The little girl rescued refused to speak, even after we were safely away from Pure Pleasure. She looked at Tallis and me timidly as we arrived back in Dormas. She reluctantly freed my hand before going with Nikketa and Tallis back to camp. I wanted to comfort her, but I didn’t know how. Tallis assured me that the women in his camp would know how to handle it. This wasn’t the first distraught girl rescued and brought to their camp.

I crawled into bed just as first light broke and slept for a couple hours before a soft knock on the door startled me.

“Uh, Jules?” A timid Kemper whispered through the door, causing Becca to wake with a start. I felt sluggish and tired from my night. Before I could pull myself out of bed to answer the door, she was already unbuttoning her top and turning the handle. She leaned carelessly against the frame while wearing nothing but an unbuttoned white top and her underwear.

“Can I help you?” she asked in what, I assumed, was her sleepy, sultry voice. Instead, it sounded childish and forced.

“I-I’m here to see Jules,” Kemper choked out while averting his eyes. A healthy blush crossed his cheeks as he took a step backward.

Becca traced a finger down his arm, which made him shiver in discomfort. “Are you sure there's nothing I could do for you?”

I coughed to hide my giggles.

“I’m painfully positive, Becca," Kemper coughed out. "There is nothing you could ever do for me.” Kemper's stern tone surprised me. Becca grabbed her robe and waltzed off to the showers. Her sly smile still took up most of her face as if she hadn’t just completely been dismissed.

“Wow, Kemp, pretty ballsy. Think she got the hint?” I asked while stretching and rubbing my eyes.

“God, I hope so,” he murmured before letting himself into our room.

“Maverick called. Can you skip Garden duty and bring the Walker children to the new schoolhouse today? I’m headed there now.”

I grinned despite the exhaustion from the night before. “Absolutely!”

“Good,” Kemper began while walking away. Once he reached the door, he paused then turned back to face me. “Look, I know you don’t like Ashleigh, but she’s had a hard couple of days. Could you maybe…at least pretend to be nice to her?”

“You sure are wrapped around her finger.” I slipped off of my uncomfortable cot. “How about, I'll be cordial if you get me out of Garden duty for the rest of the week?”

Kemper’s face went rigid. His eyes squinted as if contemplating my offer. “Be nice and we will see,” he replied. I grabbed my shower caddy and laughed while heading to the showers.

* * *

I left the Walker Dorms with an extra bounce in my step, despite not getting any sleep the night before. There was something about not going to the Gardens that invigorated me.

However, my smile disappeared the moment I walked inside the Schoolhouse. I knew she would be there but I felt disappointment still. I had to watch as Ashleigh hopelessly flirted with not only Kemper, but Cyler too. Usually, I found no issues with the polyamorous lifestyle many adopted in Dormas, but lately, I felt various degrees of annoyance when I saw my brothers and their friends chasing Ashleigh around like a bunch of pathetic puppies. Everything about her was annoying.

They anticipated her needs. Preformed thoughtful gestures. Looked after her. Supported her dreams. I knew that the nature of their relationship was fundamentally different than mine. I didn’t want the world, I just wanted to be seen.

I managed to maintain a cordial conversation with Ashleigh. I even managed to refrain from calling her names. Kemper watched us talk, and when I left her to chase after one of the Walker children, he winked at me.

Hints of Mom were sprinkled throughout the craftsmanship of the new schoolhouse. I saw her in the large windows and natural lighting. The desks were arranged as to encourage community and teamwork. The colors bright and inviting. Cyler and Kemper designed each aspect with Mom in mind. It felt like walking into one of her warm hugs. I wanted to stay there forever, but it was missing…something. As I looked around my surroundings, I couldn't help but feel like this new schoolhouse lacked the rugged resilience of the Scavengers.

While Kemper and Ashleigh assisted children, Cyler called me over. “Thanks for bringing the kids here, Jules.”

“You did surprisingly well designing it, Cy. Of course, I have some suggestions about the decor," I said while watching Ashleigh paint a Walker boy's hand. "...but all in all—Mom would be proud,” I replied wistfully and at the mention of her, Cyler clammed up. His face slipping into the numb expression I came to expect when our parents were mentioned.

“Cyler, do you think maybe we could invite the Scavenger children here?” I asked. My voice felt timid.

Cy bent over and picked up a piece of scrap paper that had fallen. It was a juvenile drawing of a stick figure family. He observed it with soft eyes for a moment. I wondered if he was thinking of our sad excuse for a family.

“I think that's a great idea, Jules. I’m happy you’ve taken some initiative with them, even if I’m still working on your motives,” Cyler said before crumpling the picture and tossing it in the trash. “They’d benefit from the teacher I hired. She’ll be moving here from Galla.”

My heart sank. I’d unwittingly just given away my job as the Scavenger teacher. “Do you think I could still help?” I asked, my voice wavering as I wrapped my arms around myself.

“Your job is in the Gardens, Sis. We will just have to see how your behavioral reports come back.” Cyler’s tone was matter-of-fact. He walked away, dismissing our conversation. I stood there, looking around the room as the gnawing pain filled me. I wanted to scream at him. Everyone was allowed freedom in Dormas but me.

A little girl tripped over my feet, jolting me out of my thoughts. She had curly blonde hair and dark brown eyes framed by thin brown lashes.

“I-I’m sorry Mistress,” she said while wiping her snotty nose.

“You know how you can make it up to me?” I asked while crouching low so that we were eye level. “Go dip Master Black’s hair in pink paint.”

