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She poked him, hard, with her finger.
“I don’t want to hear about any other females. And I’m not like them.”
“You most certainly are not. My stubborn little fojii.”
“Your cold fojii.”
She gave an exaggerated shiver and climbed onto his lap. He tensed and she half expected him to reject her, but instead his arms closed around her and she settled down in his arms.
“I’m staying right here until the sun rises,” she warned him and he made a choked sound that could have been a laugh.
“You would be more comfortable in the house.”
“I’m more comfortable with you.”
She took a firm grip on his shirt, and then let herself relax. She actually slept a little, although she didn’t think he did, but he kept his arms around her and when the sun rose, they were still together.
CHAPTER 16
Later that morning, Borgaz rode slowly towards the main house. After Mary woke in his arms in the barn, she’d insisted that they have breakfast together. He hadn’t been able to refuse, even though he has little appetite. His brain had been churning all night and by the time he pushed his almost untouched plate aside, he’d come up with an idea.
“I need to go and see Temel this morning.”
“That’s fine.” She yawned and gave him a sleepy smile. “I think I’m going to spend a quiet morning sewing. It’s about time I started repairing those curtains. That is…” Her smile vanished as she studied his face. “You are coming back, aren’t you? You wouldn’t leave me without saying anything?”
“Never,” he promised, and her smile returned.
He’d kissed her and set off but Arros slowed as they approached the house, clearly picking up on his uncertainty. Fortunately he spotted Temel in the orchard before he reached it and he swung down, then set Arros loose to graze. Temel didn’t look up as he approached, clearly focused on the notes he was taking.
“My research says these trees should be pruned to be more productive, but they are good healthy stock.”
Healthy stock. Would he ever be healthy or was he permanently damaged? It was a shame he couldn’t prune away his damaged parts.
When he didn’t respond, Temel looked up, then quietly put his data pad to one side.
“What is it?”
“I want to claim Mary as my mate,” he burst out, but Temel only raised an eyebrow.
“I thought that was obvious from the moment I saw the two of you together. Is there a problem?”
“You know I have… problems sleeping?”
“I do. Have you told her?”
“She experienced it for herself. I woke last night to find myself on top of her, my hand on her neck. I thought she was an enemy.”
Temel’s gaze was intent on his face.
“Did you hurt her?”
“No, but what if I had?”
After a brief hesitation, Temel started walking across the orchard and Borgaz followed him.
“I was there in the hospital when you woke,” Temel said softly as they reached the stone wall surrounding the trees and lookedout across the pastures. “You did the same thing, crouching over a nurse and snarling at anyone who approached.”
His heart sank as he shook his head.
