“Noted. I’m intrigued, hunting isn’t usually a woman’s work in Ilyora.” I raise my brows at him, but the tone is still light, albeit spirited.
“Prince, you may be unfamiliar with the ways of the Isle, but we do not lack in work you might assign only to a man.”
His grin is wide, all of his shining teeth on display. It is breathtaking in a way I have not yet seen. When he speaks, his voice is gracious and not at all patronizing.
“I do not doubt you, Netta. I was only offering.” I nod to him, understanding.
We sleep well this night. The bed is soft and a luxury after many nights of travel.
In the morning, I wake early and feel revived not just in my body, but in my spirit. My limbs no longer ache, and I feel pride in that.
I take extra care to wash up in the small washroom. Wren brought fresh water in from the well at the back of the property, and I thank him for it. I brush my hair for a long moment and decide against plaiting it. I tie it behind me, letting the strands flow down my back but out of the way.
I wear the breeches from the bag today, so I can move without catching on branches and making any unnecessary noise. When I leave the washroom, Wren and Chiron are sitting at a small table in the corner. I walk to the small fireplace and start to fasten my boots myself. They are dirty and worn from the journey, but it will not matter much today.
When I look up from my readying, their eyes are on me. Not merely observing me, but watching with intent. I do not falter under their gazes, but I heat, subtly. My cheeks feel hot, and I look away before they do, toward my bow and supplies.
“Off already?” Chiron asks, rising from his seat. Wren stands as well, both of them walking toward me near the door.
Wren reaches down for my bow and my quiver, handing them to me. His hand grazes my own, and the shiver that runs through my skin is electric. Chiron reaches out and glides his knuckles down my cheek affectionately, his grin wide and his eyes alight. I struggle to not close my eyes to both touches. I can’t help but feel they’d rather I remained here. It is a tempting offer…But I have a plan, and whatever theirs is, it can wait.
“Yes, the morning is the perfect time to be out there. I won’t be long—a couple of hours.”
…
When I amin the forest, my mind is sharp. It has always been this way. This small patch of woods is closer to the forest of home, and its gentle winding paths are easy to navigate. I breathe deeply, into my belly, holding it there for a count of seven. My eyes are closed, and I’m attuning to the sounds of life around me. It takes extra effort to concentrate today, thanks to the new curious behavior of my bonded. Breathe out. I feel the change in all of us, growing since our trial. Breathe in. Comfort in each other’s presence, calmed by each other’s touch. Breathe out. But this last encounter? My very blood is warmed. Breathe in. Hold. Out.
I didn’t really know what to think about how this part of our bond would be; I had nothing to compare it to. We do not linger after joining with someone on the Isle. Sex is a physical experience, even spiritual, but never have I ever tied it to emotions. Until now.
I repeat my breathing patterns over and over until I feel everything fade to the background. I will my mind into submission. I listen. I wait. I can hear movement to the left of me, and the creature is small, the sound of leaves rustling as the creature passes over them. Quick movements and long pauses. I open my eyes and shallow my breath.
I move slowly, widening my stance carefully and positioning my bow pointed toward the ground. I notch an arrow, but I do not draw it back. Slow, even breaths as I wait for the animal to make itself known to me. Minutes pass. When the small scuttling rabbit moves into view, I am already raising my bow and extending my elbow back. I line up the notch I created with the rabbit’s small head, and when my knuckles graze my jaw, I release the tension.
The string of my bow snaps forward, sending my arrow exactly as intended. The small creature falls to the ground, long legs stretched behind him. I collect my kill quickly, cleaning my arrow off as best I can here, and I wrap the fallen animal in my bag.
I could stay here a while longer.
The post-hunt clarity is there; I truly could stay out here a while longer. But I could return to the cabin.To Chiron. To Wren. The warmth that fills my stomach is knowing. Anticipating.
I turn toward the path, and back to my bonded with intent.
…
When I arrive backat the cabin, Wren and Chiron are cooking. Together. It’s so domestic that it sends that newly present warmth through me.
“We figured you’d bring back something, so we decided a stew would be the safest choice,” Wren says as I hand over the rabbit to them. It’s a hefty little thing, and Wren’s arm drops a little when he takes it.
Chiron moves from behind the table and wipes his hands on a cloth. His hand touches my lower back, signaling me to move with him, and I do.
“We wanted to give you something. The travel has been rough, and we likely won’t have many opportunities for this after we get to Nerine…so we prepared something for you.” He speaks as he walks me to the back of the cabin, to the washroom. When he opens the door, the breath in my lungs seizes. The large hammered metal tub is filled with steaming hot water.
Chiron leans down now, to my ear, and drops his voice to just above a whisper,
“We thought you would appreciate a little more time to yourself. Do you like it?” I shiver from the sensation of his breath on the shell of my ear. I nod slowly, unsure of what to say. On the Isle, we bathe in the sea and have wash basins for daily cleansing. An entire bathing tub is a luxury few have access to, even in a large city, one I never even knew to covet.
“This is…very appreciated, Chiron. I am without words.” I whisper back.
Wren clears his throat as he walks into the small chamber. “I found some soaps and some gowns in the chest,” Wren says, showing me a small stool filled with bars of soap. A thick cloth is beside it, and next to that, a shift that looks both comfortable and finely made. I nod to him, and he looks pleased with his contribution.
