Chapter 18
Piper
“The Bohnari are coming,” Alesha says without looking up from the cup she is molding into shape.
I glance over at her from the stool I now need to sit and work at. “What are the Bohnari?”
She shakes her head. “Not what. Who. They are our allies from the planet Bohna. Normally, they come much later in the season to trade, but Eloise reached out to her tribe sister Johnna who is mated to their healer. She is hoping they might be able to help Evren and Astrid discover what is making Niella so sick.”
I feel for the new parents as well as their baby. Whenever they are able to get her to drink Astrid’s milk, she does nothing but cry and vomit. Katem told me Sage believes Niella might be allergic to it, but he didn’t mention another group of aliens coming to Tavikh.
“They’re able to do that? Figure out what’s wrong with her, I mean? Will they be able to fix the problem if they find one?”
“It is possible. Vornak is their healer. He has much knowledge, but the Bohnari also have a healing machine in their ship. Both Zara and Astrid have been healed of injuries they received within moments from Vornak’s machine, so perhaps whatever is wrong with Niella, he will be able to heal.”
A healing machine? The upper tier has some advance medical technology, but those of us from the bottom tier never had access to it.
At best, we were given a few vaccinations a year.
Break a bone? The doctors—if we could get in to see one—gave out pain medicine, set it as best they could, and sent us on our way.
“I hope they’re able to help her. She has to be miserable always feeling so sick.”
Alesha stops what she is doing and turns toward me. “Perhaps they can help you as well.”
My whole body jerks. Has Katem been talking to her about me? Besides Sage and him, I haven’t said anything to anyone about my illness. “What do you mean?”
“Many turns have passed since you started learning from me. In that time you have lost much weight and your skin color has changed. You cough often—although you try to hide it from me—and I have seen the blood. I am not a healer, nor do I know much about humans and their bodies, but I know sickness when I see it.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “It’s that noticeable, huh?”
“Perhaps not to others, but we spend much time together,” Alesha says. Her gaze softens. “Does your mate know?”
“He does.”
She nods. “Good. Katem will ensure you are taken care of.”
If only it were that easy. Still, I know he’ll do his best. “Yes, he will.”
“You should ask the Bohnari healer if you can make use of their healing machine.”
Alesha’s heart’s in the right place, but she doesn’t know all the details of my illness. “I’ll talk to Katem.”
We both return to our tasks, but soon my attention drifts. I can’t be angry with her for suggesting I see their healer. Except I am, because that tiny flame of hope I’d buried deep down inside bubbles closer to the surface, and I resent her a little for sparking it back to life.
Approaching footsteps make me glance at the open doorway.
A shadow appears and grows larger until its owner appears in the flesh.
My heart skips a beat at the sight of Katem and I meet him at the entrance with a loud, smacking kiss and hug.
My mate gives the best ones, holding me tightly like he’s sheltering me from a storm.
“Greetings my beautiful keeshla,” he says when I loosen my hold on him.
“Hi.” I smile, because he loves it when I do.
“How is your crafting going today?”
“I made a few more cups and even a vase. We’re going to fire it tomorrow, so hopefully we can go find some flowers to put in it and put them in our tent.”
“Wonderful. I look forward to their scent mixing with yours when I sleep at night.”
My nose wrinkles. “Are you saying I stink?”
Katem kisses the tip of my nose. “You smell delicious. It’s my favorite fragrance of them all.”
I giggle at his words. “That’s better.”
He glances over at Alesha. “If it is all right with you, I would like to take my mate down to the river to eat our midday meal.”
She gestures for us to go with a smile. “Go. I will go spend my time with Wakiel.”
I wave goodbye and take Katem’s offered hand. We stroll through the village and there’s a surprising lightness to my steps despite everything. I’m doing my best to focus on all the good things and not worry about what might come. I want to enjoy whatever time I have left with my husband.
We stop at the central fire and fill our plates with seasoned meat and some kind of root vegetable before continuing on toward the river’s edge. The village is a little quiet today since apparently most of the older kits—Cecily and Carter, included—went hunting with a few of the warriors.
