Inchin is hunting a gakhal for the feast.”
“Not much of a celebration without arki.” Aidon’s grandfather sniffed, and Gilten laughed.
“You know that Inchin always carries an emergency supply.”
Aidon bit back a grin. The fiery liquor brewed from surat berries was a part of every village celebration. He hadn’t tasted it since he’d left, but he remembered how much the old man enjoyed it.
Hanna yawned and leaned more heavily against him. He scooped her up in his arms.
“Come, saachi. We will sit by the fire.”
Hanna curled into Aidon’s lap as he joined the rest of the villagers by the fire. The fear and exertion of the evening were beginning to take a toll on her, and she yawned sleepily, half listening as the males talked. Trouble sprawled next to them, snoring gently.
Most of the conversation revolved around their shared childhood. Someone did ask what Aidon did off world, but when he refused to answer, they didn’t push it. She was almost surprised by how much he seemed to enjoy the friendly banter, his muscles at ease beneath her. Now that she knew he was safe, she could relax also, and she gradually drifted off to sleep.
Aidon woke her at some point to feed her small bites of roasted meat accompanied by a few sips of a sweet, fiery liquid. She coughed on the first swallow and shook her head at him.
“Are you trying to get me as drunk as you did the last time?”
His eyes gleamed down at her, and her cheeks flushed as she remembered that evening.
“It had its rewards,” he murmured, and her blush intensified. “But this is not the place. I just wanted you to be part of the celebration.”
“Thank you.” She smiled and snuggled in again.
The conversation continued as she drifted in and out of a light doze.
“And you chose to live in the city?” Aidon asked, waking her again.
“Hirogi’s work is there.” She opened one eye enough to see that the speaker was the stranger who had helped Aidon. “And indeed, I do not mind it. I miss the jungle, of course, but there is much to compensate. Do you not enjoy city life when you are off world?”
“Not particularly,” Aidon responded, sounding surprised. “I’ve never really thought about it. But being here—it feels right.”
“We are just as much part of the jungle as the spirin.”
“Not the example I would have chosen,” Aidon said dryly. “But I concede your point.”
“If it were not for the fact that I’m worried about my mate, I would enjoy this time.”
“We’ll leave at daybreak.”
“It is still a two-day journey,” the stranger said grimly.
“Two days?” Aiden swore. “I’m an idiot. We can take my ship—and we don’t have to wait for daylight for that. I simply have to get my mate home first.”
Enough of the conversation had penetrated that she opened her eyes. “I’ll be fine. Go ahead with…” She fumbled for the name.
“Naiz,” the stranger said. “You don’t object?”
“Of course not.”
Despite her protests, Aidon rose with her in his arms.
His grandfather immediately came to his side. “Is something wrong?”
“We decided to take my ship to the city. Can you stay with Hanna now?”
“I’m not a child,” she protested, but both males ignored her.
“Of course,” Tanor said immediately. “This lot doesn’t need me to enjoy themselves.” He called a farewell to the others as he bent to pick up Trouble. The war beast snarled at him, and he laughed, but Hanna noticed he waited until she reassured her pet before he actually picked him up.
They set off along the riverbank to Aidon’s house, her house now as well, and despite her protests, she enjoyed having Aidon carry her, feeling his muscles flex against her as she snuggled closer. She pressed a kiss against his neck, and then another, and he groaned.
“That is unfair, saachi. You know that I cannot respond until I return.”
“It will give you something to think about while you’re gone.”
“You will never be far from my thoughts,” he promised as they came in sight of the house.
A little shiver went through her as she realized how close Chotgor and his males had been. Aidon reluctantly let her down.
“I will return as soon as I can,” he promised, his arms still around her.
“I know.”
“You’ll be fine. My grandfather will take care of you.”
“Don’t worry, I’m not afraid.”
And she wasn’t, she realized. Even if he had been leaving her by herself, she wouldn’t have been afraid. As long as she and Aidon loved each other, she had nothing to fear.
One