Page 55 of Homecoming

She pulled her dress up to check the marks on her legs. The wounds were still hot pink, but they were no longer open injuries.

“Those are coming along. Another deep rest and that will probably finish healing them.”

“Oh. Yay. Am I allowed to get something to eat or drink? I am hella thirsty.”

“Of course.”

Iro got up and lifted her. “Your skin is still very thin, and we don’t want it tearing.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I will do a complete assessment when you have had something to eat and a lot to drink.”

She shrugged, and he carried her through the enormous house down to the kitchen. “What does he do in here?”

Iro shrugged. “Nerd things?”

Orla blinked. “Oh. Right.”

Iro walked into the kitchen and said, “Shon, this is Orla.”

The older woman behind the counter nodded. “Hungry, Orla?”

“Yes, please, Shon.”

Another older woman walked in, but she looked a lot like Ligo. “Well, hello, sleepyhead.”

“Hello.”

Iro asked, “I am sorry, ma’am, but who are you?”

The woman blinked. “Avenar. I am Ligo’s mother. I live next door. He said his mate was here, but you aren’t marked.”

“We just met as mates this morning. We are waiting until the claw marks all over my body fade and my skin won’t tear open. This is Doc Iro. He’s our third.”

Avenar blinked. “Well, what do you do for a living?”

“I am currently a food server at the village on Wonder.”

“What do you mean claw marks? Wait, the woman that was taken. That was you?”

“Yes. They were going to hold me for ransom.”

Shon was cooking quietly.

“What could they have gotten from you?”

“Nothing, but my sister’s primary is pretty well off, so they were going to send me back in breathing condition.”

Avenar asked, “Who is your sister’s mate?”

“Sohar.”

Avenar drew back. “He has a mate?”

“Yes. She’s the most beautiful woman in the world. Her name is Aeryn.”

The older woman smiled. “Of course, you would say that. She’s your sister.”

---