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Magna slowly stood, and walked silently toward the door, pushing it open and leaving the meeting. All eyes swiveled back to Piper.
“Well, now that we have him taken care of, can we start making an actual plan?” she said, trying, but failing to hide her satisfied grin.
CHAPTER12
PIPER
The rest of the meeting focused on how best to introduce the human women to the tribe. We decided on a formal dinner in one week’s time. This would give the humans enough time to prepare to meet the tribe officially, and give the tribe enough time to put their best foot forward for the human women. It would be aneventfor all of those involved. My role was to prepare the human women—ensuring they would be ready to be perceived as possible mates by all eligible males. For some of the females, like Billie, this would require no work whatsoever. For others, this was going to be a significant event. We went back and forth on the details for what felt like hours before I finally grabbed Agnarr’s thigh. I was emotionally spent.
“Can we continue this conversation tomorrow?” Agnarr asked brusquely, while one of the elders was in the middle of speaking.
All eyes pivoted to Agnarr.
“Piper has had an exceptionally draining dagr, I would like to take her home and care for her,” he said, looking at me.
Astrid looked at me and nodded, “Yes, let’s reconvene tomorrow morning, after the first meal,” she said.
“That sounds wonderful,” I said, trying to keep the emotion out of my voice.
I was exhausted and wanted to curl up in a ball next to Agnarr. As the meeting was adjourned, I grabbed Agnarr’s hand, heading toward the double doors of the longhouse. Jarlin Astrid caught up with us and grabbed my hand, pulling me to her.
“You did well,” she whispered in my ear. “Don’t stop holding the line for the humans.” Then she walked to the door as if nothing had occurred.
Agnarr looked at me with a question in his gaze.
“Don’t worry about it. I need food. And sleep,” I said, desperate to get back to his room. We exited the longhouse and once we were out of view of the other elders, Agnarr scooped me up and carried me.
“Agnarr, for the hundredth time I can walk!” I exclaimed.
“You are exhausted, are you not?” he asked, breathing in the scent of my hair.
“I’m dying. I need food and sleep,” I said.
“Then that is what you shall have,” he said, striding confidently toward his room.
We reached our destination and he still didn’t let me down. He opened the door with one hand, while still holding me against his chest. Agnarr gently deposited me on one of the chairs near the fireplace while he scurried around.
It wasn’t long before there was a roaring fire in the fireplace, lighting up the room and providing warmth. I sat, staring at the fire, unthinking, happy to just be comfortable. Ithadbeen a long day.
“Our evening meal should be here soon,” he responded, “how are you feeling?”
“Honestly?” I said. And then I just couldn’t anymore. I started sobbing. My whole body was wracked with the force of my tears. I covered my face with my hands, trying to hide the tears leaking from my eyes.
Agnarr closed the distance between us in seconds. He was on his knees in front of me, stroking my hair and murmuring comforting words as I cried. I took my hands from my face and wrapped them around his neck as I continued to unload the emotional turmoil from the day.
“What is it, Pip?” he asked urgently as he stroked my hair and my arms.
“Today was just a lot. I am capable—more than capable—of defending myself and others with the ferocity necessary, but it comes at a cost. I am exhausted. Having to prove our worth to the elders took every ounce of energy I have,” I explained.
“Oh, Pip,” Agnarr took me from my seat and gathered me into his strong arms, wrapping me up. “You did so good today, every single elder was impressed by you, even Magna,” he said gently while peppering kisses over the side of my face.
At this, I simply cried harder, knowing I had done my very best for the other humans, but was so tired of having to defend our place here. Agnarr held me, letting me cry myself out in his arms. The mental burden of the day weighed heavily on me and I knew I needed to get up and face another day of it. It was my job to make sure these women were comfortable here and as much as I wanted to meet it head-on, I was exhausted. I cried quietly as Agnarr stroked my hair.
There was a quiet knock at the door, which Agnarr left unanswered, as he continued to hold me. I continued to cry, but as my crying subsided, Agnarr shifted, sitting me upright.
“Are you ready to eat?” he asked.
“Is there food?”
