was so weak, she’d not even been able to forage that day. So she said she would hold me until I fell asleep—and that in the morning we would both wake, warm and comforted in our mother’s arms.”
She sucked in a breath. “Mother Temra?”
He nodded against her hair. “Though I didn’t understand then. I thought she was speaking truth when she told me that when dawn came, we would go out in search of something to eat, and there would be so much to find, never would we be hungry again. But I did not want to wait until morning. So I went. And the rabbit I came across must have been as starved and as weak as we were—but even if it was nothing but fur and bones, we would have eaten it. So I took it home and woke her.”
“What did she do?”
“Sobbed until she was sick from it. Kissed me and asked me to forgive her for being so silly. Said I was the finest of all boys—and told me my name.” He felt new tears against his throat and clutched her closer. “So proud I was to hunt every day after that, though I had little skill, and a few times we were almost near to starving again. But never again did she lose faith that the next day might be better. And it was years later when I finally understood what she’d almost done.”
Another sobbing breath. “Were you angry with her?”
“No.” He saved his anger for those who’d stolen from her and refused to help her. Who’d taken her every hope.
“I am. I wouldn’t have known you or her,” she said, and Caeb gave a soft snarl of agreement. “Did she ever speak of it?”
“Once.” And she’d been so painfully ashamed, it still hurt his heart to remember. “She said that it had seemed her only choice was to watch me starve slowly or for us both to go peacefully in our sleep. Then she told me that more options had been easier to see when morning had come and there was food in her belly.”
Lizzan gave a heavy sigh. “Perhaps I am not so angry at her. And I know very well why you told me this story. But it is not the same.”
“It is not. You are not starved of food—you are starved of sleep. So I will provide that for you, Lizzan.” Gently he tilted her face up. “Whatever you need to keep this world from battering you into the mud, I will provide it. This night, I will protect you as you sleep. And the next, if you still need it. I will shield you from those who call you a curse, and who have taken your every hope. Until the morning comes when your heart is full again, and you see that there are so many more options left.”
Tears coursed down her cheeks as she pressed her forehead to his. “I love you, Aerax.”
“That I know. As I love you.” He stroked his hand down her muddied back before surging to his feet, carrying her up with him. “But for now, you need more than that. Beginning with sleep and food . . . and a bath.”
And it was his heart that filled again when she laughed a little at that.
CHAPTER 21
LIZZAN
Lizzan woke to the soft pattering of rain on the white pelt overhead, with the heat of Caeb’s big body stretched out along her back and her front cuddled up against Aerax’s side, her head pillowed on his chest.
“You are well?” His murmur was a quiet rumble beneath her ear.
With emotion filling her chest, she nodded before raising her head. The falt’s pelt was draped over Caeb’s massive bulk to form a low tent, and little could she see but darkness and shadows. But she knew Aerax’s face better than her own, so her aim was true when she pressed her mouth to his. The deep hum of pleasure in his throat seemed to echo beneath her skin, and when his hand came up to grip her nape, she opened to that wordless command.
But her body made other commands, urgent and undeniable. She paused, waiting for it to pass—but it didn’t.
Aerax went still. “Lizzan?”
She cursed softly, thumping her forehead twice against his shoulder, before scrambling out of the furs. His laugh followed her out of the tent.
She knew not how long she’d been sleeping, but as soon as she stumbled away from the camp, forever did she seem to