“Leshaun?” Alchan asked softly.
“I haven’t seen him. Probably at home, having a drink to his late wife. Who else haven’t we seen? Senri probably already dragged Kian, Willem, and Gentrin home…”
“Rainev. We haven’t seen him,” Alchan said. “Let’s go hunt the kid down and make sure everything is good for him.”
“Let’s.” They wandered through the banquet tables, passing groups, looking for the blue only Rain had. “Are you going to ask him?”
“When the moment arises. Probably before The Hunt, so he has some time away to think about it.”
They wandered for a long time, finally catching a glimpse of him walking away from the party toward the stables on the outskirts of the village.
“There.” Luykas pointed him out. “Let’s go see how he’s doing.” Luykas knew too much about what happened to Rain to think the young male was comfortable with this anymore. A year ago, Rain would have found another young male and had a good time. Now? He wasn’t so sure.
Alchan stepped out ahead of him. As they drew closer, they noticed Rain wasn’t alone. They started running when they saw the other male grab Rain and force him to stop walking away from the party. When they were in earshot, Luykas realized they had just walked in on a lover’s quarrel or something similar.
“Cartesh, you’re drunk. I’ve told you a ton of times, I’m not—”
“We used to have a good thing, Rain. I miss you.”
“Get away from me,” Rain snapped. “I don’t like the pushy shit you pull anymore. I’m over it and you.”
“You really are too good for us now that you’ve been with the Company. Think you’re better than us. Come to our training and make us look like idiots. Really, Rain?” Cartesh made the mistake of shoving Rain. Luykas saw the wyvern flash to life, scales starting to appear on the young male’s face.
Luykas bared his teeth, and Alchan snarled. It was Alchan who made the young males jump. Cartesh was too drunk to remember he was taunting a beast in Andinna skin.
“He is too good for you,” Alchan snarled viciously. “And if you touch him again, you’ll be pissing off more than just the wyvern under his skin, boy.”
Cartesh turned slowly to see Alchan step into his face. Luykas resisted backing up his brother. The young male was already terrified, and Alchan could easily stand on his own. He watched Alchan grab the young male by the throat.
“Yo-Your-Your Majesty. I—”
“Don’t bother apologizing,” Alchan growled. “Just get lost.” He shoved Cartesh away. The young male wasn’t able to stay on his feet, hitting the ground with a thud. It was several seconds later before he was put together enough to run.
Luykas stepped around his brother to see Rain.
“How are you?” he asked quickly.
Rain growled, and Luykas saw the wyvern eyes were there, not his adopted nephew’s.
“You have no business at this festival, wyvern,” Alchan snapped at their youngest warrior.
Rain snarled, but when he blinked, his eyes were normal.
“You didn’t have to step in.”
“No, but we wanted to,” Luykas said, reaching for the young male’s shoulder. “How long have other males been hounding you?”
“It’s not often. They’re mad Mat and Bryn gave them a hard time over winter. Cartesh…I used to sleep with him, but I’ve been turning him down, and he doesn’t really seem to get it. I can handle it.”
“You can,” Alchan agreed. Luykas didn’t interject. He knew when he heard Alchan, the King talking and not Alchan, his brother, and no one, not even him, interrupted the King. “But you were about to lose control over your wyvern, Rainev, and that’s not something any of us can allow to happen.”
“Yes, sir.” Rain’s head went down in submission. “I didn’t mean to…”
“I know.” Alchan reached out and wrapped a hand around the back of Rain’s head. “Look, I don’t like the idea of you getting caught out like this with little assholes giving you a hard time. You’re a member of the Company, and I don’t tolerate anyone threatening my Company. I’m going to make you a deal.”
Luykas raised an eyebrow. He straightened up to make sure Alchan saw his face over Rain’s head.
“A deal?” Rain’s confusion matched his.
