I murmured, making it clear her denial didn't mean much. "She needs some clothes. We'll have to run to Jeera's to pick up what little she has, but Meri needs some girly stuff."
"It's not - "
I cut her off before a tirade could start. "The post-birth kind."
"Oh."
Yeah, and now I was struggling not to laugh in her face. That would set her off all over again. Then again, Lessa wasn't really a hard person to deal with. She was just emphatic - abouteverything. It intimidated a lot of people. For me, I found it endearing. She was strong, bull-headed, and absolutely amazing.
"So," I said, turning her back to her place, "how about you show me what I need to carry, hm? Meri said she likes needlepoint and crochet, so if you have anything to keep her from getting bored while she heals up..."
"Remember," she said, catching my hand and towing me after her, "you asked for this."
"Girl, I will follow that tail of yours anywhere," I promised. "I also like how lifting heavy things makes your hands feel me up, and your mouth tends to follow."
"And Omden's home," she reminded me. "He deserves a little of your attention right now."
"Mhm," I agreed as she led me through her house and towards the fabric room. "He's getting it. We also need a big,beautiful bitch to baby us after all that running and hacking we did the other day."
She stepped into the room, letting go of my hand, and started digging through the fabric. "So, you're saying he needs a massage, huh?"
"Considering he's being a sweet man and washing Meri's hair? Yeah." And I slid in behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist to make her pause. "He likes her, Less. He happens to need a friend, so don't you dare chase him off."
"Ommy?" She glanced back, pure confusion on her face.
"I know you like her," I pointed out. "I also know you get mean when you're jealous."
"But he isn't into women."
"I know."
And she rolled her eyes. "Which means," she informed me, "that I'm notjealousofhim."
So I hooked her chin, turning her to face me with that paltry contact. "Oh? Does that mean you're jealous ofmetalking to the girl?"
Lessa's teeth clamped down on her lower lip. "Maybe a little."
"Don't be."
"But I know you like gold things." And she gestured to herself.
Okay. She wasn't wrong. She'd also forgotten the important part. "Less, that woman just gave birth to herrapist'schild. I'm pretty sure the last thing she wants is a man touching her. My part in her life is to be the big, strong brute who keeps her safe. You get to make her fall in love with you. Omden gets to show her how Dragons handle friendship."
But she stepped closer, trailing a finger down my bare chest. "I think you're the one missing something, Droz. Meri? She's not weak. She's smart, and sweet, and many, many things. Weak is not one of them. She pushed through everything that man didto her and came out the other side with her head held high. She may have been terrified, but she actuallydid it,and that takes more guts than shooting them with a bow."
"I know."
"And you," she went on, "are nothing like a Mole. You, Drozel, are big, yes. You're also nice. You're considerate. You are the antithesis of every single thing she knows about men."
"Okay? That's kinda what I was saying."
She caught my neck and pulled me down toward her. "But not smart. Because, Drozel, if you were smart, you'd realize that if you keep this up, Meri might fall in love with a man like you." And she stretched, pausing with her lips a hair from mine. "And I'll only be alittlejealous."
I kissed her before she could say anything else. Mostly because that was a conversation I knew I'd lose. I always did when she set her mind to something. It was my favorite thing about her.
Four
Callah
