Over breakfast, the two easily convinced me to stay. It wasn't like I had really wanted to go in the first place. I knew that I should, but all my arguments fell apart in the face of Elio's determination and Zale's quiet agreement.

In the end, I promised to remain until the first signs of spring. I would spend a fortnight, possibly two, living with these two mates. I was happier about that than I had any right to be.

Later, realizing I only had one set of clothing to wear, Elio opened up a storage chest and pulled out a small stack of pants and shirts he said I could wear. I could tell right away that the clothes didn’t belong to either of them, as they looked like they would fit me fairly well. Anything of Zale’s would be far too big, while Elio’s would be the right length, but far too narrow in the waist and shoulders.

Zale gave Elio a curious look when he pulled the clothes out, but after a brief, silent exchange, Elio just shrugged and said, “What? They’re the right size and no one's using them. I'm being practical.”

I glanced between them, a question forming on the tip of my tongue. I wanted to know who the clothes belonged to, but something told me it was better not to ask.

They spent the rest of the day teaching me about the area and their daily routines. The first thing they showed me was where to find the river, which was their main water source. Every day, Zale filled two impossibly large buckets with river water and carried them back to the cabin for cooking and drinking, and every third day, he’d make enough trips to fill the large tub they kept in the kitchen closet for hot baths. The rest of the time, they simply used the river, even in winter.

Over the next few days, I helped chop wood and learned how to tend the garden, which was a simple task in the winter months, since little could survive the cold. I joined Zale on his rounds to check the traps, and helped Elio with mending clothes and washing linens.

At first, I was worried that I would get in the way, but I quickly found that my skills were a welcome addition to their routine.

Elio, it turned out, was completely helpless in the kitchen. Everything he attempted was either burned or undercooked. Or so they told me. Elio had long since been banished from the kitchen. While Zale could manage the basics, his meals were more edible than enjoyable. Everything was cooked properly, but that was all I could say for it.

As the youngest child in a large family, I’d spent most of my early years following my mother around the kitchen while my older siblings took care of the household chores. She taught me how to help with the family meals each day, always promising me that my future wife would thank her for it. I learned a lot from her, and over time, I became a pretty decent cook. When I offered to help with the meals, they gladly accepted.

Before turning the kitchen over to me, Zale made sure to teach me how to make flatbread, a staple in the Beastlands that didn’t exist in Vrayna. Unlike the fluffy, leavened loaves we bought from the baker back home, flatbread was dense, chewy, and grilled over an open fire. It took me a few tries to get it right, but once I had the hang of it, it was surprisingly simple to make.

On the second day, I discovered they had potatoes in the garden, miraculously still clinging to life, despite the frigid conditions. Hearty and resilient, potatoes thrived in the harsh climate of the northern Beastlands, just as they did in northern Vrayna. It surprised me when the beastmen said they didn’t use them much. Apparently, they were too bland.

Since the spices found in the area were almost identical to the ones we had back home, I was able to adapt my usual recipes with only a few minor adjustments. With each meal, I showed the two beastmen different ways to prepare potatoes, as well as how to grow them inside the cabin.

Life with Elio and Zale was more pleasant than I had imagined. My fear of growing attached to Zale now extended to his beautiful mate as well, and it had long since become more than just a fear. I had to admit it, I liked both of them a lot more than I should have.

And a part of me wondered if maybe they liked me too. They were always very affectionate with each other, but it wasn’t long before they started sharing bits of that affection with me.

I quickly learned that Elio could be rather shameless. He would deliberately make me blush whenever he could, teasing me, touching me, and driving me crazy in the best possible ways. He made no effort to hide how much he enjoyed the effect he had on me.

Zale, on the other hand, was more reserved in his attentions. However, that didn’t make him any less dangerous. The way his fingers trailed down my arm when he passed by me. The way he brushed the hair from my eyes like it was the most natural thing in the world. His subtle gestures felt far too intimate to ignore.

Between the two of them, it was a wonder my heart hadn’t given out.

But each night, I retreated to the rug by the fire, while they shared a bed without me. That was fine, though. I didn’t mind being alone. I had my little nest of blankets, the warmth of the fire, and I could fall asleep feeling content, safe, and not the least bit jealous.

Yes, I was most definitely not jealous. I had no right to be. I was the intruder. They were happily mated long before I came along. No good could come from wanting more. I just envied their happiness. That was all.

It wasn’t as though I lay awake at night wishing Zale would pull me into his big arms while Elio curled around my back, trapping me between them. Nope, I didn’t want that at all.

So, instead of thinking about things I definitely didn’t want, I would close my eyes and try to sleep, pretending I couldn’t hear the low laughter and casual intimacy they shared without me.

On the fourth night, something shifted. Like every other night so far, I climbed into my makeshift bed by the fire. However, unlike the other nights, when Elio followed Zale into the bedroom, he didn’t close the door behind them.

“Zale, baby, I’ve been thinking,” Elio said in a low voice, his voice easily carrying through the open doorway, “We both like Bryn, right? So why is he still sleeping out there? We should go get him and bring him to bed with us. I bet he wants to join us too.”

On the day I met him, Elio had told me that he knew I was awake from my heartbeat. Wouldn't that mean he knew I was awake right now? He had to know I could hear him. More than that, I was pretty sure he wanted me to hear him. Why else would he have left the door open?

Zale sighed, “You know we can’t do that.”

“Why not?” Elio pressed, “We both feel it. Don’t even try to deny it. I’m certain he feels it too. It’s been long enough, and I’m ready to move on. He fits.”

“I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m saying we can’t,” Zale replied, his voice flat with defeat, “Yes, he fits. He fits in a way I didn't think we'd ever find again. But it’s a bad idea to get attached to someone who won’t be sticking around. Bryn’s made it clear that he plans to go home, so there’s no point in even considering it. Let’s just go to sleep and forget about it.”

“But I don’t want to forget about it,” Elio grumbled, clearly dissatisfied with that result.

Zale didn’t respond other than to sigh.

It took me a while to fully comprehend what I had just heard.

Was there really a chance?

But as soon as I allowed myself to hope, reality came crashing down on me.

No, there wasn't a chance. Not if I was leaving. Zale had made that much clear.

But Elio had said it and Zale hadn't denied it. They both felt something for me. That had to count for something.

I didn’t sleep well at all that night.