Why had he taken my punishment?
And how wasn’t he curled on the ground, unable to move?
I’d seen my mother cast healing spells before, but none so powerful to lessen the intense pain of a flogging. Men who’d been flogged might spend weeks in recovery, even with Zhi healing practices. What did Mother do? I flicked a glance at her. “Have you healed him somehow?” I hissed.
“I’ve done what I can for now, but no—this is not all my doing.” Mother’s face was somber. “We should leave. His resilience is attracting attention.”
Tara gripped me as the Viori left the gathering. “Let’s go, Seren.” She flicked a cautious glance at Rykr. “I’m Tara, by the way. Seren’s sister.”
Rykr didn’t respond, either in too much pain to say much or uninterested.
Tara huffed. “Real friendly Lirien you’ve got here, Ser.”
“I figured I’d get the grumpiest one just to make things interesting.” Then I gave him a firm look. “Wait here.”
“Could I go anywhere if I wanted?” He raised a dark brow, his voice strained.
“You could try, but it wouldn’t end well.” Even in pain, he had a sharp tongue. Annoying. And oddly appealing.
I dashed between people to catch Darya before she left. My back still ached, but the pain was fading. Impermanent. “Darya, wait. I want to thank you for your help.”
Seth’s wife turned, her eyes dark and troubled. “I’m your friend, Seren. What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t speak up when you needed me?”
The words hit me harder than expected. I’d spent so long pushing her away and she hadn’t deserved it. Only Amahle and Ciaran had known about my affair with Seth. “Thank you,” I repeated, softly.
Darya squeezed my hand. “I can’t pretend I really understand what you were thinking, but I’m here if you need me. But I do understand Seth’s worry. Liriens don’t come into the forest to hunt vuks. They come to hunt us. If love exists between you and your Lirien, he should have been willing to respect our laws and waited. He shouldn’t have put you at risk. Just … be careful.”
My tongue felt like iron. From the Viori perspective, she wasn’t wrong. At last, I managed, “Each Viori has been at risk since the day we fled Lirien. What I did may have added to it, but it didn’t create it.”
“True, but you deserve more, Seren. And don’t worry. I’ll keep working on Seth. See if I can lessen his fears. But I’d suggest you not let your Lirien stir up any trouble.”
She left me before I could reply.
My mother came up beside me. “We should keep our distance from Seth and Darya. Come. Your husband needs tending to. And we have much to discuss about that oath you took.”
I followed my mother without protest.
Tara stayed behind, to dispose of the vuk’s carcass and clean our cart. Together with my mother, I led Rykr away. Pain distorted his face with each step.
I should have thanked him, but a part of me still questioned why he had done it at all.
Liriens couldn’t be trusted … could they? I’d be a fool to believe otherwise, no matter how honorable this one seemed.
Much as I hated to admit it, Seth and Darya were right—Rykr, a Pendaran soldier, hadn’t been in the forest to hunt vuks … so what had he been doing there? Whatever his reasons, they couldn’t be good for the Viori. I needed to remember that.
We continued in silence. The Viori encampment was laid out like a village, tents arranged with space between them, giving each family a sense of privacy. The closer we got to my family’s tent, the fewer neighbors we had. My family preferred living on the edge of the encampment, away from others.
The tent where I’d spent the last few days with Rykr—our tent—was several feet away from my family’s. Already, the Vangar were removing the enclosure they’d built around it, and the sight loosened a breath from my tight chest. Maybe it would help Rykr feel less trapped. Trust me more.
“I’m Lucia.” Mother gave Rykr a hard look as we stopped at my family’s tent. “Before I allow you into our home, you need to swear that you won’t lift a hand against my family, Rykr Westhaven. Allowing you inside is allowing you into our trust. I do not take that lightly.”
Dread slithered through me. If Rykr learns who my father is …
Rykr could return to Lirien with details of my family—secrets that could get them killed. I should have thought of that sooner.
Rykr grimaced, then gave one brief nod. “I swear it.”
At least he’s not being arrogant now. Maybe he’s finally realizing this isn’t a game—for either of us.
