"No." Her response was immediate and filled with fear. But Zonaton could also tell she was gathering herself for a fight. "No. You're my home. This is my home. I'm not going back to the village, at least not to live there. I'll go there at the Elders' request, but that's all. That's all, Zon." She paused, and he saw her lower lip tremble. "Can they make me go back? Can they take me away from you?"
He took the bowl from her grasp and sat it to the side, then clasped her hands in his. I will protect you with my last breath. I will do everything within my power to keep you with me. You must also remember that, by the laws of your own species, you are an adult. You cannot be made to do anything against your will.
She pulled her hands away and stood. Throwing her arms around his neck, she buried her face in the soft leathery folds and pressed her body against his. Zonaton responded automatically, drawing her tightly to him as he reveled in the feelings that radiated from her. A familiar stirring deep within his groin started to respond, but he mentally pounded it into submission. He could never let Emmala know how she was beginning to affect him. The knowledge would repulse her, and possibly drive her away. Fighting his own body's growing demand, he held her as he became increasingly aware of her soft skin and firm musculature.
After a long while, she finally lifted her head. "Take me back to the fields tomorrow."
To meet with the boy again?
"Yes."
Want me to stay with you?
"No. He fears you."
I understand. I will use that time to check on the miners again.
"Does anyone watch them when you're not there?"
They are always under watch. Sometimes three of us. Sometimes two. If you wish, I will remain at the site until you call for me.
She gave his neck another squeeze. "Thank you. Maybe I can talk him into bringing my brother with him next time." A brightness shone within her, and she leaned back to show him her smile. "I have a brother, Zon."
I am delighted as well.
"I want to talk to him. I want to find out if he's...if Mommy treats him..."
He gently ran his talons through her thick hair. I felt no darkness within him, Emmala. Maybe because he is a male, he has been spared her atrocities.
"I hope so." She pressed a kiss to the side of his huge, curved beak. "I love you, Zon."
Instead of replying, Zonaton ran his hand down her back. She responded by cuddling closer. The heat from the fire behind him was cooling, but the fire in his belly became fiercer, forcing him to clamp down harder on his emotions. This moment was too precious to let go of her. Swiveling his head, he sent a single weak energy pulse at the rock. Gradually, the cave grew warmer to the point where he could release her.
You need to finish your meal, and I need to finish mine, or else my rumbling stomach will keep us both awake all night.
Emmala laughed, gave his beak a second kiss, and returned to her bowl of stew. He watched her for another minute, then went back to his haunch. Nothing more was said that evening about the council, the villagers, her mother, or making another trip to the berry field. But later, when they lay down together on the pallet to sleep, he couldn't help himself, and held her close to his heart.
He had allayed her fears. Now he had to fight his own. He had told her the truth, but there was much he hadn't said. The last thing he could admit to her was the demons he now fought on nearly a daily basis, ever since that moment he noticed her not as a little girl, but as a fully-fleshed woman. Only time would tell if they would continue to be Paired, or if he would be ordered to let her go.
And if the moment came when he could no longer be with her, Zonaton knew his existence as a geron would be over.
Chapter Thirteen
The Plan
She was waiting for him when he arrived at the house.
"Well?"
"Yeah, I talked to her."
"Did you tell her what that monster did to me?"
"Yes, I did."
"What did she say?"
"She called you a liar."
The woman became livid. Stomping across the room, she paused in front of a wall, facing away from him. Seconds passed. Her heavy breathing calmed. When she finally turned around, Hawse was taken aback by the expression on her face. Before he could comment, or take a step toward the door to leave, she jerked her sleeves up.
"I'm lying? She says I'm lying? You tell me. Is this a lie?"
He stared at the livid red marks on the woman's arms. The nearly foot-long scratches ran from her wrists to her elbows. Hawse frowned.
"Why are they so red? They look fresh."
"I don't know! That thing must have infected me. There's no telling what kinds of diseases those animals carry."
"Have you gone to the clinic?"
"They did what they could do, but there's so much about this planet we don't know about. There are probably spores and all kinds of dangerous and poisonous life out there we don't know about, and never will because those creatures are keeping us prisoners here."
She sounded panicked and afraid. More than that, she sounded angry.
"That monster attacked me because I wanted my Emmala to come home. I wanted my own flesh-and-blood daughter home with us, her real family, where she belongs. She belongs with us, not with that alien!"
He could feel her anger gather within himself. Felt it spread from his center outward, infusing heat into his blood, until he was forced to grit his teeth. She was right about that. Emmala belonged with her own kind.
"She wants to see me again," he told the woman. The comment seemed to placate her.
"She does? That's good. When?"
"I have to keep an eye on the sky. She's going to get Zonaton―"
"Don't say that name in this house!" the woman almost screamed.
Hawse took a deep breath. "She's going to ask the geron to take her back to the berry field again."
"When?" Kell repeated, eyes narrowed.
"Soon. It'll have to be soon. The plunderberries only stay ripe for a short amount of time."
