Chapter 5
Zander
After many weeks of hunting in the mountains far from the village, I decided to return to the valley.
It gnawed at me being away from Fatima for such a long time, but I wanted to give her the space she needed to grieve.
In the short amount of time I spent with Tarak’s dekes I saw first hand how fiercely loyal and protective the human women were of each other.
I knew if I left, Fatima would be in good hands, but now it was time for me to return and check on her myself.
I flew over the forest on my wings made of fire and let the cold winter air mix with my flames. Once I spotted the valley, I let my flames extinguish and slowly glided to the ground.
I dropped off the animals I’d slain in the butcher cabin and vowed to skin and clean my kills as soon as I could, but I had to see Fatima first.
There was light coming from the big meeting house that we now called the dining hall.
It was where the village gathered for all our shared meals.
I headed that way and tried to calm my nerves as I thought about the female who had claimed my heart so thoroughly.
From the moment I laid eyes on her, I felt pulled in her direction.
I didn’t even know her at the time and yet I knew she was my guiding light.
As I approached the house, I was overjoyed when the door swung open just for Fatima to be the one standing there at the entrance. I thought it was fate calling her toward me, but then I soon realized it was an illness or upset stomach that had caused her to run outside.
She rushed to a nearby bush and emptied the contents of her stomach into the greenery.
I ran to her side and pulled back her hair as her nausea subsided.
“Are you not well?” I asked. “Should I call for Sozu to come heal you?”
“No need,” Fatima replied. “I saw him earlier today. Unfortunately, he cannot cure morning sickness.”
Morning sickness? I knew that phrase. It wasn’t one I’d heard until after I’d spent some time around the human females in the mountain. The phrase itched at my brain and I knew it meant something important, but I couldn’t remember what it was.
“I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll be able to keep anything down for the next few months,” she laughed as she stood back up and rested her hand on her belly.
Morning sickness! That is what Kayla had called it when her pregnancysymptoms made her feel ill.
I remember it drove Drovo into near madness that he could not fix it for her.
If he could take on all of her symptoms he would have.
I’m fairly certain he would have carried the baby himself if that had been an option.
But wait. If Fatima was experiencing morning sickness that could only mean one thing.
“You are with child.” My statement came out in a jagged tone as I tried to push my voice through the flood of emotions I was feeling.
I imagined Fatima holding a small child as they sat across the table from me. I was bringing them food, like a good mate and father should. We were a family, and a happy one at that.
It was everything I’d ever wanted. I’d give anything to be the rock that Fatima leaned on. I wanted to be the one she went to for comfort and joy. I wanted to raise the child in her belly as my own. I wanted us to be a family and for her to never have to worry about anything ever again.
“Uh, yep,” her voice suddenly went very soft and shy.
I realized that although this would be a dream come true for me, this baby might not be something Fatima wanted.
“My mother used to say a child was like the horizon,” I began. “Some people see a sunrise, a new life, and new opportunities, while others see a sunset and the ending to an old life they’d rather not let go of.”
I looked at the hand she had rested on her still flat belly and asked, “When you look at the horizon, what do you see?”
Fatima seemed pleasantly surprised by my words and a small smile drew across her face.
“I see a sunrise. It is a challenging one, but I welcome it.”
“Congratulations then,” I smiled in returned. “This is a joyous occasion.”
“Is it?” she searched my face.“I thought you might be... never mind.”
She brushed her comment aside, but I was curious what she thought I might think of her pregnancy.
“I’m pretty tired,” Fatima continued. “I think I’ll head home.”
She stepped around me and continued on down the path.
“I’ll walk with you,” I commented as I matched her slower pace.
“Thanks,” she smiled up at me. “I appreciate that.”
We walked slowly down the path toward the big cabin she and the other unmated human females lived in.
“Was your hunting trip successful?” she asked.
“Yes, I felled many beasts,” I replied.
“You were gone for a long time.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice. Had she missed me?
“It was necessary,” I lied. “The winter can be a difficult time to find any animals to hunt.”
“Will your next hunting trip be as long as the last one?”
“No,” I shook my head. “I do not plan on leaving anytime soon.”
Now that I knew Fatima was with child, I would stay in the valley and make sure she was being well taken care of.
“That’s good to hear,” Fatima gave me another one of her small smiles. She did not like to show a lot of emotion on her face, so I was overjoyed to receive any signs of happiness she sent my way.
We arrived at her cabin, and she opened the wooden door.
“I’m glad your back,” she added and I thought my heart might burst from happiness.
“I’m glad to be back,” I replied with a smile of my own. “If you ever need anything, you come to me. Do not hesitate to seek me out, Fatima.”
Even in the darkness, I could see her cheeks turn red under her tan skin.
She lifted her chin in a defiant gesture. “You’re pretty demanding for someone who was just gone for a month.”
“I make no demands,” I clarified. “I’m just making it abundantly clear that you can come to me for anything.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll be fine on my own,” she replied in a firm tone that left no room for argument.
“So be it, but if I find you needlessly suffering in any way big or small, I will take it upon myself to care for you whether you like it or not.”
The red in her cheeks grew even more crimson. “G-g-goodnight, Zander,” she stuttered as she rushed to close the door behind her.
I had watched Fatima enough to know that she does not accept help easily. I hoped her stunned reaction was a sign that she believed my words to be true. She will not suffer in my presence. I will take care of her and her child’s needs for as long as I live.