The Ugly Duckling Of The Tiger Tribe

Chapter 341: The promise a fated mate must make

I stood on the damp soil, wringing out my hair until the water ran clear. My clothes were a soaked mess, the hyde sticking to my skin in a way that was definitely going to make the walk back to the village uncomfortable.

I was just wondering if I’d have to trek back looking like a drowned rat when Thalor lifted his hands, his palms facing upward, and summoned his small, shimmering vial.

"I shall help you get dry," he said, and then, with a quick flick of his wrist, a fine mist settled over me.

I watched in genuine surprise as the moisture literally seeped out of the fabric, vanishing into the air until I was as dry as if I’d been sitting by a fire for hours.

"Thanks," I said, offering him a tired but genuine smile. "That’s a handy trick to have in this world."

He was like an artificial drying machine. Gosh, this man can do many things, and most of them are going to make my life easier.

Just as we were about to leave, I stepped on a small pointy rock and inwardly cursed.

I should make sandals next.

Since going around with those poorly made boots wasn’t comfortable, maybe sandals will do.

That means we have to open a cobbler’s shop too, so others can learn and craft sandals.

The sheep tribe happens to be great at making clothes from their wool. I wonder if they can do well with sandals.

I was just about to check what sort of damage the rock had done to my leg when my eyes caught my ankle.

I paused, tilting my foot to get a better look.

Usually, I had those purple scales shimmering like jewels wrapped around my ankle.

I just couldn’t take them off after Thalor so graciously put them on and kissed my leg.

And right now, on the other ankle was his perfect. It was a delicate purple fish tail etched into my skin like a tattoo.

It was beautiful.

Haha, and I had planned to stay for just a year before I continued adventuring, I thought, a wry smirk tugging at my lips. Oh well. The turn of events doesn’t change much of my plans, but... I looked up at Thalor, who was watching me with a quiet, intense devotion. Let’s just see how it goes.

"Now, shall we?" I asked, and he nodded.

He had transformed his tail into legs, and though I still can’t grasp the concept around it, I decided to just live with it.

The trek back was quiet and peaceful, but the peace didn’t last long as we approached the main tent and saw them waiting for us.

Noah and Fenric were standing side-by-side, their arms crossed, looking like twin pillars of judgment. As soon as we were within range, I saw their nostrils flare.

They caught my scent immediately and turned their heads.

But it wasn’t just my scent they caught. They could smell Thalor all over me.

Their eyes dropped to the fresh mark still pulsing on my ankle, as if the smell was the strongest there, and then the coral crest on my wrist that was now glowing with a steady blue light.

They had a thousand things they wanted to say; I could see the questions and the lingering traces of jealousy battling with their loyalty.

Noah took a half-step forward, but Fenric reached out, placing a firm hand over his chest to stop him.

"No, I’ll do it," Fenric said, his voice a low rumble.

Since Damar wasn’t there to act as the first or the witness, the duty fell to the next in line.

Fenric stepped up, stopping just inches from me. He reached out, his fingers brushing my cheek in a soft, lingering caress. His expression was full of a sharp, aching longing that made my heart twinge, but he kept his voice steady and soft.

"He didn’t push you too hard, did he?" he asked softly.

I felt the heat rush to my face, thinking of all the things we did in the hidden lake, and I quickly shook my head.

That’s not considered pushing me too hard, right? I mean, I can walk just fine despite all of that, so I should be fine.

Fenric nodded, a small, knowing glint in his red eyes, before he turned his full attention to Thalor.

The atmosphere shifted, turning solemn and heavy. Fenric stood tall, his presence commanding the space between the land and the sea.

"Thalor, prince of the Deep sea," Fenric began, his voice ringing with the weight of a formal vow. "If you are to stand with us, you must bind yourself to the same laws we carry. So, you have to make these three promises."

Thalor squared his shoulders, his violet eyes unblinking as he met the snow tiger’s gaze.

Fenric didn’t wait for his response and continued,

"One," Fenric stated, "that you will put Arinya first, before anyone and anything else—be it the sea or your own kin."

Ah, this was just like back then, with Damer and Noah.

"Two," Fenric continued, "that you will believe Arinya and take her side no matter what she says or does, even if the whole world stands against her and even if it goes against your own ideals. You shall not hurt her."

I pursed my lips, the promises landing heavy on my own heart.

"And three," Fenric’s voice dropped, turning as sharp as a flint. "There shall be no one else. Whether on land or sea, there is no female you will ever look at aside from Arinya. Your heart and your body are hers alone. If you cannot make these promises with your body and soul," he folded his arms, his feet steady on the soil underneath his feet. "I will kill you,"

I felt a heavy thud in my heart as those last words landed. It was going badum-badum in my chest like something bad was going to happen.

Well, it was now or never. Without these promises, I cannot trust myself with a new mate. So, what will you do now... Thalor?