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He looked tired but still good. He had his hair braided back in a way that made his cheekbones and nose look even sharper.
"You could have left me behind," Fen said. Like Odin had…like her mother had.
"No, I couldn't have," Khan replied, his voice almost a growl.
Fen looked away so he wouldn't see the unexpected tears in her eyes.
He sat beside her, and his arm went around her waist, careful of her bandages. "Is this alright?"
Fen leaned into his spice-scented warmth, accepting the comfort he offered. "Yeah, it is. Where are Kash and Kemes?"
"Kash has gone to Atrahasis to let Sargon know we are here. We didn't want to risk sending anyone else. Kemes was out in the gardens for a walk last time I checked. Her arm is healing, and she's already restless."
Fen touched her golden necklace. "Do you think Sargon will let me in the city? I thought you said there are no slaves in Atrahasis."
"I meant that there's no slavery here. You were free from the moment we stepped through the gates," Khan replied. His eyes clouded with an emotion she couldn't read. "You can leave here and make your own way if you wish. I won't stop you. I wouldn't blame you."
Fen had only wanted her freedom since the raiders took her, and now that it was in front of her, her stomach was twisting into knots at the thought of leaving him.
She knew Khan was honorable enough that he would send her away with money to start a new life if she wanted it. That wasn't what had the first touches of panic racing through her.
"You want me to go?" she whispered, trying not to choke on the words.
"Gods, no, that's not what I meant at all. I don't know what will happen now with Hasina on the throne, and I'll understand if you think it's safer on your own." Khan's hand tightened a little around her. "The choice is yours, but I don't want you to go."
"Then I won't. I made you a promise, Khan. Slave or not. I promised to stay with you for a year, and I will." Fen rested her head against his shoulder. "You are my friend, and I'm not going to leave you when your world has just been burned to ashes."
Khan let out a huff of relief. "Thank you, Fen."
"Besides, you're going to need all the help you can get," she teased softly.
"On that, we can agree." They turned to see Kashmet striding towards them, clothes covered in dust from the road. "Here I am, riding my ass off to deliver messages, and I come back to find you too snuggling in front of Inanna."
"Don't be jealous. I almost died. I deserve a snuggle," Fen replied.
"Then come here." Kash helped her to her feet and held her close. He smelled of leather and horses, his arms coming around her and carefully avoiding her wounds. "I'm glad to see you awake and breathing. Poor Khan was like a fretting mother hen when I left."
"Is this true? I don't think anyone has ever fretted over me."
"You took three arrows for me, Fen. Of course I was worried!" Khan huffed before turning to his cousin. "How did it go, Kash?"
"Sargon almost crapped himself when I turned up on his doorstep. I have horses, and he wants us to come as soon as possible," Kashmet said and looked Fen over. "Are you going to be able to ride like that?"
"If the priestesses can give me something to dull the pain, I will be fine to ride."
Khan slipped his hand into hers. "We can stop as much as we need to. The sooner we can get behind the walls of Atrahasis, the safer I will feel."
Kashmet laughed. "I don't know about that. Your grandfather will have told my parents we are back by now. Prepare yourself for the great smothering, Fen."
"I doubt they will smother me. They don't even know me."
"Auntie won't be able to help herself," Khan replied with a wide smile. "It's going to be good to be home."
They walked out of the sanctuary together, and the hole inside Fen that had ached since Odin had abandoned her hurt a little bit less.
* * *
The following day, Fen dressed in a long-sleeved maroon wrap shirt, loose black trousers, and riding boots. Kemes wrapped a scarf around Fen's throat so she could use it as a hood throughout the day to protect her fair skin from the sun.
