AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"At least we don't live on Ecekom where even the rocks want to eat you." She tried to smile, but it wavered. "I think we need to talk about moving, Tiehro."
They'd spent what remained of their savings to move to this little hut situated in the trees, over an hour's walk from Dohahtee and any other place with people and commerce. All in the desperate hope that distance from others in the psychic races would protect them. It hadn't.
And if Tiehro and Salanca followed the path of so many others of their races before them, there would come a point when they would not wake from the nightmares. When they would simply be—trapped. To her knowledge, no one had woken up from those comas yet. Perhaps they never would. If one fell, she might be able to manage to keep that one alive. But if both fell?
He didn't look up at her.
She forced her voice to be stronger. "I think we need to move back to where there are people who can help us. We won't be able to do this alone."
Tiehro stiffened. He straightened his shoulders and then gave her the most casual smile he could manage, the tightness in his expression wavering with his pain. "It'll be fine, Bunny. We'll find a way. Not planning on collapsing any time soon. This house is for you. To make sure you aren't without something."
The floorboards creaked beneath her feet. All for her. Part of her hated this little house, even though she knew they wanted her to have it with good intentions. "I know you're concerned about—"
He scoffed. "No. It isn't that." His eyes darted toward her, his expression slightly guilty as if he were trying to construct a poor half-truth. "I will not enter that place until I have no choice. I will not be near it until there is no choice. I might even rather die. If I fall here, I fall. You owe me nothing. I don't expect you to drag my comatose husk to their door." As his words sharpened, he winced. "I'm sorry," he said, softer this time. "Just the paranoia."
Rubbing the back of her neck, she tried to seem as calm and confident as before. He'd never been paranoid or suspicious before, but, even so, she wouldn't blame him for fearing Dohahtee. The psychic quarantine quarters were unpleasant for anyone to consider. Her own pulse quickened in fear at the thought of going that far underground with so many. But she was certain that it was largely because he didn't want this house to be taken from her. Moving to Dohahtee and paying for lodgings would likely require losing this house, small as it was. And then she would be homeless and without prospects once Tiehro and Salanca left on their own important journeys. Both off on their way to grand purposes and plans while she was left to putter around this place.
"If you want to go stay in Dohahtee, that isn't a bad idea," he continued. He crossed to the cracked basin on the far side of the room. The little cooking area was small enough that if he spread out his wings, he would easily fill it. "I can take care of this house. You could see about taking out credit against my name. If they'll give it."
"I'm not leaving either of you unless it's to do something that helps. But they do have medicines there and physicians who might be able to give you relief."
"The relief isn't worth the risk," he said. "Mark my words. Go in there. Only some of us come out. The rest—chopped up probably."
"They wouldn't do that—"
"None of us know what they would do. There are stories. Some of which are true. And it only takes one or two." He dragged his hand over his face, then blinked slowly. With a shuddering sigh, he picked up the squat stone kettle and checked the water within. "We wouldn't know until it's too late. We just—we have to find another solution. And we will, Bunny. But it won't involve selling this house. This house belongs to us—to you."
If she hadn't been worried before, she'd be worried now. He only used their childhood nicknames when he was deeply troubled. She hugged her arms around her middle, her fingers curling against her coral tunic. "Is there anything we could do to make Dohahtee feel safe and keep this house?"
He laughed ruefully. "If only it were that simple."
A weak smile pulled at his mouth. It didn’t even come close to reaching his eyes. “It’ll be fine. I promise. We’re going to find a solution for this. The Paras and the council and everyone will figure out something. It’s been a few weeks anyway. They’re probably this close to finding the answer. Just wait and see, Bunny. Everything is good.”
Her heart broke. "All right, Chickadee."
His smile pulled a little higher as he set the kettle on the stove.
Tears stung the backs of her eyes, and she released a slow breath, trying to regain control of herself. "They probably won't call you that when you join your new sodiwa."
"If—"
"There are no ifs." Sniffing, she rubbed her hand over her eyes, then crossed to the cupboard. Inside the deep shelves sat a variety of clay pots, covered baskets, and slim tins. "We both could use some tea. Salanca too once she gets back."
He peered out past the fur curtains that had been wedged up over the window frame to let the air in. "She's been gone too long. Should have been back over an hour ago."
"She said that was the earliest she'd be back. She's probably just following her lead."
Shaking his head, he kept his hand tight over the handle of the kettle. "Still…if she isn't back in the hour, we should go find her."
"Stop worrying." Salanca pushed through the door, her gait uneven for two steps and her Neyeb betrothal necklace twisted about. She shot him an almost playful glare, though her face was pale and beaded with sweat. Her long brown-black braid was damp, and her cheeks had heavy red streaks. "If I was going to die, I'd do it with far more dignity or dramatics."
"Or both." Rhea hurried to her. These two both struggling to stay on their feet and battling bouts of dizziness made her even less enthused with staying in a house thirty feet above the ground.
Salanca shook her head as she shooed her back, her heavy grey cloak swung with the movement, flashing the embroidered and beaded designs within. "No need for dying today, my loves. I have what we need. Everything is going to be fine now."
She set her lips in a tight line, not certain she believed this. Salanca was always coming up with crazy plans and strange schemes of one sort or another.
"How?" Tiehro demanded, hand still on the kettle.
