I loved that my Mate was so comfortable with me. Gone were her blushes and hesitation, and she met my gaze boldly now. The change which had overcome her the night of the claiming had been a joy to see.
After, I bathed her with scented soaps and hot towels, invigorated by the sounds of her blissful moans. Aye, I would take her to the hot springs, as soon as I checked in on the clan.
I should have known that when we stepped outside for the first time, we’d be met with laughter and cheers. Unable to help myself, I pulled Lillian in for a kiss, and she was smiling as she wrapped her arms around my neck to kiss me back.
My perfect little human might not think of herself as bold or courageous, but she was the perfect Mate for me and our clan.
We found ourselves moving from group to group, cottage to cottage, accepting congratulations and good-natured ribbing, and more than a few gifts. It was incredible to watch Lillian—who just a fortnight ago would have blushed and stammered—meet each act of kindness with a smile of her own and genuine thanks.
She was remarkable, and I preened at knowing she was mine. She would bear the next Bloodfire chief, and our clan’s future was secured. Between Lillian and our new alliance . . ..
To my surprise, Vrogul Stormseeker offered his own congratulations.
“Chief’s Mate,” he greeted Lillian with a bow, “ye are enriching yer clan already?”
She frowned at the male, and I’ll admit her response made me want to gloat.
“Was that your way of asking if I am pregnant yet? You would not be the first to inquire.”
Stormseeker pressed his palm to his chest with a gasp.
“I wouldnae dare. I merely meant that ye seem to have found yer place. Ye are happier here than in yer father’s Keep.”
Her ruffled feathers soothed, Lillian settled back against me.
“Hmm. Well, aye. I ammuchhappier here.”
I turned his attention.
“What are ye still doing here, Stormseeker? Is my brother that good of company?”
“Yer brother is shite when it comes to holding hisuisce beatha, but yer cousin—the one with the new kitling—is quite amusing.” He jerked his chin toward the west. “I sent my lieutenant to gather my Battleborn sea wolves, so we might stand beside ye during the Bladesedge attack.”
Fook.
‘Twas not that I had forgotten the threat…I just satisfied myself knowing that Vartok was aware of it and could handle things during the Heat, and— Well, aright,mayhapI’d forgotten about it briefly.
Could I be blamed?
Still, I pulled my Mate closer and grumbled good-naturedly.
“Bloodfire warriors can withstand any attack.”
“Aye.” Stormseeker smacked his hand against my shoulder and turned us both toward the Council Hall. “But ye’ll need the Battleborn if ye expect to stand against BladesedgeandTarbert. Now that yer father-in-law is lessthan a day’s march away, ‘tis good ye finally decided to join the council of war!”
Damnation, the bastard was that close? Aye, my clan needed me; ‘twas a good thing I wasn’t distracted by Lillian any longer.
As I stalked toward the Council Hall, I completely missed the fact that she stiffened and slipped away.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Lillian
I was pullingon a second set of wool stockings, my fingers surprisingly steady despite the frantic pounding of my heart, when a knock came at the door. Without waiting for me to invite them in, Avaleen and Myra stepped inside, their faces grim.
“We thought we might find you here,” Avaleen said, her expression concerned as she plopped down on the bed beside me. “We just heard about your father.”
“I am going to stop him,” I announced firmly, shoving my withered foot back into my sturdy boot and beginning to carefully lace it.
