The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 9

The days flew by in a torrent of joy and work. We tumbled into bed late at night and woke early in the morning. Oyarg came home, beat up, to his satisfaction, from the first howl. After that I met him at the door. “I will help heal you.”
“I am a warrior, seeking a mate. It is my right to acquire many scars.” He started to walk past, but I shoved against his chest. He probably could have gone past, but seemed shocked.
“I will leave you your lovely scars if you will please not leave any more blood on my freshly cleaned floors. I have a great deal of company coming tomorrow.”
He considered a moment, “Then will we be even since I will not mess your floors?”
This was some kind of warrior pride cultural thing. I replied with all seriousness, “You will owe me nothing after.”
He snuffed in agreement. “Fine. Go get the needles and thread..”
I growled. “No. My way is faster. In the tub.” It was right by the door. He was confused, but got in. “Now lie down with your mouth and nose out of the water.
He looked uncertain.
“I will hold your head if you feel weak.”
His head submerged mostly and I summoned Isa to aid me. I held my hands on either side of his head and searched for the larger cuts to stop the bleeding of first. Then I sealed the smaller ones, leaving lovely scars. I only sealed a couple of layers of skin on the larger cuts, which was more than enough to keep him from bleeding everywhere.
When I was done I helped him to sit up. The water was tinged pink and he was tired. Healing did that, to both of us. He could tell. He watched me quietly a moment then said, “Vam is fortunate to have you as a mate.”
I smiled, “Let’s hope his parents see it that way too.”
He considered me a moment, “You make my cousin happier than I have ever seen him. I owe him everything. Though it isn’t natural to have an Veneran mate I will stand beside him when he protects you from his family.”
Fear gripped me. That meant he was sure there would be a fight.
I had a hard time sleeping that night. I was up early to pee and just stayed up. I started fires for the pit cooked meats. Then I started bread to rising.
I only stopped at almost noon when Vam tapped my shoulder. I jumped, then saw it was him with relief. “How can I help you?” He made me feel warm, even though it was a cold, dreary day.
“Go, take a bath. I have drawn a warm tub for you,” he said gently.
I almost cried, “But the meat and the vegetables.”
“I can do it from here. Go, and enjoy a warm bath. I am certain you want to look your best when they arrive in an hour.”
I nodded and headed inside. A package lay on the floor next to the tub. Soft, rose scented soap floated on a board between two candles. I scrubbed, wondering what was in the package. I felt elemental again with the dirt off. Dried I unstrung the package carefully. Lovely, soft brown leather trousers with green scythes embroidered in front of a red moon, Vam’s household symbol. There was a coat that reached to mid thigh, a tunic, and a pair of boots. I felt like a princess as I put it on. My damp hair needed something. I spotted the green cord that had been wrapped around the package. Perfect. I used it to braid my hair with.
My reflection showed me a clean woman, at ease in her surroundings, and a blushing bride. I had changed. I liked me more here. Here I was in charge of my life. I made it what it was, alongside someone who loved and respected me with every inch of his body. I was loved, and this time I could return those feelings.
I stood up straight and headed out to check the meats.

* * *
She stepped out in her new clothes and it warmed my soul. Her hair was made into a tight braid, showing the elegance of her neck. She wore my- our family colors with pride and beauty. If I didn’t know my family would be here soon I would take her inside and rip them off and…
She caught me staring at her and smiled, giving me a wink, then a twirl. She sidled up to me and whispered, “When they have gone home.”
I groaned in frustration. She pulled my head down and kissed my cheek in that strange Veneran way. It was no less loving, but not something I could do. I nodded and whispered, “Let’s get this over with fast then.”
That was when my ears picked up the sound of a cart and the plodding hooves of a gren. Then a young girl yelling, “Mama Syl is getting into the nuts!”
My sister groaned, “Syl! Out of the cart, right now.”
“But she’s lying mom!”
“Out, or I will have your father teach you about stealing when he comes home.”
“Here they come,” I told Joann. “Iara, and her children.”
I heard Syl running towards me and Iara’s suddenly panicked voice yelling at him to stop. Syl rounded the hill and froze in his tracks when he saw the Veneran. Then, being the little sneak he was, he hurried the rest of the way to me and to check out the Veneran.
He panted beside me and puffed up to his full height, which was almost to Joanns shoulder. “Is this the Veneran monster you captured on your raid? Is it too fierce for you to fight alone uncle? I can join my weapon to yours to defeat it in battle.” He snarled at her.
I was about to smack him, but Joann had it under control. “If you vanquish me in battle you will not get to show your friends the Veneran gift I made for you.”
Both his ears perked up, “A gift?”
“Nara! Yarin! You get back here, now!” Iara yelled.
“But Uncle Vam has tamed it!” Yarin shouted back. He and Nara were now running towards us.
Nara was growing into a beauty. She was a bit taller than her 5 year old brothers, and sleek. Her fur was white, except her hands and a star on her forehead, which were black. She was fast too, and quickly closed the distance between us. She took a flying leap at Joann. I caught her and spun her around playfully.
“Nara, what are you doing?”
“Saving my idiot brothers from the Venerans sorcery.”
Joann laughed and headed out to greet my sister and her eldest son. The boys, meanwhile, followed after her asking questions. “Do I have my own gift, or must I share it?” “Gift? What Gift?” “Do you truly know sorcery?”
I followed her, holding Nara by the shoulders. All Lycant children were taught to watch actions and heed them more than words. Nara quieted down and watched her mother interact with the Veneran.
My mate greeted Iara respectfully, then asked, “Were the roads well between here and your home, sister?”
Iara’s teeth pulled back and she growled that she was not her sister. Then Iara’s gaze fell on Joann’s clothing with a more discriminating gaze. Her eyes widened and she gave me a murderous glare, “You would choose an Veneran as a mate?!”
Syl blinked in surprise then said, “Wow! You are amazing Uncle!”
Oyarg appeared from the barn and waited next to me to see what she would do. Iara sniffed and could smell the pregnancy. Her eyes asked me if it was even possible. I snuffed an affirmative.
Joann had missed none of it. “I feel rude. I have not given you my name. I am Joann of the Red Moon and Green Scythes clan, house of Vam. Welcome to my home. We have a feast waiting for family today that could feed a battlepack.”
My sister looked ready to maim her when a black hand reached up from the cart and touched her. This was my eldest nephew, Ygr. Only 10, but wise beyond his years. Iara stopped and turned to him. She had to defer to the eldest male in the pack, and since his father wasn’t there that was Ygr. I don’t know what he told her, but she went from a raging storm to blue skies.
Iara answered, “The roads were a bit busy, and still had a bit of mud from the last storm. I have brought some traditional foods. Have you prepared anything traditional?”
Joann smiled, “Come, I will show you how my grandmother taught me to bake an ‘accidental’ cake. Every year we find something so delicious that just accidentally finds its way into the batter.”
Iara smiled, “Sounds fun. Are there any recipes your mother taught you?”
“My mother and brother were both taken by blight when I was 6. I was taught to cook mostly by my grandmother.”
“What did your father do?”
“Oh, he does metalcasting on a small plantation.”
“What is metalcasting?”
They spoke as the gren cart was led to the tables and the children unloaded the food. Oyarg twitched his ear in surprise. Syl started asking if I knew what the present was.