Page 27 of Vows of Sacrifice

“Massim? What is it?”

“We found a place to rest the horses and eat.”

“Good,” I agreed.

I then ordered a few men to check the surrounding area for ambushes or ill-intentioned individuals. Once this was done, we set up a basic camp. I joined Ashana, sitting a little way from the soldiers. When she spotted me, she handed me a bowl of boiled potatoes with some vegetables and dried meat, which I gladly accepted.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

“If you want to relieve your natural needs, let me know.”

Her silence intrigued me, and I suspended my gesture of bringing my food-filled spoon to my mouth to look at her. Ashana was blushing, her head turned to the side.

“Is that the case?” I asked.

She seemed a thousand times more embarrassed to talk about this subject than to discuss sex education—or lack thereof—with me.

“Yes, Dovah. Thank you for your concern.”

Every time she said my name, an endless shiver ran up my spine. Each and every time. It was like magic.

“Please eat. I’ll accompany you afterwards.”

“No!” she cried out suddenly.

I gulped down my mouthful while looking at her, intrigued.

“Besides, it’s not a topic to discuss at the dinner table,” she persisted.

I smile, amused.

“Very well, my wife,” I choked out.

“We don’t talk with our mouths full,” she replied, her complexion growing redder and redder.

I laughed and almost choked on a piece of potato. I then gently patted my chest to push the stubborn food down.

“Very well, my wife,” I repeated, just for the pleasure of seeing her face turn as red as a poppy.

She gave me a dark look that I found adorable, almost as adorable as a puppy trying to growl at a bigger mutt.

“Propriety isn’t your thing, is it?” she reproached me.

A wide smile crossed my mouth as a preamble to my response.

“We agree on that. I promise I’ll make an effort, but not too much, because I find you particularly cute when you get angry like this.”

This time, the redness of her cheeks reached her hairline. The phenomenon was nothing short of fascinating.

“Rude!” she exclaimed, before focusing on her own bowl of food.

I continued to gaze at her.

“Certainly. I’m a boor who can be brutal with others. Very. Rather hot-tempered too, I must admit. I can even be obtuse and dishonest. I’m always right, even when I’m wrong.”

Ashana raised her nose just long enough to give me a curious look.

“However, you are now my wife, and you can count on my unfailing loyalty. You can ask me for anything, even the moon.”

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