2
He reaches for my hand and kisses my knuckles. “I wouldn’t have you any other way.
Two hours later we have climbed over the ridge where we caught the khan. It is hot and I’ve stepped over one stone-spider and dodged two sleeping snakes.
I grip my spear and spy a hirion in the distance. He is grazing alone and poses no threat.
Dan-Y walks a few paces ahead of me. His long legs eat the distance and he steps over boulders and streams effortlessly.
I stop and wipe my brow, look up at the two suns burning bright. I wonder if Vortex One is preparing for another trip to Earth to get more females. I wonder if Helen, our recruiter, is busy scanning wine bars and clubs for more willing victims.
Except, I don’t feel like a victim. I am happy. It’s a curious feeling. I have nothing of what I had before yet everything I dreamed of.
I live in a cave!
Okay, maybe not that.
But Dan-Y. A big handsome male in love with me. A get-what-you-see-male. He doesn’t play games or lie, or mince his words. He is honest and blunt. I like that.
“Over there, look,” he points. “There is a strong wind, atop the mountains.”
“Is that good?” I ask.
“Yes, if Athos’s military are trying to use drones to find you, they will struggle to get past it.”
He obviously thinks this is a good thing, though I know if Mel is pinning her hopes on a drone finding me then it won’t be for her.
Oh, I am torn. Here I am happy one moment and aching for my sister the next.
However will this end?
“The lapla flowers are not far, and if we are lucky there will be nectar tubes too.”
“Nectar tubes?”
“Honey I think is the best description in your language.”
“I love honey.”
He looks at me and grins. “That is good news to my ears. I will be sure to get you some.”
A few steps later he pauses and takes my hand. “Be careful here, my love.”
I like him calling me that, and concentrate as I navigate a crevice with his help.
We round a bend, pass a shrub full of spikes, and then he grabs my arm and tugs me behind a huge gray boulder.
“Shh.” He’s suddenly tense, and his jaw tight.
“What is it?”
“There are people down there?” he whispers.
“Jakarty?”
“I’m not sure.” He frowns. “Something is telling me no.”
“No? What do you mean they’re not Jakarty?” I go to peek over the boulder, but he stops me.
“Don’t. They might be dangerous.”
“Two people, down there, dangerous?”
He presses his finger to my lips. “Quiet. I will look.”
I stay stooped, bent double, as he peeks over the boulder. His horns are dark and dull. No sparkle whatsoever.
“Who is it?” I whisper.
He drops back down beside me. Lilac shadows dance on his face. “I have never seen them before.”
“What are they doing?”
“They appear to be setting up camp.”
“And…?”
“And that’s it.”
“Can I look?”
“What good will that do?”
“I might know them.”
“You don’t know anyone on this side of the border.”
“They might not be from this side of the border. They might be from the Civilized Tundra.” I touch his chest with the tip of my index finger. “In which case I might know them.”
He takes a deep breath. It judders slightly, as if that thought is confusing. “Okay.”
Carefully I set down my spear then curl my fingers over the boulder. I slowly rise up until my vision is over my hiding place and scan the expanse of land before me.
I see two male figures down below. They are in the overhang of a cliff not far from what appears to be the trail toward Snake Canyon.
I shudder. I hate that place.
One is on his knees starting a fire. The other appears to be gathering water from a trickle in a mountain crevice. He’s catching it in a pouch, and when full he turns.
My breath catches and I let out a gasp.
“What is it?” Dan-Y yanks me down by my arm. “What have you seen?”
“I…I…oh…it can’t be.” I shake him off and look again. Blink several times to make sure I believe my eyes. “It’s…”
“What?” He is next to me, looking, his shoulder nudging mine. “Who it is?”
“It’s my…it’s my recipient male, my mate from the Civilized Tundra…it’s El-Frankin.”
“The male who claimed you?” Dan-Y growls. “What is he doing here?”
I slump back down, my spine against the boulder.
“And who is he with?” Dan-Y wraps his hand around the hilt of the sword on his belt. “Tell me.”
“I think it is In-Sar, his friend.”
“Friend?”
“They are close,” I say. Worrying about my mate’s relationship with his young work colleague seems a long time ago now. Almost insignificant considering how much my life has changed since the farmstead.
Dan-Y squats down at my side. “He has come to Jakarty land, with his friend…to find you?”
“What other reason can there be?”
“He is not taking you back, I will kill him first.” He takes a knife from his belt.
“No.” I wrap my hand around his. “They are far away and if you miss you will give our location up.”
“I am a good shot, even from this distance.”
“You only have one knife. There are two of them.” I hesitate. “They may have guns or something similar.”
He frowns and puts the knife away. “They are either brave or stupid to be here.”
I take a deep breath and hesitantly look back over the rock.