by Hope Hart
My kradi bells ring, and I turn, finding Hewex waiting.
“We have a meeting with Dexar,” he says. “I passed your father in the food kradi, and he asked me to tell you to come to him when we are finished.”
I glance at Malis. Her hands are shaking, and I blink as she suddenly lunges at me, her hands fisting in my shirt.
“Please, Tagiz. Please make it right. I can’t take this anymore.” She buries her face in my shirt and sobs. My eyes meet Hewex’s, and his disapproval is clear on his face as he watches Malis lose control, wrapping her arms around me.
Hewex likes Zoey. He has told me multiple times if I do not want the little healer, there are plenty of other warriors who do.
I want to tell him this is not what it looks like, but I bite my tongue. If Hewex does not believe me honorable after all these years, then he never truly knew me.
Chapter Six
Zoey
I’m at the training arena before the sun has fully risen, sweat from my nightmares still drying on my skin.
Hewex is waiting for me, his face set in its usual scowl.
“I know I agreed to train you,” he says, and my heart sinks. “But Rakiz has ordered security to be increased around this camp and across his territory. I will be leaving for a few days to guard the northwest sector of our territory.” I sigh, but he glances over his shoulder. “I’ve found someone else to train you instead.”
I perk up at that, and Hewex nods to the other side of the arena, where a warrior is waiting. I’ve seen him around camp, but we’ve never actually met.
“This is Kroniz,” Hewex says. “He has agreed to teach you some basic skills.”
Kroniz nods at me, his eyes curious.
“I’m Zoey,” I say. “I’m not expecting to be able to beat anyone in an actual fight. I’d just like to be able to hold my own and maybe have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
Kroniz nods. “From what I have learned about human females, you are vicious when cornered. I believe I will be able to teach you what you need to know.”
My cheeks heat further, and his smile widens.
Hewex narrows his eyes at us. “Well. There’s no harm in learning some hand-to-hand. Perhaps some basic knife skills,” he grumbles.
“We’ve got this covered,” Kroniz says, and Hewex glances at me, suddenly looking uncertain. Finally, he shrugs, stalking off without another word.
I’ve grown used to Hewex’s curmudgeon ways by now, and Kroniz doesn’t seem concerned either, gesturing for me to follow him to the far side of the training arena.
“Before we get started, I need to know what I’m working with.” He reaches for me, and the movement is so sudden my hands automatically come up defensively.
Kroniz pauses, evaluating my stance. “Don’t move.”
He leans forward, adjusting my hands until they’re no longer palm up, fingers curled and nails ready to claw. He folds my fingers and turns my hands until they’re fisted.
Immediately, I feel like a badass.
“Fights are won and lost in moments,” he murmurs. “Human females are small. You only have one chance to take an attacker by surprise. You must instinctively take this stance. From here, you can strike out, block, and evade a punch.”
Kroniz makes me place my hands by my sides and walk across the training arena. As I walk, he jumps at me, getting into my personal space. The first few times, my hands instinctively come up the same way—palms up, fingers like claws. But by the time the sun has fully risen, my hands are fisted when they rise, and I’m ready for the next step.
“That’s all for today,” Kroniz says, and I blink, realizing the arena is beginning to fill with Braxians.
“Thank you,” I say. “I really appreciate this. I don’t expect to suddenly be a fighter. I don’t even want to be a fighter. I’d just like to feel a little more confident.”
He nods. “I owe Hewex a favor, and I’m happy to spend it teaching a pretty human female how to fight.”
I blink at the teasing note in his voice. “Well, thank you,” I say. “I better go. I need to collect a few herbs for Moni.”
He narrows his eyes at me. “In the forest?”
I barely refrain from muttering about overprotective males. I was hoping to be able to feed the little furry animal alone, but obviously all the warriors in this camp have been given the same orders we’ve been given.
I sigh. “Would you like to come with me?”
He nods, a slow smile spreading across his face.
