I held my breath as I turned and started to walk back toward the village. I might be able to command Fatima to let me help her, but it would have to be her decision to follow me.
A wave of relief flooded through my veins as I heard her footsteps crunch through the snow.
“Where are we going?” she asked as she caught up to me.
“My house, I have extra rope there.”
My house also had the added benefit of getting her out of this cold winter air, but I didn’t need to tell her that.
We walked the path together in silence and I was relieved when we finally made it inside. My relief was short lived, however. The curtain that separated Vinna’s room from the rest of the house was open and all of her stuff was gone.
Rage filled me as I had a sudden vision of Favalor carrying my sister off over his shoulder, stealing her away like the dishonorable male he was.
“Is that Vianna’s room?” Fatima’s voice brought me back to reality.
“Yes,” I answered in a harsh growl.
“Did she not tell you she was moving out?”
“No.”
“I guess I should apologize for her leaving. I thought she’d tell you.”
My attention turned from Vianna’s empty room to Fatima. She was so beautiful with her long black hair, tan skin, and soft lips. I shook my head, and forced myself to push those thoughts away. I needed to concentrate. Fatima knew where Vianna was.
“Tell me what?”
“She came over to the shared cabin earlier asking if she could move in with us. I told her she could take my spot since I was moving out.”
I let out a sigh of relief. Her moving into the shared cabin wasn’t a bad idea. I understood she was an adult who needed freedom, I just disagreed with her choice of mate.
“I see,” I replied. “Where willyoube living?”
I would prefer she live with me. Fatima needed someone to watch over her. Pregnancy was not an easy thing, and I wanted to be there for her as much as she would permit me.
“That house over there next to Taylor and Brexl’s place,” she pointed at the window to what had been an abandoned cabin.
“I will check it for you, and make sure it’s in good shape,” I commented as I put my coat back on.
“I already checked it,” she informed me in a clipped tone. It seems there is a limit to how much I can push her. Good. I needed to know these things. If left on her own, Fatima would never let anyone help her. I needed to figure out how bossy I could be without making her too angry with me.
“The house is fine,” she continued in a softer tone.
“That’s good to know.” I pulled my coat back off and placed it on the hook near the door. I would check out her house later when she was off with the other females. If it needed any repairs I would do those in secret too.
“You said you had extra rope,” Fatima commented as she sat near the fireplace. The flames had died down to embers.
I placed a new log on top and allowed the flames that lived inside me to come out. My right arm turned to flame, and Iheld onto the log until it too caught fire. Then I let my flames extinguish and took a step back from the fireplace.
Fatima’s jaw hung open in awe. I wanted to puff out my chest with pride, but settled for a knowing smile. I enjoyed showing off my shifting abilities. Vianna and I had spent such a long time hiding from Dameron that it still felt as if I were breaking some ancient rule every time I used them.
“That’s convenient,” she smiled.
“It is,” I agreed.
“The rope is over here,” I grabbed one of the woven baskets that lined the far wall and placed it between us.
“Now this is how you tie a knot.”
