Free Amazonia by Sky Croft

Shale let the flower slip from her fingers.
    Kale’s expression softened.
     “I know it’s hard, but it’s best this way.”
    “You’re right,” Shale said,
     though her heart started to ache.

    KALE ROLLED HER eyes when she
     saw Blake approaching— didn’t the woman have anything better to do?
     Shale’s face brightened considerably at Blake’s presence, and Kale groaned
     internally, Shale had it bad.
    Blake smiled at them. “I see
     you had good hunting today.”
    “Sure did,” Shale replied.
     “For Kale anyway.” She proudly clasped Kale’s shoulder.
    Blake admired the stag. “He’s
     a beauty.”
    “He was.” Kale shifted the
     hind’s weight on purpose, so Blake would think she was struggling to carry
     it. It worked, Blake instantly stepped aside.
    “I won’t keep you,” she said.
    Kale wanted to get moving,
     for she had the feeling Shale was considering asking Blake to join them
     for dinner.
    Shale opened her mouth to
     speak, but closed it quickly, as if thinking better of her words.
    Blake gave Shale a curious
     look, when she barely met her eyes.
    They strolled through the
     village side by side, not giving Blake, or any other Amazon, a second
     glance.

Chapter Four

    “SHALE?” BLAKE CALLED out.
     She intended to ask what was going on. Shale had hardly spoken to her in
     over a week, and Blake was getting the distinct impression that Shale was
     trying to avoid her. Shale’s wide smile upon seeing her made her doubt
     that notion though.
    “Blake.”
    “Is everything all right,
     Shale? I haven’t seen much of you lately.” Blake had deliberately waited
     to catch Shale when she was on her own.
    “Everything’s fine.”
    Blake indicated Kale, who was
     busy talking to Amber. “I see you’re making friends.”
    “Yeah, Amber’s great.”
    Blake smiled. “I’m glad
     you’re starting to settle.” Glancing around the training ground, she
     lowered her voice to ensure no one else heard her next question. “How’s
     Melaina been with you? Any more problems?”
    “No, but I don’t think she’ll
     give up that easily.”
    Blake didn’t think so either,
     but she kept the comment to herself. “I was wondering if you wanted to
     spend the day with me tomorrow?”
    Shale’s face became
     mischievous. “The whole day? Can the tribe spare you for that long?”
    Blake grinned. “The queen will
     still be here.”
    “I’d really like that.”
    “Great.” Blake ran a hand
     down Shale’s arm. “‘Cause I’ve missed you recently.”
    Shale’s blue eyes sparkled
     happily. “I’ve missed you, too.”

    SHALE STUDIED BLAKE longingly
     as Blake walked away. She probably should have rejected Blake’s offer,
     given the fact that Kale had made it perfectly clear that she didn’t like
     her. But the thought of spending that much time alone with Blake was too
     tempting, and she had answered honestly, despite her better judgement.
    Blake’s admission that she’d
     missed her had sent Shale’s heart fluttering. She felt exactly the same
     way. Blake was never out of her thoughts, and the self-imposed space she’d
     given herself hadn’t changed that. She doubted anything would. Shale was
     falling hard for Blake, and no amount of willpower could stop her—whether
     it was her own, or Kale’s.

    THIS TIME WHEN Shale passed a
     flower, she scooped it up and presented it to Blake.
    Blake smiled brightly. She
     held her breath as Shale stepped closer, and gently tucked the bloom
     behind her ear.
    “There. Beautiful,” Shale
     said, though she wasn’t looking at the flower.
    Blake slid her hand into
     Shale’s larger one, and led her forward. “Come on, it’s not much farther
     to the lake.”
    “You said that ages ago,” Shale
     teased.
    Blake chuckled. “I thought
     you’d be pleased to get me this far away from the village. You have me all
     to yourself out here.”
    Shale’s heartbeat picked up.
     As if she needed reminding. “I’m not complaining,