SEVEN
Kalia awoke in the morning, exhausted and sore. The fight had happened so quickly that she'd not realized that the others had been able to even touch her, but the ache in her bones told her indeed they had. Still, being wrapped in Luke's arms was all the comfort she needed.
"Go back to sleep," he said groggily as he pulled her back against his chest and the warmth of their blankets.
"I can't. If I do, the nightmares will come back," she whispered.
She lay there with him but did all that she could to keep herself from drifting back to sleep. In her exhaustion, she'd been able to get a few fitful hours of sleep, but she knew if she closed her eyes, her visions would once again be full of blood.
"Let's not talk about the past then. Let's talk about the future," he whispered to her.
"I like the sound of that," she said as she leaned in to his embrace.
"Tell me what kind of home you want," he said, trying to gently introduce the topic, since now, more than ever, he was intent on building them a sturdier home.
"We are in the home I want," she answered without looking up.
"Close your eyes," he instructed.
"I can't, not without seeing the blood," she said shivering.
"No, close your eyes and picture our home. Picture us with the child growing inside you. What do you see? What do you want our home to be?" he asked, holding her tighter to assure her that she was indeed safe.
Reluctantly, she closed her eyes and tried to picture what he asked. It surprised her how easily the vision came. There they were, happy and safe, all three of them. She saw a little boy with Luke's eyes and her hair crawling about in the kitchen as she tended to dinner. She saw Luke chasing after him with adoration in his eyes. She saw her future and it made her heart flutter. Now, more than ever, she wanted that vision to come true.
"What did you see?" he asked gently.
"I saw a home for us. There was a large fireplace in the kitchen and it was open and light. There was plenty of space for children to run and play. It was a happy home for the three of us," she said as she lay a protective hand on her stomach.
"And that's the home you want? Open like that?" he asked, a little guarded so as not to spook her.
"Yes," she answered. "The fireplace is very important, too. I remember watching my mother cook at ours. That was where she would sit us to dry our hair after our baths and where she would gather us close to tell us stories. The fireplace is important. It's the heart of a home," she said dreamily, her mind drifting back to her vision of the sweet little boy who was the product of the love between her and Luke.
"Then a fireplace you'll have," he said as he held her close.
"There's no hurry, though. We have months before the boy comes," she said quietly.
"You think we're having a son?" he asked in awe.
"That's what I saw when you asked me to picture our home. I saw a sweet little boy with your eyes. I've never seen a more beautiful child. I know it's just a daydream, but it felt right. I think the child is a boy," she sighed.
"Either way, I'll be happy. I cannot wait to hold it in my arms," he said thoughtfully.
"That will be a good day.”
"I'm sorry to have to say this my dear, but I need to go speak with my father about the threat at hand," he said with real regret in his voice. "If I had my way, I would stay with you all day but I need him to know what is happening. I probably should've gone to him as soon as you told me about the threat, but I had more important things to attend to," he said with a bit of mischief in his eyes that warmed her heart.
“I know you have duties to attend to. I would never want to stand in the way of that. I'll be fine here by myself. I'm sure they won't attack again for some time. Besides, I've quite a bit to do around here,” she said, propping herself up on her elbows.
“Oh, you'll not be alone,” he said in a voice that sounded quite fierce. “You'll not be alone until this whole thing is resolved. Even now, there are three of my best warriors pacing the perimeter of the clearing.”
“I thought they were just here to wait for you to emerge. Do you mean to tell me that you have assigned me body guards?” she gasped, unable to believe he'd been so high handed with her, to assign her guards without even telling her was a shock.
“I cannot believe that you thought for a moment that I would leave you unprotected. I'll not risk your safety again. I should've seen that they would come after us for revenge. I should never have left you alone. If I had not, then you wouldn't have had to have blood on your hands. That's all my fault and I'm so sorry for that,” he said, sitting down beside her on the bed and gathering her on to his lap. She was wrapped only in their bed sheet but he looked at her as though she was a goddess, there before him.
It broke her heart that he blamed himself. She'd not even considered that he was feeling so guilty. “Darling, nobody could've predicted what happened. You know the rules as well as I do. The mating challenges were set up so that things like this didn't happen. When that battle ended, it was all to be over. Besides, I protected myself. Nothing bad happened. I didn't want to kill them, but I don't regret it,” she said, putting her hand on the side of his face as she spoke.
“Is that why you have nightmares? Because you have no regrets? Because you feel safe?” he asked, placing his hand over hers.
