My breath stuttersin my chest.
“What?”She asks, eyes widening at my expression. “Is that bad? Did I?—”
“No.”I crouch beside the tub, bringing us eye level. “Rhûven means ‘winters fury’ in Vraksûn.”
“Oh.”Her cheeks flush. “Look at me just a regular ole Rhavari expert.” She winks at me.
“Regular ole Rhavari expert,”I huff a laugh, shaking my head. My hand slides into her damp hair, tilting her face up to mine.
“You can't even pronounce halfthe words I've taught you, snowdrop.”
She splashes water at me.
My expression sobers.“But you knew that one. Without me teaching you.” I leaned closer. My nose traces along her throat—that vulnerable place I can't stop claiming.
“The bond is showingyou my language, Lumi. Showing you... me.”
“So...it's okay? I can call him that?”
“Yes,Lumi. Call him Rhûven. Call him whatever you want” My thumb brushes her lower lip. “Because he's yours.”
Goosebumps breakout over her skin.
“I'll be right back,you need to eat.” I force myself to stand, and head downstairs. I slip into the kitchen and pour the kettle over the herbs I gathered—ones meant to soothe her heat. Nothing will truly ease it, save for the one thing I still can’t give her.
I pulla Tharnfruit from the cooler and begin slicing. It resembles what her people call an apple—except it has frosted blue skin with a soft pink interior—but its flavor is something else entirely: cotton candy, and the velvety bite of snow peach.
Rare,even in these woods.
She hasn’t triedthis one yet, but I think it’ll be her favorite.
I gathera handful of nymra bark crisps— thin, reddish blue slices that crackle when roasted. They taste like vanilla bean and cinnamon, especially when drizzled with honey. They only grow where starlight touches the forest floor.
I scanthe shelves for something else to round it out, and my eyes catch on the snowcomb clusters—crystallized nougats, rich in protein—sweet like brown sugar mixed with dark chocolate.
Everythingon this plate was chosen to alleviate some of her suffering. All of them possess anti-inflammatory properties and natural painkillers.
I presstwo fingers to my sternum, then to my lips, and lower them gently to the edge of the plate. The forest hums softly in response—a whisper of wind curls under the door.
“Veylûn thessae,solmira kai. Veyr’kaelûn etra ves velorin.” Be nourished, beloved of my breath. Claimed in blood. Watched by Gods. Safe with me.
I brusha claw lightly over the rim of the plate and exhale a breath across the fruit; a thin layer of frost settles over it all, sealing the vow.
41
Chapter 42-
Andrik cont pov
She hasn’t calledfor me, but I can feel her. The forest doesn’t whisper her name like it usually does. It just aches—a low, rhythmic pulse beneath my ribs that tightens every time she moves in the water.
She’s trying sohard to stay in control, but I can smell her heat from across the cabin.
I pressmy palm to the banister. Threk’mai kel. Nakshi’vren. Vresh’kal. (Just bring her the food. Stay controlled. Be steady.)
By the timeI breathe again, I’m at the top of the stairs. The door creaks open as I step through. She’s curled low in the tub,cold water gushing over her body. Her eyes are squeezed shut, arms locked around her middle as if she can hold the ache in place.
“Oh, Lumi...”
