Clearly not buying her story. She cleared her throat and did her best to change the subject. “What about you? How many years have you known? How long have you and Lore been together? Have you always been in the Vyctore Clan?” Despite wanting to shift the attention from herself, she truly wanted to know more about him.
Zehn smiled. “You are a clever female.”
“Huh?”
“I have been alive for many years. A few more than your own, surely.”
“You don’t know?”
“We do not keep count. But mine are probably closer to thirty. When the phelthar rises in us, our maturity is met.”
“You mentioned phelthar before. What is it?”
“When did we speak of this?”
She blushed. “The first time I saw you and Lore together. You talked about it.”
He grinned. “Ah. Yes. We did join that eve.” He chuckled. “You’re adorable when you turn pink.”
She frowned.
He laughed harder. “Even more beautiful when you’re angry. Your fire burns,nueshka. In the best way.”
She wanted to be angrier about being patronized, but she didn’t think Zehn meant his comments that way. He seemed to like her looks as much as he liked that “weak” fire within her. Approval radiated from his frame, and the warmth she felt from his support surprised her.
“Phelthar,” he continued, “is that essence from Ussed that connects all living things. We feel that most keenly with our mates.”
“Are you mated?” Sex with Lore didn’t necessarily mean he had a wife or husband. And he’d had sex with her too. So what did that mean, exactly?
“I am bond-mated to Lore. He is part of me, in here.” He tapped his chest. “But we have been looking for a worthy female to complete us. One to bear our young, to care for, to trigger our instinct.”
She didn’t know why she felt such relief that though he and Lore were partnered, they continued to look for a third. Did she really want to throw her hat in the ring? Please. She had enough problems without two bossy giants telling her what to do all the time. Sure, the sex was fantastic, but Mandy wanted to finally be free. To make her own choices and stop having to run all the time.
When Zehn just sat there, staring at her, she motioned him with her hand. “And? Continue. How long have you and Lore been together?”
He studied her, and she had the disconcerting thought he could see inside her, to all her secrets. His golden eyes blazed. “Lore has been my friend since we were both children. His family came to the clan a few years after my birth. We have been playmates, gone through warrior training together, and created a pair-bond that turned into a true mating.” At her look of confusion, he explained. “Our clan has more males than females, and this makes life difficult for our people. Our males have a need. For violence, for sex, but mostly, for a physical and spiritual connection. Talzec, our alpha, has given us permission to take fellow warriors to pair with.”
“For sex,” she said.
He nodded. “Because without that pairing, we can become too violent. Ussed fills us with life, and we hunger to share it. But sex,” he said, using her word, “is not as fulfilling as it needs be. Lore and I knew we were meant for each other a long time ago. Back before Talzec took charge.” He sighed. “Then, male-to-male pairing was not allowed. It was not easy to hide what we felt, but we did. I did not want Lore to be sent away.”
“Why Lore and not you?”
“Lore is different. His green eye, his ability to connect.” He tapped his forehead. “He’s such a power, and much loved by Ussed.” Zehn’s smile softened. “By me.”
She felt a burning behind her eyes and felt like an idiot. But his honest love for his partner touched her. “But you can be together now, because Talzec allows it?”
“Yes. Talzec mated with Skye, a human. And his beta serves also as his bond-mate. They are powerful triad and growing stronger. The mating is blessed by the Maker.”
“Oh. That’s nice.” She knew they considered the Maker their god.
“The Vyctore clan has become the most powerful amongst all the tribes.” He looked fierce. “When we hold our Tribal Council, you will see.”
Would she still be around for that? She didn’t think so, but she said nothing about leaving. “What’s life like in your clan? Do you guys fight all the time?”
“No.” He chuckled. “We train, yes, because warring is a way of life among our people. But within our clan, we are joyous. The females are protected and cared for. Our people work hard. Dissent is not accepted, but honesty is encouraged. One may disagree with our alpha, and discussions occur in the commons. But Talzec’s word is law.”
“And your females. Are they allowed to petition your alpha?”