Not for the first time, I wish it were a warrior like Kroniz who made my heart thump harder. I sigh. Life would be so much more convenient if we could choose who we loved.
Kroniz leans on the wooden fence that encircles the training arena. Across the wide space, near the opposite fence, Tagiz has arrived for his morning training session, and he’s currently chatting with a few of the younger warriors. They look up to him, constantly asking him to correct their form or spend a few hours sparring with them. He seems to have endless patience, only declining if he has a meeting.
He glances over his shoulder, his eyes unerringly finding mine. His face lights up in a way that makes me warm inside, but it quickly goes blank when his gaze shifts to the warrior next to me.
“Zoey?”
Kroniz is saying something, and I turn my attention back to him. His eyes are curious as he glances between me and Tagiz. “Is there something I should know about you and Tagiz?”
I shrug. “It’s complicated.”
He glances back at Tagiz, who is staring steadily at us. Cax—one of the younger warriors who hero-worships Tagiz—says something to get Tagiz’s attention, and his gaze finally leaves us.
Kroniz shifts next to me. “I thought he was going to mate with Malis?”
I wince, and Kroniz grimaces at whatever he sees on my face. “I’ve hurt you. I’m sorry.”
“No,” I say. “You’re right. He is going to mate with her. At least, he’s meant to. I better get those herbs before Moni wonders where I am.”
Kroniz turns away, finding his shirt from where he slung it over the side of the fence earlier. Tagiz’s eyes find mine again, and I feel my chin jut out.
“Let’s go.”
Kroniz chats as we walk to the edge of the forest. He asks me about my life on Earth and seems impressed when I explain my duties in the hospital. He tells me about his family, and before I know it, I’m in the small clearing where I last saw the furry animal.
“If you want to wait here, I’ll just be moseying around this area.”
His eyes harden slightly at that, and I raise my hands threateningly, fisting them like he taught me.
He laughs. “Fine. Let me know if you need any help.”
I nod and reach out, grabbing a few leaves off a bari plant. They’re not good for anything except freshening your breath, and I chew on one as I make my way to the tree where I last saw the tiny, hissing creature.
My heart sinks as I stare at the empty spot.
This is a good thing, Zoey. It ate your food and went on its way.
I turn with a sigh, unsure why I’m so upset. Then I freeze as a deep growl sounds behind me.
I whirl, my heart racing, and I let out a strangled laugh as I survey the tiny animal. It’s about the size of a Jack Russell, although I’d never get it confused with a dog. I’ve seen pictures of baby wolves, and its fluffy coat has some resemblance, but its claws glint in the sunlight as it bares its teeth at me.
“Did you make that scary sound?”
I keep my voice low and calm, slowly reaching into my pocket for the meat I brought with me.
It shuffles forward as I place the meat on the ground, and my chest tightens as I realize it’s only walking on three legs.
I crane my neck, attempting to get a look at the animal’s hind leg. It ignores me, digging into the meat as if it hasn’t eaten for a while. And from the look of it, it probably hasn’t.
“Poor little baby,” I murmur.
I free
ze as it finishes its meat and steps closer, nuzzling against my legs. I place my basket on the ground and crouch, careful not to let it get too close to my face. This is a wild animal on an alien planet. I may be softhearted, but I’m not an idiot.
The animal licks at my fingers, and my heart melts. “Okay,” I murmur. “Turns out I am an idiot. You have two choices,” I tell it, wishing it could actually understand me. “I can bring you back some food tomorrow, or you can hop in my basket today and I’ll take you back to my kradi. I’ll give you a bath, take a look at that leg, and give you as much food as you can eat.”
The creature ignores me, and I laugh. “Wishful thinking, huh? I’ll bring you back some more food tomorrow. Maybe if I describe you to Moni, she’ll be able to tell me what you are.”
I get to my feet. The little alien wolf doesn’t seem to like that. It hisses at me, and I simply raise one eyebrow, hands on my hips.
