Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68478 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Mind? Mind him spending the day with my brothers? Let them treat him as if he is family? Show him the beauty of our world in the hopes it changes his mind? “Of course I do not mind.”
Mardok rubs his head and then nods. “All right. What are we hunting?”
“Ah, my friend,” Salukh says, handing him a spear. “The better question is, what are we not hunting.”
A short time later, my brothers set off with Mardok. My mate has been swathed in additional furs to keep him warm, holds his spear very clumsily, and listens as my brothers talk endlessly. I smile to myself as they leave. Part of me wants to go and hunt with them, but I need to see to Chahm-pee and I need to talk with my mother. My heart is heavy with too many burdens to carry by myself. I head to my dvisti’s hut and collect the dung that has frozen overnight, as well as refill his food basket and break the ice on his water bowl. Chahm-pee is happy to see me, prancing about and biting at my leathers to get my attention. I am focused on tending to him and do not notice that I have company until I turn and see Sessah and Taushen standing in the doorway.
I straighten. “What is it?”
Sessah just gives me a sulky look, his arms crossed over his chest. In a few more seasons, he will be as big and strong as his father. For now, though, he is still far too young. Pouting does not help that, either. Taushen is the one that speaks. “We heard your new mate was in the village.”
“He stayed with me last night,” I tell them with a nod. “But my brothers just took him hunting. If you wish to speak to him, you missed him.”
Taushen looks at Sessah. When the younger hunter remains silent, Taushen sighs and gives me a faint smile. “I wished to volunteer to join in the sa-kohtsk hunt for him.” He nudges Sessah. “Him, too.”
Some of the tension leaves my body. To participate on the sa-kohtsk hunt of a rival means all is forgiven and you accept the loss of the female you wanted. “I am pleased.”
“When is it?” Taushen asks.
What to tell them? I hesitate, then go with the truth. “It might not happen. Mardok does not like this planet and is not sure he wishes to stay behind.”
The look on Sessah’s young face is incredulous. “What? But you have resonated.”
I know. I feel miserable at the sight of their outrage. “It is not the same with his people,” I tell them. “They do not have a khui to bond them, so he does not understand. He does not like the planet, and to stay with me, he would give up everything he has.” I try to smile, but it is difficult. “It is not the same as Shorshie and the others. He is not stranded here.”
“But you are his mate. You will carry his kit.” Sessah is frowning fiercely. His fists clench. “It is not fair that he takes the only unmated female in our tribe and then casts her aside!” Furious, he storms away.
I flinch at his words, hugging my arms to my chest. “I hate that he is so upset.”
“He is young,” Taushen says, moving toward me. He squeezes my arm, his expression rueful. “He has not yet learned what it is to wait. He will, though.”
I sigh. “It would have been much easier if I had resonated to one of the tribe’s hunters, I know. But I do not choose.” And I would not choose anyone but Mardok. I love him. The moment he appeared, I knew he was mine.
“The khui chooses,” Taushen agrees. He rubs my arm and then pauses. “If he does not stay and you need a father for your kit, I will be that hunter for you, Farli.”
I blink in surprise. “What—”
“It does not have to be pleasure-mating, though I would take that in time. It would be enough for me to know you are cared for. You and your kit.”
I feel like crying. “You are a good hunter, Taushen. You are going to make a female a very good mate someday.”
His smile is sad. “Someday.” He gives me a pat on the shoulder and then leaves.
My heart feels as if it is breaking. I do not want Mardok to leave. I do not want to leave with him. But what do I do? What can I do? Choking back the sob rising in my throat, I push my way out of Chahm-pee’s hut and race through the village, heading toward a place I know there will be comfort.
My mother’s house does not have her privacy screen up, and inside I can smell her favorite spicy tea. I give a polite scratch at the doorway to let her know I am here, and when she looks up, I fling myself inside and into her arms, sobbing.