Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

K ari's hands moved mechanically, chopping vegetables alongside Merow in the communal kitchen attached to the great hall. The late afternoon light filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the room as evening preparations began, but she barely noticed the hum of activity.

Her mind was elsewhere, focused on Wulf's recent behavior. He'd returned late that first night, pulling her into his arms as usual, but when she woke, he was gone again. The pattern had repeated for the past two nights, leaving her confused and uncertain.

"What troubles you, child?" Merow asked.

She hesitated, feeling heat rise to her cheeks.

"Wulf has been acting so distant since we..."

She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence, and Merow gave her a thoughtful look..

"He carries a lot on his shoulders - the weight of our people, their expectations. It makes him feel responsible, even for things beyond his control."

She frowned at the older woman.

"But why now? We were so close, and then suddenly..."

Merow sighed, setting down her knife.

"I suspect that the happiness he's found with you reminds him of what others don't have."

"You mean, because of the curse?" she asked quietly and Merow nodded.

"He feels guilty for his own joy while others suffer. It's not right, but it's who he is."

Her heart ached at the thought. She'd seen glimpses of the weight he carried, but she hadn't realized how deeply it affected him. The idea that he might deny himself joy because of it hadn't occurred to her. A wave of empathy washed over her, along with a hint of frustration.

"But he deserves to be happy too," she muttered, more to herself than to Merow. As do I, she added silently, surprised by the strength of her own feelings.

She picked up her knife again, resuming her task with renewed vigor as she mulled over the situation. The curse, the weight of leadership, the expectations of an entire people - it was a lot for anyone to bear. Yet Wulf had seemed so content in those moments they'd shared together. The memory of his smile, rare and precious, flashed in her mind.

Kari felt a determination growing within her. She might still be learning about this world and its customs, but she understood the importance of support and companionship. If Wulf thought he had to face these challenges alone, she would show him otherwise.

"Is there anything I can do to help him?" Kari asked Merow, her voice steady despite the uncertainty churning inside her. "To help all of you?"

"I don't know. It's hard to believe that one woman can make a difference." Merow paused iand sighed. "It's not just Wulf—all of us who struggle with this fate. We need hope, and he needs to feel joy to fight against this darkness."

"How can I give him joy if he's avoiding me?"

Merow patted her hand, her touch warm and reassuring.

"You have the power to reach him. Love can be a light in the darkest times. Talk to him—help him understand that he deserves happiness too."

Her stomach fluttered nervously.

"Love? You think he loves me?"

The words came out in a whisper, as if speaking them too loudly might make them disappear.

Merow snorted, the sound both amused and exasperated.

"Of course he does. Just as you love him. You will have to show him that he doesn't have to bear this burden alone."

She smiled at the older woman, suddenly filled with happiness.

"I'll find a way, " she promised.

Late that night she lay in bed, idly watching the patterns the moonlight cast on the ceiling. The sounds of the clan's nighttime activities had long since fallen silent, but she was wide awake, adrenaline coursing through her veins.

She waited anxiously for Wulf, her heart racing at the thought of what she planned to do. As hours passed, she battled with her nerves, rehearsing her words in her mind. The Orcish language still felt clumsy on her tongue, but she was determined to make herself understood.

"He needs to see my heart," she whispered to herself as time slipped by, determination steeling her resolve.

Kari's eyes flicked to the door every few minutes, expecting Wulf to enter. But the door remained stubbornly closed. She twisted the blanket between her fingers, fighting the urge to go looking for him. What if he didn't come back tonight? What if she lost her nerve by morning?

She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts. Merow's words echoed in her mind, reminding her of the burden Wulf carried. It pained her to think of him out there somewhere, shouldering the weight of his people's suffering alone.

As the night wore on, her determination only grew stronger. She would make his understand that he didn't have to face this alone. That their love - the word still sent a thrill through her - could be a source of strength, not a distraction from his duties.

Her heart raced when he finally entered the bedroom, his weariness evident in the slump of his shoulders. She watched admiringly as he undressed, her eyes tracing the contours of his muscular form. Gathering her courage, she sat up, allowing the sheets to slip away.

"I've been waiting for you," she said, hoping her voice sounded more seductive than anxious. She held out her hand, inviting him closer.

His eyes heated as he stepped towards her, but then he hesitated, desire mingling with confusion on his face.

"Kari, I..." he began, but she cut him off.

"You brought me here, remember? You can't turn away from this. We have each other," she added firmly. "I won't let you reject me now."

"I would never reject you."

The shock on his face helped to relieve her anxiety as she waited patiently for him to decide. She could see the internal struggle playing out across his features. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited, hoping her words had reached him.

For a moment, she feared he might turn away, but then a low groan escaped him. A rush of relief and excitement swept over her as he joined her on the bed and pulled her into his arms.