk to Tessia first."

"So what are you waiting for?"

Her brow furrowed at my impatience. "I'll talk to her as soon as I see her. If you tell me where she went, this would go faster."

"I haven't seen her since last night," I said, worry creeping into my voice.

"Hmm."

"Do you know where she might go?"

She shook her head.

"You claim to be her guardian, and you have no idea where she likes to hang out?"

"I have a lot of responsibilities." It sounded like an excuse used to cover up embarrassment. She busied herself with tying off the end of her braid, effectively avoiding my eyes.

Noticing her discomfort, Fen guided me away. "Come on. I have a few ideas where she might be."

Keeping track of kids isn't that easy. Keeping track of votes isn't, though! ;)