Page 33 of The Physician's Barbarian
“It was either this or risk Sebastian running away,” she said, leaning against Beau, who stepped up behind her and kissed her temple.
“There was also a rumor that your father was looking for Sebastian,” Beau added. “It was only a matter of time before he figured out where we went. Aunt Laurel said the safest place for him was with his dad.”
Frowning, I looked at Evelyn. “Why would he be looking for Seb?”
“He’s the family heir,” she reminded me. “Father lost his rightful heir when you volunteered. Seb was his next best option. I was honestly terrified of what would happen to Sebastian if Dad got his hands on him. And as his aunt, I wouldn’t have been able to keep him with me.”
No. My father had enough power to make sure of that. I was surprised I hadn’t thought of that. I’d been in such a hurry to get him and Evelyn out of town, I’d forgotten to cover my tracks.
“Are you staying?” I had to ask. It wasn’t the life I wanted for my sister or my son, but the thought of them leaving made it hard for me to breathe. I’d just got them back.
“I am!” Sebastian growled, stepping closer to me and grabbing a fistful of my tunic like he’d done when he was little and scared. I wrapped an arm around him protectively. I’d do anything to keep him with me at the very least.
Evelyn smiled sadly at him and shook her head. “We made the journey to bring Seb to you. Beau has to get back to the bakery and?—”
“And you’re going with him,” I finished. “Did you get married, then?”
She beamed at me, nodding rapidly. “We married in a small ceremony a week after you left. I’m legally bound to him now, so Father can’t cause any trouble. It’s just Sebastian I was worried about.”
“Thank you. For bringing him, and taking care of him in my absence. You are the best sister I could ask for.”
She hugged me again, sniffling against my shirt. We held each other for a long time, just soaking in the moment, before someone cleared their throat to catch our attention. When I looked up and saw Doskar waiting, I grimaced.
“Time to go?” I asked. I explained to Evelyn, “I’m supposed to be introduced to the clan soon. I’m not sure how that’ll go given how awkward things have been here, but I made a promise to the clan leader that I’d join the clan after a week of getting comfortable.” I shrugged. “My week is up.”
“What about me?” Sebastian asked, still clinging to me.
“We’ll have to talk to the clan leader about that.” But if they tried to tell me I couldn’t keep my son with me, I’d stop being so agreeable. I’d been separated from him long enough. If they wouldn’t let me keep him, then I’d find some way to leave. I wasn’t walking away from him again.
Twenty-Two
GODR
Iwatched Ambrose from a distance, soaking in his smile as he held his son and hugged his sister. When I’d first seen him following behind his protector, he looked… unwell. Not sick, but like a shell of himself. Unhappiness came off him in waves, and it took everything in me to stay by Orthorr’s side. My clan leader had warned me not to approach another clan’s tribute without permission first. If I didn’t heed his advice, I risked making our request to bring Ambrose back with us even more of an insult than it already was.
Every once in a while, Ambrose would pat Rhoddgorr’s side or lean against him when the stallion got close. Rhoddgorr was watching out for his person, eyeing the Ilvos clan like he was ready to bite or kick anyone who got close enough. I wasn’t surprised that the cantankerous stallion took to Sebastian as quickly as he’d done with Ambrose. Those two had been inseparable on the journey, and I’d been bitten twice for getting between them. The father and son had stallion spirits and wouldthrive in our clan if only Orthorr could convince the Ilvos clan leader to accept our proposal.
I dragged my gaze off Ambrose, looking toward the tent that Orthorr and Inngath had disappeared into. What we were doing was unheard of, approaching a clan about a tribute who didn’t belong to them. I could have waited and hoped that Ambrose didn’t find his match until he was brought back to us to try his luck in our clan, but my soul ached at the thought. I didn’t want to lose him because he chose to settle just to not cause trouble. It wouldn’t surprise me if he did such a thing.
“Here he comes,” Tavik muttered under his breath. He and Saneth had volunteered to accompany us on this journey as guards for Orthorr. When Tavik had heard my story, he felt swayed by it and wanted to support me. It meant a lot, and I was grateful to them both for volunteering.
My eyes followed his line of sight, and I sucked in a sharp breath when I noticed Ambrose coming closer. My hands itched to reach for him, but I held myself back by the skin of my teeth. I couldn’t. His protector had every right to remove my head if I tried.
“Godr…” Ambrose’s voice was like silk, making me shiver as it wrapped around me. I took a step forward without thinking, only to stop when Tavik gripped my shoulder, pulling me back. Ambrose’s brows snapped together, and worry overtook his face, but before I could explain, Saneth spoke for me.
“He needs permission from your protector to touch you. And his protector needs permission from the clan. Keep your distance if you value his life.”
Startled, Ambrose took a step back, looking over his shoulder at his protector like he was worried the man would cause trouble. I’d cut him down if he tried, but I was doing my best to keep myself under control.
“Are we… Are we not allowed to go with you?” he asked, his grasp of my mother tongue more fluid than when I’d last spoken with him.
“Not yet,” Tavik answered, pulling me back another step. I allowed him to pull me no further. I couldn’t make myself put any more distance between us. This amount was too much.
Ambrose and I stared at each other, no words between us, but the emotions shared spoke enough for me. His eyes swam with unshed tears, one hand holding his son’s tightly while the other flexed like he wanted to reach for me. I wanted to reach for him as well, and I practically vibrated as I held myself back. Even the time spent as friends had only solidified my feelings for him. I could go without sex if I could be with him.
Though… I hoped I did not have to.
Orthorr stepped out of the Ilvos receiving tent, his expression unreadable. Inngath’s expression as he followed behind was easier to read. He was angry. My breath caught in my throat, and I feared the worst as they both approached.
