“Same. I do not want it to be accidental. I want to be chosen.” I glance at the paused screen, and then at the markings I made all around the cell. “But I do not want to make things more difficult for you, if all theshitdoes not go well.”
“If it does not go well, then things are going to be difficult for me. If you’re my mate, it will be you who suffers from not being with me.”
“So we are agreed. We will do nothing?” Have I just agreed to not be mates? Why am I agreeing to that? I want Chloe to choose me. I want to know what it’s like to have a mate. I have spent far too much time imagining what it might feel like to be in her, and to go through the rut.
“I think so. We need to see what happens. The next time I come to see you, it will be to release you, and you will need to be ready to fight. The soldiers will not let you walk away.”
“Understood. Is there anything I should do before then?”
She shakes her head. “No, but I would like to record you again. It may be used when they reveal your existence, so we need to plan what you should say.”
When the colony learns that I exist, will they panic, or will they be glad to know they share this world with people who have been living here forever? What if the soldiers cross the ocean to attack my people? Forfeiting my life is one thing, but causing the death of others…
“I will ask them to leave my people in peace. We do not want this continent. My brothers and I came for adventure.” And we found it. “Perhaps my brothers can be contacted, and they can join the colony?”
“I have already suggested that. And I’m sure there are a couple of women who will want to choose Hrad and Yva.”
I snort. “It will take a brave woman to take on Yva, and I’m not sure Hrad is seeking a mate.”
She shrugs. “Then he can always say no.”
“He can…but when you ask, I won’t.”
20
CHLOE
For the next couple of days, I continue as if nothing has changed. I write up my research and I run other tests on Tiril’s samples. His markings are fascinating, as is the way he can generate electricity…though that research I am keeping to myself. I add more information about the animals and plants and his people farms them. I also been able to confirm that we have at least two similar crop plants nearby.
This research would be much faster if Tiril was able to go out in the field to search and collect plants himself. And while we have the wild versions here, they aren’t the domesticated ones that the Honey use.
The same applies to the animals.
I don’t know how long it will take to domesticate the animals or plants we need for survival. Hopefully not too long.
After work, I meet Patrick and his sister for a run. I’m sure word will reach the leaders that I ignored their advice to stop running. For the moment, getting out and exercising is something I need to do for my own sanity.
I don’t ask the obvious question, instead we talk about coworkers and how the food in the mess hall has been the samefor the last three days. Is that because we are short on supplies? Or did these supplies need using up before they went bad?
Instead of running, we should be out foraging for edible plants. Well, they are edible for the Honey. We are trying to determine if they are edible for us. So far, the results look promising, and they are high in nutrients.
It’s Mandy who raises the topic we shouldn’t be speaking about. “I’m all set up and looking forward to lunch tomorrow. Are you?” She gives me a pointed look.
It takes me a moment to catch up with the conversation, because I was thinking about the plants. “I can be.”
“Not can be, will be,” Patrick says.
“Yes, I will be. I start at nine so…” I stop and do the math. “We should be done by ten.”
“Good. Do not deviate from the plan.”
I bite my lip. I know he wants me to go to the hydro station and stay away from the colony, but I feel as though Tiril and I would be better off helping instead of hiding. “What about you? If it’s too dangerous for me, it’s too dangerous for you.”
Mandy shakes her head. “You have to protect the asset.”
I snort and nearly trip over my own feet. Patrick sticks out of hand and catches me before I do.
“I think he will be protecting me. And what if… What if it’s never safe?”
