Page 34 of Wounded Mate
The tunes are lively, Valius is light on his feet, and I don’t completely embarrass myself.
Within the span of the first song, I add dancing to the growing list of things I love.
Chapter Sixteen
Valius
We haveone solid day of traveling behind us and are about to spend our first night under the stars together. I feel amazing. I’m excited, eager, delighted, curious, and pleasantly exhausted all at once.
I’ve seen more of the country today than I have in all my years before this. Hungary is beautiful with its sprawling farmlands, rolling hills, towering forests, and wild swamps.
Our mule, Copper, isn’t afraid of Bela at all and will take treats right out of his hand. If we’re not quick enough, she’ll stick her entire nose in our pockets looking for sugar cubes.
Smart girl.
And best of all, I’m with my mate, someone so wonderful I could never have imagined him in my wildest dreams. We’re safe, we’re healthy, and we’re full of purpose.
And neither one of us has ever set up a camp.
We have a tent, or rather, we have an oiled piece of leather, some rope, and a good-size stick. Theoretically, these objects come together to form some sort of shelter, but as to howwe’re both a bit lost. We stare at the spot we’ve chosen, a nice level patch of ground with a good layer of leaves over the dirt, wondering where to start.
“Maybe…” Bela gestures to the closest tree.
“Or what if we…” I flutter my hand in the direction of the stick.
“With the cord?”
“Yes.”
And we have a plan. In more time than it probably should have taken but with plenty of time left before dark, we fashion a somewhat decent-looking shelter and throw our sleep pads underneath.
Bela takes Copper downhill to find a creek, and I build a little fire, even though it’s warm tonight. Rizpah has packed the sort of food that keeps well so we don’t need to cook, but it’s pleasant to gaze at a fire in the evening. And there’s something sexy about a fireside dinner with one’s mate.
I’m told this route has a hostel we can stay at in Debrecen before we reach Varad. Run by a vampire called Ivaz, who I’ve met several times before when he’s passed through The Twig on one mission or another. It’ll be safe for Bela at his establishment. We can get cleaned up and well rested before the final leg of our journey.
Until then, camping it is.
I’m excited. Bela is no stranger to sleeping in the woods, but I certainly am. I’m eager to share the magic of it with Bela at my side. And Copper. Mustn’t forget our new fast friend.
By the time they return, I’ve pulled out a selection of our food, some citrus ale, and Rizpah’s famous honey cakes. A feast for kings, and only Bela and I here to enjoy it.
We eat together. It’s lovely to be alone with him, under the stars. Lovely to watch him eat. To watch his throat work as he swallows the fresh ale. Lovely to be so near and feel him so close.
My hunger evolves. I’m done with my food, and now I need a meal of another sort.
As if reading my mind, Bela meets my heated gaze and sets down his mug. He crawls from across our little picnic and cups my cheek.
“We’re alone,” he says.
I relish the sound of his voice by the crackling of our fire. The light plays across his handsome features, making him look even more kissable than usual.
And he is so kissable.
“So we are.” I lean in and give in to temptation, taking his lips with mine, opening for him, tasting the lingering sweetness of the honey cakes from his tongue. “Mmm. What should we do?”
“I don’t think you’re done eating. Am I right?”
“I wouldn’t say no to dessert.” I run my finger along his throat.