“I need a nemari. You know the rules around those? A nemari is generally a young male or female who supports and learns from a more experienced warrior, generally from a noble family or the royal family. Succeeding in the training would grant you a title, land, prestige, and respect.” Alchan let go of him. “I had one during the War and haven’t wanted one since, but I think you would be a good fit. You’re already a member of the Company, and we both know you want to continue your training.”
“And it would let you keep an eye on me and my wyvern,” Rain pointed out.
“Exactly. We both know I’m strong enough to tell it to stand down if you slip. There’s only one catch, something you’ll have to think on and deal with—telling your father.”
“Sir, I don’t know what to say…” Rain shook his head. “It’s an honor, but I need to think about it.”
“I figured. I wasn’t planning on asking you tonight but after that? It’s obvious you need more training, so you can learn to control that.” Alchan poked his chest. “I never knew you to have control issues as you grew up, but I see them now, and we have to correct them. I’ll need an answer after The Hunt.”
“I’ll give you an answer at the end of The Hunt,” Rain promised.
“Good. Go…wherever you were headed.” Alchan waved him away. Rain shook his wings out and trotted off, not even giving them an explanation where that was.
Luykas stood quietly at his brother’s side, watching the blue wings disappear into the darkness.
“We got here just in time,” he whispered. “Just in time.”
“Was he raped in the pits?” Alchan asked. Luykas jumped, not expecting the question. “You don’t have to answer, not really. I’m not a fool, Luykas. I can put the pieces together. I remember how Brynec was when he joined the Company. I know the horrors Mave told us about the pits, and there’s no forgetting those.”
“You’re worried about his mental state,” Luykas realized. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with him, and you’re worried he’s going to hurt someone.”
“Yes.”
“Then you might be right to be worried. I won’t tell you what happened, it’s not mine to tell, but you are right to be worried.” Luykas hated admitting it. “I should have been keeping a closer eye on him. We all told Zayden to back off, let Rain deal with it on his own time, but one of us should have been watching him more carefully. I didn’t even think this…”
“You’ve had a lot going on,” Alchan reminded him. “Don’t worry. We’ve caught it now, and I’ll take care of it. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship if he accepts.”
“You do need someone, and I said months ago Rainev was a fine choice, that it would work out for both of you.” He just never expected his brother to use it for this. “This is what you’ve been thinking on all winter.”
“Yup. I’m headed out. Done with people for the night. You get some sleep. Tomorrow at midday, we all meet for The Hunt.”
“See you then.”
Alchan jumped into the night sky and left the village, alone as he did every spring festival. Luykas jumped up as well, not wanting to go back to the festivities. He wasn’t in the mood. Mave was long asleep now, so he could get some shut-eye. When he landed on his porch, his mind drifted to The Hunt.
Maybe I could get Mave something. A sign of our friendship or…something else.
16
Matesh
“Are you ready to go?”
Matesh sighed, looking over his shoulder as he tied off his breeches. He was tired, but it was a good tired. Mave hadn’t wanted to go to sleep the night before. She had woken up more than once and found a way to keep him and Bryn from getting any real sleep.
“Yes, beloved. I just need to finish putting my pants on. Bryn already set up our hunting gear.” He smiled at her. She was leaning against the bedroom doorway, looking every bit the nervous wife he expected. Well, he never expected it from her, but it was what it was. “We’re only going to be gone for a week, at most.”
“I know,” she whispered, looking down. “You know it’ll be the first time we haven’t been together since we met, right? You won’t be just down the hall or in the other room or gone for a night nearby where I can find you. You’ll be gone.”
“I know.” He finished the knot and turned to her, grabbing her hand. “And I love that you’ll miss me.”
“And Bryn…” She looked back toward the door. “Just be safe, okay?”
“It’s just a hunt. Sure, it’s a ritual hunt, but it’s just a hunt. Now that it’s spring, we’ll all be expected to hunt. Next time, you’ll go with us.”
“You’re damn right, I will. This males-only thing annoys me,” she told him, looking up to meet his eyes. He wanted to melt under her blue-grey eyes and go to his knees. He wanted to worship her and those eyes.
