Page 13 of A is for Ahool

“Muram, I…” She trailed off when I turned and began walking back down the path we had taken. “Bye,” she said softly.

I did not dare look back. If I saw what expression came with that soft tone and hurt scent, I would not be able to leave. I was not strong enough. I walked faster.

I was barely out of her sight when my knees gave out. I sank to the jungle floor, bracing my hands on the ground as I dry heaved. It hurt far worse than I expected. Bonds were rejected so rarely, that my parents had only mentioned it in passing. To my kind, an incomplete bond was almost unheard of.

I laughed humorlessly and winced when another spike of pain went through my chest. How long would it take? I collapsed on the ground and rolled over to look up at the canopy. Above me animals were gathering, all staring down at me in confusion. They did not understand.

Who would protect them when I was gone?

Chapter Seven

Anissa

I stared unseeing at the cup in my hands. All around me, the village women chatted as they cooked. I felt their stares, but I could not summon the energy to answer the unspoken questions. Had it been only two days? It felt like I had lived months in the time I was with Muram.

I felt different. Changed. Even if no one else knew, I felt like a woman who had known love. How was I going to return home and act like nothing had changed? Was I really going to marry someone else?

My thoughts ground to a halt. Someone else? Had I planned to marry Muram? I huffed a humorless laugh and several women glanced at me. I ignored the looks they exchanged. How would that work?

We were not the same. And what about my job? I had proof of the Crimson Sun Lily’s existence in the park. I had the means to stop the deforestation. Was I going to throw that away to run off into the jungle?

“What troubles you?” a voice suddenly asked.

I turned my head to see Emak standing at my side. She gave me a long look and jerked her head toward the door. I glanced around. All of the stares were directed elsewhere. I rose to my feet and followed Emak from the building.

“You saw him, didn’t you?” she asked the moment we were out of earshot.

“Who?” I hedged.

Emak squinted at me. “The Ahool. Muram.”

I raised my eyebrows. Despite what Muram had said about the village giving him his name, part of me shied away from revealing him. But if Emak already knew…

“Does everyone here know about him?” I asked.

Emak huffed. “Of course. So, as I said, what troubles you?”

“I found the flower I was looking for,” I said.

“And this upsets you?” Emak asked.

“No. Yes.” I sighed. “Maybe a little.”

“Hmm.” Emak gestured for me to walk with her.

We strolled down the main street in silence until we reached the edge of town where the jungle began to encroach. I turned to face her, but she was still looking out at the trees.

“There were once many Ahool in this jungle,” she said. “But as the jungle shrank, so did their numbers. And now, there is only one.” She sighed heavily. “I admit, our village was not always kind to the Ahool. Our ancestors feared them. Time has a way of changing hearts and minds.”

“What are you saying?” I whispered. My eyes shifted toward the trees before moving back to Emak.

“Muram is special to us,” she said. “I must know what happened between you.”

I shifted under her heavy gaze. “He helped me find the Crimson Sun Lily.”

“That mark on your forehead,” Emak said, giving it a pointed look. “It was not there when you left, and it would not be healed as much as it is without the right care. Muram treated your wounds.”

“Yes,” I said hesitantly.