Chapter 1 A skunk

"Victoria," he uttered gently, "you can't keep it." He smiled. "It's a wild animal, not a pet."

I was busy petting an adorable baby beaver.

But, Drystan, I really want him.

"Come on, get up. We're already late," he said, taking the beaver from my hands and letting it go.

Drystan, are you going to teach me how to fight tomorrow?

"Victoria, you're too young and..."

I cut him off, glaring. If you say it's because I'm a girl...

"That's not what I was going to say, Victoria. I was going to say you're too... beautiful."

I grinned. My brother called me beautiful. Technically, he was my stepbrother, but still, he called me beautiful.

I love that memory, even if it feels like it's from another lifetime, bittersweet and distant.

The forest was quiet, the kind that calmed your nerves, until a branch cracked. I couldn't even enjoy a sunset by the riverbed without someone showing up.

I've gotten good at fading into the background, staying unseen.

The guy walked into view, limping, blood soaking his thigh. He collapsed by the water with a groan, cursing under his breath. Then his head jerked up, alert. His knife caught the failing light, sharp and ready.

He was losing blood quickly. I moved behind him, holding my makeshift sharp stick. One quick move, and it would be over.

"Just kill me," he mumbled, not bothering to look back. "Or they will."

"Turn around," I said, calm and firm. "Drop the knife."

He hesitated briefly but finally dropped the knife. I kneeled, tore a strip from his shirt, and started working. I ended up a little too close while helping him.

"You smell good," he said, voice faint but cocky.

"Shut your mouth," I said, tightening the fabric around his leg. "Or I'll leave you here to bleed out."

He winced as I tied the fabric above his wound. Then I left him for a moment, looking for something to help stop the bleeding and ease the pain.

"This is going to hurt. Try not to scream," I warned.

"Do I look weak to you?" he said, wincing. He cursed when I placed the herb on his cut.

"You'll need to clean it and stitch it up soon, or it'll get worse. Goodbye," I said, turning to leave.

"Wait," he called, his voice hardly just above a whisper. "Stay. If I'm going to die, at least let it be in front of someone ...

I let out a breath.

"Get up. We need to find shelter. And a skunk."

"A skunk?" he laughed, despite the pain.

"Yeah, a skunk. Unless you want them to track us, now move." I helped him up. He was heavy and strong.

"What's your name?" he asked, leaning on me.

Silence.

"You're one of those rogue girls, huh?"

"Stop calling me 'girl,'" I snapped.

"Then tell me your name," he said, grinning through the discomfort.

He had a decent smile; I had to admit. "Victoria. Happy?"

"Thane," he offered.

"Great." "We're almost there."

Inside the small cave, I eased him down. "Stay put. I'll be back."

I came back with some herbs and a canteen of water.

"Where'd you scavenge that?" he asked, eyeing the supplies.

"My secret stash. Don't get any ideas," I said, throwing him the canteen. "Go ahead and drink," pressed the herbs onto his leg, and the bleeding slowed. He grabbed my wrist, his grip stronger than he possibly intended.

"You've got some healer's touch. Where'd you learn this?"

"Survival 101. Now, be quiet and allow me work."

"Stay put. I'll be back tomorrow," I said as I finished.

"Victoria... thanks,"

I left, but my insides twisted as I thought about him. Too much blood was lost, and infection was practically a guarantee. I sprinted back to the academy, scaled the fence, and entered the dining hall just as dinner was starting.

Kara spotted me and gave me a meaningful smile. As I walked toward her, Sienna, my personal nemesis since day one, passed by.

"Look at that," she sneered. "Your hair's finally growing back. Almost looks like you're a girl again."

I ignored her. She was going to pay for that haircut. I'd been waiting for the right moment, and today was it.

"Kara, cover for me. I've got some unfinished business."

"Hurry up,"

I hurried into the kitchen, grabbed a glove, and went back outside. Near the fence, I found the plant I needed. I rubbed it on Sienna's bed sheets, then on her friends' too. Finally, I smeared it on her pillow.

"Payback's a bitch," I said out loud, grinning.

Three months ago, she cut my hair while I was asleep, just one side, as a twisted prank. I was furious and cut off the rest myself. Now my hair was almost back to normal, and I slept lighter, ready for her next move. Almost.

Past midnight...

"Kara, got to bounce. I'll fill you in later," I spoke softly, slipping away.

First stop: the nurse's office. I picked the lock, snagged antibiotics, a suture kit, and painkillers-next, the kitchen, protein bars, and a loaf of bread. Backpack loaded, I hopped the fence and took off, light in hand-same route.

He was still breathing when I found him. I brushed his cheek gently.

"Victoria," he mumbled, barely conscious.

"Hey, I'm here. I need to clean and stitch you up, so stay quiet, okay? Take these pills first."

"Kiss me," he slurred, eyes half-closed.

"What? No, you're delirious."

"Kiss me before I die..."

"You're not dying. Bite this." I was about to put a stick in his mouth, but he grabbed my wrist, pulled me close, and kissed me. Our eyes met for a moment, which felt too long. I pulled away, my cheeks burning. "Pants off. Now."

He gave a weak laugh. "Shouldn't that be my line?"

"Bite down. This is going to hurt a lot." I smiled, but my hands stayed steady.

I cleaned the wound, stitched it up (9 stitches total), and bandaged it tightly. Couldn't help but notice his body was all muscle.

"Finished. Don't even think about moving," I said, leaning back to inspect my work.

He gave a weak grin.

I dozed off for a while, but woke up to find his arm burning with fever.

Damn. I turned on the flashlight, gave him two more pills, and put a cold compress on his forehead.

"Victoria..." he uttered.

"I'm here," I said, replacing the compress as his eyes opened wide.

"You're my beautiful angel," he spoke quietly.

I smiled. "Delirious and still a charmer, huh?" He brushed my face with his hand, weakly.

Before I knew it, I was asleep against his arm.

By daybreak, his fever had broken.

"Thane, wake up. I've got to go," I said, shaking him lightly.

He opened his eyes, his arms pulling me on top of him.

"I still want that kiss, Victoria," he said, his blue eyes focused and staring into mine.