“It’s tradition,” he reminded her again. They had gone over The Hunt more than once. The males of the village left to get their first fresh meat in months. It was also a chance to hunt without the females. The skins and furs that made their beds? This was when a male brought a new one home for his female, for his family. The leather that made her armor? This was when a male could have a new piece crafted for her, using something he fought to get, proving himself to her.
Not that Mave cared about any of that. She never asked him for anything.
“Go,” she murmured, kissing his cheek. “Just be safe.”
“I will always come back to you,” he promised. She released him, and he stepped around her, leaving her alone in the bedroom. Something scratched. He had a bad feeling every time he was away from her. He hadn’t noticed it months before, but the long winter made it more and more obvious. He didn’t want to leave her.
He found Bryn in the entry hall and patted his back.
“I’m goin’ to go tell her goodbye,” the rogue said quietly. “I’m ready to go when ya are.”
“Let me get my boots on.” Mat got to it, grabbing his from their spot beside the door. He looked up to find Mave had followed him, standing back toward the family room. Bryn leaned his forehead to touch hers, and they exchanged a soft, whispered conversation, ending with a deep kiss.
He stood up, his boots tied as Bryn walked back, grabbed one of their bags, and left without a word. Mat stared at her just a little longer until she waved him away. He hurried after Bryn, grabbing his bag right before he went out the door.
They walked together to the meeting spot. Well, one of them. The Company always had a spot they met up specifically, away from the other villagers. Alchan and Luykas were both already there, but Mat wasn’t much for conversation with them that morning. Nevyn and Varon came up next, then Zayden and Rain. Bryn jumped into talking with the lovers while Rain and Zayden came up beside him. Rain looked tired, but Zayden seemed like he got the best night of sleep of his life.
“Finally get laid last night?” Mat dared to ask his old friend.
“Nope. Went to bed early, and it was great,” he answered. Mat could only chuckle. “A few females tried, but none caught my interest. Should have kept my pants on if I knew that was going to be the case.”
“Should have,” Mat agreed softly, shaking his head. He couldn’t wipe the grin off his face. “Rain?”
“No.” Rain’s answer was short, not just in substance but attitude. Mat dropped it, wincing. He should have known better than to ask.
Leshaun came up next, but he didn’t look prepared to hunt. When he stepped up, Mat frowned.
“Uncle? Why aren’t you ready?”
“I’m sitting it out,” Leshaun said softly. “After the winter I had, I’m going to my room and preparing for teaching I have coming. I just wanted to see you all off.”
Mat hugged the old male. “I’ll miss you out there.”
“Well, it’s not like we would have hunted together this year. You and Bryn are going to hunt for her, and that’s what you should be doing.”
Mat was going to respond, but the loudest person in the Company showed up at that point, dragging his family along with him.
“Good day, everyone!” Kian called out. “Are we all ready to go kill poor, cute, innocent animals to make our females and families proud?”
“You’ve been spending too long with the children,” Nevyn fired back. “Willem, Gentrin, don’t tell me you two have been letting him babysit the young.”
“It’s the only thing we can find that keeps him out of trouble…mostly,” Gentrin answered. “You know how he is with kids.”
“All right, everyone!” Alchan yelled over them. “Now that we’re all here let’s not wait around. Today we begin The Hunt. You have one week to track game, bring it down, gut it, and skin it. You have only one week to bring it home. A test of your strength, tenacity, and dedication of your survival skills. Do the Andinna proud. And this year, let’s all nod our heads to a new family group hunting together for the first time, Matesh and Brynec.”
Mat looked down, his face heating. He’d forgotten that part. The Company cheered as Bryn found his way back to Mat’s side.
“We’ll be fine,” Bryn said softly as the cheers died. They all waited for Alchan to call the Hunt now that the singling out of the new family was over. Mat wasn’t worried about doing well with Bryn. If they hadn’t worked together all winter, he might have been, but he figured they would do just fine. They even had a target already.
