Mari's Mistake: A SciFi Alien Romance (Icehome Book 11)

by Ruby Dixon

  But now the women outnumber the men. It's going to add an entirely new, competitive level to the flirting that's been going on. No one's going to want to be the odd woman out. No one's going to want to be the one solitary person on the beach that has no one to resonate to…and that changes the dynamic of everything.

  "So you were someone's slave?" Gail asks, rocking Z'hren as he sucks his thumb, resting against her chest.

  Daisy nods, scooting just a little closer to the fire. "When I was first bought, I was terrified he would be cruel to me, but it turns out that wasn't the case." She smiles fondly. "Johani was more than three times my age. Eighty in praxiian years, which isn't terribly old to them, but seemed ancient to me. He was also very, very gay, and very in love with Sirroc, his bodyguard. Johani not having a wife of some kind was making some of his business partners very uncomfortable. Praxiians are very focused on appearances and house honor, and he couldn't marry Sirroc without becoming an outcast and losing all his business. So he bought me at a very splashy auction and paraded me around like I was his favorite plaything. Praxiians don't mate humans, but for ten years, I acted the role of Johani's mate and all of his business associates knew how fond he was of me. But recently…" She shrugs. "I've been lonely. Stir-crazy, I guess. It's nice to be pampered, but I've been missing my own kind, people to talk to that understand what it's like to be human." Her smile grows wistful. "So I talked to Johani and we asked his old friend Niri to help. Or wait, she's going by a different name now, isn't she?" Daisy looks over at Mardok, smiling.

  "So Mardok's friend dumped you here because you wanted to be around humans?" Quiet Angie speaks up, her hands twisted in her lap. Her mate Vordis has baby Glory in his arms, standing behind his mate. "You were that lonely?"

  "Yeah," Daisy says softly. A wistful expression comes over her face at the sight of Angie's baby. "I wanted little ones of my own. A mate. But I couldn't have that with Johani, because it would ruin his reputation. And Johani was kind, but he wasn't a big fan of children, even if I wanted to have one on my own." Her expression grows distant. "And the praxiian people can be…difficult toward humans. I was just tired of being a pretty thing to look at. Niri told me about this place, and I thought it sounded as good as anything. She said that the men here needed mates, so I thought I'd roll the dice and take my chances. Even if it doesn't work out, at least I'm among humans again." She shrugs one delicate shoulder. "So we faked my death. Now Johani can mourn me in public and he will gain a great deal of sympathy for his loss. No one will throw daughters at him or try to broker arranged marriages when he is in mourning, and he can go on living his life with Sirroc, and I can start a new one here." She looks uncertain. "If that's all right with you guys."

  There's an awkward silence. The men look at Raahosh and the women avert their eyes. Tia crosses her arms.

  Liz clears her throat. "Of course it's all right. I'm just sorry Earth had to go all Alderaan on us to get you here. You are very welcome, Daisy. Anything you need, the tribe will provide until you're ready to start contributing on your own."

  "Wonderful." Daisy smiles, and I can't help but smile back at her when our eyes meet. She looks nice, if a little lost.

  "You can stay in our hut," I chime in. "Since we won't be using it."

  It feels like the entire tribe turns to look at us. "What?" Lauren asks. "What's going on?"

  "We're going to visit the other tribe," I say. "For…a few things." I don't want to tell them all our business. "We've already discussed it with Veronica and Ashtar. When they go to take Tia, we're going, too."

  Callie looks at me as if I've betrayed her. "For how long, chica?"

  I shrug and give her a look that means that we'll talk about it later.

  To my relief, T'chai speaks up. He rubs my neck as he does, the touch comforting and solid. "We will accompany T'ia, and we will tell the other humans of the news of their planet."

  "Maybe Tia doesn't want to go," Tia mutters. But no one pays any attention to her, because she sounds like every other sulky teenager in the world.

  "That might not be a bad idea," Harlow says, glancing over at Liz before eyeing me and then Veronica. "Break it to them gently, though."

  "Of course." I'm not looking forward to delivering that message, but it distracts people from asking why I want to go. I'm sure they can figure it out, but I don't want to say it out loud. It's not their business anyhow.

  "When are you going?" Liz asks, looking over at Ashtar and Veronica.

  Veronica touches her mate's arm and he shrugs. He has Veronica on his lap, cradling her protectively close. "Tomorrow, if the weather permits."

  "Tomorrow?" Tia chokes out. She jerks to her feet and runs from the fire, and she's immediately followed by I'rec. Something tells me tomorrow isn't quite soon enough, but it'll have to do.

  "What about a khui for the new female?" Sessah asks, his face flushing as everyone turns to him. "A sa-kohtsk hunt is needed. Many great hunters will be needed to bring it down."

  "I don't want to be any trouble," Daisy says mildly. "I'm sure I can wait."

  "You can't, and you won't be," Liz says. "We have plenty of hunters who can bring down a sa-kohtsk, don't you worry. I'm sure we'll have lots and lots of volunteers." She casts a look at the tribe, her gaze lingering on a few of the unmated males in particular.

  "I will go scouting in the morning," R'jaal says, jumping to his feet.

