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“And what of my son?” Maman asked. “Does he not make you wish to stay?”

I hesitated. If I thought we had a chance at making things work, Feigrind might be a reason for me to change my mind. He was sweet and determined to take care of me. And the sex was amazing. But?—

“If he wanted me so much, he wouldn’t be leaving me behind!” I snapped.

Maman made a tick sound behind her teeth, scowling at me. “He is not clan leader. It is Orthorr who decides who goes in the end. Have you asked him?”

“If you’re talking about the old barbarian in the robes, then yes. He said no because I ‘can’t be trusted to be polite’.” I made quotes with my fingers, rolling my eyes.

Yami looked amused, raising an eyebrow. “If you wish to prove him wrong, maybe don’t act like a brat while explaining yourself.”

“Shut up!” I scowled at her.

Maman pointed at me with a chuckle. “See? He’s sassy. And he doesn’t treat me like I’m broken. I like him for Feigrind. They are a good match.”

“You’re just saying that because you want Feigrind to stop hovering,” Yami countered, her hands moving to prepare the beans without her actually watching what she was doing. It was kind of fascinating how easily she did that.

“Well, he has been distracted since Simon showed up,” Maman agreed with a grin. She turned to leer at me. “Did he ask you to teach him something new yesterday?”

Surprise lit up my face, and she cackled to herself before explaining to Yami, “He thinks he can hide things from his mother. When will he ever learn?”

“He’s a man, so never,” Yami replied.

“Hey,” I cut in with a glare. “Don’t lump us in all together. I’m not like him.”

“No, you’re not,” Maman agreed happily. “Which is why he likes you so much. So, what will it take to get you to claim him, Simon? Because my son wants a bondmate, and I know he wants it to be you.”

Seventeen

SIMON

In the end, Maman was no help. Feigrind came to find us and confirmed he would be joining the trading group, and no amount of arguing or glaring would change that or get him to take me with him. I stormed away from him so he knew how I felt about the whole thing, but I knew better than to think he’d let me wander far alone. Maybe Maman had a point about him hovering too much.

“Stop following me!” I snapped.

He didn’t reply, just followed me steadily through the tents and away from everyone else. I contemplated going to the forest just to piss him off, but that would just put me at risk, and I didn’t want that terrifying barbarian to grab me again. Instead, I went back to Feigrind’s tent, wishing it had a door I could slam in his face instead of a stupid flap. This whole place was irritating me. How the hell was I supposed to work off my irritation if I couldn’t do what I normally did?

“Simon,” Feigrind said pleadingly, catching my elbow. “Had I any other choice, I would stay with you. I cannot abandon my duties.”

Jerking my elbow free, I glared at the tent wall, my arms crossed over my chest. Deep down, I knew that. I saw how unhappy he was about having to go. But I was still angry. I wasn’t allowed to go home, I wasn’t allowed to go with him, so what the hell was I going to do while he was gone?

He moved closer, and I felt his warmth against my back. He didn’t touch, he never did without my permission, but he was close enough that I could tell he wanted to. Despite my better judgment, I took a step back, resting my back against his chest. His big arms wrapped around me, and he leaned over me, surrounding me with his scent.

Was it wrong to be annoyed that he smelled good even without all the fancy products the men in town normally used?

“Tell me how I can make this better. I do not wish you to be unhappy while I’m gone,” he murmured.

I bit back the urge to demand again that he take me with him. He wouldn’t, his clan leader had already said it wasn’t allowed, and I was tired of trying to argue my point. My eyes drifted to the bed, where I slept soundly as long as he was beside me. I didn’t think I’d be getting much sleep without him there.

“My daggers would be nice,” I finally said.

He tipped his head, turning me enough to look me in the eye. “You have weapons?”

I shrugged. “I did. They took them from me when they kidnapped me. I’m not sure where they are anymore.”

Probably sold off by that asshole guard who took them from me. Bastard. I’d saved for weeks for those daggers. I got them before I was popular and could barely afford to eat. I valued my safety more than a hot meal.

“You know how to use them?” He didn’t sound judgmental, only curious, but it still irritated me.