I turn to him in surprise. "I didn't think you wanted to let anyone know where our cave was."
"At some point we need to trust someone. It's getting more dangerous. I'm not sure I'll be enough to protect you. And at some point I need to go track down the purple woman."
I realize with a start that he means the one from the river. "It was Amethyst?"
He nods.
"You would still go search for her?"
"Of course I will, Ree. I just need you safe when I do it. I know I overreacted before but—"
It's me who cuts him off this time. "No. I wasn't being rational. I've been struggling since . . . well, since they took me."
I'm trembling again.
I wipe away another tear and try to get myself under control. I'm sick of crying tonight.
There's a light pressure on my knee and I look down to see Thivoll's long, black scaled fingers tentatively touching me. Just the very tip, clearly poised to be snatched back if I don't like it.
I reach forward and grip his hand tight, my smaller hand no longer contrasting with his now that it's covered in the same black scales.
So strange, but it feels right somehow. And then I realize that all I have to do is pivot my hand and my white palm shows through.
I still have the same core.
Huh.
I can still help people, but maybe it's time I took a cue from my own shifting biology.
Maybe it's time to make sure I protect myself, too.
53
Thivoll
Once she grabs my hand, hundreds of tense muscles relax all at once.
I'm glad I didn't let my fear rule me. I'm hopeful she will be more careful, but if she isn't, I'll just have to do what I can to protect her.
Us not rushing off the moment I mentioned the prey male is a promising sign, though it might be a temporary lull in how hard she drives herself.
I suppose the best way to know is to ask.
"What do you want to do?"
She takes a deep breath, but doesn't answer right away. I take it as an excellent sign and keep myself still, careful to not rush her.
"Do you think you could get us close and scale a tree as I call out to them?"
"Sure."
"How about I take some supplies and offer them? I don't want to tell them where our cave is yet, though. I'd rather talk with them a couple times at least. Maybe even do a raid together first."
Apparently I had even more tense muscles than I thought because they loosen, too.
I approve of her new levels of caution.
"I think that is an excellent plan."
