Phoenix Maplewood smile without a reason why

The silence between them was comfortable, but underneath the smooth veneer of tranquility, Alya was coldly calculating. She had to remain in Aditya's good graces, and gain the trust or allegience of the rest of his tribe. Men were fickle, she knew, and could rarely be trusted to keep their promises. Perhaps there was something different about Aditya or perhaps not. Alya had not come as far as she had without learning a thing or two, and this time, she would plan for every eventuality.

Alya watched him walk away in deep contemplation, wondering just how long she would have to remain among the Morningsiders. She would have to find a healer at last, and see what they had to say about her leg.