Warrior's Moon

He shook his head. “Do not thank your mate for doing so little.”

“It is not little to me.”

“Our children will be able to take such a small thing for granted,” he promised.

Their mother never would.

“Get back in bed, Audrey.”

“I…” Thinking better of telling him she wanted to see Shona, Audrey said instead, “I thought you were attending to important matters.”

“I was: getting you your even meal.”

“You are not at all as I first thought.”

He frowned. “You think there is aught odd about me seeing to the needs of my mate?”

“No, of course not. Well, maybe a little. My father never cared for my mother’s needs and honestly, I do not recall her watching out for his comfort, either.”

“That is not the type of mating I hope to have.”

“It is the only one I have ever seen.”

“Then you must take my word that even where tender feeling does not exist, a mating can be a great blessing for those connected by the bond.”

And for a mating where tender feeling did exist? Because Audrey grew more certain by the minute in her barbaric mate’s company that love would grow on her side very quickly.

His rough manners aside, Vegar was all that Audrey could have dreamed of in a mate…had she allowed herself to dream.

“Not all matings enjoy the sacred bond.” That much she knew.

“Nay, but ours will.”

She agreed with him, but did not understand how either of them could be so certain. Nodding her agreement, she looked toward the door, wondering if she just walked out if he would follow.

And what he might do about it.

“I will pick you up and carry you back in here, where I will undress you before tossing your clothing out that window there.” He pointed to the small opening high in the wall through which the waning sun cast its dim light.

“You cannot throw away my clothes.”

A single light brown brow rose, but he did not bother with a verbal reply.

“I need to see Shona.”

“Why?”

“I am worried about her.”

“What has you concerned?”

“She has just discovered the true nature of the Chrechte, then she and her children’s lives are threatened, and she has not come to check on me.”

The last was the thing that worried Audrey the most.

“Do you think the baroness will convince the Sinclair to nullify our marriage?”

“What?” She stared at him, unable to comprehend where the question had come from. “No! I told you, I accepted our mating.”

“But you do not wish to consummate it.”

“You said you would not do so regardless because I need to heal.”

“It is not my motives that are under question.”

“Mine are?”

“I did not say that.”

“I think you did.”

He moved the things on the food tray around, but to little effect in her eyes. “I offended you upon meeting.”

“I thought it was I who offended you by being English.”

He turned back to her, his rugged features creased in a familiar frown. “I told you that I regretted that.”

She nodded.

“You are beautiful.”

She started, not having expected those words at all. “I am still English.”

He shook his head. “You will not throw that up between us for the rest of our lives.”

“I might, actually.” She smiled at him, letting him know it would not be in anger.

“You have a teasing nature.” He did not appear upset by that realization.

“My brother has accused me of that, yes.”

He tugged her toward the furs on the floor. “You need more rest.”

“It will not tax me too greatly to see Shona.”

“You will see her tomorrow night at our mating.”

“I wish to see her now.”

Vegar paused, looking down at her. “This is important to you.”

“Yes.”

“And you will not implore her to have our marriage annulled before we consummate?”

“No.” She let him see he was not the only one who could frown. “But if I did have that intention, what would you do? Attempt to lock me in this room until we had consummated the mating?”

She could not believe she was speaking so freely, but he was her mate. She found that gave her a freedom in her speech she had never before experienced. She felt no hesitation to share her thoughts, regardless of what they might be.

“There is no benefit to speculation on that which is not a reality.”

“You would,” she breathed, shocked.

Hazel eyes met hers, no apology in them. “You are my mate. You spoke your vows without duress.”

Vegar’s definition of “without duress” might not match hers exactly, but for the most part, she agreed with his assessment. “And I do not go back on my word.”

“’Tis good to know.”

“You are ruthless.”

“Aye.”

“I am not certain that is good to know.”

“I will be as ruthless protecting you and our family when it comes in time as I am in protecting our mating.”

“That is something to be grateful for at least, I suppose.”

“I will accompany you to Shona’s chamber after you eat your latemeal.”

“Why is she in her room?” Audrey would have thought Shona was eating in the great hall.

Unless the world of the Chrechte had become too much for her. Audrey’s anxiety on behalf of her dear friend increased.

Vegar shrugged, clearly not worried about why his friend’s mate was not sharing latemeal with the clan. “You can ask her. After you have eaten.”

“You are very focused on me eating my dinner.”

“You have injuries. A Chrechte needs rest and food to aid in quick recovery.”

“Humans do as well.”

“Aye, but I am mated to a Faol.”

“You are very singleminded.”

“You will grow accustomed to my ways.”

“Will I?”

“Aye, ’tis the way of mates.”

“Will you also learn my ways and to accept them?”

“Aye.” The furrow between his brows showed confusion at her question.

A unique man indeed.