Yngvar tsked, shaking his head. “Townsfolk are all the same. They think only of themselves.”
Henry sat straighter, outrage on his face, but Yngvar continued before he could argue.
“You were raised wrong, boy. Your family thought only of themselves if they treated you like a burden. Clans are different. We take care of each other. It is not a burden to them to create markers just like it is not a burden on me to train you. Just like it is not a burden on you to play your music to soothe your bondmate.”
Blinking rapidly, I looked up at Dras. I hadn’t told Yngvar about Henry playing for me. And from the frown on Dras’s face, neither had he.
“How do you know about that?” Henry asked. His hand reached and I took it, squatting beside him to place it on my face so he could see me. His fingers drifted over my frown and the pull of my brows before adding, “Garrun didn’t tell you,” with certainty in his voice that made me think he knew my face well enough to read me perfectly. I adored that and leaned into his touch when he cupped my cheek.
Huffing a laugh, Yngvar explained, “I heard you. I went to explore the forest and heard the music. My clan leader explained who you were andyourclan leader explained why you played. Idrull describes you as a gift, and I could understand why after hearing what you do for your bondmate. How long did it take you to learn to play like that?”
“Years,” Henry croaked. His hand squeezed mine every time Yngvar called me his bondmate. I saw the fear on his face, the hope as he learned what was possible. “It won’t take me years to learn to move on my own again, will it?”
“No,” Yngvar replied, reaching to pat Henry’s shoulder. Again it stunned me just how smoothly he did so, like he could feel how close Henry was to touch him without fumbling or missing entirely. He would be a good trainer for Henry. “It will take as long as it will take, and I will journey with you until you no longer fear taking a step forward. My clan wishes to settle here. I’m not ready to settle just yet.”
My eyebrows flew up. “You will join us when we move from here?”
Yngvar nodded. “I’d already been discussing it with my clan leader. It seems fate has decided my direction for me.” He squeezed Henry’s shoulder, then pushed to his feet. “Come on, boy. No time like the present. Time to take your first steps. We’ll find our way to my clan leader together.”
Henry seemed uncertain as he stood, his hand clinging to mine, but he released me when Yngvar took his arm, guiding him toward the direction of his clan leader’s tent. “Bren’s tent is always to the right. You will know where tents are once the clans are no longer all together. It is too crowded here. Even I have gotten lost amongst all the tents. It will get easier…”
His voice trailed off as he led Henry away, and I could only watch, battling the urge to go to Henry’s side and continue to guide him like I had since the day we met. But that wasn’t what he wanted. And if I wanted him to choose me as his bondmate, I had to make him happy.
Dras moved to stand beside me, watching the pair walk away. “He’s in good hands,” he commented. “You saw his training. You can trust him with Henry. In the meantime, we should speak to the clan. If we want to give Henry the best chance we can, we need to make adjustments.”
I grunted, forcing myself to walk past the pair as they turned for Clan Urthazrak’s clan leader’s tent, continuing onto my ownclan leader’s tent. The things Yngvar shared with us, we could handle. And hopefully it was enough for Henry to stay.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
HENRY
I was a little afraid Yngvar would tell me to find my own way back on the first day, but after leading me to his clan leader to explain his plans and walking me around his clan while explaining the things he recognized to give him direction, Ekkar found us, and he released me to Ekkar’s care, telling me he needed to pack and would see me later. The fact that he said ‘see’ then snorted to himself, made me feel a little kinship toward the barbarian. We were similar in that way, making jokes to lighten the mood, and I liked that even though he was kind of gruff and pushy, he was also willing to tease and joke.
Didn’t make me any more confident I’d be able to move around like him, though. That felt too good to be true.
Petting the fur along Ekkar’s back, I asked, “Can you take me to Garrun? I could use a break.”
Like he’d been trained to do it, Ekkar led the way, blocking me when others passed by and nipping my clothes to pull me if I went in a direction he didn’t approve of. I heard a few curious murmurs as I passed by, most shocked that a wolf would beacting as a guide, and felt a smile pull at my lips at the awe in their voices. They had no idea just how sweet Ekkar was when he wanted to be. He was just a sweet puppy to me.
“Erska.” Garrun’s voice was relieved and filled with warmth as Ekkar led me toward him. I heard his movement and didn’t startle when he took my hands and kissed my cheek affectionately. “How was it?”
“Daunting,” I admitted quietly. “I think he really does intend for me to get lost. The thought makes me nervous.”
“You may feel lost, but I will always be close by when you need me. And Ekkar has been watching over you since you left with Yngvar. He would not listen when I asked him to come away.”
Huffing a laugh, I kneeled beside Ekkar and gave him scratches behind his ears in reward for his protectiveness. “Thank you for watching out for me. I want to figure it out, to be able to do things on my own, but it makes me feel better knowing I have the two of you.”
When I stood again, Garrun took my hand, tugging me forward and toward a fire with familiar voices chatting amongst themselves. I got a few greetings, but before I could join in on the conversation, Garrun sat beside me, putting something in my hands. Frowning, I felt along the rope, touching the knots and dangling bits of leather hanging off of it. “What’s this?”
“Our marker for our tent,” Garrun said, his voice quiet like he almost didn’t want to be overheard. “I… I want you to stay, Henry. Yngvar called me your bondmate. I want that. I can make the clan easier for you to understand. I can walk you through it every time we move until you know exactly where things are and feel safe and free among us. I know Ekkar feels the same. Please, let me claim you.” He switched to Erabi, which I’d never heard him speak before, the words like soft silk against my ear. “You are like an oasis after years in the desert. I do not wish to giveyou up.” Then he switched to the common tongue. “You see me. You are my greatest gift.”
My chest tightened and I reached for him automatically, running my fingers along the pull of his brow, the dip at the corners of his lips. He sounded reverent, but also scared. Like he was afraid I’d walk away.
“That was so sweet,” Alice murmured from somewhere nearby. “If you don’t say yes, you’re no longer my brother!” she added a little louder.
Laughing, I cupped Garrun’s cheeks, pressing my lips to his. “Yes, you silly barbarian. I’ll stay.”
I still wasn’t sure how everything was going to work out or if I’d ever get to where I could move as freely as Yngvar could, but Garrun was going to be there with me. And Yngvar was right. I supported Garrun by playing for him when he was having nightmares. This wasn’t any different. We supported each other, which was exactly the kind of equality I’d hoped for. We’d figure out the rest. Together.
