Mine.The word moves through my veins like fire, but I push it back down.
She chose me tonight. And even though she called it a mistake, I could see the truth in her eyes and smell it on her skin. She cares for me. More than she wants to admit.
I will prove myself to her. I’ll win her heart. Just as she has already won mine.
Dawn seeps slowly into the tent, pale light spilling through the canvas and turning the world soft and gray.
Vivienne is still asleep, nestled against me, her head resting on my shoulder and her hand on my chest. As much as I’d love to stay like this, if I am to prove myself a good husband, that means taking care of her needs.
And when she awakens, she’ll need her tea and breakfast.
Carefully, I untangle myself from my lovely wife and then rise from the bed. I tuck the blanket and furs around her, to make sure she’s warm. I brush a stray curl from her face and press a tender kiss to her forehead.
Pulling a tunic over my head, I exit the tent and head for Thalric, sitting next to the fire. “Good morning.” I smile. “Shall we make breakfast for our mates?”
“Mates?” He arches a skeptical brow as he darts a glance at Vivienne. “You seem awfully confident in that word.”
I chuckle at his teasing. “Come, my friend. Let’s prepare breakfast before they wake up and Vivienne finds new reasons to scold me.”
Thalric huffs out a laugh and then proceeds to stoke the fire back into a roaring flame, while I lay out a spread of cooked meats, cheese, bread, and fruit.
“Thank you,” Thalric says. “We appreciate all you’ve done for us.”
“I must thank you as well.” I grin. “Vivienne insisted I sleep in the tent with her last night.”
Thalric blinks at me in surprise.
“She even rolled into me in her sleep. Snuggled, actually.” A wistful sigh escapes me as I remember how she lay against meall night. “She trusts me to protect her now.” I gaze at my still sleeping bride. “She’ll love me soon,” I murmur, thinking of the heat of our kiss. “I’m quite confident of it.”
“You’re a glutton for punishment, my friend,” Thalric teases.
I bite back a grin. “No, I’m just persistent.”
Thalric snorts.
He’s a rather agreeable male. I’d always heard Gargoyles were stoic. And he is, but he’s also quite friendly as well. It would be nice to stay with him and his human mate a bit longer. Especially through these woods where one can occasionally come across Ogres. Perhaps we can travel together for a bit.
“Which way are you traveling?” I ask. “We’re headed east. Perhaps we could stay together for a while.”
“We’re going west.”
He appears just as disappointed as I am by this news. And even though I don’t know the full story of why they’re here, I know from their lack of supplies that whatever led to their current state was something they weren’t prepared for.
I walk to my pack and remove one of my leather satchels of supplies. It has extra food and gold coins. I hand it to Thalric. “For your journey. I hope it’s enough.”
He stares at me in shock for a moment before replying, “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
I clap a hand on his shoulder. “Of course.”
Making a quick cup of tea, I return to my tent to awaken Vivienne. I’ve learned enough in our time together to know that she enjoys tea with her meals, especially breakfast.
Kneeling beside her, I study her a moment. She looks so beautiful and peaceful, I hate to wake her, but we have far to travel today. I rest a hand over hers and squeeze it gently. “Vivienne?” I murmur. “Wake up, my dear wife. I’ve brought you some tea.”
Her eyelids flutter and open and as soon as her gaze lands upon my smiling face, she does her best to feign a scowl, but I know her well enough now to see through it.
She’s beginning to soften toward me. Even if she’s not quite ready to admit it yet.
After breakfast, I help Thalric pack the supplies I gave them. He turns to me. “I cannot thank you enough, Auren,” he says solemnly. “I will never forget this kindness you have done for us.”