* * *

I walked the Walker children back to the Dorms as my mind drifted to my conversation with Cyler. I dropped the Walker children off, and after debating for a moment on what to do, my feet carried me towards the Scavenger camp.

My emotions were all over the place as I walked. Relief, sadness, pain, frustration, hopelessness. My heart swelled at the distress of it all. I moved in a manic state, craving something I couldn’t quite name.

At camp, I was surprised to find a rowdy circle of joking Scavenger men. In the middle of the circle was Tallis and another Scavenger. Both of them held wooden long sticks and were dancing across the small space, sparring with one another. The loud slap of the wood hitting their bare skin echoed around the camp.

A loud cheer erupted from me as Tallis slapped the other man’s rib cage, and I pushed my way to the front of the crowd for a better view. Tallis clashed with his sparring partner, the vicious lines of his face contracted with each of his opponent's advances.

His strength and intensity both scared and invigorated me. I imagined feeling his muscles, submitting to his strength. Watching him fight made all the conflicting feelings I felt earlier disappear. Their movements were quick and powerful. Each step, each punch, each dive was a precise split-second decision. Tallis tackled his opponent to the ground, and while holding him down, he looked up at me. My pleasure at seeing his athletic display was evident as I licked my lips and nodded towards the forest. The Scavenger Chief’s face broke out into a cocky grin.

I started walking in that direction when I heard him shout, “Good fight, Thurst. End of lesson.” The sounds of pounding feet against the hard dirt followed soon after.

Once out of sight, I leaned against the trunk of a tree as Tallis descended upon me. “Like what you saw?” he asked while crushing his hips to mine and biting my ear.

“It was alright,” I replied coyly, but my breath hitched in response to him.

“Have you decided to take me up on my offer?” He pressed tighter. His smoky smell mixed with sweat made me dizzy with desire as I wrapped my arms around him and gripped the slick muscles on his back.

“I think I need more convincing,” I whispered.

His lips tenderly touched mine as his hands roamed over the curves of my hips. I moaned into his mouth as his tongue snaked out and licked my bottom lip.

We licked and sucked and moved our bodies against one another. Building the friction between us until our skin ignited with the heat between us. Tallis’ hand drifted lower.

“Do you want more?” he asked as I sucked on his sweaty neck.

“Yes,” I moaned out. I cursed my long, restrictive dress.

“I could give you what you want, Jules. It would almost be too easy,” he murmured. I arched my back to get closer.

“Please,” I begged.

“You know what you have to do,” Tallis whispered before pulling away. My body ached to keep close and felt empty by his departure.

“You can’t be serious,” I panted as he bit his lip.

“I won’t be your secret, Agapimenos.”

“Why does this have to be all or nothing? I didn’t peg you as a traditionalist, Scavenger,” I growled out in frustration while narrowing my eyes.

“With most women, I’m not,” he replied with a shrug while stepping closer. “But you’re someone I see a future with.”

I laughed boisterously while trying to ignore the jealousy that fluttered through me at the mention of other women. “Well, if you’re looking to lay a Dormas heiress, don’t hold your breath. My brothers cut me off,” I said in a bitter tone. For a brief moment, pity flashed through his steady eyes.

“It’s not your gold I want, Miss Black.” Tallis pulled me towards him and placed his hands on my waist. “It’s you.”

I pulled away and stormed off towards camp, muttering profanities.

"Jules, wait," Tallis called after me. I didn't stop and reply, even after he fell into step with me.

"How was your morning, you're here early," Tallis said. I heard a crunch and looked over to see him eating a bright red apple. I was reminded of the night before and the crimson stain on his lips.

"My morning was fine. Actually, I saw the new schoolhouse. Looks like Cyler might let your people use it. I won't have to come here anymore."

Tallis grabbed my wrist and laced his fingers through mine. I wanted to pull away but was too tired to deal with his persistence.

"What if I want you to still come here?" He asked.

"We don't always get what we want, Tallis."

"I do."

I exhaled loudly as Tallis pulled me closer and navigated me through the crowded camp.

I looked over at Nikketa's tent and was surprised to see Gordon laughing with the girl we rescued. She still seemed cautious but happier as Gordon handed her flowers and made silly faces. Even from here, I could see that he was doing everything he could to put a smile on her face.

Tallis followed my gaze and chuckled.

"Ah, young love!" He exclaimed while holding me tighter. "I see a wedding in the future." He grinned.

"God, let them be young," I complained.

"The world is dying, Jules. People grow up faster. Weren't you engaged not too long ago?" There was a curious playfulness in the tone of his voice. It was light, but there also was the hint of disapproving jealousy beneath.

I pulled my hand away and sat down on a log. Tallis joined me, and we both stared at the fire for a moment.

"How'd you hear about my engagement?"

"Cyler mentioned it."

I rolled my eyes. This Scavenger Chief was relentless.

"All the girls in my class are either married or engaged now. It's like the moment you turn sixteen, we're supposed to find a suitable family to leech on to. Like a lifetime in a loveless marriage is preferable to being poor," I said with a sigh. "I thought Josiah Stonewell’s status was what I wanted. And yet...".

I thought back to my time in the Stonewell Manor and the part I was expected to play. I might have bragged to all my school friends about marrying a Governor, but it was the most alone I felt in my entire life.

"...And yet I was engaged to a stranger. A rich and powerful stranger. Someone that would have happily taken care of me. But still, a stranger."

Tallis flexed his fists and an animalistic growl vibrated in his chest.

"Agapimenos," he began, "I'm glad you did not marry him."