My laugh was awkward, and I couldn’t look her in the eye when I nodded. “Yeah. Lucky.”
In a way, I was glad. I mean, I’d heard what women went through to have babies, and it wasn’t something I ever wanted to experience. But I couldn’t help but feel bad for depriving Rath of the joys of parenthood. He’d be a wonderful father. A lot more patient and kind than mine.
“Korvash,” Rath’s warm voice called for me, wiping away all my regrets and worries in an instant. I looked over my shoulder, smiling at him as he approached.
Zoya chuckled beside me. “I recognize that look. Are you smitten with a big barbarian of your own?”
A blush overtook my face. I ducked my head to hide it, but it was no use. She saw anyway. I was more than smitten with Rath. I was falling hard for him. He was everything I’d ever wanted. Kind, patient, sweet, and so handsome, it took my breath away sometimes.
I pushed to my feet when Rath approached, offering Zoya a hand to stand too. She waved me away, remaining comfortablewhere she was. “Khaul will be done soon. I’ll wait for him. Go. Spend time with your man. I’ll think of more ways to practice tomorrow.”
Khaul had joined us at first with the conversation, but as a fighter, he was expected to train often, so when another fighter asked him to spar, he readily agreed. He didn’t go far, I was pretty sure he was there to keep an eye on us, but we got to watch him do his thing while we practiced. I was curious if Rath ever sparred like that, and I was torn between wanting to see it or not. On the one hand, it would make him even more attractive than he already was. On the other, I already had trouble controlling myself around him. More material to fuel my dirty dreams might not be a good idea.
Saying a quick goodbye to Zoya, I spun around, nearly colliding with Rath. I hadn’t realized he was that close. He caught me with gentle hands on my arms, drawing me closer and tucking me up against his chest.
“You weren’t gone long,” I commented, a little breathlessly if I was being honest. He had that effect on me and the longer we spent time together, the more affected I was.
“Mm. I need to go on a hunt.”
The disappointment was like a punch to the gut. I knew he had to go, but I hated it every time. His absence made me sad, especially after the attack. I felt safest with him. Not that I wasn’t safe with Godr. He was very strong and capable. But he wasn’t Rath.
“I want you to come with me.”
Surprised, I jerked my gaze up to meet his. “O-Oh. I, um… I’ve never been good at hunting.” Or enjoyed it all that much. I wasn’t going to say that, though. I’d put up with being uncomfortable if I could stay with Rath. Hopefully, I wouldn’t cry when he killed something, though. That happened once before. For most of my brothers’ kills, I could refrain, but Frasershot a sweet little bunny, and it broke my heart to see the white fur all blood soaked. I hadn’t seen Rath bring home something as small as a rabbit yet, so hopefully it would be okay.
Rath must have sensed my trepidation because he cupped my cheek, brushing his thumb over it in that sweet way that always made me melt. “You will be safe, Korvash. I only wish to have you beside me.”
I melted a little more. “Okay. I’ll go.”
His smile was pleased, and he rewarded my bravery with one of those lingering kisses on my forehead. When he pulled back, he took a moment to study me before asking me to wait.
“I will bring you something to keep you warm. Wait here for me.”
“Okay.” I watched him go with a sappy smile on my face that only went away when I heard Zoya’s snicker behind me. I spun around, taking in her amused expression, and felt my face burn brightly. “Oh, hush you. He asked me to go hunting with him. I’m allowed to be pleased.”
“Of course you are,” she said with a smile. “You two look very happy together.”
I was happy with Rath. I never thought I’d get to keep him, but he seemed just as happy with me as I was with him. I still worried about it though. Was he truly happy with me, or was he just enjoying me while I was under his protection?
“Zoya? What does korvash mean?”
She pursed her lips thoughtfully. “If you’re asking for a literal translation, it means petal heart. It’s a term of endearment. I think a better translation would be precious flower. Why?”
The warmth in my chest whenever I thought about Rath grew exponentially. He’d been calling me that since the day we met. That had to be a sign that he wanted to keep me. Right?
Twelve
The ride into the forest was nice, quiet, with my back up against Rath’s chest as he guided Vann through the trees. His pace was sedate, probably to avoid making too much noise. I was tense and unsure when we first started out, but after a while, I relaxed in Rath’s arms, looking around with more curiosity than fear.
“Where are we going?” I whispered, keeping my voice low to avoid frightening off any game. I’d gotten a beating for that when I was just a lad and was dragged out hunting with my brothers. They said I chattered too much, when I was only asking where to relieve myself. I took to hiding on hunting days after that so they wouldn’t bring me with them anymore. I only went when my father made me.
“There is a tree farther in that is good for scouting,” he murmured, his voice rumbly and low, giving me goosebumps. It wasn’t from the cold, he’d brought me a fur covering to keep warm while we were out here. It was just my response to him.
We continued on for a little while longer, and while I wanted to chat with Rath like I always did, I enjoyed the quiet time with him as well. It was nice to just be near him without filling the silence.
Vann stopped next to a wide tree like he knew that was where he was supposed to go without prompting. Rath slid off his back, plucking me down once his feet were on the ground. He gathered his hunting things, his bow and knives and such, and attached them to himself in various ways before leading me around the tree to where there was a lower hanging branch above us. For Rath, it was easily within reach, but I needed a boost, and I muffled a yelp when he palmed my behind in the process. I shot him an incredulous look over my shoulder, but he only winked at me, making my face flame hot. I scrambled up the tree and clung to the trunk, waiting for Rath to join me. I’d never been much of a tree climber and I felt a little dizzy being that far off the ground.
Rath swung himself up with ease, crowding close, and lifted me again to the branch above. I wanted to protest, it was too high, but the higher branch was a little wider and there was a knot in the tree big enough for me to press myself into, to feel a little more stable. I squished myself as far into it as possible to give Rath more room and watched, fascinated, as he climbed one more branch and sat with his back against the trunk, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the area.
