“Have you? Really? You don’t look defeated to me.”
I bare my teeth. “What do you know of defeat?”
Her eyes glaze over as she looks towards the darkness. “More than you can know. Haime…” She turns away, her face falling into a look of grave concern.
Haime? She said that when I could not understand her.
Then it occurs to me…The other human. The other one she was with before I turned.
Where is the other human?
But before I can ask, she faces me again, the graveness now gone. “In the time I went to collect roots, you’ve managed to rise and walk—youtrappedme. If you’ve done so much in such a short time… Think of what you can do a day from now, or even two. This isn’t defeat. This is just the beginning, and beginnings are always the hardest.”
“Such wise words from such a young creature.” I cannot help being snide. She has offered wisdom I know is true, but they are words I do not want to hear.
“Wise words? Common sense. That’s all it is. Now let me help you back to the camp so we can rest—” She starts to brace under me.
“No. I will do it.” Though I do not push her away.
I could never willingly push my mate away.
“Are you sure?” she asks, hesitating.
“Collect the kindling.” I untangle my arm from hers. “I will make it back myself.”
She moves away, and I almost grab her back to me but clench my bloody hands away from her.
“I’ll meet you back there… then.”
I watch as she quietly collects the fallen roots and gathers them under her arm. She picks up her torch, which is now little more than burning embers. She stares at it for a moment before waving it before her. The light is pitiful, but she takes a cautious step away.
I grab her ankle. “Wait.”
She stops.
Pressing my hand to the wall again, I rise. It is easier this time, this new body is becoming more familiar. Once I am standing, I take a moment to steady myself before reaching for her burnt-out torch. I hate that she sees this side of me. But she cannot move around in the dark. She is human.
I will lead her back to safety.
She gives me the torch.
In silence, we head back to the campsite. It is slow going, but she remains with me the whole time, not once complaining. Not once mentioning my weakened state.
When we arrive, it is to find that, like the torch, the fire has nearly died out. Milaye makes her way towards it.
The scent of the naga fills my nose.
“Stop,” I order, stiffening. She stills, stiffening as well, glancing back at me.
“Something’s been here,” she says more than asks.
“Yes, the naga.”
“So that’s where he’s been…”
“You know it?”
“Yes. Well, not really. I found his den when I was searching for kindling. He lives down here. Though, I don’t think he means to harm us.”