“That's not fair. It was a shock. That's all. I protected our child. I would do it again without hesitation,” she said, looking ferocious in a way that he had never seen before and it stirred something deep inside him.
Luke had thought it was impossible to love his mate more than he already did, but he did then. Knowing she was so devoted to their child was such a special thing and her power as a mother was amazing to him.
“I know you're capable of protecting yourself and the baby within you, but if I don't know that you're being guarded, then I'll never be able to have you out of my sight. I would go crazy, knowing I was too far away to help you and that no one stood between you and what might come. Please, don't be angry. Let me keep you safe,” he said, melting through her anger with the fear in his eyes. He was really worried about her and it was the sweetest thing she'd ever seen.
“Alright, if it'll bring you peace, then I'll not object. Though, I really should. The thought of you being unable to leave my side is rather appealing,” she teased.
“It appeals to me too, my dear. Tell me, though, how did you learn to fight as you did? Did your father go outside the rules of our people? Did he train you and your sister as warriors?” he asked, looking as though he would've admired her father greatly had it been true.
“No,” she sighed. “He was as traditional a warrior as they came. He loved us all but he wanted us to be wives and mothers. I think he would've been shocked by what happened yesterday,” she said, looking a little sad.
“Then how did you do it? How did you defeat four warriors bent on your death? I know one got away from you, but you killed three of them. I saw the scene. You dispatched them with strength and skill. Where did you learn to fight?” he asked gently, so as not to seem as though he was judging her.
“I didn't learn to fight. It was my instincts. I know it must seem crazy to you, but I just gave control to my inner bear. All of my instincts have been raging since the pregnancy. The protective instinct is the strongest. The moment I sensed them, my instincts wanted to take over. I just let them. I let them run wild and it all just happened. I swear, it was like some sort of dream,” she said, shaking a little at the memory.
“You mean to tell me you did all that on instinct? I have warriors who have trained for years who couldn't survive an attack by four opponents. You're amazing,” he said in awe of her.
She wanted to cry in relief that he understood. She'd been afraid to tell him about how the pregnancy was affecting her. She’d been sure he would think she was losing her mind. Instead, he was looking at her with awe and admiration.
“It's a rather hard thing to describe,” she said gently, placing her hand on her belly and feeling the life growing there. She would’ve spilled much more blood to keep him safe.
“I'm glad that your instincts kept you safe but I think we must train you, my dear. If they come again, they will send more and more ferocious warriors. We cannot rely on your instincts alone,” he said, his mind already racing with what he would need to do to turn his mate into a true warrior.
“You want me to learn to fight? You want me to do that again?” she said, shocked.
“I don’t want you to ever be in that kind of position again, but I want you to be prepared for that and much worse. We cannot rely on your instincts alone to keep you safe. What if that mellows once the baby comes?” he asked, shaking his head at the thought of her being in such a predicament again. He looked as if he would rather battle a thousand bears than see her have to fight again, but she could tell that he was set on his plan.
“I think you're right,” she said, realizing he might be correct about her strength and instinct mellowing when the baby came and she couldn't risk being unable to protect him. To keep the baby safe, she would do anything. Learning to fight seemed like a minor thing if it'd keep their family protected.
“Thank you for being agreeable, my dear. I do have to go now. Please stay here. Stay inside the tent until I get back. The warriors are here to protect you, but I would still rather you stay inside. I want you to be here, snug and warm when I get back,” he said, kissing her gently as he rose to leave.
“I'm too tired and sore to go anywhere today so that's an easy promise to keep,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Well I never thought I would be thankful for that,” he said with a chuckle as he walked out of the tent.
She lay back and thought about all that had changed in the last twenty-four hours. The day before, the clearing had been their sanctuary. It was the one place where they could escape from the rest of the world. Now, it was a military installation, with guards prowling about. She could hear at least four and every now and then, another came and joined the group. She felt more like a prisoner than a woman in her own home.
She'd told him the truth, though. She was so tired and sore from the day before and she didn't have the effort to do anything about it. Reluctantly, she curled back up in the bed. She didn't want to close her eyes and risk the nightmares returning, but she needed the rest for her unborn child. She needed her strength and sleep was the best way to get it. As her eyes closed, she held on to the image that Luke had asked her to create of their future home. The thought of that future happiness was enough to keep the visions of death away long enough for her to drift off to sleep. She tossed and turned, but in the end, she was able to get some rest.
