Page 29 of Saved By a Barbarian

I went as faras past the village center before I swung around to face Tavik. He shook off the brothers holding him, squaring up to me with his chin lifted. No words needed to be said. Our fight was unfinished. I would not leave to hunt until Tavik was put in his place. Fellow brothers stood watch to make sure wedidn’t kill each other, but they understood the need for violence. To once and for all put this to bed.

He lunged at me, always so predictable, and I ducked as he swung, aiming for his gut instead. It winded him, and he stumbled but recovered quickly enough. His hand flung out, grabbing my tunic to drag me closer, but I used the momentum to strike just under his jaw. His teeth clacked together from the force, and he had to release me as he fought to shake off the stunning blow.

I tried to go low again, since he tended to strike high, used to only fighting people who matched his size, but he saw it coming and spun, catching me in a headlock.

“You see? I am better than that casak fawning all over you. I am not so pathetic to be chased from my home.”

His words against Patrick only enflamed me more. Twisting my head, I shoved his face with my free hand, forcing him to release me. I grabbed the arm that had been around my head, forcing it behind his back, and kicked out his knee. He dropped to the ground with a shout, landing heavily on his chest. Kneeling on his back, I hissed, “Patrick is ten times the man you are. He makes me happy. Should he claim me, I will bond with him.”

“But he… is not… clan…” Tavik gritted out.

“No. But if he chooses to leave, I will go with him. That is how much I care for him.” Shoving away from him, I took a step back. “Give up, Tavik. I have found my bondmate. I will never be interested in you.”

To my surprise, he didn’t jump to his feet or try to attack again. I waited for it, but he stayed on the ground, his body limp in defeat.

“Walk away,” Feigrind, who had stood watch during the fight, urged me, putting a hand on my shoulder and pushing megently toward the village center. “He understands now. No need to rub it in his face.”

I waited a second more to make sure Tavik wouldn’t do something stupid like claim I was a coward for walking away before stomping off. I couldn’t go back to Patrick, not until Orthorr was done speaking to him, but that didn't mean I wouldn’t stay nearby. My Patrick was frightened earlier. I wanted to be there to comfort him when their conversation was through. I also wanted to make sure he wasn’t blamed for any of it. He was not at fault. The problems lay with me and Tavik.

It took time for Orthorr and Uttin to leave the cooking tent. While I waited, I paced outside, ignoring the stares and whispers from my fellow clan members. I only stopped when they stepped out, waiting warily for them to speak.

Orthorr waved toward the tent. “He’s fine, but I’m sure you wish to check on him anyway. Go.”

Needing no further encouragement, I hurried inside the tent, heading straight for Patrick. He was on his usual stool, his face clouded with worry. I hated it. He needed to always be smiling. I wished I could add more bruises to Tavik for putting that look on his face.

Rath noticed my arrival and gently tugged Finn’s elbow, pulling him away from Patrick’s side. He nodded at me in acknowledgement and left, giving me the space to talk to Patrick alone.

“Do not distract him long. He has work to do,” Yami warned.

Well, mostly alone. And despite her grouchiness, I knew she wouldn’t stop me from comforting Patrick. His gaze lifted, and he chewed his lip, unhappiness coming off him in waves. Kneeling in front of him, I cupped his cheek, resting my forehead against his.

“He won’t come near you again, my Patrick. I promise.”

Pushing forward until his face was buried against my shoulder, he clung to me. I wrapped myself around him, giving him all the support and love I could offer. It frustrated me that he’d struggled so much since arriving here. I wanted better for him. And now I would be forced to leave his side for an indeterminate amount of time. It felt a little as though the fates were fighting against us. It would break my heart if that was true. I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to Patrick. He was my perfect match. I would do insane things to keep him by my side. Including going against the fates.

Twenty-One

Even though I wanted him to stay, I didn’t ask Verus to not go on the hunt. I couldn’t. It was his job, and he’d told me how honored he was to serve his clan. Instead, I forced a smile and wrapped up the bread I’d made for him and the three others who were going on the hunt. When I handed it to him, he looked at the bundle curiously, tipping his head at me.

“What’s this?”

I was so hopelessly smitten with him, I could only shrug helplessly and blush as I admitted, “I wanted you to have enough to eat. If you’re careful, it should last a while. Yamileth added some fruit to it, so it’s healthy and?—”

He swooped down, cutting me off with a kiss that took my breath away. It was so intense and filled with emotions that I didn’t dare hope for, I could only cling to him and try to commit the feeling to memory. When he pulled away, resting his forehead against mine, I felt a lump form in my throat.

“I won’t be gone long, ravsol. The others will face Rath if they drag their feet. He will not allow it to take longer than necessary.”

As much as I wanted him to hurry, I didn’t want him putting himself at risk either. “Be safe,” I pleaded, my fingers digginginto his tunic. I’d just found him. I couldn’t stomach the thought of losing him.

Smiling softly, he rubbed his forehead against mine in an affectionate gesture. I closed my eyes and savored it, and when he was summoned to join the other hunters, I firmed up my resolve and forced myself to smile for him.

“Go. Do your duty for the clan. I’ll be here when you get back.”

He stole one last kiss before pushing to his feet and walking out of the cooking tent. A part of me didn’t want to watch him go, but I couldn’t help but follow, hobbling on my crutches to see him off.

Finn was in a similar state about Rath’s departure. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he clung to Rath’s tunic until Zoya pulled him away. Moving to stand beside him, I nudged him to get his attention.

“They’ll be okay as long as they’re together. Right?”

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