I launched into a demonstration of how to correctly knot off a snare, praising Fatima’s efforts along the way. She was a fast learner, but she was also very tired. Her eyelids started to droop as she worked, and her shoulders had begun to sag.
“Hunting is tiring work, and a good hunter knows when to rest,” I tiptoed around the issue hoping that I wasn’t being too obvious.
Fatima’s eyes snapped open and the corner of her mouth turned up in a half grin.
“Are you telling me to go take a nap?”
“I’d never tell you what to do,” I replied pretending to look offended.
Fatima let out a hearty laugh. “Right.”
“Not many lessons can be learned when you’re struggling to keep your eyes open. Go rest on my bed, and we will continue the lesson when you are ready.”
She eyed my bed cautiously then looked toward the window. “I should sleep in my own house.”
“Hmm,” I let out a noncommittal grunt. “Better not. It looks windy. You should rest here until it dies down.”
Fatima gave me a questioning look then rose to go to the window. “The tree branches aren’t even swaying. There’s no wind.”
“Suit yourself. You can get caught in the wind and go to sleep in your cold cabin, or you can stay here and rest where it’s warm.”
She gave me a knowing smile as she looked over her shoulder. “You might be the bossiest person I know, but you’re also very persuasive.”
I gave another grunt then held my breath as I waited for her answer.
Stay. I begged silently.
“Fine,” she sighed then laid down on my bed of furs. I wanted to jump for joy. On the outside it might look like a small victory, but inside it felt like I’d won a mighty battle.
A primal part of me was pleased to see her sleeping in my bed. Tonight went I laid down, my bed would smell like her. I would drink deeply of her scent until I fell asleep.
I waited until Fatima had fallen into a deep sleep before I quietly slipped outside to find Drovo. I found the Dryad shifter in the workshop that he’d built next to his house.
“Let me get that for you,” Drovo said as he used one of his vines to grab a wooden cup filled with water for his mate.
“I can still walk. I’m just tired,” Kayla huffed.
“Yes, and you must conserve your energy to grow our baby.” He brought the cup to Kayla and kissed her on the forehead.
“Thank you,” she smiled up at him.
I cleared my throat to get their attention.
“How can I help you, Zander?” Drovo asked in a polite tone.
I stepped forward into the shop and bowed my head to Kayla before replying.
“I was hoping you could make something for me. Well not for me, exactly. It’s for Fatima.” I shifted my weight from one foot to the other.
“Oh yeah?” Drovo looked me up and down with a knowing grin on his face. “What would that be?”
“I was hoping you could make her a cradle like you’ve done for baby Tabby and baby Marcelo.”
“Of course,” the Dryad shifter smiled. “I’ll get started on it right away.”
“It’s going to be crowded in that house with all those people plus a baby,” Kayla commented.
“Fatima moved into one of the abandoned cabins,” I informed her.