Hours later, she was awoken by wagons approaching. She sprang from the bed and dressed, ready to defend herself if whoever was coming made it through her guards. In fact, it was hard for her to keep from running from the tent to face head-on whoever was coming. It was only when she caught Luke’s scent that she was able to relax. Still, she didn't leave the tent. She wasn't sure what was happening but she was doing her best to do as he asked.
When he came darting into the tent, looking like a mischievous boy, her suspicions were raised but she couldn't help but laugh at his ability to look so joyful in the face of all that was to come.
“Kalia, my dear,” he said as he swept in, wrapping her in his arms and spinning her around.
“What are you up to?” she asked, as she laughed merrily in his arms.
“I have a surprise for you,” he said as he set her back down. “Follow me outside.” He took her hands.
“You're most definitely up to something,” she said, but she let him lead her outside. There, to her shock, she saw three wagons full of large stones and she knew instantly what he was up to. He was preparing to build their home. What shocked her was that there was no wood. She knew then that what he planned to build for her was a stone house.
“A stone house? You're building us a stone house?” she said in shock. She was sure the surprise was clear on her face because of the way he chuckled at her.
“I thought it'd be nice to build you something different. It'll be cozier, just like the tent. You'll love it. It'll be magical and wonderful, just like you, my dear,” he said, pulling her in to his arms again.
“You mean it'll be a home that it'll be harder for someone to attack us in,” she said, accusatorily. Still, he seemed so overjoyed that she couldn't be too upset that he was rushing to build their home despite her objections.
“I suppose that will be true too,” he said innocently.
“You're not as stealthy as you think you are,” she said, trying to look severe but unable to keep from smiling at his happiness.
“Are you very upset with me?” he asked with such genuine concern that her heart twisted within her.
“No, my dear. I think it's going to look like something out of a fairy tale,” she said, unable to contain her happiness. For all of her objections, she was taken with the thought of a little stone house in their clearing. It'd be different and romantic, just like they were.
“I'm so glad. I want to do this for you. I want to do it for us. We'll be so happy here. I promise you. This will be the place where we raise our children and grow old together. You'll never regret letting me build this for us,” he said, clearly relieved with her reaction.
“I know I will, because you're building it for us. How could I not love anything that comes from you,” she said as she went up on her tiptoes to kiss him, ignoring the guards who were clearly watching them.
“You'll have the men teasing me for weeks,” he laughed before leaning down to kiss her again.
“Well, we wouldn’t want that,” she said when he finished, pulling away and making an effort to move back to the tent.
“Where do you think you're going?” he asked, before pulling her tightly against him.
“I would never want to embarrass you,” she teased.
“You never could. I'm sorry for teasing you. Do you forgive me?” he asked.
“Always,” she laughed.
“Come with me,” he said, pulling her across the clearing.
“What else could you possibly have to show me?” she asked with a giggle.
“This,” he said with smile, “will be the kitchen. I'll build the fireplace right here. This is where I'll build us the finest table you have ever seen. It's where we'll take our meals and be together as a family. I can already smell the amazing meals you'll cook here.”
“You're sweet,” she sighed.
“I'm not done. That, over there, will be a living room. It'll be a wide open plan, just like you dreamed. This is where our children will run and play. It's where your mother and brothers and sister will come to be with us. It's where we'll sit together and be together and it's where we'll be together as a family,” he said gleefully. She was already fighting tears when he guided her beyond that room and to another patch of grass.
“This,” he continued, “will be our baby’s room. This is where he will grow and learn. It's where he'll be safe. This room will be full of laughter and happiness. We'll stand here and watch him sleep, safe and sound under our roof.” With those words, the tears began to fall.
She'd tried to be strong for so long. She'd not let herself cry through any of the things that they'd been through since their mating, but the sweet thought he had put into their home was too much for her. She couldn't believe she'd ever doubted him. She should've known he would build her a home where she would feel just as connected to him as she did in the tent.
“Tears?” he said sweetly. “This makes you cry? Are they tears of joy or sadness, darling?”
“They're tears of happiness. I love it. It'll be perfect. I didn't mean to get weepy, but I just couldn't help it. It's the most wonderful thing I've ever seen,” she said between tears.
“You haven't even really seen it yet,” he pointed out.
“Oh, I saw it. In my mind’s eye, I can see it all and it's amazing. Thank you so much. I'm so in love with it and with you. This place will be so us, and it's the place where our son will be brought in to the world,” she said as tears continued to roll down her cheeks.
“Well, if you like what you have seen so far, then you'll love what I plan to build over here,” he said, gesturing to the back of the plot.
