I study Easton's body language—the way his shoulders curve slightly inward, how he's suddenly fascinated by his plate. Myproper, prim phoenix went hunting. In his shift. For me. The realization blooms warm in my chest.
"No, I was curious who did such a good job hunting."
Half a smile creeps across Easton's lips, and I know he received my praise well. His eyes finally lift to meet mine, and there's something soft there. Something pleased. I return to eating my meal, and every time I look away, either Diaval or Torben has refilled my plate.
This whole needing to eat a lot as a shifter isn't a joke. But as I watch my mates fuss over me, making sure my water is filled, my plate is full, my chair is comfortable—I realize this is their love language. They can't always protect me from Wendigos and hunters and whatever else is coming.But they can make sure I'm fed. That I'm warm. That I'm cared for. I'm just grateful that someone besides me can hunt for our food. And more than that—I'm grateful they want to.
Chapter 15
Khal
Sleepingwhen everyone else is awake absolutely sucks. I've missed out on so much since I flipped my sleep schedule. The only positive is that my night vision is unrivaled. Diaval comes a close second, but he's not naturally nocturnal like I am.
Feray sits there and eats two whole plates of food before she tells the others to stop refilling her plate. Affectionately, she rubs her stomach, calling it her food baby. Everyone, including myself, stops and stares at her as she smiles, looking down at the slight distention of her stomach.
I can imagine her swollen with my child, looking down at it with so much love that it makes my heart want to explode with joy. Shaking my head, I clear those hopeful thoughts. One day in the future, once we're sure all the danger is far behind us, I can worry about creating life with my mate.
Diaval uncharacteristically pulls Feray to him and points to the stars in the sky. I'm guessing he's teaching her about astronomy and how his people used to navigate the night skies. Every once in a while, words drift to me as I scan the meadow we've chosen for the night.
"Something on your mind, Khal?" Easton makes me jump at his sudden intrusion into my thought process.
My eyes drop to the earth below my feet, then I look around. "If it's not too much trouble, can you scorch this section of earth?" I motion to the area I intend to shift in and coil up with Feray. "It would be easier to watch for danger and give me level ground to coil up for Feray to get a good night's sleep."
"Not a problem. Just have a drink and some food ready for when I shift back."
Easton steps away from the group and literally bursts into flames. Feray gasps and jumps at his theatrical shift. The next thing I know, lithe hands are gripping my t-shirt tightly, and I feel the heat of her body pressed into my back. "I saw him in flight when he rescued me. It was as terrifying as it was intensely beautiful." She whispers as he takes to the air and starts circling before laying down a stream of fire like a flamethrower. I pull her alongside me and tuck her under my arm. Looking over my shoulder, I notice Torben is having a similar reaction to the fire as Feray. It must be something to do with fur-bearing mammals having a fear of fire.
Diaval steps up beside Feray on her other side and takes her hand in his. "He would never hurt you." His voice is pitched low, and she looks over at him and nods, still occasionally trembling in my arms.
"Is the fear of fire a mammal thing?" I glance over at Diaval briefly before watching Easton practically glass the area for Feray's safety.
"Yes. Their fur will burn in seconds, and their soft skin will peel off their muscles, eventually exposing bones and tendons."
Diaval's clinical explanation almost turns my stomach. Feray's reaction takes the cake—she's standing there looking up at him like he's a hydra. "That wasn't even a thought!" She screeches at him, then moves to the opposite side and tucks herself back under my arm. Her reaction gets Torben to step forward and press himself against her opposite side, rubbing her back.
"Then what is it?" Diaval queries.
"Her friend was badly burned in a fire." Easton says after he shifts back and adjusts his tie.
I remember hearing mentions of the satyr and what happened to him. Her fear of fire didn't make sense until right now. Easton approaches and offers her his hand. Feray gives me a squeeze before going to him. He runs his hand over her hair, and her feather ignites.
"My flames can no longer harm you. You are their life and reason for living." A small font of flames manifests in his hand, and he holds it out in front of her. For several moments she stares at the fire, then hesitantly reaches out. The flames wrap around her hand, not touching it at all—as if there's some sort of shield around her skin.
"That's amazing..." Her breathy tone makes all of us pause as she plays with his fire.
"Keep in mind, my flame—regular fire can still burn you. Mine cannot. There is a difference." He tilts her head up and presses a kiss to her lips gently. "We should turn in for the night. Khal, what do we need to do?"
I glance from Diaval to Easton. "Cover your eyes until I thump my tail on the ground. I need to get the membranes over myeyes. After that, whenever Feray is ready, she can climb up and get herself comfortable."
As I walk away, I see Torben coming over with a sleeping bag that looks extra fluffy. He takes hold of Feray and spins her away from where I am, pulling her close. Looking at him from behind, I can't see her at all.
When the others turn away, I start my shift. My shift feels excited, happy to be able to tend to and care for our mate. I'm not sure how the other species feel when they shift, but for me, it feels like stretching taffy—the pull of my skin, the stretching of my muscles, and a warmth that flows over me.
Out of habit, I close my eyes so as not to accidentally turn anyone to stone. When my shift is complete, I make sure all six nictitating membranes cover my eyes before I open them slowly. I rise above the others and tap my tail on the ground to get their attention.
Diaval looks me over, then touches my scales. "Good strong armor." He raps his knuckles against the scales and nods. "Definitely strong armor. I'm sure Feray will be safe within your coils." Having the wyrm's seal of approval makes my shift feel pride for once instead of shame for what we are. Torben releases Feray, and she rushes over to me. I lower my head.
"There's my giant spicy danger noodle." She shifts her nails to claws and starts preening my face as I move my body to form coils.
