They both sat across from me, watching with a kind of lazy fascination as I mended the little rips in quick succession. That part was easy, and I was glad to pull on clothes that were comfortable and made for me. When I switched to mending my tunic, the pink-haired man leaned forward, frowning at the material.
“Hold on. That’s cute. Did you sew lace into that?”
Pink tinged my cheeks as I nodded, keeping my focus on the mending. “Yes. I liked the texture of it, so I sewed a little along the cuffs in a way that most people wouldn’t notice, especially since I roll up my sleeves a lot while I’m working. It’s just a little something for me.”
The dark haired man said something that made the pink-haired one snort. “Zakai said that kind of thing would be popular in Al Nuzem. You might find a demand for your work if you make it a little more obvious. Something in gold, maybe.” He lifted a shoulder, leaning back on his hands again. “I’m Simon, by the way. The prince is Zakai. He’s learning the common tongue, but slowly because he’s a brat and only likes to learn if his bondmate rewards him with sex.”
The casual way he said it startled me, but neither paid any mind to the comment. Zakai seemed to understand at least part of what he’d said because he glared at Simon and sassed back at him in his own language. It was pretty, whatever the language was. If I were to guess, probably Al Nuzem’s language, but I’d never heard it firsthand.
Simon gasped, sitting up straight, and said something rapidly to Zakai, who flashed him a shit eating grin. I wasn’t going to ask, I didn’t want to be nosy, but he stood and leaned out of the wagon, shouting in the common tongue for everyone to hear.
“Uttin, you asshole! You said no one should be having sex while on this journey, and you snuck off with Zakai anyway?”
I gaped at him. He wasn’t even ashamed of the comment, pointing a finger accusingly at one of the barbarians who looked smug about his accusation.
“I said if you couldn’t be discreet. You don’t have that ability,” Uttin called back.
Simon’s gasp was offended, and he looked ready to jump off the wagon and attack the barbarian for the insult. Another barbarian broke from his spot near the back, coming close enough to snatch Simon out of the wagon and onto his horse before moving away again. He listened as Simon started ranting in what sounded like the barbarian language, his smile amusedbut patient, and kept him well away from Uttin for the rest of the trip.
“I not a brat,” Zakai said, his chin lifted in haughty derision. “Simon is brat.”
I twisted my mouth, biting back the comment that they were one and the same in that regard. I didn’t know them well, but just watching them interact with each other made me think they were birds of a feather. And so open about their relationships, it was stunning. When Simon got too worked up, his barbarian silenced him with a kiss so heated, I had to look away, worried I’d burst into flames, I was blushing so hard. Zakai was no better, shooting sultry glances at Uttin and mouthing things that probably weren’t appropriate around others.
None of the other barbarians blinked at their behavior. They truly were free to be themselves and love who they wished. Despite the turmoil of the morning, I found myself growing hopeful for my future. If Simon and Zakai were true examples of what life was like with the barbarians, it was possible everything I’d ever dreamed of was just a short journey away.
CHAPTER SEVEN
TYOS
Watching Arlen mend his tunic while rocking with the wagon was a little fascinating. He didn’t let bumps or sharp movements bother him, his hand remained steady the entire time, and when he eventually finished and held up the material, it looked decent for what he’d had to work with. Almost like the mending was done on purpose to make it look unique. If only I’d had the chance to wash it properly. Dras had wrung it out, and the rain had rinsed some of it, but it was still dirty and stained. He deserved better after all he’d been through.
He pulled off the tunic he’d borrowed from me, trading it for his own, and a pang of disappointment hit me when he no longer wore something of mine. I liked the look of it on him. Almost like he belonged to me.
I pushed the thought away. Arlen was just forced to run from his home, was chased by the monsters hoping to cage him, and was threatened again just that morning. It wasn’t a good time to–
He looked up from where he’d been carefully tucking his sewing things away, giving me a soft smile when he realized I was watching him. My heart lurched in my chest, and the arguments against claiming him got a little quieter. There was nothing wrong with getting to know each other a little better. We didn’t have to rush anything.
Nudging Ghaevek to quicken his pace, I moved closer to where Arlen sat, grinning when he blushed at my attentions on him.
“Want ride?”
He looked up at me, his expression curious, and when I offered him a hand, he stood, looking nervously between me and the ground. “Shouldn’t we stop first?”
That would likely get me into trouble, as Uttin wanted to keep moving before the townsfolk from Arlen’s hometown caused any more trouble. I shook my head, gripping Ghaevek’s sides with my thighs as I leaned a little.
“Jump. I catch you.”
For a moment, he chewed on his lip, and I wondered if it was perhaps too much for him. I would not have judged him, he’d been through a lot in just a day, but he surprised me when he squeezed his eyes shut and jumped in my direction. I caught him around his middle, pulling him onto Ghaevek’s back, and squeezed him gently in reward for his bravery.
“Good job. You brave.”
Peeking one eye open, he let out a breath and sat up a little straighter, looking around. “I haven’t left home in a long time,” he murmured, taking in his surroundings.
“How long?” I asked curiously, readjusting him so that he was sitting forward with his back against my chest. It was the way I would choose to ride with my bondmate, and I liked how well Arlen fit into my arms.
“Years,” he admitted. “My parents got sick. I needed to care for them. Then… I didn’t want to travel alone.”
I hummed, hugging him a little tighter to me. I couldn’t imagine losing my parents. They were loving and kind, and I didn’t know what I’d do without them. And from the way he spoke, Arlen had no other family but them. He was all alone. The idea bothered me.