“Did you have a good training session this morning?” I walk close to Katem’s side because I love being near him.
“I was victorious more than I was not, although I do not like to admit to my mate that I lost even a single bout.”
That makes me chuckle, because he says it so genuinely and yet with a hint of amusement.
One of these days I should go down to the arena and watch him spar.
I can just picture all his bulging muscles as he’s fighting.
Okay, maybe I’ll go sooner rather than later, because the image already has me warm.
“I’m sure your mate still thinks you are the best fighter there is.
You just let the other guy win so he didn’t feel bad. ”
Katem snorts. “Yes, that is what happened. Evren already has much going on with poor Niella that I thought a win in the sparring arena would make him feel better.”
I nudge him playfully. “See. You are a kind and generous friend.”
“I am glad someone realizes this.”
Who knew my husband had a sense of humor?
I love it. I love him. Neither of us have said the words out loud, but it’s more than clear we both know how the other feels.
At least I hope it’s clear, because I love Katem more than I thought I could ever love another person.
I feel his love in everything he does for me as well.
Finally, we make it to the bench that’s become our frequent place to be and take a seat.
The air is a bit cooler than it has been, but the sun shining down keeps me warm enough.
While I’m not necessarily looking forward to winter or the snow, there’s a new bit of excitement that I’ll be warm and toasty sharing furs with Katem.
We’ve been living in our tent for not quite a week yet and while we still haven’t done more than kiss, every night the urge to do more increases.
I’m not sure what’s holding me back. Fear most likely.
“Alesha told me the Bohnari are coming soon.”
He nods. “Evren spoke of that while we were sparring. He has been so filled with worry about Niella that he is unable to sleep. Astrid as well.”
“I hope the Bohnari healer is able to help them.”
“As do I.”
We settle into a comfortable silence while we eat.
A few ketri leave the protection of the forest on the other side of the river and come down to get a drink.
I remembered what kind of rodent they remind me of.
A chipmunk. They went extinct a long time ago, but there are pictures of them in Earth’s historical archives.
Katem clears his throat and I glance over at him. “I have been thinking.”
“Sounds dangerous.” I grin, but he doesn’t. My mouth flattens, because it isn’t often he’s so serious. “Is everything okay?”
“Aye. I do not want what I say to hurt you, though.”
My stomach lurches. Has his patience run out? Does he not want to be my mate anymore? Is he…divorcing me, or whatever the equivalent of that is on Tavikh?
“Breathe, keeshla,” Katem coaxes.
I do what he says, although it’s harder than it should be and not only because of my compromised lungs. Finally, I breathe normally, but that sick sensation continues swirling in my stomach. “What have you been thinking about?”
How I manage to sound normal is beyond me, but the question comes out with far more calmness than I’m feeling inside.
“You have told me you do not care for seeing healers, but I was wondering if perhaps you would be willing to let Vornak examine you?” he asks.
“I do not know what type of healing you have on Earth, but the Bohnari have much technology. Perhaps he might be able to offer some type of remedy for this cancer you carry.”
The thought of having one more person tell me what I already know is a depressing one. I don’t want to be sad anymore, but the hopeful expression on Katem’s face makes my heart ache at the thought of disappointing him.
“Can I think about it?” It’s a huge decision and I don’t want to commit to saying yes and then change my mind.
He strokes my cheek. “Of course. I have been torn about speaking to you about it, because I would never do anything to hurt you.”
I lay my hand over his. “I know you wouldn’t.”
“If you decide you do not wish to see Vornak, I will honor your wishes and never suggest it again.”
“Thank you.”
We return to eating and while I somewhat contribute to our conversation, I’m not fully here with Katem.
The hope Alesha sparked to life has been stoked by my mate.
I want to be angry with both of them for it, but I can’t bring myself to do so.
Could this Bohnari healer have some machine that can keep me alive?
Am I only setting myself up for more anguish by even wondering?
I’m not going to worry about it now. When they show up is when I’ll make my decision. I’m not sure I can emotionally and mentally handle being told once again that I’m still dying.