Emmala's mother smiled, but there no warmth in it. "That's right. They have a short season." Pulling down her sleeves, she took several steps toward the young man. "You did well. Thank you, Hawse. Hopefully, you'll help me convince my daughter to return to us. Remember." She laid a hand on his shoulder. "Do whatever you must. Say whatever you think you must tell her."
"What if I can't?"
The grip on his shoulder tightened until it was nearly too painful to bear. He winced, but the woman's fingers continued to dig into skin and muscle. Hawse shrugged to try and break her hold, but her nails bit deeper. He wondered if she would draw blood.
"You must. There's no other way. She won't listen to me or her father. That monster has her under his control. Probably has her hypnotized, or something. You're our last chance. Our last hope."
The comment reminded him of what Emmala had said about communicating with the geron. It was very possible the young woman was being held under some kind of mind control. "But I thought the councilmen were going to demand she be returned."
Kell grimaced. "Ferrus is there now, trying to come up with some sort of plan, but we expect those aliens won't listen to us, much less do what we ask. They're too big and too powerful, and they outnumber us." Finally releasing his shoulder, she gently patted Hawse on the cheek. "Was she happy to see you?"
"Yeah." He tried to rub the numbness out of his arm. "She didn't recognize me at first. Not until I told her who I was. Then she hugged me."
The woman appeared surprised. "She did? That's good to hear." Emmala's mother smiled again, and this time it was genuine. "My daughter's grown into a beautiful young woman, in spite of what that monster's done to her."
"Done to her? Like what?" Hawse stared at Kell. This woman frightened him. She could run hot or cold at the snap of her fingers. Although he was horrified and incensed like the rest of the villagers after the geron attacked her, this whole scenario she was cooking up to get everyone to defy
the aliens just to get Emmala back felt wrong. He couldn't explain why, but somehow some things felt out of place, as if several pieces were missing from the overall puzzle. But like most of the townsfolk, he hated the restrictions placed on them by the creatures. That's why he had joined the Alliance, to find a way to stop the gerons from dominating the villages and keeping the inhabitants virtual prisoners, as they had for more than three generations.
Fortunately, Kell didn't answer, which was almost a relief. Hawse glanced at the front door, anxious to leave the house and this situation, which had suddenly and inexplicably become very unpleasant.
"I think I need to get back home before my folks start worrying about me."
The woman nodded and gave him a little wave with the back of her hand. "You're right. Go. We don't want anyone becoming suspicious. Otherwise, this plan may not work."
Hawse paused again. The plan may not work? What plan? Was she talking about the council's decision to approach the geron Elders? Or was there something else? Why would Kell make such a comment that it would make others suspicious? When she had first approached him about trying to make contact with Emmala, and convince the girl to come home, he had seen nothing wrong with the idea. In fact, it sounded like a very reasonable suggestion from a mother who missed her child.
Now, he wasn't so sure. And that doubt made him very uncomfortable.
Bidding the woman a good evening, Hawse hurried away from the house, and realized for the first time that in all the conversations he'd had with Emmala's mother, not once had Ferrus, Emmala's father, been present. It made him wonder if that was coincidence. Or arranged.
Regardless, it only increased his uneasiness.
Chapter Fourteen
The Conversation
"Zon?"
Yes?
She saw the geron pause in his grooming to look at her, giving her his whole attention. It was one of many reasons that endeared him to her. He was willing to focus solely on her, rather than give her a portion of his time while he did something else.
"Why didn't you ever take a mate? Or have children of your own?"
I never encountered a female I cared to keep.
Emmala knew there were female gerons, but they normally kept to the mountains and tended to the young. Only the males interacted with the settlers.
"Would you have Paired with me if you'd had a mate?"
No.
"Why not?"
Only the unattached are allowed to guard the settlers.
She worked her fingers through her tangled wet hair. It was an annoyance after cleaning it, but if she waited until it was dry, her hair would be impossible to comb. "Bet you were lonely a lot."
There were times, he admitted. Cocking his head, he peered at her. Why are you asking?
Emmala paused from trying to remove a particularly troublesome knot. Zonaton took a step toward her. He was concerned, and it emanated from him like a visible wall.
Are you lonely, Emmala? Do you wish for other companionship?
He was asking her if she wanted to be with someone who was more like her. Someone human. Someone who could give her what he couldn't. He had broached the topic before, but as she had in the past, she shook her head, lowering her eyes.
"You're all the companionship I want."
Something flashed in his eyes. She couldn't read the expression, but she got the feeling he was relieved by what she said. He continued to watch her, waiting for her to continue. When she didn't, he assumed their conversation was over and went back to preening his wings. She watched his meticulous movements.
"Sometimes I wish I was a geron."
Her remarked surprised him.
Why?
Because then I could love you the way gerons love. The answer remained unspoken and unheard, kept locked inside her heart and mind where he couldn't hear it. Instead, she gave a little shrug of her shoulders. "Because I would love to fly."
