SINCE HE’D MANAGED to walk on his own steam down to the river, he was allowed to bathe himself in the shallows without Ghian hovering. Of course, Ghian could have swam the distance between them in seconds, but it still helped. It was his body, even if... He scrubbed harder at his pubic hair, ignoring his belly.
He didn’t want to lay down to get dry, much less lay down on Ghian. Had it been just yesterday that he’d enjoyed it so much that he’d thought it’d be something to look forward to?
His mate paused when Aalyan sat on the ground and hugged his own knees, but he followed his lead, sitting a couple steps away himself.
“Are you... in any pain?” The words were careful, which maybe should have helped but it only reminded Aalyan of how obvious his nerves were. How much did Ghian know thro
