The warriors are a head taller than me, with large luminous eyes in shades of yellow through to red. Their hair is blond or brown, though in the light, it seems to shine with a pinkish tint. Like the rest of them, Hrad has a series of markings up his arms that tell his story. I don’t know what all the markings mean, but they all wear the one that marks them as fourth born sons.
I’m not sure if it’s the gol, or exhaustion, but the fire seems to dance.
Sabine snaps her fingers in front of me. “I think you need to go to bed.”
I blink and shake my head, not sure if I was asleep or staring at the fire.
“I can offer you my blanket,” Hrad says.
I narrow my gaze. “Do you think I’m an idiot? Only mates share blankets.”
Orik told me so much about his people in the time we spent together. If he wasn’t huddled up with Vari, I might have made my choice already. As it is, he isn’t available. What I took as interest was only friendliness, but I’m grateful for his honesty and openness.
However, I need to choose. This is my life now. Being unmated is dangerous for me and them. How long until they begin to fight?
Edilk groans. “Sabine and I will protect you.”
I nod, and my head is heavy. Sabine grabs my arm before I tip backwards off the log.
Orik is on his feet, as if wanting to assist. Sabine glances at him and shakes her head, and he doesn’t take another step forward.
It takes a moment for me to realize I wanted him to, but if he steps in to help me, the other men will be jealous. And there will be arguments…or worse.
What we shared on the walk, the talks and such, are over.
I miss them already.
Orik is easy to be around. He smiles a lot and never shows his teeth because that is considered rude and aggressive among his people. I give him a closed lip smile.
He returns it with a nod before speaking. “How many blankets do we have? Or do I need to give up the one I hoped to share with Vari?”
“You have given up a bed. That is enough,” Edilk says. “She can use Sunif’s tonight since he has taken Vari’s. Bridget, is that acceptable?”
“Sure.” Sunif is mated. It will be fine, and no one can be upset about it.
The sparks from the fire dance higher into the sky. What had Orik said about the stars? I sigh and stare at them. They are the banished warriors that never made it home, and who now watch over their families.
“Okay.” Sabine pulls me up. “You need to lie down before you fall down. There’s no doctor out here if you hit your head.”
She’s right. The only medical supplies we have are what we were carrying the day we were taken, or saved from the screaming creature depending on how I look at it…which depends on the day and how brave I’m feeling about my new life.
I draw in a breath and wave at everyone. “Good night.”
All the guys flinch as if I slapped them. Then I realize it’s because I’m waving my hand around with my fingers spread. If I could create a charge, I’d be dangerous.
Sabine grabs my hand and lowers it. “Come on.”
She walks me away from the cooking fire to where Edilk is waiting in front of a small shelter. Nearby is a much smaller fire. Was that there before, or did he just light it?
“Who’s bed is this?” Am I stealing someone’s house?
“It’s for whoever was on watch while the others slept.” Edilk opens up the blanket. “In you go.”
“Where will you sleep?”
Sabine touches his arm, acting as his translator since he gave his device to Hrad.
“Out here. You will be safe,” he assures me.
