Chapter Ten
Vonetta
When I wake the next morning, it is later than we usually start the day.
Chiron is awake already. He is lying on his back, one arm raised behind his head.
He gazes into the trees to our west. His face is calm, but his eyes are troubled.
I am turned toward him, my head resting in the crook of his other arm.
When he notices that I am awake, he doesn’t move or even speak; he pulls me closer.
My limbs are heavy from exhaustion. I slept fitfully, but I must have finally given in to rest before the sunrise.
I am comfortable here, nestled into his side, but we cannot stay this way. When I make to sit up, Chiron’s arm tightens around me.
“Stay, please.” He whispers. I turn my face up to him now, studying him. He is bothered. I nod my assent, and I stay there for a long while, my hand resting on his chest.
I have kept my own bed since I was a young girl, too old to room with the Lady.
So sleeping and waking with Chiron and Wren has been new to me, but not unpleasant.
We have grown comfortable in each other’s presence.
More so, I have grown to feel comfortable in Chiron’s embrace in a way that is very unexpected.
When Wren wakes, he makes his presence known quietly. Turning toward us on the quilt, close but no longer physically connected. This time, when I sit up, Chiron doesn’t stop me. His arm stays outstretched, and his eyes have softened enough to tell me that he is more at ease than before.
The warmth in my chest that comes from knowing I had a part in that is magnified when I look at Wren, and he is smiling. It is bashful and cheery, boyish.
My heart catches; he smiles so seldomly. A laugh escapes me when I see Wren’s hair, which is standing on end, and he is disheveled in a lovely and amusing way. He musses his hair and raises his eyebrows to me, and I touch my own hair.
My braid from yesterday has fallen apart, the tie must be lost in the quilt, and my tresses are tangled. We’re all smiling now, a levity much needed after the events of yesterday. Chiron is the first to speak,
“You know, we don’t need to head directly to Nerine. We could take a day, maybe two, even after yesterday. I know of a cabin just outside the city; we could stay there.”
His offer is appealing, and I nod my agreement. Wren nods too.
We right ourselves as best we can, and I untangle my hair and twist it at the base of my neck with the bone pin from my bag.
We walk together to the stables. I am hungry after not eating much yesterday, and my suspicions that they are as well are confirmed by the loud assertions from Chiron's stomach on the way.
The tenor today is one of levity. The trial is not forgotten or ignored, but simply not ready to be rehashed.
Wren and Chiron feed and water our horses. I take stock of the rations we have between us. It isn’t much, but we have some dried meats and a little hard cheese, and that will sustain us until we can begin our journey toward Nerine.
Wren looks at the rations with skepticism and decides to visit the nearest farm to barter for something more substantial.
He returns with apples and still-warm bread.
Our water skins are now full, and it’s a much better meal than we would have had otherwise.
I tell him so. Color rises in his cheeks, and I take note of it, pleased that my gratitude affects them.
Whatever is brewing between us all today has my insides sparking with curiosity. There is a new kind of camaraderie between the three of us, lighter and full of unexplored terrain.
We take to our horses, and I make it into the saddle by my own skill, pleased with how much easier it is now for me. Chiron doesn’t say anything, but he appears pleased with my progress, and that is appreciated.
Our ride is long, but the road to Nerine is vacant of other travelers, so we make good time. When we can spread out on the path, we have time to talk and joke with one another.
Chiron and Wren converse about the area we are going to.
Their conversation flows easily between them, and I enjoy listening to them.
Chiron shares his experiences and memories of the cabin and his time in Nerine, while Wren shares facts about the landscape and the city.
Nerine is the second largest community in Elemyr and is the most densely populated area outside of the capital.
When we make it into the city proper, we will be meeting with our people for the first time with intention.
The idea is slightly overwhelming, but it cannot take the ease of our detour from us.
We arrive at a cabin in the late evening.
“We’re about a half days ride from Nerine, but we do not need to rush our departure. This place belongs to my parents, so it is well stocked with preserves, and there is a stable not too far." Chiron says. He doesn’t dismount, but he takes our reins in his hand.
