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While I understood her words, I also didn’t. Poof-a fish must be a creature from her home world. Did any of her males rival a Zuldrux warrior?
“We’ll return to my clan.” I scanned the woods surrounding the lake but saw no concerning movement. Voolon watched us approach, and she didn’t appear tense. But I couldn’t shake the feeling we were being watched. The sooner I got my mate home and safe among my clan, the better.
Then I could work to win her love.
“If nothing else, I’m grateful I understand your language now,” Van-eesa said. “Your god slammed the side of my head, which either knocked some sense into me or changed something in my brain.”
“Did you need sense knocked into you?” I asked with a chuckle.
Her laugh joined in. “I might’ve.”
I was grateful she appeared happy about this. Something had changed, and I welcomed it.
I lifted her onto Voolon’s back and leaped up behind her, nudging my hepadon to turn and begin the journey home. She soon loped along the path weaving back up the mountain, leaving the valley and my uneasy feeling behind. By the time we reached my clan’s territory, the sun had slid down to hover above the horizon. It would be dark soon.
“Are you hungry?” I asked. She must be. I was famished.
“Yes. What’s for dinner?”
Even in this, she sounded happy. Had the gods found a way to bring about this change of heart? If so, I’d thank them until my dying day for whatever they’d said.
“I assume we’ll eat roast bribard, plus whatever the gods choose to prepare for us.” I slid off voolon and helped my mate to the ground, nudging Voolon’s flank to urge her to join the herd. “We hunt for meat, and a few select fruits and vegetables, but everything else we eat is gifted to us by the gods.”
“I saw the plate ooze from the counter this morning, but I couldn’t tell where it came from.”
“Let me show you.” I extended my hand, holding my breath. Would she brush it aside?
“Yes, show me.” With a smile, she linked our fingers together.
We walked to the central dining area, finding almost everyone gone. It was late. Many would have eaten already and returned to their homes. A few sat around the fire blazing in the middle of the open area, and they watched as we passed.
My mate stopped beside Jessia. “We sort of met, but I couldn’t communicate with you or tell you how nice it is to meet you. I’m Vanessa.”
Van-eesa. Van-essa. Yes, that was it. Vanessa. I repeated the correct pronunciation in my head until it felt natural and smooth.
“You can speak Zuldruxian,” Jessia said, looking toward me.
“Today, we traveled to speak with the gods,” I said.
“Ah.” Jessia nodded wisely. “And what did the gods have to say?”
“That my mate would now understand our language.” I wouldn’t mention that she might leave me in seven days. That was nearly a lifetime from now. I had plenty of time to show her why she belonged here with me.
Jessia gave Vanessa a tusky grin. “Wonderful. Perhaps you would like to sit with me sometime and tell me stories of where you come from.”
“I’d love to.” Vanessa’s fingers tightened around mine. “I’ve seen a ton of movies and read many books. I’m not sure where to start. What sort of stories do you want to hear?”
“Stories?” Brulon raced over to join us, his younger brother, Trevar, scrambling behind. “You’re going to tell stories?”
“Soon, my youngling.” Jessia patted his back. “Our traedor’s new mate said she’ll share tales from her home with us soon.”
The boys looked up at Vanessa in amazement.
“I think I know exactly what story to tell first.” Vanessa turned her gaze toward me. The happy look remained in her eyes. Would it stay with her through the next seven days?
“Not now, younglings,” I said. “Vanessa is hungry, as am I. We need to eat.”
“I promise I’ll tell you some stories soon,” Vanessa said, stroking first Nuvar’s then Brulon’s head.
