Page 113 of The Delver
“Drink up, man” the male human said as he thrust the waterskin into Urkot’s hand.
Urkot drank gratefully and deeply. The water was a balm to his throat after the grueling journey and so much talking. He wasn’t sure how Rekosh, who rarely went a moment without speaking, managed to get by without guzzling water constantly.
When he was done, he handed the waterskin back and thanked Cole. He shifted his legs, finding more comfortable positions for them, and forced his arms to relax, letting out a soft groan as aches and twinges assailed him.
“Let us help you to your den,” Ketahn said. “You need rest, Urkot, and we can tend to you there.”
Urkot shook his head.
Rekosh huffed. “You need not be stoneheaded now.”
Biting back a growl, Urkot let out a slow, heavy breath. “No. I will not leave my mate.”
Rekosh chittered. “Finally.”
“Finally,” Ketahn echoed.
“Wait, what?” Cole said. “When did that happen?”
Ivy rolled her eyes as she allowed Akalahn to climb down to the floor. “You’re completely oblivious, Cole.”
Lacey crossed her arms and smirked. “Well, damn. Just needed a little danger to turn up the heat and get things moving, huh Urkot? You’ve been eyeing her ass for months.”
Heat suffused Urkot’s hide. “Her ass is beautiful, but I have looked at all her parts.”
Ivy snickered, and Ahmya chuckled quietly.
“I do not think your words make it better,” Rekosh said with a chitter.
Cole moseyed up next to Lacey and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He grinned down at her. “Guess it’s just down to you and me now, Lace.”
A low, barely audible growl called Urkot’s attention to Telok, who stood nearby with arms folded tight across his chest and the fine hairs on his legs raised, his green glare fixed on Cole.
Lacey stuck her palm into Cole’s face and pushed him away. “Not happening. Not on this world or any other, Cole.”
“Ouch.” Laughing, Cole allowed himself to be shoved, stepping back with his hands raised, palms out. “I mean it’s just the two of us left single now. Third wheels, the both of us. What did you think I meant?”
Lacey stared at him. “You know exactly how it came off.”
“You’re the one with her mind in the gutter. I’m totally innocent.” He drew a finger down his chest then across it. “Cross my heart.”
“As much as I’d like to see Lacey punch Cole, I have to interrupt,” Diego said from the den’s entryway.
Everyone turned their heads toward him.
Urkot rose onto his legs, hide tingling. “Callie?”
“She’s going to be fine.” Diego stepped outside, letting the cloth fall behind him. “I cleaned and bandaged up her wounds. I also applied a salve, so she’s not feeling much pain. And her fever’s already coming down. That herbal tea Lacey concocted is doing wonders. But it was your first aid that saved her life, Urkot. She lost a lot of blood, and if you hadn’t patched up her leg the way you did, she would’ve bled to death.”
Urkot squeezed his eyes shut as his body shuddered. He had come so close to losing her after only just making her his. Her light could have been snuffed out so easily, like a flame blown out by the wind. Now more than ever, he understood just how precious every moment was.
He wouldn’t waste any more of them.
“Callie’s drowsy,” Diego said, “but I’ll make sure she gets to her den to rest, and I’ll check up on her periodically.”
Urkot opened his eyes and stepped closer to Diego. “No. I will take my mate there, and I will stay with her.”
“Mate?” Diego’s brows rose high. He rubbed the back of his neck with a chuckle. “Damn, guess you two were busy while you were gone. Congratulations.”
