When I got back Noah was taking a nap and Ethan was nowhere in sight.
I puffed my cheeks out and huffed. I get he's busy but did he really have to leave?
I sit down and take out the things I'll need to make some medicine. I couldn't find any sticky leaves but I do have some extra seeds for sticky leaves I can grow quickly.
I need to carve out wood jars to carry the medicine in as well.
When I finish making the medicine I wake Noah up to get his help.
"I need your help, please. Can you cut a tree down for me? Please, Noah." I put my hands together and begged with my eyes.
He gave me a tired look before his eyes widen. "I'll help you if you let me see your face."
Lyria's face fell. "I can't do that."
"Can I ask why?" He got up and walked over to her.
"When males outside of my family see my face they get obsessive. Males get scary. So I'm afraid too. Can it wait awhile till we get to know each other better?"
"You have very beautiful eyes and curiosity got the best of me, I'm sorry."
"It's fine, you didn't know and now you do." Lyria smiled with her eyes closed so Noah couldn't see the pain in them.
Noah grabbed a hatchet and went off to cut a tree down. Lyria went to catch fresh prey so she'd have some hide to put over the jars.
She figured she'd need a lot since it was a war but if not she could trade whatever was left.
It didn't take long before Noah came back with a tree. "Good, can you cut it into pieces about this big?" She put her hands out to show him how big she wanted the pieces.
"When you're done could you help me carve out a couple of jars?"
"Sure. I need to show you I can be dependable so when you become an adult maybe you'll consider me as a mate."
"Even if there are two others I would choose first?"
"Two?"
"Koda took care of me when my mother beat me and then disowned me. He never disrespected me and was always kind to me, even when he told me no. Then there's Silver who was by my side while I was in blackmist. He knows what I've been through and doesn't judge me. I want both of them now, but I can't find one of them and the other, well it's hard to explain."
"Silver's a slave. It's hard to come back from that."
"I know. He needs time and I understand that. I'm fine with that. I want him as my mate but at the same time, it scares me. Maybe I'm being selfish or being a coward, I don't know."
"In a place where everyone is out to get you, I think it's reasonable to want to keep the male around that had your back in there. Just ensure you're ready for him when the time comes."
"I know. Now let's get back to work." Noah chuckles to himself and they went back to work.
"I'll get dinner started." Lyria got up and used the meat she had and made dinner.
Ethan came back while Noah and Lyria were eating.
"You weren't back by lunch."
"I know, it took longer to find the things I needed than I expected."
"Does that mean you're ready now?"
"Yeah, everything is over there. We can leave in the morning."
"Alright, I'll come back then and guide you over there."
"Okay."
Ethan left just as quickly as he came.
"You're going to be really busy now." Noah voiced.
"I like being busy. Maybe I'll be so busy I won't have nightmares."
"I noticed that when we got here is when it started. I woke up with you tossing and turning, and mumbling " stop " and " no."
"Over two years of pain and it's starting to catch up with me."
"You shouldn't be here. You should be away healing and having fun."
"You're right, but how can I do that when I know the snake king is after me? Now I'm losing sleep over it. I'm so scared I can't think straight so I'm keeping busy."
"Fine. I'll be here to make sure you eat and get plenty of sleep, so you better listen."
Lyria smiled at him, "Okay".
They finished eating and went to bed.
Noah was woken up in the middle of the night by Lyria's sleep-talking.
Noah got up and walked over to her. She quickly grabbed his arm and he jump from her quick movement.
"Help me." Lyria quietly whispered.
Noah felt bad for her, so he laid down next to her and fell asleep holding the now-quiet Lyria. The warmth and security of another person put her mind and body at ease. Even Noah felt better being of use to the little female, putting a smile on his face and making him feel more attached.