Chapter 62
Chapter Sixty-Two
“Fox maneuver!”
The warriors crouch in tandem, crawl across the wet grass, before pouncing on an unseen enemy, daggers held aloft. Sorka oversees their training, while Father watches from a chair with crossed arms and pursed lips.
I breathe easier knowing his scrutiny isn’t aimed at me.
Not yet anyway.
Sunlight shines over the camp, casting a bright glow over tired faces.
The ground is warm beneath me where I sit beside Vy while we watch the warriors train.
So far, she’s healed two sprains. I’ve done nothing but steal glances at Zev.
He stands straighter today, and I smother the quiet satisfaction that wells in my chest.
It doesn’t last.
During a pause between maneuvers, one of the warriors, a man named Parku, breaks formation, his stiff strides leading him toward my husband.
I stiffen.
At first, he just stares at Zev, hatred crashing through his pale blue eyes like an unforgiving tide.
“You murdered my father,” he spits. “His name was Tommak. Do you even remember him?”
Zev pretends to think. My heart clenches in my chest. Don’t provoke him, I want to shout, but I keep my lips pressed together.
“I remember him. Tall grunting brute with a round belly? Squealed like a pig when I—”
The air whooshes out of him as Parku hauls back and pummels him in the abdomen.
My breath catches as if he’s hit me.
Zev grits his teeth through the pain. He must have broken another rib. Then, my husband grins at him, the daft idiot. “Your father’s corpse hit harder than you do.”
Parku punches him in the face. Blood arcs through the air as Zev’s head is knocked backward. Still, the insufferable man smirks, his teeth gleaming red.
“One more, son of Tommak,” he rasps. “I’ll give you one more hit before I kill you.”
The warrior hauls back again, teeth bared in a snarl.
“Parku!” I shout before he can swing. “Come help me with these supplies.”
I wobble to my feet, heart hammering in my chest. Father’s gaze cuts me like a blade across my back. Parku throws one more venomous look at Zev before jogging over to me.
He staggers back as I shove my supply kit into his arms—valerian root, liniments, gauze, among other things—I’ve learned to manage my reserves and use natural remedies for minor injuries. Sauzon would be proud.
We walk to my tent. I applaud myself for not tripping the hulking warrior beside me.
I don’t turn to see if Father is still watching.
Zev’s chest is cold beneath my palms, his heartbeat erratic, as I heal him under the cover of night.
“You stopped that man from beating me.”
I glare at him. I’ve been eating more than my fair share to keep my reserves high and squirreling away food for him. “You’re an idiot for provoking him. Making more work for me.”
“Why did you stop him?” His steely gaze is unyielding, and I resist the urge to flinch away from it.
The truth rises up my throat, and I don’t swallow it down fast enough. “I couldn’t bear to watch him hurt you. It hurt me to watch.”
His gray eyes are molten as they study me.
“Such pretty lies,” he finally murmurs. “Even now.”
Let him think it’s a lie. I don’t know if I believe the truth, either.
I finish healing his injuries, then tiptoe back to my tent without another word.
I freeze in my tracks.
Vy’s sharp blue eyes stare back at me.