Page 31 of Borgaz

“Hmm.” Rosie tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I’m not sure it’s the same for all of them, but I know with Harkan it wasn’t just sex, it was a bond, a claiming. Is that what you want?”

Yes. The immediate response didn’t surprise her as much as it should have done. Somehow the big, bossy male had worked his way deep into her heart. But she forced herself to shrug casually.

“We agreed that it’s just temporary. He only wants to make sure I can manage on my own - which I can, of course.”

“Temporary?” Her friend’s eyes were far too knowing. “I doubt that’s true - for either of you - but I guess you’ll have to figure that out yourselves.”

She knew she was blushing but thankfully Rosie changed the subject without waiting for a response. She was telling her how Naffon had scaled the roof of the barn, without any type of harness, when the males returned.

“Why would he do that?” she asked, horrified.

“Because he is a foolish male,” Borgaz said, frowning, but he looked more worried than disparaging. “Perhaps I should…”

He looked at her, then shook his head. “He has his own war to fight and it’s one he must face alone.”

Harkan had immediately gone to Rosie’s side, and she did her best to suppress a pang of envy at the easy way he put a possessive arm around her shoulder.

“Are you tired, my mate?”

“Only a very little. I enjoyed talking to Mary.”

“Next time, Borgaz will bring you to visit us,” Harkan said sternly. “So my mate doesn’t have to exert herself.”

She didn’t dare risking a glance at Borgaz as she nodded meekly. “I understand.”

“Good. Are you ready to leave, Rosalie?”

Rosie laughed and let him help her to her feet. “All right. I can see you aren’t going to stop worrying until we’re home again.”

She and Borgaz accompanied them to the door. She waved as they left, then snuck a quick glance up at Borgaz. He was frowning, but it was his thoughtful frown, not his annoyed frown.

“Did you have a nice visit with Harkan?”

“It was… informative. He gave me much to consider.”

She tilted her head as she studied his face. “About farming?”

“About many things, my curious little fojii.”

His frown vanished as he smiled down at her, then he bent his head and kissed her. The kiss felt different somehow, and her heart started to pound as she melted against him. He finally raised his head and smiled again, his eyes glowing.

“We will talk tonight,” he promised. “But I want to get as much planted today as possible. Harkan said there will be storms later in the week.”

“Okay. I need to hang the laundry out to dry and check on my seedlings.”

“Until tonight.” He brushed his lips across hers again and headed back to the field, his tail flicking.

Did males talk about things the same way women did? Had Harkan convinced him to stop holding back? It seemed unlikely, but she allowed herself to hope as she went about her chores.

She had just finished hanging up the laundry when she heard another horse. Good grief. Two sets of visitors in one day. She peered around the sheet, then smiled as S’kal dismounted and went to greet him.

“I didn’t expect to see you again. I thought the caravan was heading back to Port Cantor.”

“It is - we’re leaving today. I wanted to stop by and check on you first, little Mary.” His eyes were as penetrating as Rosie’s and she laughed as she shook her head.

“I’m just fine, thank you. No one needs to worry about me.”

“I’m very glad to hear that.” He smiled at her. “And in that case, I will merely ask if there is anything you wish me to procure for you from Port Cantor?”

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