Page 48 of Keeping His Mate
I mean, would it have been incredible to continue feeding them, observing them, and learning about them as a species? Sure. Would it have been rewarding to solidify that trust between us and them, making the clan safer and ultimately creating allies with another species on this strange alien planet? Of course.
Is that worth losing Bruvix? And possibly, my life?
No. And no.
Although, the risk to my life is not as great as the others make it seem. The bite was bad, of course, but that happened because I wasn’t paying attention. I won’t be that careless again. Also, is it any more dangerous than Bruvix training with deadly weapons each day? And what if Varrek decides that a battle with another clan or planet is necessary? Would Bruvix refuse to partake because it could be dangerous for him? Because if the answer is no, which I very much assume it would be, then this argument feels unfair. Borderline sexist, even.
Protecting the clan alongside Varrek and Ahlvo is his duty. His calling. No one here would ever expect him to give up that responsibility simply because it’s dangerous.
Yet, somehow, the rules are different for me because I’m a human woman?
No, don’t do this.
If I go down this road, it’s only going to make me angry and resentful. Besides, life on Oluura is generally pretty great. Peaceful. Quiet. The clan supports each other and cares for one another in a way I’ve never seen before. I can get used to the quiet life. I can eve–
“Eleanor! Come, quick!” Kate shouts as she runs toward me, arm-in-arm with Jobaki, or “Jo” as Kate calls her, from the direction of the Hexrin house. “Chlo is in labor and it’s all hands on deck!”
“Labor?” I ask, puzzled and in shock, because as far as I knew, Chloe still had a month or two to go before the baby came.
“Yes, the child is early,” Jo says with a shrug.
“Come on!” Kate says as she takes the bowl from my hand and drops it into the soap bucket. “You’re one of three people in the village with any kind of medical experience. Chlo needs you!”
I turn to look at Waldric and he shoots me a big smile as he shoos me away with his hands.
“Okay, then,” I say, wiping my hands on the rag sticking out of my pocket. “Let’s go meet that hybrid baby!”
The med room is buzzing with activity when the three of us arrive. Chloe is groaning loudly from the middle bed, the balls of her feet pressing against leather stirrups that keep her legs spread and elevated. Varrek has Chloe’s hand in his, pressing kisses to her knuckles and palm as he whispers reassuring words into her ear. Kaiva and Ava move fluidly around the bed and each other in what looks like a choreographed routine as they gather supplies.
“Hey, Chlo! How we doing?” Kate asks.
Chloe’s face turns red as her jaw clenches, and she grips Varrek’s hand tightly. “This suucks!” she yells.
And Nalba is here for some reason.
“Hey, Nalba,” I say to her as I join her in the corner of the room, staying out of everyone’s way. “Here to witness the miracle of childbirth?”
She’s nibbling on her knuckle as she watches Chloe pant and scream as a contraction rips through her body. “I… I do not know, to be truthful.” She pauses and then looks down at me with a furrowed brow. “I wish to help Cloh-ee, but I do not know how.”
“Right,” I reply, unsure of how to comfort her.
Nalba shakes her head, then taps a finger on her chin. “I know nothing about delivering babies into the world. It seems… quite messy.”
I laugh at the sheer look of disgust on her face.
“I understand this feeling, Nalba,” Jo says. Then she turns to Kate. “I am not sure why I am here either.”
Kate crosses her arms over her chest and scoffs in protest. “Excuse me? Donotspew that negativity in my presence, got it?” she demands, looking between Jo and Nalba. She puts a hand on Jo’s shoulder. “Jo, you’re the most powerful creature I’ve ever known.” Then she whips her head back around to face Nalba. “And Nalba, you’re the smartest. Women have been giving birth for eons surrounded by mediocre chumps. I’m pretty sure, between the seven of us, we can safely deliver Chlo’s baby.”
She’s right. We can totally do this. Besides, we have Kaiva and Ava leading us, so as long as we follow their lead, Chloe will be fine. I approach Ava by the washbasin. “How can we help? We’ve got several eager hands without any medical experience, so simple tasks, please.”
She looks over her shoulder and beams at me. She surveys those of us standing in the corner. “Fantastic! Nalba!” Ava calls the inventor over and starts giving her instructions. “Stand behind Chloe and keep a cool wet cloth on her forehead at all times. When the towel starts to dry, swap it out with one from the cold box. We have more prepped and ready to go.” Nalba nods enthusiastically and scurries off toward Chloe with the cold cloth in her hand.
Kate steps up next. “And for me, Doc?”
“Not a doctor,” Ava quickly replies with a snicker. “The gals from the sewing circle are on standby to wash used towels, so once that tub gets full,” she says, pointing to the large cylindrical bucket next to Kaiva at the foot of the bed, “take it outside to Zohma for me. We have a substantial stack by the washroom with clean ones, but if we start to run low, Zohma will provide more as she washes and dries the ones we give her.”
“Okey doke, my precious plum,” Kate says as she pinches Ava’s cheek.