habits and sleeping patterns, but since I don’t remember, Jaxar answers her. After all is said and done, my son and I are deemed healthy.
Anwa’s visit is followed by one from Yania and Tika that is full of chirps and squeals that come from my daughter. Jaxar reclines on the floor with both children while Yania sits in an empty chair next to me.
“I’m glad you’re here,” I say to her.
She dips her head. “It is an honor to be among the first to see the future Masse. He brings much hope to our people.”
“All I can think about is protecting my children now that the threat of giving birth has passed. I know we can’t run forever, but a part of me wants to grab my babies and hide.” I worry my lip between my teeth and then sigh. “I know I’m being paranoid.”
“I think that’s a natural inclination,” Yania says. “Younglings are our most precious commodity, so our desire to protect them is fierce.”
I nod, my gaze locked on my family. “I would protect them from all things.” I turn to Yania and take her hand in mine. “I have a favor to ask, but I’ve requested so many lately that I feel guilty.”
She quirks an ebony brow and tilts her head. “As my Massela, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and as my friend, there are no limitations on my willingness to help in any way I can.”
“Thank you,” I say, giving her hand a tiny squeeze. “Would you please stay with me for the remainder of the day?”
“Of course.”
“But I need you to do something first.” At Yania’s nod, I continue with my request. “I need you to bring a Boraq woman named Grefina to me, but I don’t want my children here when she arrives. Can you arrange it?”
Jaxar’s head jerks in my direction, his gaze boring into me from across the room. I know he heard me, but I wasn’t trying to be secretive. If I’m going to have this conversation with Grefina, then I want it to be on my terms, not his or anyone else’s.
“Very well,” Yania says. “After the youngling has been fed, I will take him and Tika to Scarlett and Charlotte until you send for them. They told me they wanted to see the children when I was on my way here. They, along with a number of the tribe members, wanted to come by, but Anwa ordered them to keep their distance until you were fully recovered.”
“Thank you. By the way, we decided to name him Kharis.” I retract my hands and place them on my stomach. It’s nowhere near flat, but it’s not even close to what it was, and I’m grateful to have my body belong to me again.
Yania smiles at me. “That name is a good one.”
Shortly after, a Boraq woman from a different tribe shows up, offering food to Jaxar and me. Once she leaves, Yania does too, and I keep my gaze on my children until the tent flap falls into place. I know they aren’t going far, or for very long, but I miss them.
However, I’ve got shit to do.
I pull back the fur cover and slide my legs over the side of the bed in preparation to stand, but Jaxar places himself in front of me. “Take my hand.”
Not wanting to argue, I curl my fingers around his, and he assists me to my feet. My legs are a little shaky, but it passes quickly. Jaxar doesn’t seem to care that I can stand on my own because he wraps an arm around my waist. With his help, I change into a fresh nightgown, brush my hair, relieve myself, and then eat. After all that, I feel like a woman again, ready to face the day.
And the Boraq whore.
When Jaxar doesn’t climb into the bed next to me, I relax slightly. Until I notice he has yet to stop staring at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Why do you want Yania by your side?”
I squint up at him, not quite sure if I’m imagining the jealous undertone in his voice. “She’s my friend.”
“And I am your husband. If you require anyone’s support, it should be mine.”
Well, that statement confirms the jealousy I just heard. I can’t even begin to imagine what Jaxar would be like if our roles were reversed and he thought I was sleeping with another male. Actually, that male would be dead, so in comparison I’m handling the situation quite