Page 7 of The Barbarian's Tribute
Ah. He understood more than I thought. I considered his question with a frown. “No. Not all. Too big.”
While the women had the option to learn to ride, many complained the stallions were too big to ride. The towns had smaller horses, but no one had ever bothered to look into purchasing some. The women rode with their protectors while we were on the move. Or in a carriage if riding didn’t suit them.
“Oh…” Finn looked disappointed at my answer. If he wanted to learn, I’d teach him, but maybe not yet. He was still frightened and the handlers could be obnoxious. Like Godr. He came our way, leading Vann towards the fence where we were waiting. My blood brother had a big grin on his face, his eyes straying morethan once to Finn. I set him down and tucked him against me, glaring at my brother in warning. My Finn.
“Rath, my brother! You called for me?”
I made a face. “I called for Vann. You are only to bring him to me. Go back to your work.”
“Don’t be cruel,” he chided, leaning against the fence that kept the larger threats away from the stallions. They could fight with hooves and teeth, but they rested better with some protection and guards.
Proving that Vann was a better brother than Godr, the stallion nipped at his elbow and bullied him out of the way, leaning over the fence to press his forehead against mine. I stroked his neck, humming my approval, while Godr complained like he had his heart broken.
I ignored him, stepping back and pushing Finn closer to introduce the two. “My Finn. Meet Vann.”
He trembled where he stood, such a gentle spirit, so I stepped up behind him with a hand on his hip, using the other to lift his palm to Vann’s nose. Vann was a patient stallion, he didn’t rush the frightened man. He sniffed curiously and nudged Finn’s hand in greeting before lowering his head closer to Finn’s level.
“He wants to greet,” I said, showing Finn by pressing my forehead to Vann’s for a moment. Finn took an unsteady step forward, mimicking my movements. He wasn’t tall enough to reach Vann’s forehead, even with Vann’s help, so I lifted him again, giving him a boost so they could greet properly.
I watched, fascinated, as Finn melted against the stallion, a smile stretching across his face as Vann shifted to tuck the smaller man under his chin. It was a gesture to comfort, something I did to Finn when he woke at night in tears. Finn took it as such and when I set him on his feet, he moved closer, cuddling the massive stallion, tears swimming in his eyes.
“He likes stallions,” Godr said with an obnoxious smile. “Perhaps I should take over his care.” He was watching Finn like a man interested in making a claim. It irritated me. I wanted to whisk Finn away back to my tent, but watching him with Vann made me hesitate. I couldn’t take away his joy.
“Don’t touch,” I growled at him.
He glanced at me, a teasing comment on his tongue, but he hesitated when he saw my face. His brows drew together slowly.
“You intend to claim him.”
If he chose me, yes. Having Finn around soothed something inside me. I wanted to keep him with me always. I couldn’t say that, though. I didn’t want to sway Finn into thinking he didn't have a choice.
“We will go for a ride. You can go,” I said gruffly, purposely ignoring the question.
Godr didn’t fight me, which was a first. He straightened and his expression softened into something more kind. “You deserve a bondmate, brother. I hope he accepts you, so you will be happy.”
He gripped my shoulder and squeezed affectionately. I returned the gesture and jerked my chin toward the field, where two stallions were standing off. “Your troublemaker is going to start a fight.”
His head whipped over his shoulder and he sighed, exasperated, shouting as he marched away. “Don’t start!” he bellowed. Not that the stallion would listen. He was young and headstrong. He needed more time to be trained.
Finn was still cuddled against Vann, but he watched us curiously, craning his neck to see around Vann’s massive frame. “Everything okay?”
I hummed, hopping the fence and beckoning Finn closer. He looked reluctant to leave his spot, but Vann nudged him to follow me, like a good friend. I helped Finn over the fence andlifted him onto Vann’s back. He let out a startled sound, clinging to Vann’s neck. Worried he would be too frightened to enjoy it, I mounted Vann behind him, pulling the smaller man against my chest so he felt more secure. He held tightly to my arm around his waist, sucking in a breath when I urged Vann into motion. It was a smooth ride, just around the fenced area, but after a few frightened moments, Finn relaxed and enjoyed himself. And he was smiling when we finished.
I found myself willing to do a great many things to earn that smile again.
For lunch,I took Finn back to my tent. I could only be selfish for another day, and I used that as an excuse to get time alone with him. He didn’t seem bothered by the separation, pointing out words he recognized while he ate. He was picking it up quickly. I was proud of him for that.
“Rath?” His questioning tone drew my focus away from my meal. He fumbled for the right words, his face flushing bright red as he asked, “Do you enjoy males?”
My brow furrowed. I wasn’t sure what he meant by that at first. It was when his blush deepened and he ducked his head that I clued in on what he meant. “I am attracted to males. Are you?”
Admittedly, until this moment, I never thought to ask. He was a tribute, so the assumption was that his preference was for males. Now I waited on bated breath, worried I’d assumed when I shouldn’t have. I was willing to try and convince him, maybe he just hadn’t experienced it yet, but it would make things difficult. I wasn’t going to force him to stay if he was uninterested inmales. And he had no reason to be here if he was only attracted to females.
Thankfully, he nodded, his voice small when he agreed. “I’m attracted to males. That’s why…”
He said something in his own language, I couldn’t understand what, but he looked ashamed. I wished I understood him better. None of the other hunters knew much about the town languages. Only one had his own bondmate, and he said the only town words she used with him were when she was irate with him. Those weren’t helpful right now, though I did demand he teach them to me, so I would be aware if Finn was upset with me.
Reaching for him, I cupped his cheek, biting back a smile when he leaned into the touch. I didn’t want him to think I took joy in his upset. But his continued acceptance of my touch made me hopeful of the future. If I kept showing him I wanted to care for him, perhaps he’d choose me back.
