Chapter 15
Fifteen
A fter helping with the clan meal prep, I finally took the time to create a meal for Yamileth and Verus. She’d requested it a few days prior, but with the pain I was in once my usual tasks were done, she decided to put it off until I could move better on my own. I wasn’t happy about it, but I couldn’t argue with her. So I waited until I felt like she was distracted enough that I could get away with it without her noticing my pain.
I decided on a meal that could easily be made in large quantities, scaling the recipe down for a smaller batch. I didn’t rush it, and took the time while it was cooking to help Yamileth with the normal cooking. I finished just after the noise of the clan meal had died down, and Verus had returned from his hunt.
Scooping two servings into bowls, I handed them to Yamileth and Verus, shifting uneasily on my stool as I waited for them to taste it. If I had been able to stand, I would have been bouncing on my toes. I felt a little better when Verus’s eyes lit up, and he began to shovel large mouthfuls into his mouth, but I held my breath as I waited for Yamileth’s opinion. She was the one who would decide if it was good enough for me to cook beside her.
She hummed, setting the bowl down on the table beside her. My heart sank, worried she didn’t like it, and when she stood, I braced myself for the worst. My eyes were squeezed shut, and I didn’t see her coming until she pulled me into a hug. Startled, I could only cling to her.
“I waited a long time for someone to be good enough to work beside me. I am glad the fates brought you here. Perhaps now I will finally have a chance to rest.”
“You like it?” I croaked, looking up at her. Tears burned my eyes, and a lump formed in my throat. I had been so worried about her reaction, it was hard to comprehend what she was saying.
“It is delicious. I look forward to seeing what else you can create. I only stopped eating it because you looked like you would pass out from holding your breath,” she teased.
Relief flooded me, and I let out a watery laugh, hugging her a little tighter. If she liked my cooking and wanted me to work beside her, it would hopefully be a point in my favor when I eventually asked to stay. As long as that was what Verus wanted.
“She is not wrong, Patrick,” Verus said cheerfully. “Is there more? I think one bowl is not enough.”
When Yamileth finally released me and I looked over at him, Verus’s bowl was already empty, and his eyes were locked on the pot the rest of the stew rested in. I felt a smile tug at my lips as I put my hand out for his bowl, scooping him another large helping. He immediately tucked in to enjoy it, making happy humming noises as he inhaled his meal. His obvious pleasure made me blush, and I was suddenly glad I’d made extra. If my food made him happy, then I never wanted to stop cooking for him.
A rustle drew my focus to the entrance of the tent, where a familiar barbarian stepped inside. Finn’s bondmate was an intimidating man, big and bulky like Tavik, but with a softness in his eyes that Tavik didn’t have. He guided Finn in with a hand on his lower back, his expression patient as he urged the shy man inside.
Yamileth frowned at the visitors, her eyes narrowed. “What do you need?”
Rath shook his head, a patient smile on his face. “Nothing. Finn wanted to spend more time with Patrick. He is here to ask to join him while I train Evak to hunt.”
Happiness bubbled in my chest, and I shifted my gaze to Finn, who was blushing fiercely. We’d only really spent time together to learn, never just to hang out. He was the reason I was so comfortable with the language already. I would be happy to spend more time with him.
“Join us, brother,” Verus called, motioning Finn closer. “You need to try Patrick’s food. It is delicious.”
Curiosity overrode his shyness, and Finn came closer, accepting the bowl Verus handed him after he scooped Finn out a portion. It was a little embarrassing having him praise me like that—my food wasn’t that big of a deal—but I chose not to say anything. It was nice to hear, and I didn’t want to discourage him.
Taking an empty stool, Finn took a small bite of the food. He looked surprised, and a bright smile overtook his face when he looked up at me. “Is this butcher’s stew?”
I nodded once. “It’s a recipe I’m familiar with, and it can be made for a large number of people. I thought it was a good idea to show my skill.”
He offered a bite to his bondmate, who hadn’t yet left, waiting to make sure Finn was comfortable and happy. Rath was harder to read than Finn was, his expression more contemplative, but Finn was practically bouncing in his seat with excitement.
“It’s really good! What else can you make? I love the food here, but there are a few things I miss from home. I never learned to cook, though, so I’ve never had any hope of recreating them.”
Tipping my head side to side, I answered, “I’m more comfortable with baking than cooking, but I know a few recipes off the top of my head. And I’ve always been a quick study when it comes to cooking. What kinds of things do you miss?”
