Was he? Soren didn’t feel ill. No cough or fever. Well, he supposed he did feel feverish, but his overheating was in decidedly…specificareas. He was also certainly wool-headed; any thought that wasn’t about Maeve was long in coming.
Soren’s confusion eventually caused a frown as he watched his family bustle about his little cabin. No one said anything ofimport, really, and no one would quite look him in the eye.
Finally, he was sat at the small table, a pewter plate full of sausages, cheese, and roasted potatoes put before him. Stomach rumbling, Soren tucked in dutifully, ignoring how everyone watched him eat.
It was Imogen who took the seat across from him, her face filled with concern. She folded her hands neatly on the tabletop, leaning forward when she asked, “Are you all right, Soren?”
Honestly, he didn’t know. He wanted to say,better than ever, but doubted he’d be believed.
“Just fine,” he said after swallowing his potatoes.
Imogen clearly didn’t believe him. “Are mantii affected negatively when they don’t claim akigara?I’ve heard it can actually drive dragons mad to deny their mate.”
“It’s always more dramatic with the dragons,” Akila sighed.
“I’ve heard the body can ache if akigaraisn’t claimed,” said Balar. “There’s the possibility of unseasonal molting, too, and even headaches, chest pains, and losing all one’s claws.”
Imogen loosed aneepof alarm. “That’s awful!”
Balar nodded gravely. “Just think what else you almost put me through,urisá.Thankfully you are kind and spared me the worst suffering.”
“Wesuffered plenty,” Diar muttered to Akila, who snorted.
Lips pursed, Imogen leaned back in her chair, arms crossing. She clearly wasn’t amused or sympathetic to Balar’s almost-suffering.
“My love, this isn’t about you.”
“Of course it is,nitlam,” Balar laughed. Slapping Soren on the shoulder and squeezing, he leaned down to say, “One of my pride making a nuisance of himself reflects poorly on me.”
Soren and his younger brothers unanimously rolled their eyes.
“Stop that,” said Balar, ears flattening. “It’s annoying enoughwhen Kiri does it.”
Ignoring their snickers, Balar splayed his paws on the tabletop, leaning down over Soren. The table creaked beneath his weight, and Soren lifted his plate just to be safe.
He stared into Balar’s searching gaze as he chewed his last bite of sausage. Histurukpaced agitatedly, not liking the direct stare of an older, bigger male.
No fighting in front of Imogen,he reminded the beast. It distressed her.
“We’re just worried for you, Soren,” interrupted Imogen, peering around Balar’s oversized mane to get a look at him. “Isn’t there some way to convince Maeve? I’m sure she’d love you if she got to know you.”
Soren blushed at her words, harder at Diar and Akila’s snickering, and deeper still when she turned to pin the two of them with a cool glare.
“Have you considered making off with her to somewhere secluded?” suggested Balar. “I hear it’s the orcs’ favored strategy.”
Imogen whirled around in her seat. “Absolutely not!”
“These are desperate times,urisá.He must try everything.”
“Nokidnapping!”
“But it—”
“Maeve and I are…talking,” Soren muttered.
His admission brought the overcrowded cabin to utter silence.
“Talking,” Akila said after a moment. “That’sall you’re doing on those walks?”
