He paused long enough to grab his blades and tie them to his belt before taking my hand and leading me outside. The man who’d called out to him was waiting, a little shorter than Rath, but still several hands taller than me, with a more trim build and braids in his hair. He smiled brightly at Rath, squeezing his shoulder, before turning a curious look towards me.
“Verus, my clan brother,” Rath introduced, gesturing to the man. Then he turned to his friend. “My Finn.”
My cheeks burned at the possessiveness in his tone. Not just Finn.HisFinn.
A part of me worried how the clan would react to Rath claiming a man so readily, but Verus didn’t even blink. He said something in a teasing tone, elbowing his friend, and ducked with a laugh when Rath tried to cuff him. He didn’t seem to care either way. Could it be that this clan didn’t care about same-sex couples?
Not that Rath and I were a couple. I didn’t know what we were. He took care of me, but he didn’t ask for affection or try to touch me in unwelcome ways. Petting my hair when I was scared was nice, and he held me at night to keep me warm, but he never pushed for more. What did that make us?
Verus led the way through the rows of tents. I hadn’t looked much, but from what I’d seen, the little village was laid out like a wheel and spokes, all tents circling a massive fire in the middle. There were smaller fires here and there, but the one in the middle was where they congregated. That’s where Rath brought me that morning. The air was cool outside the tent, so it was nice to be near the warm flames. Rath steered me toward some cushions nearby and pushed me onto one, putting up a finger to ask me to wait before he walked away. I was a little nervous, I felt safer with him, but he wasn’t gone long. He brought a woman with him and my stomach sank, thinking maybe this was his wife or girlfriend. It would be just my luck that the first guy who treated me kindly enough to even consider a relationship was taken.
She smiled and nodded as Rath spoke to her, stopping a few feet in front of me so he could do introductions. “My Finn, meet Zoya.” He said another word I didn’t recognize, and when I frowned, she spoke for herself.
“That word means healer. I’m one of the clan healers. It’s nice to meet you, Finn.”
My eyebrows shot up and my mouth fell open. “You speak my language? Does everyone?”
“No, not everyone,” she replied with a shake of her head. “I’ll be happy to explain it to you, but first, Rath asked for me to stay with you while he goes on a hunt. He’ll be gone a few hours, and he doesn’t want to leave you all alone. Would you be comfortable with that, or would you prefer to go back to his tent to rest?”
I opened my mouth to reply with an immediate yes since I really wanted to talk to someone who understood me. But then it clicked that she said he’d be gone for a few hours. I looked around hesitantly. Rath had proved that it was safe to be around him, but I didn’t know anyone else. I hadn’t been around anyone but him. Were they all as nice as he was, or would others take issue with a smaller man not contributing in any way? Should I volunteer to work?
Rath must’ve seen my panic because he kneeled in front of me and cupped my face, his brows drawn together tightly. He said something, but I didn’t understand him. I was too panicked to run through all the words he’d taught me so far.
“He said you’re safe,” Zoya murmured. She sat beside me, worry and understanding written on her face. “He’s not lying. You’re safe here. Tributes are important to the clan. It’s a place of honor.”
I wanted to shake my head, but I couldn’t with the way Rath was holding me. “I’m not a woman. It’s not the same. I—” I choked back tears, trying to pull Rath’s hands away so I could hide. He wouldn’t budge, and a few tears slipped out anyway. I whimpered, waiting for Rath to finally lose his patience, but he never did. He gently brushed the tears away with his thumbs and rested his forehead against mine, muttering something I didn’tunderstand. Zoya understood him, though, and huffed out a laugh.
“He wants to take you with him. Pretty sure going on a hunt would only scare you. The animals out there can be terrifying.” She said something to Rath, shaking her head at him. He answered, but he sounded put out about whatever they were talking about. Zoya turned back to me.
“I know things are overwhelming and scary, and it’s completely understandable to want to hide away, but he’s planning on rushing to get back to you and that can be dangerous. So for his sake, can you sit here with me so he knows you’ll be okay and he can do his thing safely? I promise, no one will hurt you,” she cajoled, putting her hand on my shoulder in a gesture of support.
I didn’t want Rath to get hurt just because I was being a big baby about everything. I nodded quickly, summoning what little bravery I had. “I-I’m fine here. He doesn’t need to rush on my account. I’m okay.”
Thankfully, Zoya translated for me. For a moment, it didn’t look like Rath believed her. She sighed and rolled her eyes, but there was a hint of affection in her smile. Verus and a few others called for him, so he couldn’t really linger and argue with her.
He shot another worried glance at me, and I did my best to hide my expression so he wouldn’t feel rushed. Touching his hands that were still cupping my cheeks, I murmured, “I’m okay.”
That time, he seemed to understand me. He nodded and in a move I didn’t expect, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead, lingering for a moment before releasing me and pushing to his feet. He said something else to Zoya before he walked away, joining his friends and mounting an enormous version of a horse. He glanced over his shoulder, studying mewith a frown, and I did my best to show him it was okay. I wasn’t going anywhere. I didn’t have anywhere else to go.
Five
After Rath left, I curled in on myself a little, circling my arms around my legs. The village center was busy, with people moving about and talking with one another. None of them paid us much mind. A few smiled and nodded politely at Zoya, but they didn’t come to talk to her. She sat beside me with a patient smile, her legs curled under her and her posture relaxed.
“So, how have language lessons been going?”
When I shot her a questioning look, she lifted a shoulder. “We all went through the same thing. Usually, you get a week before you’re introduced to the clan, so you’re more comfortable, but Rath is the best hunter, and they want to throw a feast soon. One of the women just had a baby. It’s something to celebrate.”
Curiosity loosened my tongue a little. “Everyone? Even male tributes?”
She pursed her lips thoughtfully. “Well, I assume so, but you’re the first, so I can’t answer if there will be any differences.”
My stomach sank. “Th-the first? W-why?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I think the original agreement said women, but you’d have to ask one of the elders about that.”
“A-are they going to send me back?” The idea of that was more terrifying than staying here. I knew what waited for me if I went back. I had nowhere else to go.
Startled, Zoya waved her hands. “No, no! You’re not being sent back. I’m pretty sure Rath would gut someone if they tried. No, I was just saying that since the original agreement said women, towns never really deviated from that. You’re the first. But since there are a few men here who prefer other men, they aren’t opposed to it. Most of them aren’t ready to settle down, though.” She wrinkled her nose a little. “I think you got lucky with Rath. He’s the calm one. His brother Godr can’t sit still for anything. There’s a reason he trains the horses. He’s the one who can keep up with them.”
