Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 91775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 367(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Knock knock,” calls a voice at the entrance to my hut.
It’s Flor. Wow. I’m popular today it seems.
“Eh, I was just leaving,” Liz says. “We’ll see you guys off in the morning. Until then, if you need anything else, just speak up and we’ll make it happen.” She pauses again and gives me a searching look. “This is really brave of you, by the way.”
Is it? I don’t have the time to ask her what she means, because she ducks out, and in walks Flor. She’s got a hefty not-potato root with her and holds it out to me. “I brought this. Everyone says you’re packing goodies for a feast for Rem’eb’s people, and what’s a Not-Hoth feast without not-potato, right?”
Oh, a feast. Is that what they think all the food is for? I guess I’m far more mercenary, but a feast is a good idea. It’ll seem friendly and welcoming, and show them the kinds of foods we have to offer if we ever want to set up trade. I take it from her and set it with the herbs. At this rate, I’m going to be so laden with gifts they’re going to have to tug me along behind Rem’eb on a sled. “Thanks, Flor. This is perfect.”
Flor keeps smiling, watching me closely. She doesn’t leave once it’s handed over, and I can sense she’s waiting to ask me something. It’s obvious from her antsy body language. “So I’m just going to ask,” she blurts out after a moment. “You’re not leaving because of me and I’rec, are you? Because you know you’re welcome here and it’s absolutely not personal and we’d love for you to stay.”
I knew this was coming. I shake my head. “It’s not you guys. I promise.”
“You know you’re one of us and I would hate for you to feel like we ran you off.” Her eyes are worried as she sits down across from me. “I know things have been weird since you returned, and trust me, they’ve been weird for me, too.”
“It’s okay,” I reassure her. “You and I’rec honestly seem perfect together. He listens to you in a way he never listened to me. And I don’t miss him. I think I had an idea in my head that we’d end up together since it had taken so long for both of us to resonate, but I know now that I was just waiting for Rem’eb. I love him, and I want to help him fix things with his people.”
She doesn’t look convinced. “If you’re sure…”
“If the tables were turned, wouldn’t you want to help I’rec with his people? They’re his family.”
Flor’s worried smile changes to a confident one. She reaches out and clasps my hand. “Family can be chosen. You know you’re family here, too, right? And if things don’t work out below, I hope you’ll come back. And even if they do work out, I hope you’ll visit.”
I smile and squeeze her hand and I feel strangely, completely at peace. “Absolutely.”
Chapter
Thirty-Six
REM’EB
My spirit feels lighter with every step towards my people’s caverns. I am going home. I am returning with my mate, and I am going to fix everything that is broken.
I have seen how the people above live, and they do not split themselves up in fear of sicknesses. Raahosh mentioned that their people had a great sickness many turns of the seasons ago—around the same time our people did—and they lost many of their tribe. But they did not hide away the women they had left, and the sickness has not returned. This is important. It means we can tear down the wall and have no fear of destroying our people.
Knowing that the sickness is nothing to fear any longer means we can change everything.
We set off from Tia’s village with bags full of food and herbs, along with thick, beautiful furs that are soft to the touch. My mate touches my hand as we walk, a smile on her face, the humming of her khui as contented as my own. Vivi and Skarr are with us, along with Noj’me and Colleen. The Attendant chatters non-stop to Colleen, telling her all about what kinds of foods we eat below, and which ones she thinks the humans will enjoy. Devi and her mate N’dek wanted to join us but had already committed to helping with the new arrivals in the village. Judging from the wistful look on her face, they will be coming to the Village of Those Who Remain as soon as they are free. Also with us is K’thar, his mate Lauren, their son and their strange winged pet, who looks too closely like the flyers in the caves that make such tasty eating.
I…have not pointed this last part out yet.
It does not take long before we have returned to the forbidden garden, the place Tia’s people simply call “the fruit cave.” Stepping into the heat feels like coming home. The moment we enter, everyone peels off heavy layers of fur, groaning with pleasure at the warmth.