“Hunt well.” Alchan raised his hand. “Hunt true.” He lowered the hand quickly, slashing through the air.
The Hunt was on.
Mat and Bryn launched into the air at the same time, angling toward their old patrol route. No one would be on it, not with The Hunt going. The few males left were pulled back to the village for direct protection. Females were required to carry their swords at all times by the mativa and old law.
He had a bad feeling.
They landed on a cliffside, leagues away from the village and far from civilization. Bryn said it first.
“What’s been goin’ on with ya? Alchan and Senri noticed. Yer lucky Mave hasn’t.”
“I get a bad feeling, being away from her,” he whispered. “I have one right now.”
“Why?”
It was a simple question. Mat only had one answer, and it wasn’t the source of the problem.
“Bad things happen when I’m away from her. The patrols, they just made it worse. Small evidence of the Elvasi. Shithead Andinna to deal with.” He shook his head sadly. “Bad things.”
“Well, nothin’ bad happened all winter,” Bryn reminded him. “And here’s the best part of The Hunt. Once we’re done, we can go home where she’ll be waitin’, safe and sound.”
“See, saying something like that doesn’t make me feel better,” Mat retorted. Even still, a smile formed. “Let’s go find this gryphon and take it down.”
“Exactly. Stay focused.” Bryn grinned at him, laughing.
Together, they jumped off the cliff and soared. On the first day, their only task would be finding the nesting place. It was spring, and even though the old male had bad territory, he would still make a nest for a potential mate.
Mat thought of the beds Andinna males made for their females, and it wasn’t lost on him that other races called them barbarians. They shared too many tendencies with the animals they shared the mountains with.
Bryn suddenly dropped, and Mat followed, landing on another cliff.
“He had a kill here,” Bryn pointed out, kicking a bone that still had meat on it. “Last couple of days, I bet.”
“Good find.” Mat knelt by the bones, finding the rotting skull. “Ram. Good kill.”
“We’re on the right track. He’s still in the area.” Bryn picked up a
rib and threw it, grinning. “We can be done with this in just a few days.”
“We can.” Mat knew they could do this—the sooner, the better.
“On a different topic, how do ya feel about Luykas?” Bryn kicked another bone.
“If Mave is happy, I’m happy.” Mat stood back up, brushing his hands off. “Think there’s something there?”
“No, but Alchan does.”
“What does Alchan know about females and relationships?” Mat snorted.
“Absolutely nothin’, but he knows his brother.”
“And we know Mave. Would she ever accept a male in her mayara who doesn’t completely submit? It’s not been tested yet, but we both know we do. We wanted it. We want her to be the center of our lives. Would he? And would he be capable of it without questioning her every move?” Mat sighed. “He’s dominant, just like her and Alchan. She’s been dominated her entire life. She won’t let it happen now. She hasn’t even relented enough to give us more than token control in the bedroom. Everything we do for the household is for her, and nothing happens without her at least glancing at it and agreeing to it.”
“I know. I just wanted to mention it now. Wilder things have happened. Like her acceptin’ me,” Bryn pointed out.
“I didn’t find that surprising,” Mat retorted. “Not in the slightest.”
“Ah, well, I tried.” Bryn chuckled, lifting his hands in defeat. “Let’s get movin’.”
“Let’s.”
They jumped off, looking for the next sign of the gryphon but didn’t find one as the afternoon turned into evening. They moved further from the village, knowing the gryphon would want space from Andinna activity. Wild animals were smart like that. Gryphons had the best vision of any beast, thanks to their supersized eagle eyes, and they had the feline sense of smell. Their quarry would know they were coming if they weren’t careful.
“Let’s land for the night and camp,” Mat called out. “We can continue on foot and look for a good campsite.”
Bryn nodded, and they dove. Mat didn’t pull his wings in like Bryn, watching the small rogue streamline his body like he always did and speed up. He chuckled as his newfound brother landed. He landed a few moments later, enjoying the shade of the trees.
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