a particularly big male,” he adds.
“And all of this will be able to fit in there?” Steph asks doubtfully.
“Of course. It’s just a matter of compressing and binding. When all is said and done, I’m pretty certain that all of this will fit with room to spare.”
I murmur with appreciation as I look at the bag.
“This can be pretty helpful,” I admit.
“And look inside,” he says gleefully. “While the supplies I filched from the inn have dwindled, there’s a nice little something I managed to snare on one of the few occasions I popped out ahead of you.”
I lift an eyebrow at him. There is always a chance he is preparing some sort of monumental joke to hit me with, but I also know that even if he does, he at least will not be aiming to kill or harm me in any way. It is for that reason I slip my hand into the bag even as I hold his gaze the entire time. He knows the exact moment my fingers curl around something cool and furry because he nods eagerly and gestures for me to continue. Holding tight to my prize, I withdraw my hand and am rewarded with a pair of fat rabbits.
Fascinating.
I am suddenly excited because if there is room to spare as he says, it will give us an opportunity to hunt as we travel rather than waiting until we are too tired to continue.
“And the way it stores game…”
“The bag seals itself when closed. When we have the bedding in there, I can fasten down a compartment inside of it so we can put small game inside,” he says cheerfully as he works to get the fire together.
As he does so I field dress and spit the rabbits, all the while keenly aware of the way my mate is staring at my handiwork. When I finally look up with my task complete, I am alarmed to see her face pale and drawn.
“We’re not eating that are we?” she rasped. “I mean, it’s been sitting in his bag for who knows how long. That can’t possibly be sanitary.”
I tilt my head and regard her with confusion. This is food… She would turn it down?
“We will be eating it tonight and then whatever is left come morning we will wrap in the large mako leaves to carry with us for our morning and midday meals.”
Her complexion takes on an almost waxen look as she swallows.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” she mutters.
“It is survival in our world,” I clarify quietly. Much of your technology will not work here, but our magic does. A simple spell over the mako leaves will keep the food fresh.”
“And bacteria and parasites just… obey?” she demands.
I give the rabbit a look and shrug once more. “I suppose they do, since the food is just as fresh and tasty as when it was cooked…, just kept cool within the leaves rather than hot.”
Steph swipes a hand over her mouth and closes her eyes. “You didn’t answer my question… Do you expect me to eat it?”
I frown over at her but shake my head as I hand the spitted rabbits over to Grimsal. He just gives her an amused look as he carries them off but thankfully refrains from commenting. No doubt we are doing a fine job entertaining him without his help at this moment.
“I do not like the idea of you going hungry,” I admit, “but if you refuse, it is your right. There are some berries I have seen growing, but we will have to be cautious because some of them may be poisonous to humans.”
“And let me guess: you don’t know what’s harmful and what isn’t?” she observes, her eyebrows lifting in inquiry.
“This is not my grotto, so many of the plant species here I’m unfamiliar with. In my grotto I know everything that lives within it.”
“I guess if my choices are questionable fruit versus trusting you about the meat, the latter may be the safer option.”
“Perhaps,” I agree.
“I see,” she mumbles. She draws a long breath and rolls her neck before squinting at the rabbits cooking over the fire, the grease from their fat already scenting the air.
She licks her lips.
“It makes me sick to even think about it, but… rabbit, yum yum.”
I smile fondly at my mate, and she returns it with a tentative smile of her own. I do love her spirit. I give her shoulder a squeeze, and she rests her hand over mine, clasping