He roars with laughter. “There is only one answer. Me.”
I should have expected that from him. “Why?”
“Because I’m from a rich tribe,” he says, as though it should be obvious.
“No, what is it about you that makes you think you would be best for me?” He’s cocky and knows he has valuable skills, but I don’t think we would work well together. He reminds me too much of the men in the colony. They were aware they could have whatever they wanted, and they expected to get it.
He whittles away at the stick, and I can already see the crochet hook taking shape—even if it is slightly different to what I’m used to.
“I am a banished warrior. A fourth son. On my own, I have little to offer besides a blanket, the same as my brothers. My value is the home I can offer with my tribe.” He keeps his gaze on the wood and the blade.
That’s not an answer. “What do you like about me? Why do you want me as a mate?”
“You’re a woman seeking a mate, and I want a mate.”
I rake my fingers through my hair and sigh. “Yva, I’m asking about your personality. About what you want. Not about your tribe, anything else.”
His scowl deepens. “What I want doesn’t matter. My job is to find a mate and return home.” He curves the outer edge of the hook. “It is the women who choose.”
“But you get a say—”
“Do I? Because I don’t see any other women. It’s you or no one.”
“I’m very aware of that. But I don’t want to be anyone’s last choice.”
Hrad made it clear I wasn’t his first. I don’t know how long Yva has been banished for, but he’s still hanging onto the past.
“Only choice,” he corrects. “There is a difference.”
“Is there?”
“It makes you worth fighting for.” When he smiles, there is a hint of teeth.
My skin prickles and I’d like to blame the chill as the sun sets. If I don’t choose soon, Yva is happy to spill blood to get what he wants.
12
ORIK
Iexpected Vari to find me, but I’m disappointed that it took him so long. I thought he’d be back as soon as he’d finished talking with Bridget, saying that he’d change his mind and wanted us both.
Because I ignored his attempts at communication from a distance, he was walked close enough to be with in arcing distance.
He doesn’t keep his words silent. “You’re upset, but you should join us for dinner.”
I keep stirring my little pot. I will join them. They’ll all be aware that Vari has left our blanket. They’ll be wondering why Bridget hasn’t chosen me after spending all that time with me. Why I care what they all think, I’m not sure. I never cared that they knew Vari and I were sharing a blanket and had an attachment, but I care now we aren’t. “Has she chosen?”
“No, she’s asking us all some very strange questions.”
I smile. That sounds like her. “Of course she is. She’s not one of us. They do things differently.”
I liked talking to her about the differences. Because I had Vari there was no expectation, so she opened up to me. Sure, I dropped a few hints that I was open to having both of them and she asked a few questions, but that was as far as it went as if we both knew that Vari could be the problem.
Now I don’t even have him.
And it’s her fault because she didn’t choose us both.
I glance up at him. “So I join you for dinner and then what? Answer her questions? And then…” Are you coming back to me? Is what I want to ask.