I take you flying every day.
"It's not the same thing." She gave him an impish grin. "You know what I mean."
Yes, I do. But having wings and being able to fly is serious. It is not always meant for fun.
"Really? You're telling me you've never flown just for the pure enjoyment of it?" she teased. Her remark was on target. There had been many instances in the past where they had traversed mountain tops and skimmed plateaus or low-lying areas on the planet simply to sightsee.
Well...maybe once.
"And I wish I had scales like you."
Oh?
She sighed dramatically. "Clothes can be a hindrance. You're always having to repair or replace them. But scales grow naturally. They overlap so the rain doesn't make your skin wet and cold. And if you lose one, another grows in its place. Plus, they cover your secret places." Holding out a lock of her long hair, she arranged it so it covered the tip of one round breast. "Maybe I can use my hair instead of wearing clothes, and save them for when I need to go into the village."
Hair is not effective when the wind blows. Nor will it protect you from the cold and wet.
She flipped the long strands over one shoulder. "Yeah. You're right. But you have to admit that there is one thing about being a geron that is the best part."
Which is?
"It's when you make fire come out of your mouth."
More correctly, it comes from the back of my throat. And before it gets to my throat, I must belch it up from my stomach.
"Plus, don't forget you're strong."
As are our females.
She cocked her head at him. "So male and female gerons are the same?"
To a point. They cannot make the fire.
That part she didn't know. "But other than that, you're alike?"
Zonaton mentally smiled at her. They bear children. Our males cannot do that.
He had her there, and Emmala laughed. The score was even.
She saw him lift his wings, and knew what was coming next. She didn't have enough time to seek cover when the geron shook himself, sending droplets of water flying everywhere. Emmala shrieked as the cold liquid came in contact with her bare skin. "You did that on purpose!" she accused with a grin, wiping droplets from her face.
Yes, I did. What do you intend on doing about it?
Laughing joyfully, she jumped up and ran over to him to throw her arms around his damp neck. Squeezing hard, she planted kisses all over the side of his beak.
"I'm going to hold on to you until you beg for me to release you."
She wasn't prepared for the solemn gaze he gave her, or his reply.
Then you will never let me go, because I will never want you to.
It was a moment she would always remember.
Akrim
Why was I summoned here?
Because we sense you are coming to the end of this life, Zonaton. Furthermore, we have not seen any preparations coming from you.
He stared in shock and disbelief at the Elders' pronouncement. I must disagree with you. Why must I make preparations when I have not felt any of the signs which point to it?
We must disagree with you. The signs are there. We have seen them. But we took into consideration that you may not have been aware of them because of your involvement with the human. Or, if you are aware of them, we thought you have either denied them or ignored them. That is why we called you here. To see if you are aware, and if not, to notify you so that you have enough time to make your final plans.
Zonaton stood straighter. Fear made his inner muscles tremble. Tell me what signs you have observed that I have missed. He knew his voice would betray his rising panic, and make it seem as if he was trying to order the Elders about. But it couldn't be helped. Furthermore, he had a sneaking suspicion about the Elders' motive in telling him. He knew their concern about the Paired had escalated ever since Emmala's parents accused him of attacking the mother. He could only thank the heavens that they could not read his mind. Otherwise, they would know of his attraction to her, and that could cause indescribable problems.
Tell me that you have not called me here to tell me of my upcoming death because it will mean the end of my Pairing with Emmala.
The Elder gerons paused, and their hesitation was the true answer.
You are looking for a way to separate me from Emmala. He did not hold back his anger in the accusation. You have been negative about our Pairing since its inception because you are afraid of the humans!
We do not fear the humans. We are afraid of what our future will be if the humans break their barriers and travel to the other side of the planet. If they manage to discover our other lives—
What if they do?
One of the oldest gerons limped forward to face Zonaton. You knew you were taking a huge risk Pairing with the human female at your advanced age. You knew there was the chance you could pass over before her own death.
That I did, Akrim. But humans would not understand about our passing. They do not have a second life. They have only the one, short as it is, compared to ours.
Laying a hand on Zonaton's shoulder, Akrim's lavender eyes bespoke of his pity and sorrow. Then you know you cannot take her with you when you pass over.
Although he had known it, Zonaton had never said it aloud, or even dwelled on it. It was too painful to consider, too heartbreaking to accept. Drooping his head, he sighed. I am aware of that. I have been aware of that for quite some time.
Eventually, once you are gone, she will have to return to her own people.
His head jerked up. No.
Zonaton, she cannot survive up in the mountains alone.
And I said no! I will not allow those humans to treat her with such callous disregard again. I promised her I would protect her.
For the rest of your days, Akrim acknowledged. Unfortunately, you are reaching that point when you will have no choice but to abandon her.
No! I will find a way. I made a promise, and I intend to keep it. An errant thought passed through his mind. Perhaps another geron will Pair with her. It was not an idea he liked, but anything would be better than having Emmala returned to her mother.
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