The soreness in my legs served as a reminder that I’d been walking these woods all night. The moment the fighting was over, I’d looked for Fatima. All night I’d struggled to push aside thoughts of Drelic forcing himself on her. I’d seen the lust that filled his vision every time he looked at Fatima. Any male that was loyal to Dameron was not a male to be trusted, including Drelic.
I was happy to hear that was not the case. Drelic had not forced himself on Fatima. I could smell him on her, making it obvious they mated last night. Fatima said that he didn’t hurther. Whatever they did last night it was consensual, and that’s all that mattered to me.
We arrived at the village by mid-morning. Fatima had fallen asleep in my arms and I was tempted to sit under the shadow of a large tree so I might get to hold her for a little bit longer. Unfortunately, Taylor spotted us which undid my selfish plans.
“Is that? Fatima!” Taylor shouted. Her belly was heavy with child which made her attempt to run to her friend slow at best. I took pity on her and picked up my pace to meet Taylor half way.
Fatima’s eyes flew open as soon as she heard her friend’s voice.
“Taylor?” Fatima sat up and I set her down on the ground.
“Taylor!” She held her arms wide as she ran toward her friend and they collided into a hug.
“You’re alright!” Taylor declared as she looked her friend over.
Then her expression changed to one of thunderous concern. “Did that bastard do anything to you? I’ll beat his ass if he did. Just say the word.”
“You will sit and rest,” Brexl interjected. “I will beat his ass if that is what you desire.”
Taylor’s expression was one of love and admiration as she looked up at her mate. It warmed my heart to see so many happy couples in the village again. It had been many years since this place was filled with as much joy and hope as it had now.
“He didn’t force himself on me. We, uh, we luminesed,” Fatima admitted.
“You did?” Beatrice had joined the group with Rhaz not far behind her.
“Where is he?” Gab-bae asked as she approached the group as well.
“He’s, umm, he...,” Fatima seemed to struggle to get the truth past her tongue. I knew that feeling well. It had been quite a shock when I had learned of Riella’s death.
“He’s dead,” I supplied.
Everyone turned toward me, including a few of the hunters from the village who had joined us. They were the ones who had never pledged their loyalty to Dameron.
Favalor was standing among them and I had tobite back a growl. He had pledged his loyalty to Dameron, and by some mercy Tarak had not cast him out with the others. I wish he had. Favalor was a disgrace. He should not be here and he certainly should not be flirting with my sister as much as he does.
“Dead?” Gabb-bae’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“Yes, he died this morning on our way back to the valley,” Fatima explained. “A pack of jagwa’s attacked us and he died protecting me.”
“Did he kill all of them? Is that how you were able to make it back here?” Beatrice asked.
“No, the last jagwa would have killed me too, if it hadn’t been for Zander.”
Fatima’s gaze softened as she glanced up at me. Her brown eyes were deep and filled with specks of yellow as if tiny rays of sunlight had somehow been implanted there.
“He carried you back here,” Taylor confirmed.
“Yes,” Fatima nodded. “He saved me, then carried me all the way home.”
“It is good to see you returned, Fatimaha,” the hunter beside me commented. He was trying to be kind and welcoming, but I bristled at how he’d mispronounced her name.
“FAH-tee-mah,” I corrected.
“Oh, my apologies, FAH-tee-mah.” he slowly pronounced her name making sure to get every syllable correct this time.
“Thank you,” she smiled, but her eyes were not on the hunter. She was looking squarely at me.
“I bet your exhausted,” Gab-bae commented. “Let’s get you washed up and settled in your new room in the village.”
