Page 40 of Bred By Fafnir

“The youngest warriors hunt us as training, giving us an opportunity to die in battle, regaining our place behind Valhyr’s gates.”

“They hunt you like a fucking animal.”

“You do not understand.”

“No, fucking of course I don’t!” I scramble off the bed, away from his touch like it’s on fire. My hands fly through my bedside table searching for my holo pager. He’s patient when I return with it.

Where I pant, his breath is even, steady.

Where my eyes are wild with fear, his are swirling but calm.

“Lenora, this is the way of things.”

“Fuck that! I will not let you be hunted and murdered for sport.”

“It is—"

“Fafnir, just-look, look at this.” My hands are shaking violently, my mind a deep whirl of dizziness and racing thoughts. “It isn’t adisease, not really. Humans have it too. It’s called PTSD. It’s a mental health disorder, not adeathsentence.”

His eyes are narrowed, if not a little angry, but he listens. Letting me ramble on, taking each and every note in as I read it to him, and by the time I get to the end, where I sent all my research over to thedoctor, Fafnir’s face is stoic and unreadable. I sit in heavy silence as he starts back at the beginning, reading everything once, twice, three times through. The seconds drag on into ontics and ontics, verging on zentics when he finally lays the data pad down between us.

I hold my breath, sweat slicking my palms.

“This changes nothing.”

I swear my heart cannot take another fracture; my voice is small, smaller than I wanted it to be. I want to be angry and scream, but I don’t. I just don’t. “It changes everything, though. I- I’m yourmate.”

“Do you even know what that means? You arehuman. Humans cannot recognize a soul mate.”

I shake my head, knowing he’s wrong. So wrong. “Being your mate means I can finally stop feeling like I’m breaking some stupid rule bylovingyou. It means I can stay… with the both of you.”

“I must wander, Valkyra. Even with a Bhaurnul spirit, the winter is harsh for a human body. It is no place for—"

I cut him off, gripping his horns as I stare down at him, tears in my eyes, sorrow clawing my throat. “You won’t wander, youcan’t. I won’t let it come to that, but I need you to try for me. Forus,because I wanthimto know you.”

His eyes widen, darting to my stomach. “Him?”

I sigh at that, knowing it’s silly as I release his horns. I don’t get far before Fafnir grips my hands, bringing them back. “It’s just a stupid feeling.”

“It’s not stupid. Never call it that,” he corrects vehemently.

“So, you’ll try? No matter what it takes?”

His eyes meet mine as he grips my face in his large hands. If I had horns, I’d imagine he’d be gripping me there instead. “I told you before, I will not give up. If even half of what was in those notes is true…” he takes me deep breath. “Iwantit to be truebut—"

I shake my head, a sob leaving me. “No, no buts, not even one.”

He tugs me to him at that, kissing me softly, softer than a male like him should. “You said you loved me.”

I sniffle. “Of course I do, stupid male.”

He chuffs, tucking my head under his chin. My eyes widen as something damp reaches my scalp. “I ensure your love is not wasted on me, my Lenora.”

“I love you too. That’s what you’re supposed to say.”

“I do love you, but such terms feel… inadequate. I suppose it’s better than anything I could come up with.”

My chin wobbles. He has no idea how wrong he is. Everything he’s done since the moment we landed on this planet has screamedlove. Improbable, irrational, ill-timedlove.

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