Chapter 20
Twenty
N othing this morning was going as I had planned. What was supposed to be a nice gesture to make something for Verus to bring along on his journey ended up being a battle with me caught in the middle. I could only watch helplessly as Verus and Tavik rolled on the ground, punching each other. It took four barbarians to pull them apart, and from the look on Verus’s face, he wasn’t done yet. He only walked away because Orthorr demanded it.
A hand on my shoulder startled me, and I looked up to see Finn hovering at my side, a worried frown tugging at his lips. “Are you okay?”
My smile was more of a grimace. “I’m alright. Verus?”
“He will be fine,” Rath grunted from where he stood nearby, his arms crossed over his wide chest. He was an intimidating sight, but his scowl wasn’t directed at me. It was aimed at the tent flap, where a few faces peeked in, like he was daring anyone to get close to me. It was kind of nice, knowing someone was willing to protect me when Verus wasn’t around.
A barbarian I wasn’t familiar with ordered the group to disperse before joining us in the cooking tent. It was getting a little crowded in here, and no work could be done with all the chaos. Yamileth ignored it all, puttering around to check on the bread we’d made earlier. I was glad she hadn’t forgotten about it. It would’ve made this whole thing worse if the reason I was wandering around alone ended up being ruined.
For a long moment, the two barbarians spoke with one another, their words too fast for me to follow. When I glanced at Finn, even he was frowning, like he couldn’t quite keep up. He had only been with the clan for a few months. It wasn’t really surprising that he struggled when people were speaking quiet and quick like they were.
When they finally turned around to face me, their expressions were stoic, and I felt myself shrink away from them automatically. Finn rubbed my shoulder reassuringly, and I was grateful that he stayed by my side when the clan leader and the unknown barbarian stepped up to me.
“Patrick, this is Uttin. He is head of the warriors who protect our clan, including Tavik and Saneth. I would like him to hear your story again. Start from the beginning, please. From your first interaction with Tavik.”
It didn’t really feel like I had any other choice, so I started with the confrontation at the river and went up to this morning, when Saneth accused me of poisoning Tavik. By the time I was done, I was bright red with shame and embarrassment, and I couldn't look the two men standing over me in the eye.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause so much trouble.”
Yamileth made an irritated noise, coming to stand by my other side. “What trouble did you cause? Existing? You did nothing to either of them. They are the ones acting like children.”
“She’s right,” Uttin agreed. “You have nothing to apologize for. It is we who need to apologize for your ill treatment. You are a guest in our clan and should not have been treated as such. I will speak with them both and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
I jerked my head up, horrified at the prospect. From my experience, calling out a bully only made things worse. But who was I to argue with them? As Tavik said, I wasn’t part of the clan. I didn’t have a say.
“Um…”
Finn’s quiet voice caught the clan leader’s attention, and he turned to look at him, his expression soft for the shy man. “Finn? Do you have something to say?”
Finn bit his lip, shifting uncomfortably under Orthorr’s gaze. He only felt comfortable to speak when his bondmate stepped up behind him, putting his hand on Finn’s shoulder.
“I, um… I’ve had experience with men like Tavik. It’s possible that calling him out will only make things worse for Patrick. He’s already resentful. I don’t want him to get hurt.”
Orthorr gave him a soft smile, dipping his chin to acknowledge him. “We will take that into account. I assure you, Patrick is safe here. He is our guest, and I will not allow him to come to harm. Should Tavik or Saneth approach him again, the consequences will be severe.”
I wasn’t sure that would be enough, especially once Verus left. I almost wanted to ask that he stay behind. I felt safe with him. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel once he was gone.
I went as far as past the village center before I swung around to face Tavik. He shook off the brothers holding him, squaring up to me with his chin lifted. No words needed to be said. Our fight was unfinished. I would not leave to hunt until Tavik was put in his place. Fellow brothers stood watch to make sure we didn’t kill each other, but they understood the need for violence. To once and for all put this to bed.
He lunged at me, always so predictable, and I ducked as he swung, aiming for his gut instead. It winded him, and he stumbled but recovered quickly enough. His hand flung out, grabbing my tunic to drag me closer, but I used the momentum to strike just under his jaw. His teeth clacked together from the force, and he had to release me as he fought to shake off the stunning blow.
I tried to go low again, since he tended to strike high, used to only fighting people who matched his size, but he saw it coming and spun, catching me in a headlock.
“You see? I am better than that casak fawning all over you. I am not so pathetic to be chased from my home.”
His words against Patrick only enflamed me more. Twisting my head, I shoved his face with my free hand, forcing him to release me. I grabbed the arm that had been around my head, forcing it behind his back, and kicked out his knee. He dropped to the ground with a shout, landing heavily on his chest. Kneeling on his back, I hissed, “Patrick is ten times the man you are. He makes me happy. Should he claim me, I will bond with him.”
“But he… is not… clan…” Tavik gritted out.
“No. But if he chooses to leave, I will go with him. That is how much I care for him.” Shoving away from him, I took a step back. “Give up, Tavik. I have found my bondmate. I will never be interested in you.”
To my surprise, he didn’t jump to his feet or try to attack again. I waited for it, but he stayed on the ground, his body limp in defeat.
“Walk away,” Feigrind, who had stood watch during the fight, urged me, putting a hand on my shoulder and pushing me gently toward the village center. “He understands now. No need to rub it in his face.”
I waited a second more to make sure Tavik wouldn’t do something stupid like claim I was a coward for walking away before stomping off. I couldn’t go back to Patrick, not until Orthorr was done speaking to him, but that didn't mean I wouldn’t stay nearby. My Patrick was frightened earlier. I wanted to be there to comfort him when their conversation was through. I also wanted to make sure he wasn’t blamed for any of it. He was not at fault. The problems lay with me and Tavik.
It took time for Orthorr and Uttin to leave the cooking tent. While I waited, I paced outside, ignoring the stares and whispers from my fellow clan members. I only stopped when they stepped out, waiting warily for them to speak.
Orthorr waved toward the tent. “He’s fine, but I’m sure you wish to check on him anyway. Go.”
Needing no further encouragement, I hurried inside the tent, heading straight for Patrick. He was on his usual stool, his face clouded with worry. I hated it. He needed to always be smiling. I wished I could add more bruises to Tavik for putting that look on his face.
Rath noticed my arrival and gently tugged Finn’s elbow, pulling him away from Patrick’s side. He nodded at me in acknowledgement and left, giving me the space to talk to Patrick alone.
“Do not distract him long. He has work to do,” Yami warned.
Well, mostly alone. And despite her grouchiness, I knew she wouldn’t stop me from comforting Patrick. His gaze lifted, and he chewed his lip, unhappiness coming off him in waves. Kneeling in front of him, I cupped his cheek, resting my forehead against his.
“He won’t come near you again, my Patrick. I promise.”
Pushing forward until his face was buried against my shoulder, he clung to me. I wrapped myself around him, giving him all the support and love I could offer. It frustrated me that he’d struggled so much since arriving here. I wanted better for him. And now I would be forced to leave his side for an indeterminate amount of time. It felt a little as though the fates were fighting against us. It would break my heart if that was true. I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to Patrick. He was my perfect match. I would do insane things to keep him by my side. Including going against the fates.