1
ORIK
Ihave done nothing but think about Bridget and Vari on the walk back to the boat. As well as to grow envious of the way Edilk and Sunif were selected so easily. While Bridget looks as though she may be interested in choosing a warrior, and my talk of Vari and our attachment made her curious, she has said nothing to indicate her feelings about me or what she intends to do.
Not that I ever expected to be chosen by a woman, or to even have a chance at being chosen. These women look nothing like the women of the honey. They can’t speak silently because they lack kams, and they are small and fragile in appearance, but as they accepted their banishment from the human tribe they have begun to prove they are no burden, but a benefit to our tribe of banished.
At some point, every one of my brothers railed at being banished even though as fourth born sons we understood it was coming our entire lives.
I expressed my anger by trying to outrun a storm instead of taking shelter. The fury pushed me hard, but the storm caught me regardless. I was found by Vari and Sunif.
They did more than save my life. They gave me a reason to live.
My attraction to Vari was instant. And until taking these women, I would’ve called our attachment unbreakable. Now thoughts of Bridget, and what it would be like to kiss her fill my head.
As the three warriors who’d remained at the ship walk toward us, I sense Vari’s concern and hope even though he tries to hide it. I know him too well, from the tilt of his lips to the change in the signal of kams.
Edilk tells the three about our find and their gazes settle on the women. Assessing and questioning.
Vari walks toward me, and we embrace. He talks only to me, needing to find out what is going on.
His hand covers my heart.Do you have the luck of being chosen?
I rest my forehead on his and place my hand over his heart.I am unchosen.
I want to be chosen, but I want him too. If being chosen means losing him, I will refuse. But would he accept and leave me?
The scent of Edilk and Sunif in rut is an itch in my blood that I want to scratch. I’m beginning to understand why newly mated couples spend time away from the rest of the tribe.
Which one is unmated?
His silent words pierce my heart and I hesitate. What if he only wants her?
I have gotten to know Bridget over the last few days, and I enjoy spending time with her. I hope that she will choose both of us as her mates. Did my talk of Vari push her away?
Or was she intrigued by my tribe, where some women take two warriors as their mates?
I glance over my shoulder at her. She is hanging back with Sabine.
Orik?Vari buzzes me.
I turn to face him. His eyes are large and yellow flecked with orange and at the moment they are filled with concern, not a hunger to mate.
The one called Bridget, with long dark hair.
He studies her for several heartbeats, with a mix of confusion and worry.They are not Honey.
They call themselves Human. They sailed through the stars to find a home here. Their tribe has three women for each man.
Edilk is explaining the rules their tribe set when they gave us the women. Yva and Hrad scowl.
Vari’s expression also tightens.You bringthree women, two of which have already chosen—
Four, Adilt chased after another.I hope he is alive, and that he has found her. Although, given the way they fought, it might be better if he gave up the chase and returned to the ship alone. I do not want to believe that she harmed him or took him to the colony.
And Tiril?
Went with the human men. That was the trade for the women.
