Page 39 of His to Worship
“One day, you guys won’t need translations anymore,” she continues softly. “Based on how much everyone is already picking up, especially you, that won’t be too long from now. And then what? My earthly life essentially stopped at childhood, so I have no other good skills.”
She hesitates before adding, “My head is full of information about aliens and alien societies. But not these kinds of aliens, and beyond translating, I don’t know how much I have to offer.”
I place a hand on hers and squeeze it comfortingly. “I don’t have much as far as survival skills go, but neither of us need to worry about being put out.”
“Well, you have Kuvier. He’d never let anything happen to you.” Her eyes take on a dreamy faraway look. “I can’t imagine what it must feel like.”
“What?”
“To be someone’s whole world.” She looks back at me and clears her throat. “But, it’s fine. I know you’re right; I’ll find my place somehow.” She gives me a wide smile that feels a bit ingenuine in contrast to the sadness in her eyes.
“You’ve already offered so much, Xiomara,” I reassure her again. “Your ability to translate has been invaluable to all of us. And as for the rest...we’ll figure it out together. We’re all learning new things every day, and Kuvier or no, we both need to find a way to contribute. We can find that together.”
Samra nods in agreement, her gaze thoughtful. “Sedona’s right,” she adds quietly. “None of us would let anything happen to you. Besides, clearly, we can all sew. That’s definitely a skill.”
We laugh lightly, letting the serious topic flit away. As we continue sewing, the conversation flows more freely now that barriers have been gently nudged aside. But I can’t help letting my thoughts circle back to what Xiomara said. What will life be like if we don’t find a way off this planet? I think back to Kuvier’s words to Xiomara the other night.
Babies? Mating? Is a life with Kuvier what I have to look forward to if I never return home? My heart twists as I come to an only somewhat-startling realization.
Part of me doesn’t mind if that is what my life becomes.
TWENTY-FOUR
- kuvier -
I am surprised to say that I do not hate hunting with these additional females.
Meghan and Renata turn out to be suitable companions for a hunt. Though I find these females to be less desirable company than my mate, I am not bothered by their presence. They keep up well, and their feet are quiet on the snow, a skill necessary for any hunter.
This turns my thoughts to my female, as so many things do. I cannot help the smile that tugs at my lips. Unlike these two, my Sedona treks through the snow like a gangly baby oftii—stumbling and awkward, but endearing. It is for this reason that our morning trip was focused more on trapping and collecting kindling. Though we never did make it to completing our purpose.
She may never be a great hunter, but I do not mind this. Some males may value a mate who can do all things for themselves; I find that I enjoy knowing my female needs me. I enjoy the responsibility of caring for her.
Our small hunting party continues forward, each of our eyes scanning for tracks or clues to indicate an animal is nearby. Though I am mostly focused on the hunt, my attention is still divided.
My mind continues to circle back to the conclusion Enikk and I reached this morning. The snow that has fallen the last several days has not lessened, in fact, we anticipate it will get worse. We both worry this is the first snowstorm to indicate the onslaught of the dark season.
As much as I do not wish to bring Sedona back to the clan yet, I have no choice. I cannot risk her life or that of the other females by keeping us out here in the dark season. We will need the support of a clan to survive that; the assistance of more males than just the two of us. If it were only myself, my Sedona, Enikk, and his fearful little mate, we would be fine. But with so many additional females and only two of us familiar with the landscape and able to keep up the labor of hunting, survival would be a low chance.
I will need to pull Sedona aside and, with the help of the curly-haired female, explain what she should expect when we return. I clench my jaw as I consider this. I have yet to reveal that I do not have high standing among my clan, and I worry how she will react when she learns this truth.
Despite being the best hunter, I will forever be at odds with the clan for the mistakes of my father. Sedona will be at odds with them too, simply by accepting me as a mate. I am certain Atan Junq will try to pry her away from me. The thought fills me with dread because what if that is what Sedona wishes? I try my best to push those thoughts away. The female who presses her lips to me so hungrily would not betray me for my clan, but I cannot quiet all the doubts in my mind.
Meghan suddenly stops, ripping me from my thoughts, and crouches down, pointing at a set of tracks in the snow. I move closer to examine them and my heart skips a beat. They are large, pronged, and deeply set, indicating a heavy, oversized animal.
These tracks are unfamiliar, yet known at the same time. They are similar to the ones I had seen many blinks of the Great Mother’s eyes ago. The same tracks that had urged me to speak with Atan Junq and led me on the path to where I am now.
The urge to follow these tracks is strong.
They pull at my hunter’s instincts, urging me to uncover their mystery. But I glance at Renata and Meghan and realize that I cannot put them at risk. This would be a dangerous hunt, so I must save it for another time, perhaps with Enikk by my side. I will need to discuss this sighting with him and plan accordingly. Committing the shape to memory with the intention of using the charcoal and drawing it for Enikk later, I encourage the females to continue ahead with short words and grunts.
My thoughts are diverted once again when we catch sight of an oftii herd in the distance. I signal for Renata and Meghan to stop, and we crouch down, observing the herd's movements. The oftii are large, wooly creatures, their breath visible in the cold air. They are an excellent source of meat and fur, and capturing one would make our journey a success.
We move quietly, inching closer to the herd. Meghan and Renata follow my lead, their steps mirroring my quiet. I am impressed by their adaptability and skill. As we close in, I focus on a lame oftii grazing near the edge of the herd. It will be our target.
“I will complete the kill,” I murmur to the females in their language, the words halting, but understood. “You two move it. Make sure it does not run far. Wait for my sign.”
They nod their understanding and we disperse. I signal Renata first. She leaps out and startles the animal to the right. With a signal to Meghan, the animal is veering straight toward me. I hold my position until the last minute, jumping out and throwing my spear with force. The spear sticks itself in the side of oftii’s neck. With the rest of the herd long gone, the oftii has nowhere to turn for help and within moments, we descend on the fallen creature.