Page 20 of Saved By a Barbarian

“I am better than he is. I will prove it to you. And when you realize you are wrong, you will come crawling.”

Snorting, I gave him a bland look. “Only in your wildest fantasies, Tavik. Go back to the village. You do not belong out here.”

With a final glare, he left, stomping off toward the village. I had no choice but to follow him, as it would dishonor me to let him come to harm while he was alone with me. I walked him asfar as the gathering tree, where a few others waited. I jerked my chin at Rhos.

“Take him home. He is foolish to be out here.”

That got me an incredulous look from Tavik, but Rhos only nodded, nudging Tavik on his way when he stayed rooted in place, silently seething. Once they disappeared through the trees, Rhos’s blood brother Orvak raised an eyebrow at me.

“I heard tell that you were wrapped around the one found in the forest. Did you really stoop so low as to give in to Tavik?”

My face screwed up in disgust. “Never. He sought me out to plead for it. I told him no. I only want Patrick.”

Fifteen

After helping with the clan meal prep, I finally took the time to create a meal for Yamileth and Verus. She’d requested it a few days prior, but with the pain I was in once my usual tasks were done, she decided to put it off until I could move better on my own. I wasn’t happy about it, but I couldn’t argue with her. So I waited until I felt like she was distracted enough that I could get away with it without her noticing my pain.

I decided on a meal that could easily be made in large quantities, scaling the recipe down for a smaller batch. I didn’t rush it, and took the time while it was cooking to help Yamileth with the normal cooking. I finished just after the noise of the clan meal had died down, and Verus had returned from his hunt.

Scooping two servings into bowls, I handed them to Yamileth and Verus, shifting uneasily on my stool as I waited for them to taste it. If I had been able to stand, I would have been bouncing on my toes. I felt a little better when Verus’s eyes lit up, and he began to shovel large mouthfuls into his mouth, but I held my breath as I waited for Yamileth’s opinion. She was the one who would decide if it was good enough for me to cook beside her.

She hummed, setting the bowl down on the table beside her. My heart sank, worried she didn’t like it, and when she stood, I braced myself for the worst. My eyes were squeezed shut, and I didn’t see her coming until she pulled me into a hug. Startled, I could only cling to her.

“I waited a long time for someone to be good enough to work beside me. I am glad the fates brought you here. Perhaps now I will finally have a chance to rest.”

“You like it?” I croaked, looking up at her. Tears burned my eyes, and a lump formed in my throat. I had been so worried about her reaction, it was hard to comprehend what she was saying.

“It is delicious. I look forward to seeing what else you can create. I only stopped eating it because you looked like you would pass out from holding your breath,” she teased.

Relief flooded me, and I let out a watery laugh, hugging her a little tighter. If she liked my cooking and wanted me to work beside her, it would hopefully be a point in my favor when I eventually asked to stay. As long as that was what Verus wanted.

“She is not wrong, Patrick,” Verus said cheerfully. “Is there more? I think one bowl is not enough.”

When Yamileth finally released me and I looked over at him, Verus’s bowl was already empty, and his eyes were locked on the pot the rest of the stew rested in. I felt a smile tug at my lips as I put my hand out for his bowl, scooping him another large helping. He immediately tucked in to enjoy it, making happy humming noises as he inhaled his meal. His obvious pleasure made me blush, and I was suddenly glad I’d made extra. If my food made him happy, then I never wanted to stop cooking for him.

A rustle drew my focus to the entrance of the tent, where a familiar barbarian stepped inside. Finn’s bondmate was an intimidating man, big and bulky like Tavik, but with a softness inhis eyes that Tavik didn’t have. He guided Finn in with a hand on his lower back, his expression patient as he urged the shy man inside.

Yamileth frowned at the visitors, her eyes narrowed. “What do you need?”

Rath shook his head, a patient smile on his face. “Nothing. Finn wanted to spend more time with Patrick. He is here to ask to join him while I train Evak to hunt.”

Happiness bubbled in my chest, and I shifted my gaze to Finn, who was blushing fiercely. We’d only really spent time together to learn, never just to hang out. He was the reason I was so comfortable with the language already. I would be happy to spend more time with him.

“Join us, brother,” Verus called, motioning Finn closer. “You need to try Patrick’s food. It is delicious.”

Curiosity overrode his shyness, and Finn came closer, accepting the bowl Verus handed him after he scooped Finn out a portion. It was a little embarrassing having him praise me like that—my food wasn’t that big of a deal—but I chose not to say anything. It was nice to hear, and I didn’t want to discourage him.

Taking an empty stool, Finn took a small bite of the food. He looked surprised, and a bright smile overtook his face when he looked up at me. “Is this butcher’s stew?”

I nodded once. “It’s a recipe I’m familiar with, and it can be made for a large number of people. I thought it was a good idea to show my skill.”

He offered a bite to his bondmate, who hadn’t yet left, waiting to make sure Finn was comfortable and happy. Rath was harder to read than Finn was, his expression more contemplative, but Finn was practically bouncing in his seat with excitement.

“It’s really good! What else can you make? I love the food here, but there are a few things I miss from home. I never learned to cook, though, so I’ve never had any hope of recreating them.”

Tipping my head side to side, I answered, “I’m more comfortable with baking than cooking, but I know a few recipes off the top of my head. And I’ve always been a quick study when it comes to cooking. What kinds of things do you miss?”

Rath and Verus left while we talked about recipes and favorite foods, and how I could recreate them out here. Not all the food was the same, since the barbarians foraged instead of farming like the towns, but I didn’t think it would be too hard to change up the recipe just a little to get the same results. Yamileth threw in her suggestions for substitutions as well, and mentioned a few recipes she planned on teaching me so that the knowledge would be passed down.

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