"You need to get to know him better.To let him get to knowyoubetter.If he had, he wouldn't have run today.He'd have known you'd never starve your mate, never would've starved anyone."
"What does it say about him that he believes I would?"
"Shixyll's word is law?If she says he can't eat, he can't eat?"
Rourke stared at him."You think she'd starve her people?"
Ulric's lips pressed into a thin line."Why is he so scared?We haven't done anything to him, and yet he keeps his eyes glued to the floor and winces and jumps as soon as there is a sound."
Hewasjumpy.
"I think it's more than the tales he's been told about us being monsters."Ulric gave a humorless chuckle."I think he was treated badly in the clan, and he expects us to be as bad, if not worse.All he does is sit in your room, too scared to go anywhere.Today was the first time he did anything for himself, and you exploded in a fit of rage."
Rourke scowled at him.
"You should've seen him, Rourke.He was relaxed, his motions flowing, a small smile playing on his lips as he moved around.Cookies gave him comfort."
"We can't trust it.What if he feeds us a curse, and we end up paralyzed or something?What if it's the plan, make us defenseless so the witches can attack while we're unable to protect our land?"
Ulric shook his head."I don't think he would.He reattached the ward.Bled to make sure I'd get a warning if a witch stepped onto our land.He wasn't planning on coming back, Rourke.There was no gain for him in helping us."
Maybe not."Unless he was sure he'd get caught."
Ulric rolled his eyes."You don't believe that."
No, he didn't.Ezra's fear and desperation had been real."The mate bond should've led me directly to him."
Ulric grinned."Are you sure you did it right?Maybe I should give you a few pointers?"
"Asshole."
Ulric wiggled his eyebrows in a ridiculous gesture.
Rourke stood."I better get him some food before he's done in the shower."
"Perhaps you should've showered with him."
Staring didn't help much, but it was what Rourke did.
"Maybe what the mate bond needs is more physical contact.You leave him as soon as you wake and don't go back to him until it's time to sleep.Maybe it needs awake time together to strengthen."
"I'll do better."
"Good.I think you should let him bake too.Jiprix wouldn't have come here if those cookies were useless.You should ask Ezra about them."
Rourke nodded and headed for the door.He'd make Ezra a few sandwiches and take them back to the room.
* * * *
Ezra stood under the spray for a long time.Steam billowed around him, then he remembered Rourke waiting for him, and he hurried to wash.
He grabbed a towel as he stepped out of the shower, and looked in dismay at the dirty clothes on the floor.He should've brought a change in here.
Wrapping the towel around his hips, he pulled on the shirt with dried blood on the sleeve and dirt from where he'd fallen and rested against the tree trunk.
When he unlocked the door and stepped outside, he ground to a stop.Rourke was leaning against the wall opposite the door with his arms crossed over his chest.Fuck.
"Nice shower?"
