He didn’t stop walking.Nic wondered if he should have stayed at Tamsin’s house.Probably, but Tamsin had gently been pushing him to get out and get to know people, which made Nic wonder if Tamsin realized just how hated he was here.“I don’t want to bother you,” Nic said.
Tamsin frowned.“You wouldn’t bother me by talking.I always want to hear what you have to say.”
“Not much.I was just thinking about how lucky I am.”
The frown stayed firmly on Tamsin’s face.“You really think that, or you think it’s what I want to hear?”
“Iamlucky,” Nic answered.He really was.He could be dead somewhere.He could be with Parrish, getting tortured for betraying him.Instead, he was here, alive and in one piece, bonded with his mate.It might not be the most ideal situation for anyone, but it could definitely have been much worse.
Tamsin sighed and stopped walking.They were headed toward one of the spots where the village shields were anchored.The Vila would be working on that today, and while Nic had been planning on staying home while Tamsin worked, Tamsin had insisted he leave the house.Since Nic wasn’t planning on going anywhere without him, it meant that he was going to work with him, which made him feel slightly ridiculous.He also wasn’t sure how the other Vila would react.Dermot hadn’t been happy with his presence in the village, and he’d made it known.Nic couldn’t help but wonder what the other Vila would say about him being there while they worked.
But it had been either that or walking around the village on his own, and that wasn’t something he was willing to do.He didn’t think anyone would hurt him since he was here because Rowan and Clay had decided he should be, but he was hated enough.He didn’t need anyone to throw his mistakes back in his face.
Even Devon was still angry at him.Nic was pretty sure he’d ruined that friendship, no matter what Devon had said when he’d visited him.How could Devon forgive him for what he’d done?He’d almost caused the village to be destroyed.He didn’t blame anyone for not forgiving him.Hell, he’d be confused if someone did.
Hewasconfused by the way Tamsin had reacted to him.Even now that they were bonded, Tamsin didn’t seem bothered by Nic’s past.Nic could feel the way Tamsin felt.The bond between them was strong.That meant that he knew that Tamsin didn’t resent him for anything.He wasn’t angry or disappointed.Mostly, he was worried, and while Nic couldn’t know what he was worried about, he guessed it was a mix of things.He was probably worried about the village and how they’d protect it the next time Parrish attacked.He also had to be worried about people’s reaction to Nic and their bonding.Maybe he was even worried about what Nic would do once all of this was over.
“Nic,” Tamsin said, grabbing Nic’s shoulders and moving him until they faced each other.“Yes, youarelucky.Things could have gone much worse with Parrish.He could have hurt you.He’s not what I’m talking about right now, though.”
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Nic told him, even though he knew that his mate would do it anyway.
Sure enough, Tamsin snorted.“As if telling me not to worry is going to make me stop.”He sighed.“I just hate to see you like this.I understand why you’re keeping to yourself and avoiding people, but they’re never going to get used to seeing you around if they don’t, well, see you around.”
“I don’t think theywantto get used to seeing me around.”
“Who cares what they want?They’re not clan leaders.If they have a problem with your presence here, they can either go talk to Rowan and Clay or leave the clan.They’re not prisoners.”
“If anyone tries to leave, Parrish will be on them in a second.I doubt anyone here has a choice.”
Tamsin shook his head.“We don’t have time to talk about this now, but we will.You’re my mate, and I’m not letting anyone mistreat you, not even yourself.”
Nic was touched, but he was also relieved when Tamsin turned and walked away.He grabbed Nic’s hand as he moved, pulling Nic along.Nic went willingly, telling himself that no matter what was about to happen with the other Vila, he’d get through it.He didn’t really care if people hated him as long as Tamsin didn’t.
They finally reached a group of three Vila.They were talking to each other, but they stopped when they saw Nic.Nic made sure not to look at them.He kept his attention on the trees around them and on Tamsin, scared of what he might see in the other Vila’s expressions.Thankfully, no one asked what he was doing there.No one told him to leave.They just went straight to work, pulling Tamsin in.
“I think someone has been poking at the shield,” one of the Vila—the only man except for Tamsin—said.“It’s different in this spot.”
“Can I check for myself?”Tamsin asked.
“Be my guest.Maybe you’ll see something I haven’t.I think that if we find out who is doing this, we might be able to put an end to it.”
Nic had no idea what Tamsin did.He couldn’t see anything, but then, he wasn’t a Vila.All he could see was Tamsin staring at an empty spot in the air and frowning.He didfeelsomething, though.It was like a tug, something that pulled on the bond he shared with Tamsin.He sucked in a breath when he felt it, but he didn’t say anything about it, not wanting to bother or distract Tamsin.
“I think this was made by Parrish himself,” Tamsin said.
“What do you mean?”
“It doesn’t feel like a Vila.Wait, that’s not quite true.It does feel like a Vila, but it’s not strong enough for me to say they were here.”
“Where else would they have been?”
“I don’t know, but it’s odd.I don’t think I’ve felt anything like that.”
“I can feel a Vila, but there’s nothing weird about that magic.It’s just like yours or mine.”
“I disagree,” Tamsin said with a frown.
For some reason, the three Vila turned to look at Nic.Nic really hoped they weren’t about to pull him into this mess because he didn’t have answers.He had no idea what was going on.