“Oh, what are you going to put there?” she asked with genuine interest.
“Well, my dear, this will be our room. I would go into great detail of all the things I plan to do to you in that room, but if I do, then the men will all lose focus entirely, thinking of nothing but you, and I can't have that. I need them focused on guarding this place,” he said with a wicked smile.
“You're terrible,” she said with a laugh, pulling him close and feeling so happy at the thought of a future with him.
*
The weeks went on and Kalia could feel the baby growing inside of her. Every night, she and Luke crawled in to bed and he pressed his ear to her stomach, falling asleep to the sound of their baby within her. If she'd not loved him already, that would've been enough to be the root of a deep love. As it was, it just made her love for him grow. Indeed, it felt as though her love for him grew as the baby did. They were a family and each day the bond got stronger.
Their days were a bit of a comedy. Luke couldn't stand to leave her, knowing the threats that loomed, but he knew that he needed to train the young warriors now more than ever and, of course, he had a cottage to build. His solution had been as plain as it was unusual. He simply decided to hold the trainings in the clearing where they made their home. It met with objection, first from his father and then from Kalia. She didn't want to bring war and battle to their peaceful home, but in the end, she'd to admit that he was right.
In fact, it was a comfort to her to have him near her day and night. His attention was often pulled in different directions, between his warriors and the men helping him to build their home. Though he had gone over his plans with her in detail, he refused to let her cross the threshold until it was done.
"I just want to see it as you build it," she said coyly as she leaned against him while he inspected the progress from the outside. He smiled down at her and it warmed her heart, but she could tell from his expression he had no plan to give in to her request.
"I know, my dear, but I want the joy of carrying you over the threshold of our home when it's done. You wouldn't want to deprive me of that joy, would you?" he asked with a mischievous grin.
"That's not fair," she pouted. "You know I wouldn't take any joy from you, my dear. It's not a fair card to play. I want you to be the happiest man on earth, but I want to be a part of building our home. Won't you let me help?"
"You're pregnant," he said, shaking his head. "I'll not have you in the middle of a construction zone. What if one of the stones slipped and you or the baby inside of you were hurt? I couldn't live with myself if I allowed that to happen. Please, don't ask again and don't try to sneak in. Please, dear?"
"Well, how in the world can I fight you when you say sweet things like that?" she asked, trying to look annoyed but unable to keep the pure love from showing on her face. Just the thought of him loving her so deeply made her want to throw herself at him right then and there, even with the warriors surrounding them.
"That was my plan," he said with a smile.
He bent down and kissed her gently. The feeling of his warm lips against hers made her knees shake and she leaned against him to steady herself. He moaned in approval, deepening his kiss as he pulled her tight against him. To her embarrassment, a collective murmur of catcalls arose from the men surrounding them. While she blushed, Luke shot them all a murderous look before they both began to laugh a little at the absurdity of the situation.
"There's one thing I don't understand," she said with a look of genuine confusion on her face that amused him greatly.
"And what is that, my darling," he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"If you're too nervous to allow my in our unfinished cottage, how on earth are you going to relax enough to let me learn to fight," she asked, savoring the warmth of his closeness. "It's been ages since you told me it was what we must do and you haven't even begun to teach me. I need to know so I can keep our baby safe," she said as she rested a protective hand upon her stomach.
He placed his hand on top of hers and looked at her stomach in awe. Though she was just barely showing in her pregnancy, he noticed the slight changes in her every day and each day it took his breath away. He loved to take in every inch of her changing frame, swelling ever so slightly with the life growing inside of her. He was so taken with his thoughts, that he didn't answer her right away. Instead, he savored the feeling of her close to him and enjoyed the sweetness of the moment.
"By the way you're staring at my stomach, I'm thinking you've decided that teaching me to fight is no longer the best plan," she said, knowing him well enough to read his facial expression.
"It's not that I don’t think you can do it. We already clearly know you're quite a ferocious fighter. Still, I don't want to give you more nightmares. I want to keep you from such darkness. I shouldn't have been rash enough as to suggest something like that. I think my new plan is a much better one," he answered, looking a bit smug as he spoke.
"And what new plan is that," she said, trying not to let her skepticism show on her face.
"I just simply will not let you out of my sight until we have all of this resolved. I couldn’t stand for you to be away from me anyway, with all of the danger lurking about. This way, you stay safe and I don't have to go out of my mind with worry when I’m away from you. I think it's been going well so far. You don’t seem to object to my constant presence by your side," he said with a chuckle.
