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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Vartok

When I finally allowed myself to sleep that night, my body just shut down. ‘Twas not unexpected after the pushing I’d done these last few days, but ‘ twas disappointing. I wanted to claim my Mate, not sleep, but I’d reached my limit.

My Kteer wasn’t happy with me either.

But when I woke—after dawn on the third day, having slept a full night and day and night again—I could smell Myra on my sheets. At some point during the last two days, she’d curled up beside me. I remembered holding her, but had assumed ‘twas a dream.

Still, it pleased me to know she thought to come to my bed, rather than the small cot in her sister’s home.

I knew I had to ensure she was at my side forever .

Feeling refreshed, I washed and dressed in a blessedly clean kilt I found laid out on the chest. Had Myra done that for me? She’d slept on our journey home, so mayhap she’d spent the last days preparing for our future as well. The thought pleased me, although I regretted I hadn’t been at her side.

I told my Kteer that she was happy and safe here in the village, and I could afford to let my guard down. Soon—now that my brother was home—I wouldn’t have to worry about being in control of everything.

The day was spent checking on things. ‘Twas a constant fight with my Kteer , which was desperate for me to hunt down Myra and drag her to my bed. But I had responsibilities and obligations. I might not be the chief any longer—thank the gods—but there was still much to be done.

Kragorn was stronger today, out of bed and eating when I came to his home.

“Blessed Malla,” I breathed in relief, seeing him. “That damned herb does work.”

Laughing, he gestured for me to join him, and his new human prisoner hurried to bring me a bowl of sweet porridge. I watched her as I ate with my brother, and was intrigued to see she didn’t take her gaze from Kragorn. She smelled nervous, scared…but she wasn’t hiding from him, either.

My twin told me the story of his escape, and Lillian’s part in it.

By the time our bowls were empty—I’d eaten a third helping—my opinion of her had changed.

I still wasn’t sure what Kragorn’s plans were when it came to her, but when I realized he was tiring again, I stood to help him back into the bed, then turned to her .

When I reached for her, she cringed back as if expecting a blow. I took her hand gently.

“Thank ye for all ye’ve done for him,” I said softly, hoping not to scare her further. “Ye’ve made me an ally for life. If ye need aught, come to me, even if ‘tis to escape my brother’s grumpy demands?—”

“Oh, fook off, Vartok,” muttered Kragorn from the bed.

I sent his confused human prisoner a charming grin and a wink before sauntering off.

Hearing Kragorn’s story had been a relief, but I still felt itchy, as if my Kteer wasn’t satisfied. There was much to do.

Bloodfire Village was bustling, even this early in the morning, my clan members cheerful and busy. I could feel their happiness at having Kragorn back home, and I received more than one slap on the back and joke about turning things back over to him.

I didn’t have to fake my relief, and it pleased me to realize my clan knew me so well.

We had our chief back; Kragorn was home. He wasn’t whole, but he was healing.

And there were others to check on…

Mkaalad looked much happier—and better rested—when he met me at his door, wee Ella tucked in the crook of his arm.

“Cousin! If ye’re here for breakfast, ye’re shite out of luck. I cannae cook to save my life.”

“Please,” came Avaleen’s call from the bed. “Save me. Send some decent porridge. ”

Chuckling, I bent to kiss the bairn’s head then crossed the room toward Avaleen.

“Besides this lout’s attempts at cooking, how are ye?” I reached for her hand. “Ye’re looking better.”

“I am feeling better.” She was propped up against the pillows, a shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders. Her dark skin shone with health, so different from the shrunken gauntness before the full moon.

I peered closer, and she rolled her eyes.

“Honestly, Vartok, I am better. Even Myra and Nan agree I am well enough to leave this bed, but my Mate believes he knows better.”

Mkaalad sent her a loving smile. “And ye’ll keep yer arse planted there until I think ye’re well enough. Here, my daughter is hungry. I will make ye more porridge.”

Pretending to groan, Avaleen reached for the bairn, and it made my heart glad to know these three were happy and settled together. Mayhap I watched her nursing the kitling a little too long, because my cousin nudged me.

“Her tits are nice, but ye dinnae have to stare.”

Mortified, I jerked my gaze away, only to realize he was teasing me. So I took a deep breath and admitted the truth.

“I was considering how Myra might look with my bairn at her breast.”

Avaleen sucked in an excited breath as Mkaalad slapped me on my shoulder.

“’Tis about damned time, cousin. Have ye claimed her yet? ”

I sent him a rueful smile. “I’ve been asleep since we returned.”

“Well, get yer arse to Nan’s! She’s over there now, decocting more of that root thing ye brought back. ‘Tis working well for Avaleen and Kragorn, but they both need more.”

