Saving Verakko: The Clecanian Series Book 3 by Victoria Aveline (books to read for teens TXT) 📕

them dominating her senses. When they reached the small flag, she found another carved message left by Alex.

“‘This side looked easier,’” she read. Her brows knit. “Do you think one of those things, the sefa, might’ve gotten her?”

Verakko shook his head. “Not if she was over here.” The second lid slid over his eyes, and he searched the skies while motioning her to continue forward. “They live deep in the Sauven Forest and hate water. They’d never cross the river. I’m surprised we saw one this far out in the open, actually. It must’ve been struggling to find food.”

“So, we’re safe over here?”

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “From them, at least.”

Chapter 11

“Do you enjoy sweets as well?” Verakko turned around and slid his eyes shut in mortification.

An hour thinking of the best thing to ask to learn about her life, and that’s what comes out of your mouth? He piled the firewood he’d gathered into a corner and faced her again.

Lily gave him a curious half smile but answered, “Yeah. I have a huge sweet tooth.”

“Sweet tooth,” Verakko repeated, rolling the odd phrase over in his mind and finding he liked it.

She scattered piles of large leaves around the dirt. Verakko’s breathing deepened, and he became all too aware of the rough, wet fabric against his shaft. They both knew what was coming next. They’d need to remove their clothes in order to dry them, and the air would be too cold for her unclothed. She was making a bed. A bed wide enough to make it obvious it was for them both.

The more time he spent with Lily, the clearer to him it was how difficult it would be to be parted from her when they finally reached a city. It’d taken more strength than he knew he had to let her go after the sefa attack. Even thinking about how close she’d come to being hurt made a cold sweat break out over his skin.

He’d thought stopping anything physical from happening between them would keep him from becoming too attached to Lily, but he found that just being around her was enough to be drawn in—in a way he never had before. When she cried, he felt like a spike was being jabbed in his lungs. When she was happy, he had to actively try to keep himself from grinning.

Lily’s eyes were unfocused, and a smile played at her lips. “I was never allowed to have any sweets either.” She rolled her eyes. “Sugar, I mean. If I could find something sweet in the forest, I could have it.” She laid a few large, smooth leaves over the top of her cushioning base piles. “Whenever my aunt Cindy joined one of our trips, though, she would sneak me candy. I still remember the first time I ever tried a peanut butter cup.” Lily smiled over to him. “I think that’s the day I decided I wanted to emancipate myself. That small piece of candy made me wonder what other things I was missing out on.” Her eyes widened in exasperation. “A lot, as it turned out.”

He should’ve been working, building the fire or retrieving water, but he kept still. Was there anything he enjoyed more than just being with her? Listening to her talk or watching her move around?

“Emancipate yourself?” The word usage was unfamiliar to him.

Now done with the bed, she reached for the bow drill. He snatched it away before she could grab it. She pursed her lips at him. “You’ve done it for the past two days. It’s my turn.”

Verakko ignored her comment and began to work on the fire. “Emancipate is translating as set free. You set yourself free?”

She looked like she wanted to argue but instead let it go. “In a way. Where I’m from, parents are legally responsible for their children until the child turns eighteen. If a child petitions for emancipation before the age of eighteen, it means they become responsible for themselves.”

“Did your parents treat you poorly?”

“Not at all! I just didn’t want to live the type of life they lived anymore.” Lily hiked her shoulders. “They wanted to live in the forests. Making their own tools and connecting with nature. I wanted to be around people and technology and processed foods. I wanted to wear impractical clothing and sleep in a real bed I didn’t have to carry on my back during the day.”

“How demanding of you.” He smirked.

She grinned back. “You might not know from looking at me now, but I love the luxuries of civilization. I’ve actually become kind of a snob.”

“I doubt that.” Verakko had barely heard her complain, aside from her complaints about him those first few days.

Lily piled wood onto the small fire he’d started. “Trust me. As soon as we find Alex and I have some money to burn, I’m going to need you to take me to a spa, then to a bed.” Her cheeks flushed pink, and she worried her bottom lip. “I mean, show me where I can find a bed.”

He knew exactly which bed he’d like to direct her toward. “I’d be happy to pay for a spa trip. It’s the least I can do.”

“Well, I’d like to turn you down, being the independent woman I claim to be, but seeing as I’m in a situation where I don’t have anything but the clothes on my back and a winning personality, who am I to refuse a little help from friend?” Her smile faltered, and her eyes grew worried. “Verakko, what will happen to me? Are there homeless shelters or somewhere I’ll be able to stay while I get on my feet?”

The anxious curl of her brows set his nerves on edge. He wanted to explain to her that he’d be seeing to all of her