“There are few in this region to worry about, and besides, lifeis not without risk. And you, my dear, have already braved far worse. And from here on I will protect you with my life.”
“You’re too much.”
“I mean it. Whatever it takes, I will do anything and everything in my power to keep you safe.”
She wrapped her arms around him, savoring his mass and warmth, her heart pounding just a little harder at his touch. “I know you will.”
That tingling in her chest was back, and more pronounced than before. As if when her emotions flared the pigments in her skin somehow noticed and reacted. She supposed that made sense. After all, Darla and Shalia had told her the pigment was a symbiotic organism living in her flesh now, so it seemed to fit with what they’d said. Still, it was an odd sensation, though not exactly unpleasant.
In any case, they had a long day ahead of them and this was not the time to stop and dwell on her new tattoos.
“We ready?” she asked, looking up at her lover’s warm smile.
“We are.”
They headed out, following the trees as long as they could, as he’d said. She didn’t see or hear any ships above, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. This was alien tech, after all. No noisy jet engines like back home. Say what you might about the negatives of her abduction, but the positives of this fascinating world were myriad as well.
“Now we cross the grassland,” Zepharos announced when the trees finally thinned to nothing.
It was a stunning landscape, the tall, violet grass easily head-high in many places. It waved and rippled in the breeze, creating an optical illusion akin to watching the ocean. But she knew that wasn’t the case, just as she was well aware they would have to be more careful out here in the open. If Zepharos said drop, she’d drop. If he said run, well, her reaction was a given.
Fortunately, they made it across without incident, the lack of craft flying above a good omen in her mind. But it was nearly nightfall when they reached the far treeline, the journey having taken most of the day, and both were a bit worn from the extended time in the sun.
“We will make camp just ahead where the trees are a bit denser,” he announced, pointing to a copse of lush trees with broad maroon leaves. “Perfect to hang our hammock, and the canopy will shelter us from being seen from above.”
They made their way to their destination and unloaded the animals, setting them loose to roam and graze once again, the two unburdened critters thundering off cheerfully like happy puppies, but a hell of a lot bigger. Zepharos opened one of the packs and pulled out a series of cords and wires.
“What’s all that?”
“Watch and learn,” he replied, hurrying off to begin setting triplines, alarms, and snares. And not all of them were for animals.
They were being hunted, and he was not about to let his guard down no matter how idyllic their surroundings. If hunters came for them, they’d have ample warning.
“How do you know how to do all of this?” Maria asked as he set yet another trap.
He shrugged. “You saw my village.”
“Yeah. And?”
“And we are raised to be comfortable in nature. As children we all learn to survive outside the safety of our village. I happened to be particularly good at it, but when it came time to join the hunters, well, I decided I wanted a different sort of life. I wanted to experiencemore.”
“Ah, so that’s why you and Adzus had that exchange.”
“He was the hunter who trained me. And I walked out on him. Not my proudest moment.”
“So you left all that behind?”
“Yes.”
“But you came back.”
“I did. But never for long. I traveled far, Maria. I saw so many things. Learned more about technology and other races than anyone in my village could imagine. And yes, I had my share of fun as well. It was how I first discovered the Husken Games many cycles ago.”
“And if not for that, you would never have seen me. And I would be the chancellor’s slave.”
He grinned bright, pure adoration and happiness in his gaze. “Fortune and fate seem to have smiled upon us both, I would say.”
“That it did,” she replied, pulling him close. “And if you’re done with setting those up, let me show you just how grateful I am.”
