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Sweet and spicy, it reminded her of the flavors of pumpkin spice from when she was a kid. The ingredients were difficult to find now, so people made do with spicing their pies with whatever worked but the familiar flavor washed over her with comfort. It wasn’t quite the same, but it was close, with a hint of something sweet and unfamiliar that melded so well with it that she couldn’t complain. She drank every drop and set the mug aside before curling up on the bed, warmth spreading through her belly.
She yawned and drew his blanket around her. It was nearly as soft as the tunic but thicker and warmer. It worried her a little that he hadn’t immediately stepped back into the tent, but she didn’t let it bother her. She was certain that she was safe with him. She could trust him not to let anything or anyone near the tent. Perhaps he was standing guard at that moment. He did claim that he required less sleep.
He’s sweet.A tiny smile curled her lips as she nestled comfortably into the bed. She felt safe and warm, and cared for. She could sleep.
ChapterEighteen
Raskyuil blinked against the early morning sun and straightened to his full height upon ducking through his tent’s entrance. Morning was grim and gray along The Bend—and wet. The dampness in the air from the low-lying fog didn’t bother him too much, but it would take longer for his mate’s clothing to dry. But he didn’t expect her to rise for much of the day. His poor little female had been worn thin from her travel. Seeing how exhausted she was, and how sweet and delicate she looked in her sleep when he’d returned to his tent, had fully roused every protective instinct in him.
His ears pricking for subtle sounds, he inhaled, deeply scenting the air, and scowled. The entire area was a muddle of scents due to wet weather and the scent of humans from the nearby towns and the village just a short distance across the water. He had hoped to make their stay within the carnival as short as possible. To prove to her that he was correct and that the younglings were not being kept there and they could move on and search elsewhere.
It seemed that nothing was going to be that simple. They were going to be stuck there for days, combing through the carnival now, and the very idea of it made his skin crawl. Especially since he would have to continue to play his role for the carnival. His mate would likely have to do something to earn her stay there among them, and he didn’t like that either as it meant that she would be out of his sight far more often than he was comfortable with—especially here.
But first he would need to make sure she was properly cared for, and he did promise to clean her clothes. His own could also do with a washing. For all the roaming he’d done, he now wished that he had already dug a proper home and had it ready to receive his mate.
According to custom, it would already have been stocked with the finest spun and woven material as a gift waiting for her arrival. He had wasted so much time—wasted years—and now he had his mate yet had nothing for her. Nothing but his oath to help her recover her adopted younglings. It left him dissatisfied with himself.
He scraped his claws through his long hair and plaited it as he considered the sunlight pouring into the clearing. They were too close to the water for the fog to retreat entirely if his experiences the day before told him anything, but the warmth of the sun was still pleasant despite filtering through the grim gray shadows that appeared to lay thickly over The Bend. He rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms over his head as he considered his plan of action.
He would duck inside and gather anything that needed to be washed and the soap and washbasin and scrub board he’d been provided, along with several other small amenities, upon joining up with the caravan. He reached to grab the tent flap when someone called out his name, then turned to face the smiling male making his way through the tall grass.
“Nathiel,” he greeted quietly with a brief dip of his head. “Is there something you require?”
“No,” the male said. “Though I suspect that Elwyn might have a few words. He asked for me to invite you his tent for the morning repast. He was not pleased at all to find that you had left.”
A mirthless snort escape Raskyuil and his arms folded over his chest as he narrowed his eyes at the other male. “I don’t answer to Elwyn. I was clear from the beginning that I would come and go as I please, and only remain with the carnival as long as it benefitted me. I have not failed to provide my services and assisted with setting up the camp, so there is nothing for him to complain about.”
“True,” Nathiel agreed. “But I’m afraid that Elwyn won’t quite see it that way. There are still the expected procedures that must be addressed. One does not simply hijack a fairy horse and run in the middle of the night,” he added with a quiet chuckle.
Raskyuil shrugged. “They returned unharmed, correct?”
The dryad chuckled. “They did. But he is still upset about it, and some noble feathers might need smoothing if you want your little female to remain here with you.” He gave Raskyuil a curious sidelong glance. “You do intend for her to stay, yes?”
“I would have it no other way. My mate does not leave my side,” he replied grimly. “Nor will I allow any to toy with her.”
The warning did not go missed, and the dryad’s eyes widened slightly before he dropped his head in a hasty nod of agreement. “Naturally! And I don’t think you will have any difficulty convincing Elwyn to let her stay once you’ve satisfied his ego.” He paused, an uncertain look crossing his face. “I did not think you would return. Part of me hoped that you did not—the carnival is not for everyone, especially not for those who are mated when we are here to play for the crowd. You have not been here long enough to see it, but you will.”
Raskyuil gave the male an impatient look. “You forget that I’m not a performer. I have one job and that is to see to safety. I’m not here to entertain anyone.”
“But what of your female?” Nathiel interjected. “Elwyn might request that she join some of the performers. Will you be able to handle that—seeing her among males who attend? Knowing that you cannot interfere unless there is a threat of danger?”
A low growl vibrated in Raskyuil’s chest, and the dryad nervously skittered back several paces in retreat, his eyes widening as he regarded him.
“If Elwyn is intelligent, he will not ask that,” he rasped. “There are plenty of ways she can assist without tempting my patience. Or fate,” he added with a grumble as he bent into the tent and snatched the tunic off the ground where he’d left the night before and tugged it over his head. Might as well get it over with since there was no avoiding it.
He cursed quietly to himself as he stepped away from the tent only to come to an immediate stop when his skin began to crawl unpleasantly in reaction to leaving her alone and unguarded. “You,” he growled, jabbing a finger at the dryad, “remain here. My mate sleeps, and I do not want her to be disturbed.”
“Of course! I have nothing else I need to attend to at the moment. I will just go in and…” Nathiel began as he turned toward the tent.
Raskyuil grabbed the dryad’s pointed ear and yanked him back, ignoring the male’s shout of surprise. “No. I said to remainhere,” he emphasized, pointing at the ground in front of him with his free hand. “Do not go into the tent. Remain out here and make sure no one else attempts to go inside.”
“Ah! Of course. Then naturally I shall remain here, rooted to this very spot at the entrance, and await your return,” Nathiel revised as he drew his pipe from his pocket and settled against the tent post.
Raskyuil gave him a doubtful look but grunted, satisfied that his instructions would be followed. “I will be back shortly. I can’t imagine that Elwyn will detain me too long,” he grumbled.
“No,” Nathiel murmured, “I can’t imagine anyone will wish to at all until you get the deed done and thoroughly mate that female. Not if you are going to be stalking around here like a bulldelthekduring mating season.”
Not bothering to respond to the obvious taunt, especially since the male was not wrong, Raskyuil headed back through the carnival grounds. Like last night, he could feel eyes on him, watching him from the shadows, but this time he didn’t have his mate with him, and this time they didn’t bother to hide but stepped out into the open to watch him as he passed. He didn’t acknowledge their presence, nor did he show any concern or unease with the situation as he stalked along the carnival’s winding paths. Rides, games, and various booths and stalls were already being erected to prepare for the limited hours of the evening that the carnival would be open in its off season.
