When I collapsed, I was careful to rest my weight on my forearms, my body covering his enough to make him feel safe and loved without crushing him. He lay quiet, panting beneath me, and I couldn’t resist pressing kisses to every inch of him I could reach.
Humming a happy sound, his eyes fluttered open and he looked over his shoulder at me.
“I love you.”
He murmured the sentence in his language, so I didn’t understand its meaning, but when I tipped my head in question, he blushed and hid his face in the bedding. I was prepared to tickle and tease until he told me what he’d said, but footsteps approached my tent, and Verus called out a moment later.
“My brother. Orthorr calls for you. He says to bring your bondmate with you.”
His voice was unusually solemn. Finn heard it too and stiffened, unease wiping away the bliss on his face. I did not know what Orthorr wanted from us, but I didn’t think it would be good.
Instead of calling back to answer him, I pushed off the bed, covering Finn before poking my head out of my tent.Tension pulled at Verus’s face, and when he saw me, he looked apologetic.
“What is it?”
He shook his head. “I don’t speak the tongues of the town. You know this. Just… you need to come. Now.”
Nodding once to acknowledge him, I ducked back inside to find Finn trembling as he tried to wipe himself clean and dress. Verus’s tone was frightening him. Kneeling in front of him, I cupped his cheeks, leveling him with a look.
“Whatever it is, we will face it together. You are safe, my Finn. I promise.”
Latching onto my arm, he choked on a sob, nodding. I helped him clean up and get dressed, since his fingers shook too much to do it himself. Pulling on my own clothing, I found myself wondering what else could go wrong. In the limited time he’s been here, Finn had been attacked both by a tribute as well as a shadowstalker. He’d been hurt by my own brother, and had to fight to protect our home. It was as though forces were working against us. Perhaps I would need to bring him to a shaman for a cleansing ritual. I didn't really believe in the effectiveness of it, but my mother did. Her clan had one, too, so I knew where to go.
We joined Verus outside and he fell into step beside me, his expression determined. Whatever we faced, Finn and I would not face it alone. One by one, more clan members joined in a show of force as we marched to the village center, where more stood in a half circle around Orthorr and three men I didn’t recognize.
Finn’s spine snapped straight and his footsteps slowed. “George?”
The crowds had parted enough to allow us through, but the man didn’t hear him at first. He was in discussion with one of his companions, his expression dark. For a moment, I worried he was a past lover coming to claim my bondmate. He admittedin being untouched, but he also said such things weren’t allowed in his town. It could have been that they’d just not found the opportunity to be alone.
When Finn stepped forward, my hand tightened on his, drawing him back. I couldn’t stomach losing him. I’d fight the man if I had to.
“Who is that?”
“My brother.”
I never thoughtI’d see anyone from my family again after my father had me thrown out. George wasn’t even there when it happened. He was the eldest, he lived in another town, and he only ever came home for important matters. It had been an age since I’d seen him last.
“George?” I called again, louder this time. “What… What are you doing here?”
Spinning to face me, his eyes trailed over me, narrowed and suspicious. “Good. You’re unharmed. I told them if you weren’t, the contract we held would be void.”
That was surprisingly thoughtful. I didn't think any of my brothers cared about my wellbeing. But it didn't answer my question.
“What are you doing here, George? How did you even know where I was?” This wasn’t the only clan that was part of the treaty accepting tributes. It was a matter of luck that I ended up here with Rath.
“What do you mean, why am I here? I’m here to take you home. I can’t believe Father allowed one of Fraser’s pranks to go this far.”
I shook my head, confused. “What are you talking about?”
He rolled his eyes, irritation flashing across his face. George was never a man of abundant patience. If I didn’t understand him the first time, he got annoyed with me.
“I was visiting home when Father told me what he’d done. When I asked for proof, he said he had none, but sent you off anyway. It is shameful to our family to have one of my siblings here as tribute. Especially my brother. They’re treating you like a woman and I won’t allow it. Now, let’s go. We’ve found someone else to take your place so the treaty stands.”
He gestured to a disheveled and tearful woman on his horse who looked absolutely terrified. Whoever she was, she didn’t agree to be here. She shouldn’t have been dragged here in the first place.
“Fraser wasn’t lying, George. He stabbed me in the back by telling Father, but he didn’t lie.”
“Of course he was lying,” George snapped, studying me again. “You are only punishing Father by pretending so you can stay. It is a disgrace to think that way. None of our family has ever been tainted as such.”
