I thought he’d take delight in using my body, humiliating me as he remembered what he’d suffered at my father’s hands.
But he’d been kind. He’d given me much pleasure and slaked his own outside my body. To protect me? I knew how babies came to be. Did he not care – or want – to risk me carrying his babe? For my sake or his?
Nevertheless, he’d praised me, asked for and considered my opinions. Smiled at me. Winked at me. Teased me.
I could not help myself. I could do naught but my best to make him proud.
I put the mug away then hurried to dress. I hesitated as I pulled on one of the many gowns I’d been given in the past sennight by the women in the village.
The women!
The women who had come to Kragorn’s cottage in the last fortnight, my new friends.
They’d been so warm, so kind. Even that first night when I’d all-but-carried Kragorn through the stones, they’d swept me up and accepted me as one of their own.
Maya the healer, and Isadora, and Verna—they were all recently Mated, aye? Maya’s sister Avaleen had beenMated since last summer and had recently given her Mate—who was Kragorn’s cousin, as I recall—a fine daughter, Ella, upon whom he doted.Theyhad welcomed me and offered their friendship along with their skirts and scarves, and I knew I could turn to them when I needed advice.
Like right now.
I gave the pottage a good stir, moved it from the heat so it wouldn’t burn, then settled an extra shawl around my head and shoulders. ‘Twas not my first time venturing out into the village, nay, but…this errand seemed far different from buying food from the market or bartering with the baker.
I needed advice. I neededhelp.
Having a vague idea where Isadora, the clan’s new soap maker, lived with her Mate, I pointed my limping steps in that direction. The sun had set, and I could hear the commotion from the Council Hall in the center of the village. Would Isadora have gone to the meeting? I knew Nan would be there, but I wanted to speak with one of the newly Mated women…
My knock was hesitant, praying I’d found the correct house as my heart thudded wildly in my chest. When the door swung open to reveal a surprised Isadora, I nearly burst into tears in relief.
“Lillian? Is aught amiss?”
“Nay,” I choked, pulling my shawl tighter as I glanced over my shoulder, worried I might be seen. “I was just hoping…”
The blonde woman grasped my elbow to pull me inside. “Verna, another cup of tea! What’s wrong, Lillian?”
I stood in the center of her cozy home—a home similar to the one I might have, were I brave enough—shaking in confusion and surprise and worry. Verna, the red-headed Mate to the Bloodfire Keeper, who kept a home here in the villageandone near the stones, bustled about with a tea pot as Isadora’s hands rose to take my shawl.
“Lillian?” she prodded. “How can we help? Did Kragorn hurt you?”
“Of course he did not hurt her,” Verna scoffed. “He loves her!”
Did he? I lovedhim, and he said all manner of wonderful things likedkaarand called melove. Were they just words he’d say to anyone he cared for? Or were they only meant for me?
I shuddered, remember what he’d vowed as his cock had slid along my sensitive folds.Ye belong to me, and I belong to ye.
Was that what Mating meant?
“Lillian.” Isadora’s voice turned stern as she took my shoulders. “Did Kragorn?—”
“He says I am his Mate,” I whispered shakily, my eyes squeezed shut.
“Finally!” Verna cried.
Isadora’s tone was more hesitant. “Do you not want to be his Mate?”
“I do not know!” I wailed then burst into tears.
Clucking her tongue, Isadora gathered me in her arms and led me to a chair with a comfortable cushion. She settledme down, her arm still around my shoulder, and Verna thrust a mug of hot tea into my hands.
And I found the strength to raise my gaze. Being here, surrounded by them, it felt…they felt like sisters. The way I’d been withmysisters, before they’d gone off to find their futures. Until this moment, I hadn’t realized what a big hole they’d left in my life.
