The Thirteenth Moon novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: Why He Left

Brynn's POV

He woke me by sitting on the edge of the bed with his boots still on.

The lamp was off, and the frost on the loft window threw a grey light over his face.

"I have to tell you something," Torin said. "And you're going to hate me for it."

"Then say it fast."

He said it in the order it happened, and he did not stop once to let me flinch.

When he finished, I was sitting up with the quilt in both fists.

"Thirteen moons," I said.

"Yes."

"You walked out of my life, and I spent a year thinking you had never wanted me."

"Brynn."

"I thought I was a girl you were bored with."

My voice shook, and I hated that.

"I thought I'd imagined every look you gave me for years."

"You didn't imagine them."

"You could have told me! You could have knocked on that door and said, Orrin is threatening Edda, help me."

"And you'd have done what?"

"Something!"

"You'd have gone to Orrin and called him a liar to his face. He'd have put Edda out the next morning."

He said it quietly.

"I thought if I vanished, nobody would be hurt."

"I was hurt."

"I know."

"You decided for me." I threw the quilt back. "You decided what I could stand."

"Yes."

"Don't agree with me!"

He just sat there, taking it, with his hands hanging between his knees.

I stood on the cold boards in my shirt and looked down at him.

"Three steps behind me, guard," I said. "That was the arrangement. No touching unless I ask."

"I remember."

"Then get up and stand by the door."

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