My ears prick to Zaku’s words and I lean against the wall to listen.
“If you force her out, you know what will happen,” Daisy argues. “She doesn’t deserve what Gemma and I have gone through, not when I can prevent it.”
Zaku grunts in response. “More males are showing up, willing to risk my ire. Her being here, and unmated, puts you and the children at greater risk—hasput the children at risk.”
“Has it though? None of them have tried breaking in, and many have tried speaking to you first.”
“Most though not all.” There’s a short pause. “She has been given time to choose a male, and has made no attempt at doing so?—
“—she doesn’t want a male, she wants to leave.”
“Then she can leave!”
“Zaku! Hush. She might hear us.”
I frown and release a quiet breath, glancing at the kids and then out the window.
“I chased out three males last night.” Zaku hisses. “But that is not all…” Their voices lower and my brow furrows, trying hard to make out his next words.
I knew he was going out at night recently though I didn’t know it was to scare off the suitors. “Last night there were more than just bride-hungry malessss here,” his voice lowers ominously, making me lean closer to the door. My brows furrow as I try to focus on their hushed voices. “I saw and spoke to two humans last night.”
Daisy’s tone drops in response, slowing with apprehension. “What do you mean? Humans? Not… soldiers?”
Right then, one of Daisy’s boys wakes with a cough and whine. I swivel toward the slumbering pile as her other two older boys shift around in response, grumbling their displeasure at the smallest one. The one with the tail coils it up and into his arms and hugs it against him, settling back down into sleep.
Scooping the youngest into my arms, his tail immediately coils around my arm as his tiny hands grasp my shirt. Cradling him, I shush and rock him back and forth. The little boy, Daisy’s newest born, Zuzu, tucks his squishy face into my chest. Petting his back, I gently rock him, tucking a soft hide around him while shuffling us towards the window. Some of Zuzu’s cries lessen when I walk into a ray of warm sunlight.
Drifting my eyes over the trees once more, the Boa is gone. Thank god. The last thing I want is Daisy to see him.
Patting Zuzu’s back and swaying him gently in my arms, his eyes flutter closed.
Zaku saw two humans last night? I missed the rest of Daisy and Zaku’s conversation.
My eyes move to the sky, where, a week ago, several ships had appeared only to fly north and out of everyone’s sight. Neither ship looked to be a part ofThe Dreadnaut’smilitary.
Maybe it is time to take my chances and leave. And try again.
With the arrival of more ships, and now a Boa—a type of naga that terrifies Daisy—maybe it’s a sign.
Zaku never wanted me here to begin with, and has made it very clear that if I did not pick a male for a protector, he would pick one for me. The only reason it hasn’t come to pass is because of Daisy’s interference.
Regardless, I can’t rely on her help forever. I’m causing strain in their relationship even if I’m making myself helpful by taking on the role of a nanny for her. We’ve become good friends, and I know, if I left without a plan and a safe place to go, she’d worry.
I just can’t stay here indefinitely. Every minute I’m here, the more of a burden I become. I hate it.
But the only thing outside waiting for me are encampments and male nagas.
The military could use their interrogation techniques on me and I could divulge everything—including the location of this place and potentially put Daisy, Zaku, and their children in danger. After all that has happened, I can’t do that to them. If I head to an encampment, I need to have my story straight and my wits about me.
Pressing a kiss to Zuzu’s brow, I gently settle him back among his slumbering siblings.
I’d spent my life training as a soldier, and they’ve betrayed me. I had my chance to return to that life, and I didn’t take it, couldn’t fathom going back to something I hated doing anyway. As much as I like being able to shoot a gun and protect myself, the only reason I ever joined the ranks was to get out of the dregs. It was the only way out of the ship’s slums.
Heading back to the window, I stare where the Boa was, waiting for him to reappear, wishing, in the back of my mind, adifferent naga would appear in his stead. After a minute, I bury my face into my hands and rub it with my palms.
Usually I can trust my instincts. At the time, I thought following Laura away from theWinged Ransomand coming here was the best thing for me to do… but now?
After six months of pseudo-captivity?
