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But this morning, my mate only sighs and burrows deeper under the blankets. She needs her sleep. I press a kiss to her shoulder and ease out of the furs, getting dressed and pulling on my boots. I will get fresh snow to melt so she can bathe and enough for a tea. There is probably a warm breakfast by the main fire, but R’slind has been avoiding it. She also avoids the newcomers and spends most of her time in our hut, which worries me.
Something has changed in her since we have returned, and I worry that her troubles are not fading. I know she has nightmares. I know she worries that she is not “real.” It makes me feel like a terrible mate that I cannot help her with these things. V’ronca and S’teph both say to give it time, so I am. But it is difficult, because I want to make everything better for my sweet mate, my charming, funny, clever R’slind.
My khui hums a loud song of protest as I leave the hut behind. It wants me to return to my mate, to claim her again, to plant my kit inside her. Despite three days of pleasures in the furs, we yet resonate. I know it is yet another thing that worries R’slind, but I pretend it does not bother me. Some resonances take longer. W’lla and Gren both resonated for an exhausting length of time before the healer helped things along. I have heard rumor that V’ronca is helping them again. If that is what we must do, then that is what we must do.
Rubbing my chest, I consider this even as I head for the main fire, where the others gather every morning. As I approach, I see I’rec with R’hosh and K’thar. He waves me over, and I head toward them, curious what the leaders of our groups are discussing.
“You are just in time,” I’rec says. “We are planning scouting missions.”
“Scouting missions?” I echo. “What for?”
K’thar crosses two of his arms, and a third hand strokes his pet flyer, tucked in a warm, furry sling around his neck. “There is no sign of the two newcomers that your mate said she spotted. We need to find them—or their bodies. If they are alive, they might need help. If nothing else, they need to know we are friendly.”
“Friendly to the female, at least,” I’rec corrects. “If the male has hurt the female, he is not welcome here. I would not have him anywhere near my F’lor.”
R’hosh casts an irritated look in I’rec’s direction. “As if any of us would want such a male near our mates.”
I’rec scowls back.
“What about A’tar?” I suggest. The drakoni is a natural choice for scouting. He shifts forms and takes to the skies every day, even when there is no hunting needed.
“Ash-tar is busy,” R’hosh says. “He will be taking Sessah and Sam to Croatoan. His mate is uncomfortable around the newcomers and he asked to visit his family for a time.”
I think of Sam, the attractive, friendly female who recently resonated to Sessah and who obsesses over the shrimp tea the females make. It seems odd that she would not like the newcomers. I think she would like my R’slind, but perhaps not? “Is something wrong?”
R’hosh shrugs. “He says she has her reasons and I did not pry.”
“I am concerned about the metlak,” K’thar states. “Those pose a threat to all of us if they are gathering.”
“And do not forget those dwelling underground,” I point out. “None of our caves are safe until Set’nef and his brother can check them and assure us that they have not been breached. The ancestors could have secret passages in them, or a rock moved into place to hide a connecting tunnel. When I spoke with Set’nef about it, he said most stayed deep underground, but there are a few that explore, and one of them stole R’slind.”
R’hosh rubs his face, thinking.
“Should we get Leezh?” K’thar asks in amusement. “If you cannot decide?”
R’hosh shoots him a furious look. “My mate is not leaving camp until the dangers have been dealt with.”
“Does she know this?” I’rec prompts, and earns another withering glare from R’hosh. “That is a ‘no’ then.”
“Oh, this will end well,” K’thar mutters.
R’hosh glares at him next. “I would solve this between us, the leaders of the varying clans,” he emphasizes. “Leezh is very capable but we also have young daughters. Raashel will be an adult in a few more turns of the seasons and do you think I am going to let some underground dweller snatch her away? Like they did Ros-lan?” He straightens, indignant at the thought. “Leezh will protect our daughters here in camp, and I will ensure the mountains around us are safe. There are four of us right here. We can split tasks and manage them. Now, are you helping or not?”
