“You were too busy vomiting your guts up,” Imogen reminded him.
Kiri hooted with laughter, and even Soren allowed an amused grin behind his paw.
“Be that as it may,” Balar said through his pout, “we likely have much ground to recover after that first meeting.”
Soren dropped his head, dejected. “I don’t know what to do,” he admitted. “I never imagined…”
“What do youwantto do, Soren?” asked Imogen.
“I…don’t know.” That wasn’t histuruk’s answer, of course. If the beast had control of their mouth, he’d be raging,Find her, claim her, keep her!
Soren rubbed at his chest, where the angryturukpaced and rumbled.Ibás, if any of this was what Balar had felt when he first saw Imogen, she’d been right to flee from him. Honestly, MissMaeve ought to have fled Soren just as hastily as he did her.
“Well…you should consider everything. Go in with a clear head.”
“That’s not possible with akigara,” said Balar.
“What’s to think about?” Kiri asked incredulously. “Miss Maeve is kind and beautiful and smart. She has a lovely singing voice, and she always—”
“I’m sure she’s all those things, but she’s also…” Imogen cleared her throat, her gaze suddenly nervous as she turned it on Soren. “Maybe I shouldn’t say it.”
“You know her?” Soren asked, voice dropping as histuruksurged forward. Curiosity gnawed him worse than hunger.
“A little. I’m friends with her sister, Sorcha. I mostly knew her from before she went away. I’m sure those years changed her, they’d change anyone…” Now it was Imogen blathering, which only piqued Soren’s curiosity more.
“Well, then, what was she like before?” inquired Balar, also curious.
Pulling a face, Imogen admitted, “A brat. Spoiled and selfish. She’s beautiful, yes, and she knows it. She uses it as a weapon. Most of the boys in Granach were in love with her and some of the girls, too. She had her pick and her fun.” Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t really know her, only knowofher, and that’s different. She gave Sorcha plenty of trouble, but I’m sure if the students like her, there’s something to be said for that.”
Soren could only nod, acknowledging Imogen’s words, but his mind was having trouble processing it all. Oh, yes, Miss Maeve was certainly beautiful. Even in the glimpse he’d had of her, he could plainly see just how beautiful. He likely wasn’t the first man to lose a feather to her, even if humans hadn’t feathers to lose.
Beautiful, learned, charming—she’d had many suitors before leaving. Now, she’d have droves more no doubt. Human menand otherly.
Hearing that she’d been spoiled and selfish almost made him feel better.
It didn’t give him hope or ideas, but at least she wasn’t as flawless as she looked. That was a strange relief.
Still, young and beautiful were both things Soren wasn’t.
Perhaps if she was her elder sister’s age that might…
No, no, that wouldn’t, couldn’t truly matter. At whatever age, there was no reason for a woman like Maeve Brádaigh to even look askance at someone like Soren.
The sound of the front door opening interrupted them, and Soren’s ears flicked to listen to the heavy sounds of Akila and Diar marching through the cottage. Although Imogen and Balar had expanded it, using the lumber and furniture from Balar’s cabin to add a bedroom and enlarge the kitchen and sitting area, it was still a small space for so many mantii.
The kitchen was all manes and feathers when they came to join them at the table, leaning over to sniff the fruit mash with interest.
“Is it ready yet?” asked Diar.
“We’ve been discussing important matters,” Balar replied gravely.
Akila scoffed, rolling his eyes like Kiri. “Soren’s got to be the only male in the worldunhappythat his mate is young, beautiful, and smart.”
“If you don’t want her…” Diar drawled.
Soren felt his pupils turn to slits, and a warning growl shook his throat.Kill the rival, tear his throat, claim her—
“Absolutelynot,” Imogen interjected.
