“That’s not possible,” a man on the other side of the fire says. He looks similar to Eskar, ice blue skin, shoulder length white hair shot through with purple and blue. But his eyes are dark and there are lines around his eyes and mouth. He was old when they crashed and hasn’t been granted the reprieve of death.
The man, who I assume is the captain, is flanked by two others. They are both wearing their black uniform, and while I don’t know the Paohl rank insignia, I’m guessing that the more stripes running from wrist to elbow the higher the rank. The captain has red bands on his cuffs and five stripes up his sleeve. Eskar has none.
I kneel up straighter, but don’t stand or move away from Eskar. If I take even one step, will they take him away and leave him to die? My fingers curl against his shoulder as though I can hold on to him.
“And who are you?” I demand even though I know. I speak loud enough that I hope Harding hears. I still hope that Ava is out there, but if she was close, she would’ve made her self-known while it was just Eskar and I by the fire. Or maybe she overheard everything, and she has decided she doesn’t want to be a Paohl mate and would rather survive on her own. I don’t blame her if she’s run.
Out of all of us, my money is on her lasting the hundred days…and then what? She’ll become part time water like Eskar, and the planet will no longer try to kill her?
The realization almost takes my breath away. I’ll become water. My body will change forever in ways I hadn’t thought possible.
“Does it hurt,” I whisper.
“Only when I breathe in.”
“I mean becoming water.”
“No…I think that is the worst part.” He glances at me. “I should’ve felt something, and instead I felt nothing, only relief that the planet had accepted me.”
I swallow hard and nod.
“I am Captain Omea. You are the human woman.”
“Medical Technician Leah Larkin.” I want to stand and pretend like I have power and rank, but I’m pretty sure he knows that it would be bullshit on both accounts. “And Eskar’s mate.”
Omea considers me for several moments. “Where is Noil?”
“Here,” Harding says somewhere behind me.
I glance back. “He was burned when he attacked.”
“I’ve been briefed,” Omea says curtly.
I’m sure he has been. “You were informed by one of Noil’s friends, hardly unbiased.”
“The Paohl don’t lie…humans on the other hand…” He tilts his head.
I hate him already. I’d rather live in the wild for another ninety-eight days than fall under his rule.
“Leah is telling the truth. Noil attacked.”
“You.” Omea glares at Eskar. “You took another’s mate.”
I stand but keep my legs at Eskar’s back so he can lean on me if needed. “I choose my own. I am not for sale to the highest bidder or the next in line. Eskar saved my life—”
“He interfered.”
I smile. “And if not for him I’d be dead, and no one’s mate.”
“You do not understand. I am responsible for a crew of nearly one hundred and fifty. After so many years, keeping order is difficult. The younger ones are restless.”
“Being hungry for death is not restlessness. It is a need for release. I risked using my mating barb because even if Leah rejects me, the Paohl, and this world, then I will be free.” Eskar says with conviction. His bandage is staining purple. He’s bleeding again.
“You think you will be released that easily?”
“It’s worth a chance. A group of us agreed it’s worth the risk.” Eskar’s voice breaks, and he goes quiet. “Punish me for interfering. Do your worst…” he touches his stomach. “I no longer care.” He tips his head back to rest on my hip. “I’m sorry.”
I don’t want to be adrift on this world. I cup his cheek, his skin rough beneath my fingers. “Eskar needs medical help.”
