“It is quite normal for a person to have compassion for others.” Did he not see it so?
“You are Faol. I am Ean.”
“You are my mate. Besides, I am not my mother. Whatever she believed, I cannot accept that others are less simply because they shift into a different animal, or do not shift at all.”
“You and Caelis’s lady are like sisters though you share no blood.”
“We are.”
“’Tis unusual among the Faol to be so close to a human.”
“Perhaps I would have believed that before coming here, but now I am certain the Fearghall are exceptions among our kind.”
“For the most part, but dinna be deceived, my beautiful mate, there are many Chrechte among the Ean and the Faol who believe themselves superior to humans. It is not only the Fearghall who believe the Faol are the strongest of the Chrechte and therefore superior. Do not be deceived about my people, either. Many believe we should remain apart and that we are better for the gifts we have been given through our own sacred stone beyond the ability to shift.”
“What gifts? What do you mean?”
“Each Ean is gifted with mystical talents during the ceremony of their first shift.”
“We do not have a ceremony for our first shift?” she asked, rather than said, because she was not sure.
“The Faol gave up many of their ceremonies over the centuries, but the Ean have always been the race with more mystical abilities.”
“Which makes some of you believe you are better than the Faol?”
“Aye.”
“And many of the English believe themselves better than the Scots.” This false sense of superiority seemed to be a universal problem among all of humanity.
His hazel eyes doubted her words. “You do not?”
“There is enough to occupy my mind and time without spending any of it worrying if I am in some way better than others.”
“Even a barbarian?”
Heat suffused her face. “I said that in anger.”
He nodded.
“You believe me?”
“We are Chrechte. I could smell a lie.”
Oh. Yes. It would take effort to grow accustomed to being around others of her kind besides her brother.
Which meant if he lied, she would smell it on him. “You are no longer disappointed to be mated to an Englishwoman?”
“No.” Only truth and sincerity infused his scent and his tone.
Inexplicable tears burned her eyes. She blinked them away. “That is good.”
He smiled, his handsome face even more compelling.
“You are very appealing in your looks.” Had she really said that?
Perhaps there had been something besides valerian root and chamomile in her tea.
His smile turned to a feral grin. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Do not be arrogant.”
“According to you, I have reason to be.”
“Annoying warrior.”
She went to rinse the cloth and wring it out, but it was an awkward task with only one hand.
He took the cloth from her and did it, handing it back to her when he was done. “Your touch, even in such an innocent fashion, evokes a strong reaction in me.”
Her gaze flitted to his very large manhood. “I noticed.”
He chuckled. “You are careful to look everywhere but there.”
“We are married, but we are not mated.”
He stilled, his expression turning almost frightening. “This is true.”
“I would prefer not to engage in certain…activities until after we are mated,” she said, her words speeding up until the final ones ran together.
“Why?” Had he even understood them?
“Neither my brother nor my dearest friend was there to witness our promises.” They’d barely spoken any. “I would have both by my side when I speak my Chrechte vows of mating.”
He didn’t reply and she kept herself occupied finishing what she had started.
“Look at me,” he ordered in an almost gentle tone when she was finished tending him and had dropped the cloth back in the bowl. He was back to looking and sounding dangerous. “Do you question the validity of our marriage because it did not happen before a priest?”
“No, though I will expect a priest’s blessing in the future.” It was not something she was willing to compromise on.
“Aye.”
She nodded.
Surprisingly, he relaxed. “Why, then, do you wish to wait on consummation?”
She shook her head. She did not want to see his anger at her request.
“Audrey.”
She bit her lip at the command in his tone, but did not obey it. “Surely you can understand my desire.”
He barked out a laugh. “I think, sweet mate, it is you who does not
He was not far off. Audrey was wholly innocent, Shona’s claim earlier that there was great pleasure to be found in the act of copulation for a woman, the closest thing she had received to instruction on the matter.
“I wish to wait,” she repeated.
“Mate.” There was no doubt that this time, Vegar fully expected her compliance.
He would learn that using that tone would not always benefit him. Another time.
She found herself lifting her head so their eyes met.
His were devoid of the anger, frustration or even disappointment she expected. “You are healing, mate. I would not choose this moment to consummate our marriage regardless.”
“Oh.” That was…it was really rather considerate of him. “Thank you.”
“Dinna thank me for doing right by you. No matter our differences, you can always expect that, at the very least.”
“Oh.” His words were not as comforting as the unexpectedly kind expression on his masculine features. “Can I expect anything else?”
“What do you mean?” The question as much as the perplexed drawing together of his brows made it quite clear Vegar truly had no inkling what she was talking about.
It was a bit disheartening, but she forged on anyway. “Do you believe in love between mates?”
“I believe it happens, yes.” He did not sound any further enlightened.
She had no choice but to bluntly ask, “Will you love me, do you think?”
“Will you love
She frowned at him, wanting to lie, but after his consideration felt obligated to reply with the truth. He’d smell the lie anyway. Arrogant, uncooperative, decidedly not forthcoming warrior.
He waited with eyes narrowed, a tension about him she could not understand.
She blew out a breath and spoke the truth. “Yes, I think I will.”
“You do not sound happy about that.”
“Truly? I am not.” She’d seen the pain a woman lived with loving a mate who had not discernible deeper emotions for her.
“Is it because I am Ean?”
“It is because you are a hard man. I do not think love will come easily to you.” If at all.
