Page 68 of Nansar
I nodded, pulling on my own garments. "Ready."
But as we moved toward the door, Chloe's hand found mine again, our fingers threading together, holding tight.
"Nansar," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Whatever happens out there... thank you. For last night. For—" She swallowed hard, her throat working. "For everything."
I pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead, breathing in her scent—wildflowers and female and something perfectly her. "Don't thank me yet. We still don't know what game the elder is playing."
"I know." She looked up at me, her gray eyes bright and determined, filled with a strength that never failed to humble me. "But still. Thank you."
I marveled at how naturally she leaned into my embrace now, how her body melted against mine without hesitation, without the flinch or tension that had once shadowed her every movement when touched. She tilted her face up toward me, seeking my kiss as naturally as a flower turns toward the sun, her hands resting comfortably on my chest, feeling the steady beat of my heart beneath her palms.
The transformation was nothing short of miraculous. I remembered how carefully I'd had to move around her, how she'd startled at unexpected contact, how her breath would catch and her eyes would go distant, lost in memories of pain. Hewes had left his mark on her in ways that went deeper than any physical scar, wounds that couldn't be seen but cut to the very soul.
But now... now she reached for me. She welcomed my touch, craved it even, sought it out with an eagerness that made my heart swell. The way her fingers traced idle patterns on my skin, the way she pressed closer when I wrapped my arms around her, the way she'd cried out my name last night with nothing but pleasure and trust and raw need in her voice—it filled me with a pride that burned like fire in my chest.
I had helped her heal. Not completely, perhaps—some wounds never fully closed, some scars remained tender—but enough that she could reclaim this part of herself. Enough that she could experience touch as something beautiful rather than something to be feared. Enough that she could give herself to me without reservation.
I loved her, I thought, the realization settling over me with quiet, unshakeable certainty.
I loved her strength, her resilience, the way she'd fought her way back from the darkness that bastard had tried to drown her in. I loved her courage, her sharp mind, her stubborn determination that refused to let the world break her. I loved the softness she showed me now, the vulnerability she trusted me with, the trust she'd given me piece by precious piece, each one a gift more valuable than gold.
And I would spend the rest of my life proving myself worthy of that trust, of the miracle of her choosing me.
The moment we stepped outside, a roar of approval erupted from the gathered Welati.
I froze, my hand instinctively tightening around Chloe's as dozens of voices rose in celebration. The villagers had assembled outside our cottage, their faces split with wide grins, some clapping their hands together while others called out what sounded like blessings or congratulations.
"What the—" Chloe breathed beside me, her confusion mirroring my own.
I scanned the crowd, trying to make sense of the scene. Children darted between their parents' legs, laughing and pointing at us with uninhibited joy. Several of the older females were wiping tears from their eyes, their expressions soft with what looked disturbingly like maternal pride. Even the warriors stood with arms crossed and satisfied smirks on their faces, as if they'd won some bet.
"Nansar," Chloe hissed, leaning closer, her breath warm against my ear and sending a shiver down my spine despite the chaos around us. "Why are they acting like we just got married or something?"
Before I could respond—not that I had any answer to give—my gaze landed on two figures who stood apart from the celebration. Kragath leaned against a dwelling at the edge of the clearing, his massive arms folded across his chest, expression thunderous. And beside him, looking equally displeased, was the female from last night—the one Chloe had chased away.
"Not everyone seems happy about... whatever this is," I murmured, nodding toward the pair.
Chloe followed my gaze and snorted. "Yeah, well, she can stay mad. And Kragath can suck a dick."
A laugh burst from my lips, unexpected and genuine, the sound surprising even me. My scrappy little human, never one to mince words. Chloe looked startled for a moment, then her lips curved into that smile I was quickly becoming addicted to, the one that made her whole face light up like the first rays of dawn.
The elder emerged from the crowd, and the cheering somehow grew even louder, echoing off the surrounding buildings. She raised one weathered hand, and silence fell almost instantly, the Welati people showing their matriarch the respect and obedience she commanded.
"My people," the elder's voice carried across the clearing, warm and pleased. "We have witnessed something precious. Something rare." Her eyes found mine, then Chloe's, and there was a knowing glint in them that made my stomach tighten with equal parts apprehension and anticipation.
"A true mating bond, formed under our watch, blessed by our hospitality." The elder's smile widened, her dark eyes gleaming in the morning light. "Nansar and Chloe, may your journey together be long and filled with joy. May your bond strengthen with each passing season, and may you find the happiness that so few in this harsh world ever discover."
I felt stupefied, my mind struggling to process her words. Beside me, Chloe made a strangled sound that was somewhere between a gasp and a squeak.
"Wait—what?" Chloe's voice cracked adorably.
The elder's laughter rang out, rich and knowing, and the crowd joined in with good-natured chuckles. She waved a hand dismissively, though her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Peace, young ones. The shock is written plainly on your faces." She stepped closer, her expression softening into something almost conspiratorial. "I know what you must think of us. What stories you have heard."
I found my voice, though it came out thick. "The Welati are known to be... unpredictable. Dangerous."
"Brutal... savage," Chloe added, then winced. "Sorry, but yeah. That's what everyone says."
