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CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Errok
If my mate had takenany longer returning to my side, I would have gotten up and dragged her back myself, no matter my cursed weakened state. But just as I was readying myself to dredge up every last morsel of fortitude left in my body so that I could stand up and find her, she appeared.
The other new woman, the one who’d complained about me being in the bed, was with her. My mate was dressed once more in dry clothing. I lamented the loss of the sight of her wet and exposed even more than I lamented the loss of half my body’s blood. The blood I would get back.
I might not get to see her undressed again...
No. I will.
I had vowed that one day, she would love me as I loved her. And I did not intend to break that vow.
Zuh-Tephanie stopped beside me, facing away from me. My sight stars licked desperately at the backs of her legs as she spoke.
“I’m all good to stay here tonight,” she said to Valeria and the others.
“Are you sure?” Valeria asked.
“Of course, she is sure. Do not question my mate,” I snapped. Zuh-Tephanie shot me a withering glance, then turned back to Valeria.
“Yes. I’m sure.”
“Alright, then. Zoren, Vaxilkai, and Bariok will still be at their posts in the adjacent cave if you need anything.”
As if sensing I was about to object to this, Valeria leaned around my mate and spoke directly to me.
“That part is non-negotiable,” she said, her voice so firm it was like the smack of my aunt Tilka’s hand on the back of my head.
“Fine,” I gritted out. Never before would I have capitulated to such demands.
But it would be worth it to spend the night with her.
It was not long after that that the rest of the group dispersed. The sky had already swallowed more than half the night, and everyone was weary. Not me, though. Some of my strength had returned thanks to the Vrika’s blood and the short rest, and my body thrummed with aching energy at the thought of having Zuh-Tephanie with me all night long. Even if all she did was stare hatefully at me from across the cave, I would take it. I would do anything just to breathe in the air she exhaled.
Zuh-Tephanie walked with the others to the cave’s exit and bid them goodnight. When they’d all left – apart from the three Sea Sand men who were annoyingly stationed in the next cave – she walked back to my side. She planted her hands upon her hips in an odd stance, frowning down at me.
Perhaps I was right. Perhaps she does just mean to glare at me all night...
“You’re a mess,” she said.
Now I was the one frowning.
“I’ll have you know that I usually take much greater care with my appearance.” This was true. Good hygiene and presentation had always been important to me. Doubly so, now that I had a mate to woo.
“Oh, I know,” she said.
Ah. So, she has noticed my efforts, then? She’s been impressed with my meticulously-maintained appearance?
Apparently not. Her next words obliterated any hope of that idea.
“Vanity is pointless. Everyone’s looks fade eventually.” She crouched down beside me, casting an appraising gaze down my body. “But even so, we definitely need to get you cleaned up for the night.”
I glowered at her as she rifled through her pack to find a spare scrap of clean hide.
“So, what then? Strength means nothing to you, apparently, and neither does the upkeep of my appearance. What do you actually look for in a male? Besides being funny, that is.”