Rath and Verus left while we talked about recipes and favorite foods, and how I could recreate them out here. Not all the food was the same, since the barbarians foraged instead of farming like the towns, but I didn’t think it would be too hard to change up the recipe just a little to get the same results. Yamileth threw in her suggestions for substitutions as well, and mentioned a few recipes she planned on teaching me so that the knowledge would be passed down.
It was nice to spend time just chatting about the things I enjoyed. It made me feel like I belonged here. And the hope that I could stay only grew the longer I spent with these people. Gods, I hoped I could stay.
I was getting ready for sleep that night when Verus ducked into the tent, his arms full with a bundle of furs. I tipped my head, studying him with a frown.
“Are you cold?”
He huffed out a laugh, dropping the bundle onto the bed without care. “No. But you are uncomfortable while sleeping. I am making our bed softer for you.”
Warmth and happiness spread through my chest, making me feel a little giddy. Verus never hid how much he cared. He went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and happy. I couldn’t have been more grateful that it was him who found me in the forest.
Desperate to show him how much it meant to me, as soon as he got close, I fisted his tunic, dragging him down so I could pepper his face with kisses. He chuckled, wrapping me in his arms and kissing me back soundly. I hadn’t intended it to lead anywhere, I only wanted to thank him, but his tongue licked along the seam of my lips, and when I opened up for him, he groaned into it. He pulled away too quickly, and I whimpered at the loss.
Pressing his forehead against mine, Verus whispered, “Zoya is to come and check on your healing. I do not wish to greet her while aroused. She would never let me live it down.”
My cheeks flushed bright red at the thought. No, I really didn’t want anyone to walk in while we were intimate. I was still getting used to the idea of Verus being affectionate with me while around the clan. I didn’t want to embarrass myself any further by getting too caught up in his kisses.
Smacking a kiss on my lips, Verus scooped me up and moved me to sit by the table in the corner while he untied the furs and started fussing with them. I was watching him with a sappy smile when a feminine voice called out.
“Can I come in?”
Verus’s head popped up, and he answered, “Come in,” while smiling brightly. Zoya swept into the tent, her rounded belly leading the way.
“Good evening,” she greeted, moving to sit beside me. “How are you, Patrick?”
I lifted my shoulder, wrinkling my nose a little. “The splint is a little uncomfortable. Especially while trying to sleep.”
Zoya nodded in understanding, her gaze straying to where Verus was still fussing with the furs. A smile tugged at her lips. “I can see your protector is working to make that a little easier. I understand that it’s uncomfortable, but it's for the best. It’s only been a few weeks since you were hurt. Do you mind if I take a look?”
She looked over the injury, humming and murmuring to herself. “It looks like it's healing well. The swelling has gone down and it looks like everything is as it should be. Are you just uncomfortable or does the pain keep you awake?”
I shook my head. “It’s not terrible. Only when I’m moving around a lot does it hurt. Yamileth has me sitting on a stool while I help her, so I can rest as much as possible.”
“Oh, you’re helping Yami?” she asked curiously.
“Patrick is a wonderful cook,” Verus interjected. “He has many plans for meals he will cook for the clan. I am looking forward to it.”
I felt my cheeks flush from his praise. Even when my business became more popular in town, I didn’t receive as much praise as Verus showered me with. I hoped he wasn’t just saying it because we were intimate together. His words meant a lot, and I would be devastated if they turned out to be false.
“I’m looking forward to trying it,” Zoya said, giving me a soft smile. “You look like you’re healing well to me. Continue to rest often, and don’t push yourself too hard helping Yami. She’ll understand if you need to take a break.”
“Is there anything else we can do to encourage healing?” Verus asked, coming to squat beside me. He ran his fingers through my hair, his expression clouded with worry. “I do not like it when he is in pain.”
“These things take time, Verus,” she scolded, though the warmth in her eyes said she wasn’t annoyed with him for pushing. “But I’ll make a poultice that will encourage healing if it will make you feel better. We’ll need to make sure nothing touches it until it dries, so you won’t be able to get dressed right away, but it should get you back on your feet soon enough.”
I both looked forward to getting back on my feet and dreaded it at the same time. As long as I was injured, I wasn’t required to leave. I could just stay here and be with Verus. And there was no place in the world I would rather be.