“Sunif treasures her.”
I nod in agreement and select another dark stalk for him to cut. “And Sabine wanted one to be hers.”
“And what do you want in a mate?”
That is much harder for me to answer. “I’m still figuring that out. Whoever I choose will be bound to me because of the rut, and I want it to be a good thing for both of us.”
“Does your kind have a rut? Do you bond with your mates?”
I shake my head as he cuts the stalk. “There are more women than men. I never expected to have a mate.”
“In that, we are much the same, Bridget of the Humans.”
“What do you want to ask?”
“If I need to fight to prove my worth as a mate…why should I risk my life for you?”
My mouth drops open, and I’m not sure how to answer that. I take another sip of water while he cuts a couple more stalks. We have quite the bundle to take home. “No one should risk their life for me.”
“You aren’t worth fighting for?”
“I’m not a bone to be haggled over. I want the decision to be mutual, and if you aren’t sure about humans, then I’m guessing you aren’t interested in having one as a mate?” I hope I haven’t offended him.
“You are correct, even though that means I may never have a mate, but I have lived with that knowledge for many years. Your kind are…you lack kam and your eyes are so small.”
“Are you calling me ugly?” I put my hands on my hips and smile so show I am not offended. We are very different, but I’ve grown used to their large eyes and orange teeth.
“And do you think the Honey are pretty?” He mimics my pose.
“Interesting,” I counter. Wild. Big. Rough. Are all other words that suit. Their devotion to their mate is appealing. Their desperation to have one, not so much. I like that Hrad is still making up his mind about humans. Human women are an option, but not his first choice. Whereas Edilk believes, he was led here to find us.
“You do not need to be in a rush to choose.” He bundles the stalks up with a piece of rope that he pulls from beneath his shirt. “If there is fighting, it is not your responsibility to stop.”
“Why should I choose you as a mate?”
His large red eyes narrow for a heartbeat. “Because I consider all options and do not rush. It’s why I plan the best raids.”
10
VARI
With the net mended—a job I have been working on for days—my hands finally have nothing to do. And I have no excuse to not seek out Orik, though I doubt anything I say will appease his wound or anger.
He will be furious with me.
I did not enjoy walking away, even though I believe it for the best. I long for his company, beneath the blanket and out of it. And if Bridget doesn’t choose him?
Will he want me back?
I close my eyes and tip my face to the sky. Either way, I feel as though I have lost him, and it aches. A part of me wants to tell him it was a mistake. That I don’t want a mate, only him.
But it is a lie. And not only because I think he should take this chance to have a mate.
I enjoyed my time with Bridget this morning. She is intriguing and thoughtful and has already found a task she can do to help. If she finds a way to make socks, she will be the most popular person in the tribe.
Any man will be lucky to be her mate.
If Orik doesn’t see that…