It limps over to me, takes the hem of my dress in its mouth, and tugs.
“Zoey?”
“Just picking some berries. I’ll be right there.”
Something tells me if the warriors see the size of the teeth on this little dude or dudette, they’re not going to be happy with me hanging around it.
The little beast turns its head, snarling in Kroniz’s direction. I barely suppress a laugh, reaching down for my basket.
My mouth drops open as the creature jumps into the basket before curling up and gazing at me as if waiting to see what I’ll do next.
“Okay, then. I’ll take you back to camp and look at your leg, and then you’re coming straight back to the wild, little fur monster.”
I pick up the basket, grunting slightly at the heavier weight. Kroniz barely glances at me when I return, his eyes scanning the small clearing as if evaluating it for threats.
The fluff ball seems to know it should keep a low profile. It’s curled up in my basket, head down on its paws, looking about as threatening as a kitten.
I snort as I place the basket down, leaning over to grab some retia leaves to steep in a tea for those with indigestion. I shove the leaves in my pocket, dig for some hexo root, and haul the basket up onto my hip.
“I will carry your basket,” Kroniz offers, pushing off the tree and striding toward me.
“Oh no, I’m fine, thanks.”
He frowns but finally nods, and we begin to walk back to camp. I almost laugh as I glance down and realize the little fur ball is sleeping.
Kroniz seems distracted, his attention elsewhere, and he smiles at me as we get to the camp gates before calling a goodbye as he stalks back in the direction of the training arena. I shrug, hauling the basket back to my kradi.
I place it down, and the fur ball jumps out on three legs.
I doubt the little animal will let me look at its injured leg until I’ve built up some more trust. We watch each other silently, and then I sigh, crouching to examine it.
“So. You’re a boy, huh?” He ignores that, and I hold out my hand for him to sniff. “I need to go get you some more food. It’s probably best if you stay here for now.”
He ignores that too, lying down on the floor and curling into a ball. I should probably tie him up, but I can’t bring myself to. Once you’ve looked out at the world from inside a cage, you think twice about taking anyone else’s freedom.
“I’ll be right back,” I promise.
Tagiz
I almost slam into Zoey as she exits her kradi, and my hands automatically steady her as she jolts back in surprise.
“Tagiz…”
She glances over her shoulder at her kradi, and fury begins to climb up my spine.
“Why do you look guilty, little healer?”
“Huh? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Is Kroniz in your kradi?”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous.” She scowls at me, and I can see the truth on her face. Zoey is a terrible liar. Every time she attempted to tell me her ribs “didn’t hurt that bad” or she “didn’t need Moni’s sleeping tonic,” her eyes would dart away, as if it was impossible for her to look at me while telling an untruth.
That doesn’t change the fact she’s still practically vibrating with guilt. And she’s now blocking my way into her kradi, her hands on her hips as she glares at me.
Whatever it is she’s hiding, it’s in her kradi.
“I can’t even believe you would ask that,” she says, and I focus on her face. “You think I’m rolling around with someone else?”
I shake my head. “No, little healer. I’m sorry.”
She searches my face. I don’t want to admit my jealousy has gotten the best of me. Kroniz is an honorable male and well liked by almost everyone in this tribe. Most importantly, he is not expected to mate with anyone.
The male can choose his fate.
So can you, a little voice whispers. Is your father’s happiness worth losing your female?
I blink, realizing Zoey is staring up at me.
“Tagiz?”
For the first time, I realize why I am hesitant to disappoint my father.
Because he may not just be disappointed.
He may disown me.
“Tagiz?”
I blink again, drinking in the sight of Zoey’s beautiful face. The sun is high in the sky, highlighting the tiny freckles scattered across her nose as she scrunches it in confusion.
I want to watch her give me that same look whenever she is exasperated with me for the rest of my life.
I want to—
Something growls. Zoey glances over her shoulder and then stares at the ground.
“What was that?”
“My stomach,” she lies. “I’m hungry. Will you walk with me to the food kradi?”
