Zennek nods. “Chahm-pee. And how you will not let us eat him.”
I snort, escaping out of Pashov’s grasp. “Because he is my pet and that makes him my family. You do not eat family, fools.”
“Are you sure? You are looking meaty lately,” Zennek says with a pinch to my arm. I slap his hand away, laughing, only to have Zennek grab me by my waist and twirl me around. My brothers are silly.
Mardok emerges from my house a moment later, and a moment later, there is possessive hunger written on his face. “Don’t touch her!” He stalks forward and grabs me out of Zennek’s arms. “She belongs to me.”
Everyone goes still.
Pashov hoots with laughter.
“Do not touch her,” Zennek mocks, tossing his mane and pretending to be me. “Farli is my mate.” He flutters his eyelashes at me.
I roll my eyes and jab my brother with my finger. “Are you pretending to be me or him?”
Pashov grabs Zennek around the neck and ruffles his mane. “You will have to be patient with him, Mardok. Our brother is a little slow.”
They all three laugh, and Mardok looks at me.
“Family,” I say with a shrug of my shoulders. “These are my brothers.”
“Ah.” He rubs his ear, and that flustered expression crosses his face. Adorable. I sigh happily. “I am pleased to meet all of you.”
“And we,” Pashov announces, giving Zennek’s shoulders another squeeze, “are pleased you are so possessive of our sister. She deserves the best.”
“She does,” Mardok agrees in a soft voice, looking over at me, and I feel my khui begin to sing again.
“Your captain is visiting the village today and staying with Vektal and Shorshie. We thought we would come and take you hunting,” Salukh says, ever the serious one. “Get to know you better before you get your khui and join the family.”
I bite my lip. They do not know he does not want a khui. “Perhaps—” I begin.
But Mardok surprises me by nodding. “I will go, if Farli does not mind.” He looks over at me.
Mind? Mind him spending the day with my brothers? Let them treat him as if he is family? Show him the beauty of our world in the hopes it changes his mind? “Of course I do not mind.”
Mardok rubs his head and then nods. “All right. What are we hunting?”
“Ah, my friend,” Salukh says, handing him a spear. “The better question is, what are wenothunting.”
A short time later,my brothers set off with Mardok. My mate has been swathed in additional furs to keep him warm, holds his spear very clumsily, and listens as my brothers talk endlessly. I smile to myself as they leave. Part of me wants to go and hunt with them, but I need to see to Chahm-pee and I need to talk with my mother. My heart is heavy with too many burdens to carry by myself. I head to my dvisti’s hut and collect the dung that has frozen overnight, as well as refill his food basket and break the ice on his water bowl. Chahm-pee is happy to see me, prancing about and biting at my leathers to get my attention. I am focused on tending tohim and do not notice that I have company until I turn and see Sessah and Taushen standing in the doorway.
I straighten. “What is it?”
Sessah just gives me a sulky look, his arms crossed over his chest. In a few more seasons, he will be as big and strong as his father. For now, though, he is still far too young. Pouting does not help that, either. Taushen is the one that speaks. “We heard your new mate was in the village.”
“He stayed with me last night,” I tell them with a nod. “But my brothers just took him hunting. If you wish to speak to him, you missed him.”
Taushen looks at Sessah. When the younger hunter remains silent, Taushen sighs and gives me a faint smile. “I wished to volunteer to join in the sa-kohtsk hunt for him.” He nudges Sessah. “Him, too.”
Some of the tension leaves my body. To participate on the sa-kohtsk hunt of a rival means all is forgiven and you accept the loss of the female you wanted. “I am pleased.”
“When is it?” Taushen asks.
What to tell them? I hesitate, then go with the truth. “It might not happen. Mardok does not like this planet and is not sure he wishes to stay behind.”
The look on Sessah’s young face is incredulous. “What? But you have resonated.”
I know. I feel miserable at the sight of their outrage. “It is not the same with his people,” I tell them. “They do not have a khui to bond them, so he does not understand. He does not like the planet, and to stay with me, he would give up everything he has.” I try to smile, but it is difficult. “It is not the same as Shorshie and the others. He is not stranded here.”
