It was nice to spend time just chatting about the things I enjoyed. It made me feel like I belonged here. And the hope that I could stay only grew the longer I spent with these people. Gods, I hoped I could stay.
I was gettingready for sleep that night when Verus ducked into the tent, his arms full with a bundle of furs. I tipped my head, studying him with a frown.
“Are you cold?”
He huffed out a laugh, dropping the bundle onto the bed without care. “No. But you are uncomfortable while sleeping. I am making our bed softer for you.”
Warmth and happiness spread through my chest, making me feel a little giddy. Verus never hid how much he cared. He wentabove and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and happy. I couldn’t have been more grateful that it was him who found me in the forest.
Desperate to show him how much it meant to me, as soon as he got close, I fisted his tunic, dragging him down so I could pepper his face with kisses. He chuckled, wrapping me in his arms and kissing me back soundly. I hadn’t intended it to lead anywhere, I only wanted to thank him, but his tongue licked along the seam of my lips, and when I opened up for him, he groaned into it. He pulled away too quickly, and I whimpered at the loss.
Pressing his forehead against mine, Verus whispered, “Zoya is to come and check on your healing. I do not wish to greet her while aroused. She would never let me live it down.”
My cheeks flushed bright red at the thought. No, I really didn’t want anyone to walk in while we were intimate. I was still getting used to the idea of Verus being affectionate with me while around the clan. I didn’t want to embarrass myself any further by getting too caught up in his kisses.
Smacking a kiss on my lips, Verus scooped me up and moved me to sit by the table in the corner while he untied the furs and started fussing with them. I was watching him with a sappy smile when a feminine voice called out.
“Can I come in?”
Verus’s head popped up, and he answered, “Come in,” while smiling brightly. Zoya swept into the tent, her rounded belly leading the way.
“Good evening,” she greeted, moving to sit beside me. “How are you, Patrick?”
I lifted my shoulder, wrinkling my nose a little. “The splint is a little uncomfortable. Especially while trying to sleep.”
Zoya nodded in understanding, her gaze straying to where Verus was still fussing with the furs. A smile tugged at her lips.“I can see your protector is working to make that a little easier. I understand that it’s uncomfortable, but it's for the best. It’s only been a few weeks since you were hurt. Do you mind if I take a look?”
She looked over the injury, humming and murmuring to herself. “It looks like it's healing well. The swelling has gone down and it looks like everything is as it should be. Are you just uncomfortable or does the pain keep you awake?”
I shook my head. “It’s not terrible. Only when I’m moving around a lot does it hurt. Yamileth has me sitting on a stool while I help her, so I can rest as much as possible.”
“Oh, you’re helping Yami?” she asked curiously.
“Patrick is a wonderful cook,” Verus interjected. “He has many plans for meals he will cook for the clan. I am looking forward to it.”
I felt my cheeks flush from his praise. Even when my business became more popular in town, I didn’t receive as much praise as Verus showered me with. I hoped he wasn’t just saying it because we were intimate together. His words meant a lot, and I would be devastated if they turned out to be false.
“I’m looking forward to trying it,” Zoya said, giving me a soft smile. “You look like you’re healing well to me. Continue to rest often, and don’t push yourself too hard helping Yami. She’ll understand if you need to take a break.”
“Is there anything else we can do to encourage healing?” Verus asked, coming to squat beside me. He ran his fingers through my hair, his expression clouded with worry. “I do not like it when he is in pain.”
“These things take time, Verus,” she scolded, though the warmth in her eyes said she wasn’t annoyed with him for pushing. “But I’ll make a poultice that will encourage healing if it will make you feel better. We’ll need to make sure nothingtouches it until it dries, so you won’t be able to get dressed right away, but it should get you back on your feet soon enough.”
I both looked forward to getting back on my feet and dreaded it at the same time. As long as I was injured, I wasn’t required to leave. I could just stay here and be with Verus. And there was no place in the world I would rather be.
Sixteen
Clearing my throat, I waited anxiously for Orthorr to permit me entrance to his tent. I had been working up the nerve to have this conversation with him, and I worried about the outcome. Patrick was going to get better soon. Zoya put on the poultice this morning and said it would likely only be a few more weeks before Patrick was on his feet again. I needed to make sure he was allowed to stay once he was well again.
“Enter,” Orthorr called out.
Following his instruction, I ducked my head into his tent, not surprised to find two others with him. Uttin was likely next in line to become clan leader, as he had the mind for leadership. He was in charge of picking up the tributes from the towns. He met with others like him from nearby clans to distribute them, and the rest were brought here until they were ready to look for their bondmates. It was unknown to me why our clan was the first stopping point for the tributes, but I never thought much about it. It was just the way things were.
Beside him sat one of the elders, Morak, who made the leathers. I was curious why he was there but knew better than to ask. Morak didn’t appreciate nosy clan members.
“Verus,” Orthorr greeted with a dip of his chin. Putting my fist across my chest, I bowed slightly in greeting.
“Clan leader. There is something I wish to discuss with you, if you have the time.”