Her stomach does let out a rumble at that, and she casts me a triumphant look from beneath her lashes. But I’m not fooled.
My little healer is hiding something in her kradi.
“Zoey—”
“Hurry up, Tagiz. I have things to do today.”
I will be patient. But I will learn what is in that kradi before nightfall.
Zoey links her arm through mine and chats to me about the forest, the weather, and the new human females. I make noises in the right places, but I’m distracted—both by whatever it is Zoey is hiding and by thoughts of my relationship with my father.
Zoey falls silent, and I watch her, realizing her mind is also elsewhere.
I take her to the food kradi, pretending not to notice her take an extra serving of meat. She doesn’t eat either the extra meat or the meat on her plate. Instead, she folds it up in a large cloth and puts it in her pocket when she thinks I’m not looking.
My spine straightens at the thought of whatever made that growl. Zoey has a large heart. A soft heart that radiates love and kindness. But there are animals on this planet that could kill her in an instant.
“Who did you take with you to the forest today, little healer?”
She takes a bite of her bread and angles her head, her gaze on my face as she swallows.
“Kroniz.”
If he has allowed my female to bring an animal back from the forest that could hurt her, I will kill him. The thought fills me with satisfaction, and I scowl. It’s my jealousy that makes me wish him gone.
I walk Zoey back to her kradi. She smiles brightly at me, and I turn as if to leave. Her sigh of relief is audible, and I shake my head, amused despite myself. Zoey does not have a deceptive bone in her body.
She walks into her kradi, and I follow her in, ignoring her gasp of outrage as I push her behind me.
“A karja?” I turn to stone. The beast may be a baby, but karja grow incredibly fast.
I glower at Zoey, and she tilts her head as she gazes at the sleeping karja. It opens its eyes to slits and shows me its teeth.
Zoey elbows me in the ribs. “Move out of the way, you big, dumb warrior!”
My mouth twitches at that, but I stay standing between Zoey and the karja.
&n
bsp; “It’s dangerous, Zoey.”
“He’s a baby! Look at his little leg. He couldn’t survive in the wild. He’s starving.”
I sigh as I take in the poor creature. It is indeed thin, but I know too well it is the beast with nothing to lose that is the most dangerous.
“Give me the meat.”
Zoey hands it to me wordlessly, but I can feel her annoyance. I crouch, holding out the food, and the karja shows me its teeth again but creeps forward.
It snatches a hunk of meat from my hand before backing away to chew it. But it returns, eventually eating calmly from my hand, and I glance up at Zoey.
“So?” she asks.
“This was a dangerous thing to do, little healer, but I understand you have a soft heart. If you want to treat the karja’s leg, I will help you.”
She gazes at me for a long moment but finally nods. The karja sniffs at my hand, looking for more food, and then backs away, lying back down with a huff.
Zoey’s smile is blinding. “Okay. Wait right here. I’ll get some more food to distract it and stop by the healers’ kradi to get what I need.”
She doesn’t take long, and I spend the time watching the karja, who ignores me. It gets to its feet with a growl as Zoey approaches the kradi but immediately lies back down when Zoey steps back inside.
“Okay.” Zoey smiles at me. “Let’s do this.”
I slowly feed the karja meat, making it last while Zoey examines its back leg.
“Poor thing,” she murmurs. “It’s broken. We need to set it so I can splint it, and it’s going to be painful. I don’t want to give him any of the painkillers we use in the healers’ kradi in case he reacts badly to them.” She glances at me, and I nod.
“Tell me when.”
She takes the karja’s leg between her hands and counts down. I wrap my hand around the karja’s muzzle, and the creature lets out a sound that brings tears to Zoey’s eyes as she sets its leg. The karja attempts to snap at me when I release its muzzle but takes the last of the meat as Zoey splints its leg.
“There, all done now,” Zoey croons to the karja. “You were such a good boy.”
“What will we do now?”
