Free The Journal Keeper (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Leerene Evans Page B

calm yourself. The Healer is already on his way,” Dorin assured her, indicating a tiny man hurrying across the list.
    Dorin wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her away from Nikolas as the Healer arrived. The man was nearly a head shorter than Rianne, a mop of curly red hair and glasses that continually slid down his nose. His clothing was too big for him, and he kept shoving his sleeves up past his elbows only to have them fall back over his hands. Despite his sloppy appearance, Dorin knew him to be the best Healer in the kingdom.
    “Ah, yes. Looks as though he got you good, eh? Not to worry, not to worry. I’ll have you fixed up in no time,” the Healer tutted, digging into his massive coat pockets.
    “I’ll be fine, capora ,” Nikolas mumbled to Rianne as Dorin pulled her farther away.
    Rianne clutched Dorin’s arm around her waist desperately as they watched the Healer work on Nikolas. The small man pulled out a bag and, reaching inside, brought out a handful of dirt. Rianne cried out when he smeared the dirt into Nikolas’s cut and attempted to move forward, but Dorin refused to release his grip.
    “Hush, Rianne. He’s fine. Let the Healer work,” Dorin whispered, his lips right against her ear.
    The Healer began chanting softly as he worked the dirt into the cut, his hands pressing against Nikolas’s head on either side. Gradually, the dirt turned a dark-green color, and the Healer brushed the dirt away. A thin scar was revealed, and the Healer smiled in approval.
    “You should learn to duck, Sir Nikolas. Head wounds are not always so easy to heal,” the Healer warned the polar as he put away his bag.
    “I’ll be sure to do so, Rirwor.” Nikolas smirked, touching his scar gently.
    With a strangled sob, Rianne tore out of Dorin’s arms and launched herself at Nikolas. Surprised by the tiny woman attacking him, Nikolas grunted as their bodies collided. He wrapped his arms around her to keep her from falling as she clung to him desperately. The shocked wonder on the polar’s face made Dorin smile as he watched the two of them. Nikolas’s large hands cupped the back of Rianne’s head as she buried her face into his neck. Her hands traveled all over his shoulders and face, fingers hesitant as she traced the scar near his temple.
    “ Capora , calm down. You’re going to make yourself sick,” Nikolas scolded gently as she continued to cry.
    “Shut up. Do you realize how lucky you are?” Rianne asked, leaning back so she could smack his chest.
    Dorin tried not to laugh when Nikolas glared down at her, grabbing up her hands so she couldn’t continue to hit him. He knew Nikolas wasn’t used to having someone care for him, but damn, that bear was stubborn.
    “The wound was not deep, and the Healer had me fixed up in no time. Why are you so upset?” Nikolas demanded, continuing to frown down at her.
    “Because you could have died!” Rianne practically screamed, struggling to free her hands from his grip.
    It amazed Dorin how quickly the change came over Nikolas at those words. One minute, he was frowning down at their mate, as if completely lost over why she was so upset. The next, he was every ounce the determined polar bear.
    One of his hands moved to hold both Rianne’s hands while the other threaded through her hair, forcing her head up toward his. Dorin found it difficult to stay away as Nikolas possessed Rianne’s mouth, the soft moans coming from their mate driving his own desire higher. Only the fact that this was their first kiss kept Dorin from joining in, from pressing himself against Rianne’s back and nibbling on her neck.
    Instead, Dorin simply watched as the two people who meant the most to him finally came together.
     
    * * * *
     
    Rianne was sure she’d gone to heaven. There was no way she could feel so good and not be dead, but Nikolas’s hand around her wrist and in her hair kept her grounded enough to know she was not dead yet. Though with the way the man kissed, she