Stranded (Mates for the Raskarrans Book 1) by Heather Fox

Author:Heather Fox [Fox, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prospect and Raven
Published: 2021-01-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Gregar

“We should bury the human,” Vantos says to me as the other humans get settled in their tents, my Liv with them. “There are vyka bird nests in the cliffs further down. Those carrion feeders are bold enough to chance our spears for a meal.”

They pose no real threat to us. We might receive a nasty peck or scratch for chasing them off, but they cannot seriously harm a grown raskarran male. Vantos thinks of the humans and their heartspaces. He does not wish them more distress.

“I do not know what their customs are for their dead,” I say. “I would not wish to offend them.”

“They live here now, in our jungle,” Vantos says. “We can honour their customs as much as we can, but they must also adapt.”

He is right, of course, and I grip his shoulder. “Whoever takes the first watch can pass the time fashioning tools to dig. I will speak to my Liv on this, see what she thinks.”

Vantos nods. He turns to leave, but turns back to me, an unfamiliar set to his features. It is yearning, I think. He glances at the tents before looking back to me.

“Do you think when they are less frightened, better fed, that there might be mates for all of us among them?”

“It is my dearest hope, brother,” I say. “My linasha has brought me joy I never thought I would be so lucky to feel. I wish that for all of you.”

“They are strange to look at,” he says, his eyes lingering on one with hair like a sunset. “So colourful. And no tails.”

I sweep my eyes over to where Liv is with her warrior and another of her tribe. I think perhaps I have not earned the right to stare at her body just yet, but I cannot help myself. I know from the dreamspace that she has no tail, but it is still strange to see it in the waking world.

“They are soft,” I say, “not made for climbing.”

“Then we shall have to take care of them,” Vantos says, his usually stern countenance returning. I know him well enough to know it is determination, not disapproval, behind it. “I will take first watch.”

“Thank you, brother,” I say.

Maldek has kept a couple of pelts back, enough to cover an area of the sands for us to sleep. It will not be comfortable, but it will be enough. We cannot afford to stay here long. Tomorrow. Perhaps another night. And then we will leave the great salt waters behind us. Hopefully with the females.

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