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Kian
Back in the village, Kate continued checking on my injured arm. The laser wound still stung something fierce, but I tried not to let it show. Can’t have an outsider thinking I’m weak.
“How’s it feeling?” Kate asked, her voice soft and concerned as she carefully unwrapped the bandage.
“Fine,” I grunted, even though fine was the furthest thing from the truth. That rustler’s aim had been better than I cared to admit.
Kate gave me a knowing look. “It’s okay to say it hurts, tough guy.”
I huffed. Didn’t seem too tough to be laid up by some lowlife bandit. But Kate’s hands were gentle as she applied a healing salve. Her fingers lingered on my skin, igniting a new kind of fire within me.
“You were really brave out there,” I said.
Kate smirked as she rewrapped the fresh bandage. “For a girl, you mean?”
I frowned, cheeks heating with embarrassment. That’s how I used to think, believing most of our women were too delicate for the harsh realities of the frontier. But Kate had proven herself out there again and again, from scouting the rustler camp to that daring horseback chase to getting the drop on the one trying to steal old Biscuit. And she’d dressed my wound as good as any healer.
“No,” I admitted. “You’re a warrior, plain and simple.”
Kate beamed at the praise. Didn’t get that reaction from our womenfolk. Vala would’ve looked away. Kate held my gaze, bold and unashamed.
As she leaned in close, I got a whiff of her golden hair, so different from the white manes of Surlon women. I liked it. Liked her. More than I should.
“Just say the word and I’ll ride with you anytime, partner,” Kate said with a wink.
A smile tugged at my lips. Riding out again with Kate at my side, watching her prove herself over and over...yeah, I liked the sound of that. Liked that she wanted to be at my side, not waiting back home for the menfolk to return.
Which got me thinking. Did our ways do right by our women? Keeping them close, keeping them safe - seemed honorable. But seeing Kate in action stirred questions. Were our women happy with their place? Did they resent not joining the hunts and patrols? Maybe some had Kate’s spirit and we’d never known. Very few of our women were bold enough to join our hunts, and I was embarrassed by the way they were treated when they did.
I shook my head. Too many thoughts crowding in. I stood, tested my arm, then offered Kate my good hand.
“C’mon. Let’s join the others by the fire.”
Kate took my hand with a grin. I liked how her slender fingers felt wrapped in mine. Liked it too much.
The village gathered to celebrate our victory over the rustlers. Everyone wanted to hear Kate’s daring account firsthand. She told it with gleeful dramatic flair, probably embellishing here and there. But the pride in her eyes was real. She’d proven herself to us today. To me.
As we ate and laughed into the night, I found myself watching the women - really watching them - like I never had before. They were happy, sure. Content. But did I detect a glimmer of something more in the eyes of some? Especially the younger ones? A hint of longing as they listened to Kate’s exploits?
It was a niggling thought, but one I couldn’t seem to shake. I resolved to speak to Alya about it soon. If anyone would know what the women truly thought, it was her.
I was lost in my thoughts as I sat by the fire, still trying to make sense of all that had happened these past weeks since Kate crashed into our lives.
Wyatt came and sat beside me, passing me a flask. “You’ve had quite the day, brother,” he said.
I nodded, taking a swig from the flask before passing it back. “That I have. Still letting it all sink in, I suppose.”
Wyatt studied me for a moment. “Something on your mind?”
I hesitated. Wyatt was the only one I ever opened up to about personal matters. Still, it wasn’t easy for me to give voice to the feelings swirling within.
“It’s Kate,” I finally admitted.
Wyatt nodded for me to continue.
“I can’t stop thinking about her. What she did with those rustlers...the courage she showed. I’ve never known anyone like her.”
Wyatt smiled knowingly. “She’s proven herself loyal to the Surlon way.”