"I'll never complain about having you near me. In fact, if I had my way, you would never be out of my sight. Still, we don't live in a world where I get to have all of my wishes come true, however much being mated to you might make it feel that way. There will come a day when you'll have to be away from me and that day will come soon.
"I need to be able to protect our child. I used nothing but my raw instincts before. What if those change when I've given birth? What if motherhood mellows me? What if I don't have that untapped rage within me once I've held my child in our arms? Even if I do, what's to say that it'll be enough? I need to have skills and experience so that I can do all that I can to keep him safe," she rambled, pulling away from him and pacing back and forth as she spoke.
"I'll not let that happen," he murmured with an indulgent smile. "You'll stay with me always. We set the terms of our life and we'll spend every minute of it together. If it's what I want and what you want, what is there that can stop us?"
"Life has a way of standing in the way of what we want. We can wish for and plan for anything that we want, but we can’t know for sure that's what will happen," she said, shaking her head.
"I think that won’t be a problem for us. After all, the fates have been with us so far," he pointed out, though she suspected he was only trying to pacify her.
"You're talking in circles. I need to be able to protect myself and the baby; It was your idea and it was a good one. Don’t change your mind now," she pushed, unwilling to let the subject drop.
"There's simply no need. I was a fool to ask it of you. Even suggesting it was crazy. Besides, it's unnecessary. You'll stay with me and I'll keep you safe," he said, the tone in his voice telling her that he was resolved to keep to his decision.
Still, she couldn't just let the subject go. "You'll not change your mind?" she asked, making no effort to keep the look of disappointment from her face. Usually, she did all she could to hide any displeasure from him because she hated to upset him, but in this case she knew it'd be an asset to her cause.
"No, my darling. Let's not talk about it anymore. Let's just be together and be happy. I know danger is coming, but there isn’t anything we can do about it at the moment. Don’t spend another moment worrying about it until we have to. I promise, when the time comes, I'll make sure we defeat all those who would harm us, but for now, don’t think of it. Just enjoy the feeling of our child growing within you and the knowledge that I love you. Just look at our lovely little cottage. It'll be done in a matter of weeks. We'll have the safest home anyone could imagine and we'll grow old together there. We'll be so happy. I've always promised you that I'll make you happy and I've never broken that promise, have I?" he asked gently, taking her hand in his and holding it tight.
The warmth and comfort of his touch made her feel a bit bad about trying to manipulate him, but she needed him to train her and it was the only way.
"No, of course you haven't. I love you and I already love this baby so much that I can barely stand it. That's why I want to be able to keep you both safe," she said squeezing his hand and looking deep in to his eyes, through to his very soul.
"Just let me worry about that, dear," he said, looking away to avoid her gaze.
She knew then that he might just change his mind, but he wouldn't if she kept pushing the matter. "Alright, you know I trust you with my life and the life of our child. I'll do as you wish," she said passively, earning her a questioning gaze from her lover.
"That’s my girl! You know, it won’t be long now before the cottage is done. I've a dozen men coming to help me with it over the next few days. We'll have it done in no time and then you'll have your hand at making it a true home for us. You'll be too busy to worry for a moment about anything that might happen, or about learning to fight. Does that not sound wonderful?" he said, though she suspected he was trying to convince himself as much as he was trying to convince her.
"Yes, of course, my dear. I'll not ask you again about learning to fight. I promise," she said, with a mischievous look that he didn't quite trust.
"Why is it that I think you're up to something?" he said suspiciously as he held her tighter.
"What could I be up to?" she asked innocently, though the twinkle in her eyes kept him from fully believing her words. Still, he loved her too much to be harsh with her.
"I haven't the faintest idea, but I'm sure whatever you're calculating in that pretty head of yours will reveal itself in time," he said with a grin.
"Don't be silly," she laughed with a grin on her face, wrapping her arms around his waist. She looked up at him with such adoration that it took his breath away. He shook his head, trying to pull himself out of his daze. It was impossible to look at her without feeling his heart stop within his chest.
"I need to get back to the men. I fear I've neglected their training. Having you so close at hand is far too distracting," he teased, playfully kissing the tip of her nose. She giggled, going up on her tiptoes to kiss him more soundly. He returned her kiss gladly and she felt everything surrounding them melt away.
"I'll do my best to stay out of the way. I’ll tend our little garden and you get back to your men," she said, placing a light kiss on his cheek. She hugged him close before taking a step back and pulling away from his embrace.