“I will take the horses there and send word to the city that we’re making a stop.
I will be back before nightfall.” Chiron guides our mounts back to the main road, and I see my bow and quiver attached to his saddle.
I think about the feel of it in my hand.
This cottage is set apart from everything, and I can see the great mountains in the distance, making it feel smaller than it is.
I am very tired, but I think that tomorrow I will take myself to hunt in the woods to the north of the property. I haven’t been on my own in some time, and that, too, is very new to me.
Wren and I unpack some of our things and inspect the cabin.
It is clean and evidently cared for regularly.
The linens and quilts are soft and well-made.
A small kitchen with an ample pantry is indeed full of preserved goods, so we pick out a jam and dried fruits that we can use with the rest of the salted meats from this morning.
We are reclining on the large bed when Chiron returns an hour or so later. He seems refreshed from his time on his own and unmarked by whatever troubled him earlier. I am in the middle, my presumed place between the two of them. We eat our meal, and I tell them both.
“I am not much for fishing, but I will take my bow into the trees tomorrow and try for something more substantial for our supper.” Wren nods his agreement, but Chiron offers,
“I can hunt for us if you’d prefer it.” I shake my head at him.
“No, thank you. I’ll take my bow; it was one of my tasks on the Isle, and I am adept.” He smiles at that.
“Noted. I’m intrigued, hunting isn’t usually a woman’s work in Ilyora.” I raise my brows at him, but the tone is still light, albeit spirited.
“Prince, you may be unfamiliar with the ways of the Isle, but we do not lack in work you might assign only to a man.”
His grin is wide, all of his shining teeth on display. It is breathtaking in a way I have not yet seen. When he speaks, his voice is gracious and not at all patronizing.
“I do not doubt you, Netta. I was only offering.” I nod to him, understanding.
We sleep well this night. The bed is soft and a luxury after many nights of travel.
In the morning, I wake early and feel revived not just in my body, but in my spirit. My limbs no longer ache, and I feel pride in that.
I take extra care to wash up in the small washroom. Wren brought fresh water in from the well at the back of the property, and I thank him for it. I brush my hair for a long moment and decide against plaiting it. I tie it behind me, letting the strands flow down my back but out of the way.
I wear the breeches from the bag today, so I can move without catching on branches and making any unnecessary noise.
When I leave the washroom, Wren and Chiron are sitting at a small table in the corner.
I walk to the small fireplace and start to fasten my boots myself.
They are dirty and worn from the journey, but it will not matter much today.
When I look up from my readying, their eyes are on me. Not merely observing me, but watching with intent. I do not falter under their gazes, but I heat, subtly. My cheeks feel hot, and I look away before they do, toward my bow and supplies.
“Off already?” Chiron asks, rising from his seat. Wren stands as well, both of them walking toward me near the door.
Wren reaches down for my bow and my quiver, handing them to me.
His hand grazes my own, and the shiver that runs through my skin is electric.
Chiron reaches out and glides his knuckles down my cheek affectionately, his grin wide and his eyes alight.
I struggle to not close my eyes to both touches.
I can’t help but feel they’d rather I remained here.
It is a tempting offer…But I have a plan, and whatever theirs is, it can wait.
“Yes, the morning is the perfect time to be out there. I won’t be long—a couple of hours.”
…
When I am in the forest, my mind is sharp.
It has always been this way. This small patch of woods is closer to the forest of home, and its gentle winding paths are easy to navigate.
I breathe deeply, into my belly, holding it there for a count of seven.
My eyes are closed, and I’m attuning to the sounds of life around me.
It takes extra effort to concentrate today, thanks to the new curious behavior of my bonded.
Breathe out. I feel the change in all of us, growing since our trial.
Breathe in. Comfort in each other’s presence, calmed by each other’s touch.
Breathe out. But this last encounter? My very blood is warmed. Breathe in. Hold. Out.
I didn’t really know what to think about how this part of our bond would be; I had nothing to compare it to. We do not linger after joining with someone on the Isle. Sex is a physical experience, even spiritual, but never have I ever tied it to emotions. Until now.