“He was lucky the beasts’ claws only punctured him twice.” Edilk lifts his arm and hooks his pointer finger. “They are equipped with a savage claw on each front limb.”
He gives me a look, which I now recognize as when he wants to say something silently, so I touch his arm as I speak. “They sound ferocious.”
They were running from another predator. It is only because they have such large claws that we can lie about the stabbing. He was partially protected by the tree. We think his kam was damaged when an animal collided with him, smashing his head into the tree.
“They were not so bad,” Tiril says to keep the conversation going. “It was the golden furred beast chasing them. That was rather more terrifying.”
I let my hand fall away, having been given a far too clear image of the stampeding beats and the thing that chased them. I’ve seen pictures of the animals that used to live on Earth, but the animals they were hunting are too strange for me to compare them to anything. I’m sure a scientist is working on naming and categorizing the animals and plants on this world.
“It won’t be as good to eat, but we brought it back with us. It will make nice leather.” Edilk says aloud.
“And good jerky,” Tiril adds.
They do not seem overly worried about Yva. “You really think he’ll be okay?”
Edilk nods. “I will walk you to your room.”
I’m sure he says something silently to Tiril as I sense the static. I don’t argue with him, even though I am quite capable of walking through the compound on my own.
It’s dark now, and very few people are walking around. Exhaustion sweeps through me, and for the first time in several days, I will be sleeping alone. And so will Yva.
“I’m worried it might happen again.” I keep my voice low and hope Edilk understands that I’m not talking about the dangers of hunting.
“We all are,” he says softly.
“What will you do?”
“For the moment, nothing. Because there is nothing we can do without making the situation worse. Did the man take a chance, or if he was acting on orders? Either way, there are plenty of people who do not like that we are here.”
I don’t understand why people, men and women, are so upset. “Does that mean you’re considering leaving?”
“No.” He stares up at the stars for a moment. “None of us have anything to go back to. We have joined our mates’ tribe. This is our home, and we will make the best of it.” He smiles. “Though we will make mention of the negative sentiment being expressed.”
“I wish I hadn’t waited. That he knows I want him to be my mate.”
“Not every mating starts smoothly, but Yva enjoyed all the time he spent with you, getting to know you. He is very good at getting what he wants. No doubt it is something he learned from his mother.”
“It took me a while to realize that he chose me.”
Edilk laughs. “He did, and he was enjoying waiting for you to catch up.”
Now I’m waiting for him to wake up.
20
YVA
There is an ache in my head, a buzzing that will not stop, and every breath is sharp. I struggle to wake up and open my eyes. When I do, all I see are the gray walls of the human buildings.
But I am not in my room.
“Be still,” Edilk says. “You are hurt and held together with stitches.” He touches my arm.Do not mention the stabbing.
It takes me a couple of heartbeats to piece together my memories, even with the help of his words. I was sure I was dead. I never expected to wake up in the colony.
“Harper?”
“Has been to see you. I will fetch her if you want to see her.”