"I'm fairly sure that knowing you're anywhere near me will be distracting because it's hard to be close to you and not have my hands on you. Still, discipline is part of a warrior’s training. I'll have to suffer through it," he said playfully, reaching out for her. She eluded his grasp and scampered away, much to his disappointment.
"My poor Luke. However will you manage it?" she called over her shoulder as she laughed, walking towards the garden.
"It'll be one of the greatest struggles of my life," he said, all trace of teasing gone from his voice.
He spent the rest of the day throwing himself into the training of the young warriors. They were a young bunch willing to learn. They'd just come of age, each one entering into manhood with the vigor and excitement of youth. They began by hauling rocks from the quarry. It was a standard training activity, building strength and stamina.
It also provided Luke with the raw materials necessary to finish building the cottage. He kept them at it well into the afternoon. He needed them to be exhausted before they entered the next phase of their training. Before they began working on their technique, they needed to be so physically exhausted that their muscles were able to accept the training best.
After hours at it, they began one of the earliest technique drills a young warrior was required to do. It was so old that no one remembered its origins. The new warriors were required to punch a tree as hard as they could, again and again. The drill was meant to teach them to fight through their pain. Luke paced back and forth, watching them as they struck the tree trunks again and again.
He corrected their form and offered words of encouragement. He was so lost in his work of training them that he didn't realize Kalia had strategically positioned herself in such a way as to observe and study every lesson he was giving the warriors. He also didn't see her moving her hands methodically, mimicking the techniques he was teaching his them.
When the day was done, they crawled into bed together. He kissed her passionately and made love to her sweetly. After, he murmured that he loved her and closed his eyes. In his exhaustion, he soon fell asleep beside her. She lay there for a time, completely still to make sure he was deeply asleep. Then she slowly and quietly rose from the bed and made her way outside the tent. He didn't flinch and she thanked her stars he was working hard enough to be so tired. Without that benefit, she was sure that her slightest movement would've woken him.
She made her way outside and surveyed her surroundings. She looked at the pile of rocks the trainees had spent hours carrying. Though she'd planned to do all Luke had instructed the young warriors to do, she didn't think she could hide the evidence of that from him. If she moved the stones they'd already carried, he would notice they'd moved, and he would also clearly notice if more stones appeared overnight. Besides, that was an activity that just might hurt the baby and she couldn't risk that. Instead, she walked around the edge of their clearing until she found the largest tree that she could find.
She braced her legs and she'd seen Luke tell the young warriors to do and took a deep breath to help her center herself before she began. Timidly, she jabbed her clenched fist into the tree's trunk and then froze, waiting for Luke to come running from the tent to investigate. When he didn't, she struck the tree again, this time as hard as she could. The pain that she felt was staggering, but she made herself continue. She struck the tree again and again, even as her skin tore and she began to bleed. She kept telling herself she was a warrior and warriors fight through pain. Each time she felt as though the pain was too much, she thought of the child inside of her and pressed on. She made herself continue to fight the pain. Though each strike was excruciating, she kept telling herself that she wasn't doing this for herself. It was for her family and there was nothing that she wouldn't do to keep them safe. She heard her knuckles and bones cracking as she pressed on.
She put the pain out of her mind and instead, thought of the terrifying moment when those bears had come to kill her. It wasn't just her who would've died. They would've killed her baby. They would've silenced the tiny heart beating inside of her forever. That was why she'd fought them then and it was why she needed to keep fighting now. It was emotionally draining to tap into that fear, but it was what she had to do to keep herself fighting on.
She kept hitting the tree for what felt like hours, until she was mentally and physically exhausted. She looked down at the damage she'd done to her hand and silently thanked her inner bear for her ability to heal quickly. She knew they would be as good as new before Luke ever saw them. If he had seen her mangled hands, he would've flown into a rage before she even had a moment to explain and she knew that would cause a mess of trouble for them both.
Slowly, she made her way back into the tent, careful not to make a sound. She crawled back to bed beside him and drifted slowly towards sleep, feeling confident that she'd taken the first step towards being able to protect their child. She cuddled close to him and drew from his strength and warmth. Though he had not actively trained her, it was his words that played over and over again in her head while she trained.
It made her feel even closer to him, though, if all went as planned, he would never know it. Without waking, he turned a bit in his sleep and pulled her close to him, stroking her back. She sighed in exhaustion and let sleep take her, ready to do the same thing the next day and every day that followed until every threat to her family was gone.