Staying Power (Darshian Tales #3) by Ann Somerville

Author:Ann Somerville
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, mm, gay romance, darshian tales
Publisher: Ann Somerville

Staying Power: 25

Karik couldn’t help feeling a definite sense of responsibility for what had happened to Sibu and the others, though not a soul other than himself attempted to make him feel guilty. He could have stopped Soza coming on this expedition if he’d been less concerned about offending the man. Arman had given him the chance, Pa had warned him, and so had Romi. All their worst fears had been realised—but it hadn’t been Soza who’d paid the price, it had been Sibu, Reisa and Pali.

He could hardly bear to look at Soza, and he avoided contact with Kizinke who seemed to think Soza had been harshly treated, even though Kizinke surely knew what a stupid thing it had been to do. It was a typical city-dweller’s mistake, for sure—to think you could scare off a large wild animal in that way and not suffer for it. Karik might have forgiven Soza a little if the man had shown the slightest regret for his actions, but anytime Karik heard him talking to anyone, he was trying to justify himself and pretend it hadn’t really been his fault at all. Karik wanted to shake him for being so stupid, but at the same time, he wanted to keep well away from him.

For that reason he regretted setting Romi off on the idea of splitting the group, though part of him, despite all that had happened, was still eager to complete their mission, especially since they had all, in their different ways, paid such a price to get this far. Mount Arzha’s plants had already provided a number of important medicines—it was something in the soil, perhaps, Soza thought, or perhaps the volcanic environment changed the plants somehow—and it was certain that more would be found if they could propagate specimens from there. High summer was the perfect time for collecting, and it had been their aim from the start to be here at this very moment to do just that.

Within two days, their injured were already much improved. Pali was already walking around, though he was badly bruised and sore. Sibu and Reisa’s pallets were moved outside to let them have some fresh air and sunshine, and both were sitting up, carefully propped up against logs and with extra padding under them to make them comfortable. Karik took turns with Netu and Jou at keeping them company, though the rest of the team was happy to dance attendance for whatever they needed.

After Romi confirmed that Wepizi had thought it a good idea to split up, and that subject to getting volunteers, they would be going to Mount Arzha after all, Karik felt he should be the one to tell Sibu. He confessed to her that he felt guilty for even thinking about going on when the three of them had been hurt, but she was quick to tell him not to use her injuries as a reason to turn back. “We’ve worked so hard,” she said as Karik sat holding her hand.

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