Illiam by Mel Braxton

Author:Mel Braxton [Braxton, Mel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-03T22:00:00+00:00

IV

—thunk—

Elysa’s bunk rocked as the sound resonated in the cabin. Reflexively, she scanned the nearest panel for information on the ship’s status. The display reminded her she was shipwrecked.

She turned over to go back to sleep.

—thunk—

The sound came from the airlock side. Sighing, she checked the video feed. The eight-limbed aeluri stood beyond. He raised his paw, preparing to strike the Onyx a third time.

—thunk—

Elysa considered ignoring it.

What did it matter if the cat broke her airlock? And if Illiam really wanted to destroy her ship, there wasn’t anything she could do that would make a difference.

—thunk—

There was no point in putting off the inevitable. Elysa walked from the couch, donning her holster and pack as she passed through the airlock.

She opened the door.

The aeluri fell back from the hatch and eyed the pistol with comprehension but didn’t react. Elysa glanced beyond him to see the sun glinting through the trees.

She blocked the sun with her hand and looked around.

Her ship was surrounded by animals. Ground critters clustered nearest to the ship, while the largest predators lingered in the back. None of them were more intimidating than the aeluri.

They stood unnaturally still, waiting. For something. For her.

Elysa inhaled and held the planet’s air within her lungs. It felt as if she’d never taken a proper breath in her life.

The aeluri took another step back from the airlock.

“Illiam?” Elysa asked the cat.

She understood Illiam actually was the entire planet but realized the need to simplify her viewpoint into something comprehensible.

“Can I call you Illiam?” she asked the aeluri. Then, feeling silly, addressed the watching animals. “This aeluri, I mean. I need something—someone—to represent you for me. It’ll help me communicate.”

The aeluri dipped his head in agreement. You may call me Illiam.

“Thank you.”

I have something to show you. Illiam lowered to his stomach, inviting her to climb onto his back.

She considered resisting, telling Illiam she needed to go back to sleep, but curiosity stopped her. Elysa strode to the aeluri and pulled herself on. She wrapped her hand deep into his scruff.

“I’m ready,” she said.

The aeluri responded by rising to his full height. Elysa tightened her legs around its sides. She rode the animal with fluidity, allowing her hips and back to sway in rhythm with the creature's gait.

The animals surrounding the starship parted as the aeluri carried her through their ranks. They followed her as they left the clearing, marching far too orderly for normal animals.

As she rode on the back of the aeluri, her confidence grew, her hope built. She might be shipwrecked, but she had Illiam. She wasn’t alone.

This wouldn’t be the life she’d wanted. Nor was it the one Ulani had planned for them. But this would be a life that she could live. That had to be enough.

As Illiam climbed up and out of the valley, Elysa studied the morning sun, as it glided from behind the mountain, drifting upward as its full disc became visible.

She began to sweat in the heat of the journey. Her throat was growing dry with thirst.

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