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“Noted,” I said.

We finally made it to the bonfires. The others were gathered in the permanent benches that surrounded the large fire pits that had no fires burning in them anymore. The tripods had been torn down and packed away for travel as soon as dinner concluded last night, but trays of food sat around the edges of the nearest fire pit. The spread was simple this morning: bread and fish caught at morning light.

I guided Amethyst to the nearest bench, helping her sit while ignoring the others as they rose in deference to us both. Her uneasiness was easier to read than my first primer, her hand trembling on my arm. Emma quietly handed me a tray of food, understanding at once my need to feed Amethyst rather than delegate the responsibility. It wasn’t until Amethyst took the tray and set it on her lap that I focused on those around us. I nodded at Hugh just as the night before, and everyone slowly settled back into their own seats, conversation restarting.

I arranged myself beside Amethyst, careful to not touch her leg in case she was still tender from her injury. Vincent settled on the other side of me, his tray already mostly empty, though he handed me a full one as he murmured a quiet greeting and introduction to my chosen omega. Amaria quietly sat on Amethyst’s other side, circling her wrist in a quick hold in greeting.

“Your hair is beautiful,” Joseph said, leaning around Amaria.

Amethyst looked up from the simple breakfast, her eyes wide, her hands still where they’d slowly been picking up a piece of the bread.

“My… hair?” she asked, a thread of disbelief in her voice. She didn’t seem offended by the brash statement. She set down the bread and touched one of the strands framing her face. “It’s not anything memorable.”

I couldn’t help but frown. Not memorable?

Perhaps where she was from it was normal, but that was not the case in Marish. Between the Sylvorian’s red and the Drulea’s white-blond, dark hair wasn’t particularly common. It appeared more often in Tousir, where the Eldarhím primarily lived, and in Senona where the dark browns were common among some of the shifter lineages. But true black that shone nearly blue in the firelight? That was something unique to Ferias.

“It’s definitely memorable,” Joseph said with a smile. “Are you from Sepra? I’ve heard stories of the Sadross having hair like this.” He reached across Amaria, twisting a lock of Amethyst’s hair around his finger.

My growl was swift and lethal, rising before I could even decide if I wanted to moderate it. Amethyst was frozen, not even breathing, and it just made me want to curl over her so the omega couldn’t see her at all, much less touch her. Hugh was quick to pull Joseph away.

“Joseph, it’s unwise to initiate touch with a chosen omega so soon after the Rite,” he said, his eyes meeting mine for a heartbeat, apology and concern in them equally. I swallowed the growl and rolled my shoulders back.

Joseph paled, his eyes flicking between me and Amethyst at an almost comical rate.

“Oh my gods, I’m so sorry,” he said. “My people are handsy, and I forgot that many others are not.”

Amethyst slowly folded the piece of bread, her eyes flicking to me before focusing on the omega. “Your people?”

Joseph swallowed and then nodded. “The Odrain.”

Ah, that explained his general sunny disposition. They were a carefree people that lived along the eastern shore of the northern continent, bridging the border between Marish and Senona. Amethyst frowned, looking at me and then Amaria.

“I… haven’t heard of them before,” she said carefully.

Of course she hadn’t. The Far Lands were large and complex in their own right. She would have spent her life learning and understanding the nuances of her own continent and people rather than ours. Amaria was quick to supply an answer, ducking her head close to Amethyst’s ear.

“Your Highness,” Arden said in Nyndrec, drowning out whatever information Amaria felt was vital for Amethyst to know about the largely self-governing group under my father’s jurisdiction. I quickly took a bite, knowing whatever Arden thought important to bring up now would probably cut my own breakfast short. “The guard said we are to begin travel as soon as breakfast is concluded?”

When I offered a confirmation, Vincent said, “Good.” He rose and set his tray with the others that had been emptied. “There is a storm coming. It will be best to be as close to the mountains as possible before it reaches here.”

Elise frowned. “That significant?”

Vincent stretched his neck. “I can feel it coming. It’s several days off, over the ocean, and yet…” He shrugged. “When it’s this incessant, they tend to be large things.”

“This is farther south than typical for those storms, but it is the right season,” Joseph said apologetically, looking at Vincent. He’d used Alwesh despite clearly understanding Nyndrec.

Amethyst frowned. “Is it a hurricane?”

Joseph shook his head. “No, those come after harvest when the waters are often warmer.”

He glanced at Vincent before ducking his head, his cheeks flushing. Hugh wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him closer, kissing his temple, reading the omega’s need for tactile comfort.

“This brings snow,” Vincent said in agreement with Joseph. “Even to the shore. They will probably feel it in Starguard in another several days if it doesn’t break up over the mountains.”

“Best to get going quickly then,” Elise said from across the group. “The snow already on the passes will be difficult enough.”

AMETHYST