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Sereh nodded, which seemed to be expected from her, although Jon flashed her a strained look. She met his gaze, captivated by his grey eyes and the questions they held. Jon, she decided, was more beautiful than she’d first realised. He was tall, with a trim figure and those distinctive flashing eyes. Long auburn hair streamed down his neck almost to his waist. He wore it tied back from his face. It accentuated his full mouth and straight nose. It would, she thought, be pleasant to caress his careworn face.

She turned away, not wanting to be caught appraising him so openly, but decided that tomorrow, she’d find a way to spend some time with him. He didn’t speak much when everyone was present. Throughout the day, she felt his obvious interest, and more than once turned aside so he couldn’t see her blushes.

While that was happening, Finn darted in and out of the common room, accomplishing his many chores, grabbing baskets and blankets, jugs, and returning with just as many items from the warrens, as well as other storerooms Sereh hadn’t yet encountered. Sometimes, he brought the bite of cold with him, and Sereh suspected he’d been on the ledge. Other times, he brought a more musty smell in his wake.

On one of the occasions, when everyone else was absent or involved in something else, he rushed to her side. He dropped his voice low. ‘Please, don’t visit the ledge again. Emma means what she says. She’ll seek out Skaldi.’

She turned to him, but Emma looked up suddenly from her task and he darted away. Not that it stopped him from trying again. On his third attempt and on seeing her repeated look of confusion, he stopped, which pleased her. She liked Finn, but she couldn’t think why she’d want to go to the ledge. It was so cold out there, and she enjoyed the warmth of the common room. And, of course, Jon was in the common room, not that she could tell Finn that. He was too young to understand.

With Finn’s interest returning to Arrow, Sereh finally stopped feeling as though everyone else knew something she didn’t. But then, she reasoned, she was new to the cave. They probably did know things she didn’t. Pal spent the night with her again, but in the morning, she was awake far before him.

She paid more attention than usual to her appearance, even bathing before Pal awoke, although she hurried, not wanting him to wake and cry in her absence. She arrived all pink cheeks and with a healthy glow only to look in disappointment for Jon.

He’ll be here later, she thought to herself, settling Pal to feed him once more. But every time the curtain opened, or there was the sound of footsteps along the tunnels, she straightened and smiled brightly, but it was never him. Disappointment settled on her. Where was Jon? Not that she asked Finn or Elen, or Emma when she arrived, looking refreshed and full of life after two full nights of sleep. She walked straight to Sereh and bent down to look at Pal who lay sprawled on a spare fur, not far from the hearth, but out of the way of everyone else’s coming and going.

‘I’ll seek out the Speaker for you today. I’ll see if he has any news.’

The way Emma spoke implied a great honour. Sereh was unsure what news she was after.

‘Thank you,’ she offered, only for her eyes to stray because Jon finally walked into the room. He looked flushed and excited as he strode in, carrying a huge backpack filled to the brim. He triumphantly placed it by Elen’s feet.

‘Here you go, Elen. Wait until you see what’s in here.’ He laughed.

Even from her position, Sereh saw the wrapped parcel of meat poking out of the opened top.

‘Wow. That must have been a big one.’ Elen whistled.

‘A mighty fine beast, yes.’

‘Were you down there all night?’

‘Yes, best to catch them with the sunrise.’

‘You must be hungry.’

‘Always.’ Jon laughed, the sound warm, and very unusual for what she knew of him. Elen placed a huge bowl of pottage and warm tea on the table, next to Sereh. He sat quickly, spooning the food into his mouth hungrily. Sereh watched him, hoping her hair still looked pretty from where she’d taken the time to brush it to a high sheen.

‘I got your cloak, as well, Sereh,’ Jon whispered conspiratorially, leaning towards her, so she caught the scent of him. He smelt of cold and heat, and something else. It was pleasant. ‘I left it outside. We don’t want the others to know you took it with you the other day.’

She offered him a broad smile, aware of a blush building on her cheeks. It seemed she and Jon had secrets already. That was good. It sent her heart racing. Not that he stayed for long. She felt as though everyone else had so many tasks to perform, while all she did was look after Pal.

Later, while Pal slept once more, Jon returned.

‘Will you come to the warrens?’

‘Of course,’ she replied, promptly cursing at her eagerness. ‘Elen, can you keep an eye on Pal for me.’

The other woman nodded distractedly, busy in preparing some of the venison for storage. Elen was always busy cooking or baking, or carefully placing food wrapped in storage. ‘Sorry, I’m not sure where Emma is.’

‘Not to worry, Sereh. She intended to seek out the Speaker. I’ll watch him until she returns.’

‘Thank you,’ she offered brightly, aware that once more, she was too keen with her responses. But her heart was pounding so loudly, she was convinced Jon would hear it, as she stepped close to him. He held aside the curtain for her.

With a look towards her wolf-dog, she said, ‘Arrow, stay with Finn.’

Finn, his tasks complete, was morosely studying his letters while Elen looked on with half an eye. Finn offered an anguished look that she could escape the tedium of learning his letters. Her joy at being alone with Jon overrode her pity for him.

Down the passageway they walked, not touching or speaking, and still she felt the spark of warmth between them, which had nothing to do with the heated cave walls. She wondered if he felt the same way. Surely he must, otherwise why else would he have her cloak?