Chapter 15
722 Words
As I hurried back to the hut I hoped that Sage would still be there. I had to tell her that they had somehow known about us. We couldn’t risk the wolf skin telling the Alpha news of her own daughter, she would not be pleased. As I left the path she came into view, laughing at something Asmund had said. Her eyes met mine and she smiled.
“Would you help me with him?” I asked.
“Oh, of course,” She said.
“And what about me?” Asmund laughed as Sage followed me into the hut. The man was lying there and small pained whimpers came from his lips.
“I’m going to cleanse your wounds.” I told him, “It is in your best interest to lie still.”
Sage helped me to lie him out on his stomach and I took the decoction and cloth from my bag and cleaned the blood off his thigh and around the injury. Sage passed me the poultice and I packed it on and rebandaged his thigh properly. Then I repeated my actions on the other side. There was little else that could be done for him. Dagny had brought him food and we left him to his silent meal.
We four stood outside the hut awkwardly until Asmund finally broke the silence.
“We heard the Ulfhednar talking. The wolf skin knew about your mate before your own sworn guard. When were you planning on telling us, Sage? Hmm?”
“Oh hush, like we hadn’t figured it out,” Dagny said.
“I meant to tell everyone tonight, actually. Did they really know?” She turned to me.
“I don’t know how, but yes,” I confirmed.
“I thought we were friends!” Asmund clutched her chest dramatically.
“Asmund it has only been two days.” Sage shook her head.
“I’m not surprised they knew, you were not hard to follow,” Dagny said flatly, ignoring Asmund’s flailing arms.
“Wait, what? Follow?” Sage turned to Dagny, mouth open.
“I told her we shouldn’t but you know she doesn’t listen to me.” Asmund rolled her eyes.
“We had caught the first couple Ulfhednar only a few days before. I wasn’t taking any risks. I take my vows seriously.”
“Oh gods, Dagny.” Sage sighed, “Fine. You two stay here while I go tell my mother.”
“Have fun,” Asmund said.
Sage slipped her hand in mine and pulled me towards the path. I followed her, the pit in my stomach deepening. I knew we just had to get it over with in order to get on with the rest of our lives. When we reached the path she stopped and put her hand on my cheek.
“Look at me, love.” I turned to face her, placing my hand over hers. Her touch calmed my racing pulse.
“I’m nervous,” I admitted, “I know it’s silly.”
“You care, that’s not silly,” she paused, studying me, “I know we haven’t known each other long, but Eir I have never been more sure of something. You are my complement in so many ways. If you can’t be sure of yourself, be sure of me.”
She leaned toward me and I met her lips. She slid her hands to my shoulders and I wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her into me. I wanted to devour her. Her fingers threaded through my hair, pulling me closer. She bit my lip, pulling away with a laugh.
“Ahem,” we heard a throat clear. Sage jumped back and my heart leapt to my throat. Alpha Runa stood there with her own sworn guard flanking her on either side. To her left stood a brawny woman with long black hair braided away from her face, a long gash ran the length of her left cheek. On the right was a lean blonde man, his hair tied back in a knot, and a yew bow was slung around his torso.
“Eir, these are my mother’s sworn guard, Revna and Arne,” Sage said, her chin held high and her expression unreadable, “Mother, I have found my true mate.”
“I see,” Alpha Runa’s face held the same blank expression.
“I had a rather nice bit prepared and was on my way to say it to you but that no longer seems necessary.” She slid her hand into mine, her palm clammy. I squeezed her hand in an attempt at reassurance.
“So it would seem,” She paused, “Have you tended to the wolf skin’s wounds, Eir?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“Well go tell your Father, then. He’ll be delighted to know he was right.”
- Writer
