Page 7

I think about her question for a long moment because I do not know if this is one of the things I should be careful about.

She has not tried to seduce me yet. At least, she hasn't tried in my language, so she thinks she has not tried to seduce me.

So long as I do not give in to making love with her, I should be fine, right?

"Where?" The word sounds rough as it comes from my throat, and I don't realize just how much she is physically affecting me until I hear my own voice.

"The river? Where I bathe?" Tori's voice is soft and luring.

It is unlike the other females, who are all still somewhat near being loud and laughing with their males and the other females.

They are all having much fun, and I am sure my Tori is as well, but she is a much more subdued female with the alcohol.

I think this means it will be easier to handle her advances, or she will pounce when I am comfortable.

I will need to tread carefully until I know for certain how she acts.

"You will remain clothed, yes?" I ask, even though I am already standing and wrapping my arm over her shoulder to keep her close.

" If I don't, what will you do? " Tori says, more to herself than to me. "No naked. Not tonight."

"Good, you are making this easy for me, such a sweet female." I praise her softly as we move across the yard toward the fields.

I look around for Beren, Lyath, or Nia, but they are nowhere to be seen. A few of the other brothers watch me walking with Tori and narrow their eyes, but no one moves to stop us as we get further and further away from everyone else.

Yril and Dath are certainly watching because they want to give me a hard time for this. They are Toron's blood, and since I am also now Toron's blood, Yril and Dath treat me as they would one another, which is with much teasing, especially about females.

"Do you like me when I'm sweet?" Tori asks, snagging my attention back and keeping it.

"I like you however you choose to be, but I like you most when you choose to be with me." I try to keep my nerves steady as I say the words because this is the most I have ever shared my soul with someone, and I do not wish to make a fool of myself.

Tori stops walking and then moves in front of me, her hands pushing against my abdomen before wrapping around my waist. Her eyes are misty as she looks up at me, and I realize now what kind of female she is with the alcohol. I did not think she would cry.

"You mean that?" Tori asks, her hands flexing against my back as she tries to hold me tighter, her face burying into my tunic and staining it with the tears that have decided to form rivers down her face. She was not even a little weepy, and now she is sobbing against me.

"Of course I do," I say, kneeling on the ground for the second time tonight. She throws her arms around my neck, and then her whole body is in my arms, and I am cradling her close to me. "Do you think I do not like you?"

"I know you do." She sniffles, but then even more tears somehow manage to dampen the crook of my neck. Her voice is wobbly, loud, and somehow happy and sad. "You make me feel…" Her words trail off, and then she makes an annoyed sound. "I do not have the words."

"You do not need them," I tell her, rubbing my hands up and down her back to soothe her. At least, I hope I am soothing her. This is soothing all parts of me, especially my soul. I enjoy my hands on her, and if she were not crying, I would be trying to figure out ways to touch her more.

"But I want to tell you," she whines.

"And you will when it is time," I reassure her.

She's quiet for long moments, and if not for her wiping away her tears occasionally, I would not know if she was even with me right now.

I shift her weight in my arms and go to stand back up.

We have been sitting in the trails between the fields for a long while.

There is no way we can go to the river now because the others will want to head back to the tribe soon.

If I do not return with Tori at some point, they will send out others to look. I would not mind them finding us together in the river as she tries to seduce me, but I do not want them stumbling upon me, holding her as she cries.

"Let me get you home," I murmur and smile when she peeks up to look at me.

"Will you stay with me?" she asks.

The question is so earnest and full of so much hope that I cannot deny her. Technically, it is still night, and I have been given permission to be with her tonight. I will use every single moment of the night I can.

"Of course." I hold her tighter and then stand a little taller when we come into view of the farmhouse. "My blood might give me a hard time, but know that I will get you safe and asleep soon."

As Tori speaks again, her voice is weak and slurred, and it makes me wonder if she is not already much closer to sleep than I thought. " I trust you. "

My chest swells in pride at her words, and then I have the courage to do what I need to do for my mate.

Yril comes up to me first, and when he goes to open his mouth, already planning to say something that will make me seem foolish, I narrow my eyes at him and hiss.

It is not a loud sound, but it is enough to get him to back away.

I would lose in a fight with Yril. We both know this.

So, when he laughs and shakes his head before returning to his mate, I appreciate him respecting my boundaries.

Of course, as soon as one male is dealt with, one who will not be dissuaded is next.

"What are you doing tonight?" Toron asks, rubbing the back of his horn.

"I am staying," I say.

I do not ask for permission. I do not explain what I want to do. Instead, I hold Toron's eyes until he gives me a short nod. He looks like he wants to say something else, but I speak first.

"I care for her more than anything."

Toron nods again and then walks back over to where the rest of his blood is. They wave a quick goodbye to me and head out from the farmland and back to the tribe.

I wait until I cannot see them anymore before I check the fire and ensure it is extinguished. Tori is asleep in my arms, and I am so proud that she feels comfortable enough around me to let me take care of her like this.

When I am certain the fire is out, I take us back to the house and try to decide where I will have us sleep.

It feels too intimate to be in her bed. There is also the couch, but I do not know how comfortable that will be for two bodies when even my body seems too big for it in the few times I have slept on it.

Tori nuzzles closer to me, and I realize I will be happy anywhere as long as she is close.