“Aye,” Avaleen agreed from the bed, her eyes bright with tears. “Go make my sister happy, Vartok.”

Well, who was I to disobey an order?

Before I even reached Nan’s cozy little cottage, I knew Myra was inside. I could feel her. And when I pushed open the door, she was already facing me, a smile on her lips.

“You are looking well-rested,” she chirped, and I adored that she’d known I was approaching.

Unable to help myself, I crossed to her, pulling her against me, lowering my mouth to hers…

But the noise my grandmother made stopped me.

‘Twas somewhere between a laugh and a growl.

I suspect a wounded bear trapped in a hive might make a similar sound, so I lifted my head to find Nan glaring at me, a heavy wooden spoon in hand.

“Good morning, Nan.”

“Dinnae good morning me, laddie. Ye show up here and distract Myra just at the crucial stirring stage!”

Myra’s fingers clutched at my plaid. “Do not listen to her. She just hates stirring.”

“Aye, of course I hate it! ‘Tis why I have ye to do it!” The old woman waved the spoon. “Unhand my grandson and get yer arse over here to stir! ”

“Nan,” I began sternly, “I havenae seen my Mate in a day and a half.”

“The feast is in a few hours, laddie, ye can wait until then to— Oh dear, ye havenae claimed her yet, have ye?” All the irritation seemed to drain from her as she sighed, glancing between us. “Verra well, one kiss, but that’s it, Vartok. I mean it.”

She shook the spoon again.

Myra smirked. “I promise not to get so distracted I cannot help, Nan.”

“’Tis no’ that, lass, but the fact that he’s no’ claimed ye fully. What in the hells were ye both doing on that adventure I sent ye on? I was sure ye would’ve realized ye were Mated and gotten this all out of the way! Look at him! He can barely stand to be around ye now, see?”

Myra’s suddenly worried gaze snapped up to mine, and my lips twisted wryly.

“I hate to say it, love, but she’s right.”

“Of course I’m right!” Nan crowed. “I was right about ye two being Mates, was I no’?”

I hadn’t taken my gaze from Myra, and now I winced.

“I’m afraid once I start kissing ye that I willnae be able to stop,” I confessed in a whisper.

To my surprise, my Mate immediately squirmed free of my hold. My brows rose, and she shrugged apologetically.

“I want you as well, Vartok, but there is much to do before the celebratory feast. Afterward… ”

“Aye, after!” Nan commanded, coming at me with that damned spoon. “Ye can claim yer Mate after. Ye’ll have plenty of time!” she declared, shooing me out the door.

“Go away and dinnae come back!”

Frankly, ‘twas amazing that I made it through the next few hours.

Torvolk and the Keeper helped, as did Gruptor and Gaartag, distracting me with demands and wanting to hear all about the Battleborn.

Still, ‘twas difficult to keep my attention on the stories when my Kteer was urging me to take steal claim love now claim!

But I was stronger than this basic urge. I would wait until Myra was ready. Until she was comfortable.

The celebratory feast was full of high spirits, especially after Kragorn and his prisoner joined us.

Lillian clearly wasn’t certain what to make of Bloodfire Village, but my brother sat in a comfortable chair near the fire in the Council Hall, wrapped in furs and appearing almost like his old self, despite his splint and bandages.

Aye, ‘twas good to be home.

But my Kteer and my heart wouldn’t be at ease, wouldn’t be settled…until Myra was in my arms.

Until she was mine.

Myra

The feast was a success and I was grateful ‘twas not as involved—or stressful—as the Midwinter Festival had been. The clan roasted a sheep and enjoyed fresh bread, stewed vegetables, and plenty of ale as the sun sank in the west, celebrating Avaleen’s healthy birth and Kragorn’s return.

I stayed away from the ale.

The memory of how it had made me feel the last time I over-imbibed wouldn’t leave me. Besides, each time I glanced across the fire to see Vartok watching me with those glowing green eyes, a warmth pooled in my stomach that had naught to do with alcohol.

The ale had granted me the courage to approach him the first time.

Now, though?

Now I couldn’t wait to go to his cottage. Our home. My Mate and I had a future, and thanks to Nan’s teas, I was ready to begin it.

After the sun set, Isadora approached me with a covered basket of still-warm bread.

“For the Heat,” she whispered with a wink. “You will need to keep your strength up.”

From behind her, Verna snorted, a platter in her hands.

“It seems we had the same idea.” She balanced the platter atop the basket. “These cuts of meat can be eaten cold.” With a wink, she wrapped one arm around my shoulders and squeezed. “Have fun.”