Hope's POV.
The soft hum of laughter and excited conversation slowly fades away as Malakar leads me back to his tent. The atmosphere inside is cozy and welcoming. The light from the fire burning just outside the entrance casts warm shadows across the space. Malakar invites me to sit down on the bed next to him. It's a real bed, with a frame and everything, not just a cot or a stretcher like I expected. It's soft and comfy. Malakar sits next to me, leaving only a few inches of space between us.
"You look tired." His eyes are soft, and so is his voice.
"I feel it too. I haven't been getting much sleep lately. Too much on my mind."
"I'm sorry, Hope." He searches my face with wary eyes.
I smile up at him. "Don't be. I'm not."
The expression in his eyes warms again. "You handled today bet
