Page 19 of Hexes & Heartstrings (Shifters of Bastion Keep #2)

"Yes, really. And no, I have no pressing duties, at least not for another half-hour or so. I came to find you to see how you were doing."

Bruin sat up in a hurry, then made grabby gestures until Sergiy figured out that his mate wanted him to sit down next to him.

As he did so, putting his back up against the tree, Bruin took Sergiy's arm and put it around his shoulder, then curled up so that he could lay himself against Sergiy's chest.

"That's nice of you."

Bruin quieted after that, and Sergiy did as well, wondering what to say.

After several minutes, Bruin spoke up. "Sergiy. Is something on your mind?"

"Hmm? What makes you say that?"

"You keep making these thoughtful growly sounds every few seconds. It's adorable." As Sergiy flushed, he felt Bruin tap him on the chest before burying himself further into his side. "Talk."

Sergiy grabbed his mate tighter, running a hand up and down his arm. "I only came to see how you were doing after the fight, that's all. Honest."

"Ah." Bruin patted his chest. "In that case, I'm good! Any injuries I got were my own fault from falling down, or stumbling in the dark, and Teresa reminded me to heal them. Which I did, with Rosemary's help, so now I'm good as new."

If he hadn't been listening for it, if Russ and Teresa hadn't pointed him in the right direction, maybe it would have taken him longer to notice the false cheer, if at all.

"It's okay to not be okay, my mate," he said softly. "You don't have to pretend anything with me."

"Who's pretending?"

Bruin sat up, dislodging himself from what Sergiy could confess had been a wonderful position in his arms, to swing a leg up and over Sergiy. Putting his weight on his hips, Bruin grabbed the lapel of Sergiy's shirt and thrust out his tusks, a stubborn set to his broad jaw.

"Bruin, even our toughest guardians have a hard time after their first few fights. You don't have to put on a brave front."

"While I can't say I'm a fan of life-or-death situations, I don't want you worrying about me. I'm fine."

"Then why would Russ send me after you?"

Bruin bobbed his head back and forth, seating himself more firmly on him. "I thought you said you wanted to check on me?"

"I did! I just… probably would have taken another few hours, first. But stop prevaricating. If Russ smelled something off with you, I don't want you trying to hide it."

He heard Bruin snort. "That wolf. He's the best good boy in the keep."

"He is.Well?"

"Okay. Yes. But it's probably not what Russell is thinking. Yes, my nerves were probably a bit frayed since this morning, but I already had a nice sit down with Rosemary and Marka about it—"

"With Marka?"

Bruin shrugged far too innocently for Sergiy's taste, but he let it pass.

"She was in the infirmary with us, and willing to offer advice.

She said much the same as you, about combat being harrowing.

But something that you need to know about Green witches, is that we understand about all things in its time. "

Bruin took a moment to look Sergiy over, then grabbed his arm, holding it up. He ran a green finger down the pale underside of Sergiy's forearm, tracing a faint scar.

"If the nutrients are there, the body will eventually heal.

It's not a fast process, and sometimes the body will be changed, afterwards, like with pain or scars, but you're still you.

Plants and trees are the same. Give them good soil and water and love and sunlight, and they'll grow big and tall. "

"Are we trees, now?" Sergiy asked, keeping his tone deadpan to extract a laugh from his mate.

"I wouldn't mind being a tree," he said.

"And I should probably make a comment about wanting more wood inside of me, but I'm getting distracted.

What I'm getting at, Sergiy, is that I have love and support all around me, so I know this will pass.

Today wasn't near as bad as three months ago, because the nautilus spirit behaved more like a wild creature.

Yeah, it was scary , like encountering a rabid animal would be, but not malevolent. It was probably just hungry."

Sergiy put his head forward, biting at his mate's neck. " Bruin. Get to it, already. "

"I've been worried about you, Sergiy."

"Bruin, we've been over this."

"I know. But this was different! Last time I was only in the Umbral a minute. This time, walking in that oppressive atmosphere, no stability… how do you carry on, knowing that that place is waiting for you every month, constantly alert, traps everywhere?"

Sergiy lifted his head, looking his mate in his very brown eyes as he ran a hand through his hair, trying to soothe him.

"It's my job. Simple as that."

"Crappy job," Bruin said, thrusting out his tusks again.

"I'm sure it's not much different than being a park ranger or deep sea scuba diver. Bruin, is this what Russ was smelling? Your worry for me?"

"Pretty sure. Plus the aforementioned nerves."

Sergiy nodded, thinking about it.

Being Bastion's warlord was his life. It was his role as his mother's middle child and the only drake shifter of his generation. He enjoyed doing what he did, and sure, there were the occasional sorrows of losing a friend, and the pain from injuries.

But he loved the adrenaline, he loved being surrounded by his packmates, sharing in their highs as they fought beside one another. The easy camaraderie of living with those who you'd fought beside and would die for…

But saying any of that wouldn't help his mate, who was too self-aware by half, so instead he took a page out of Bruin's own playbook.

"What can I do to make you feel better?"

"Spend more time with us," he said immediately.

Sergiy tried not to sigh. Time was one luxury he didn't have, but he didn't want to bring grief to his mate, so he nodded, slowly.

"Not today," he said, and Bruin seemed to thrust out his tusks reflexively, pouting. "Or tomorrow."

"Then—"

"Sunday. I have the entire day free. No training. No meetings. And I've already told Markos that he can handle Lady Yi that day if something comes up."

Bruin's pout slowly started widening into a smile. "Really? The whole day?"

"All of it. You, me, and Russ. We'll plan something, okay?"

"It's about time, my lord. Did you have anything in mind?"

Sergiy grabbed hold of Bruin and rolled over, pinning him to the ground, and he heard his mate's breath quicken.

"Why don't I give you a demonstration of at least one thing," he whispered, lowering his head down beside Bruin's ear, and he felt him shiver. "We can do a lot in twenty minutes, if you don't have anywhere else to be."

"I don't." Bruin's mouth hung open, lips pulled back behind his tusks. He lifted his head off of the ground, clearly trying for a kiss, but Sergiy felt in a teasing mood and he pulled back just out of reach.

"Good."

Sergiy lowered himself down to kiss his mate, but this time Bruin pulled back.

"Find time to do this for Russell, too," he said, a warning lilt in his tone.

Sergiy nodded."Promise."

Then, his patience having run out, he touched his lips to Bruin's, taking advantage of what time he could afford to spare.