Will Vari mind us sitting like this?
My attention snaps away from the shelter, where I had been staring at his glow, to her.He shouldn’t.
If he does, he isn’t the man I thought he was.
Are you alright?She watches me as though she’ll be able to see the lie on my lips.
Why wouldn’t I be?
She lifts an eyebrow and peers at me over the lip of the bowl. I don’t need any words or thoughts to understand what she isn’t saying.
I did some thinking last night. Your people and mine are in the same situation. Following old rules that no longer apply.With her huddled up next to me, I’m warming up. Because she smells of Vari and sex, my meq hardens. I’m not foolish enough to try something with another warrior’s mate. Not even Vari’s.
That’s what you were thinking about?
Would you rather that I’d reveled in my hurt that Vari was with another?
She tilts her head.No.I didn’t mean to—
He left me. You made the right choice.
She sighs.So what will you do now?
I hold my thoughts for several heartbeats.What do you want me to do?
You love him. That doesn’t turn off because he has a mate.
He has you and will do anything for you.This is also her life and her future. She doesn’t love Vari, but he was the best choice, and I think they will be good together.
She nods, her gaze on the fire.And so did you. You gave up your own happiness.She glances at me.I spoke to him about having two mates.
I grimace.That did not go well when I tried.
She nods and I wonder what he said to her. Nothing to dissuade her from sitting close to me like this. I want to ask how he feels about me, about us. But I can’t.
I want it to work so we can all find a way to be happy.
I want that too.But for that, Vari needs to be open to new ways of doing things.
Will you help us make rope today so then I can attempt to make socks?
A part of me wants to keep my distance so the hurt can heal, but Bridget and I want the same thing. So until Vari tells me to stay away from his mate, I will do as she asks.
Gladly.
18
BRIDGET
Sitting with Orik, it feels as though nothing has changed, even though everything has. There is an ache in my core from sleeping with Vari—which I do not regret. As Orik told me, he is very good with his tongue. But it also does not sit right with me to have chosen only one and to have come between them.
Edilk and Sabine wake and join us by the fire.
“Shall I start breakfast?” Orik asks.
Edilk nods, his gaze narrowing as he takes in the way I am wrapped in Orik’s blanket. It’s not a bed, it was simply to share warmth. Maybe he suspects something else is going on.
If he does, will he say anything or wait for us to work it out?