  "You will not know what to look for. I do." Sessah draws himself to his full height and glares at R'jaal. "I will go."

  "Oh boy," Brooke says in a low voice, shaking her head as she braids Taushen's long hair. "At least they're not fighting over Tia anymore."

  I feel bad for poor Daisy, because an awkward silence falls over the camp. She's not used to hearing the family-like banter and constant ribbing the tribe gives one another. It's clear she feels as if she's imposing. "Truly, I don't mind waiting." She hugs the blankets closer to her chest. "I'm just ready to get out of the cold."

  That settles it. I get to my feet, yawning, and tug on T'chai's hand. "Come with us, Daisy. I'll show you around our hut and we can get you some warmer clothing. You guys can work out the details of the hunt without her. She's tired and probably needs to rest."

  Daisy immediately jumps to her feet, a figure rounded by an immense amount of fur layers. "Thank you…"

  "Mari." I nod at her, and then touch Callie's shoulder, changing to Spanish. "I'll see you before I go and explain everything, all right?"

  "Wake me up early if you have to," Callie tells me. "I want to hear everything." She gives me a worried look before tucking her head against M'tok's shoulder. "You'd better not sneak out on me."

  "I won't," I promise her.

  The tribe seems to take that moment to scatter. There's a few people that leave their seats, and others cluster together to gossip. Gail and Vaza get up and head to their tent, a sleeping Z'hren cradled in Gail's arms, Vaza holding her close. Others drift away, no doubt to mourn in private. A few of the hunters head for Daisy, earning an eye roll from Flor as they step over her to get to the new woman's side.

  T'chai tugs on a lock of my hair. "I will speak with A'tar and make sure that we are ready to go in the morning. I will join you at the hut, my mate."

  "Okay." I smile at him, because I can't seem to help myself. "Don't take too long."

  "Never." He gives me an intense look that makes my skin prickle, and I wonder if it's a good prickle or a bad one. It's hard to tell, but I think it's a good one.

  I grab Daisy by the elbow and drag her away before R'jaal and Sessah can crowd her. "Does everyone here speak different languages?" Daisy asks as I lead her away from the group. "My translator's picking up several different dialects."

  "Oh yeah, there's the island clans, and there's us humans, and there's the gladiators, and the sa-khui who are native here. Basically it's just one big mess of languages."

  "It's lovely. You all seem so close. So friendly. Everyone was touching each other around the fire
." She holds the furs tighter to her.

  "There's lots of mated couples here."

  "It's nice. I like it." There's a wistful look on her face. "Babies, too?"

  "Not so many babies yet, but give us a few months. Did Niri tell you about resonance?"

  "No…what's that?"

  Oh boy. As we walk, I try to explain resonance to Daisy and how it's tied in to the khui. How it'll mean babies and a lifetime mating and it'll choose someone for her. I don't mention my own mating with T'chai or the problems we've had; I just try to paint as neutral a picture as possible so Daisy can draw her own conclusions.

  Daisy is, of course, utterly enchanted. "I get a soulmate and babies? This is wonderful! Does it happen immediately?"

  I'm envious of her enthusiasm. She makes it sound so simple. "No. Some of the women have been here for months and haven't resonated. I've heard rumors that it won't happen at all for some people, but I think that's rare. And then of course, some people resonate the moment they get their khuis. So you might get one instantly, or you might have to wait for a long time. There's no way of knowing."

  "That's all right. I'll just think of it as a future gift. How marvelous." She can't stop smiling.

  Daisy's a cheerful one. She exclaims over the distant beach and the stars in the night sky. She squeals with delight over my hut, calling it “charming” and “adorable.” She's equally entranced with the contents inside and how warm it is. I can't decide if Daisy's just easily excitable…or an idiot.

  "This is going to be such fun," Daisy tells me enthusiastically as I stoke the fire in the center of my hut. "This place is quite beautiful."

  "It's going to be a lot of work," I warn her. "Everyone contributes and there are endless amounts of chores to be done. This isn't a ski lodge you're visiting on vacation. There's no hot water, no plumbing, no nothing you're used to."

  "I know." Daisy gives me a sober look. "You probably think I'm a little crazy. It's just…for years, I've been paraded around city after city, station after station. I haven't seen a sliver of green grass since I left earth."

  "You won't see grass here, either," I admit. "Ice planet and all."

  "But you're outdoors in the fresh air. And you're free. And you're together. You have a community. No one's really alone." Her expression grows achingly sweet. "That's all I wanted. Someplace to belong again."

  Now I just feel bad for her. I give the newcomer an understanding smile. "It's a small group, so you should know that everyone is in everyone else's business. There are very few secrets here." I poke at the fire, and then add, "And not everyone is going to be happy you're here."

  "The other women, right? I saw the way some of them looked at me. They didn't look happy." Daisy gives me a shrewd look. "I'm competition, right?" When I nod, she shrugs. "I can deal with competition. I'm not here to steal anyone's man. I don't want anyone unless my khui chooses to give me a resonance." She puts a hand over her heart, a look of eagerness on her face. "I only want to be with someone who really wants me, and who won't be able to just toss me aside."

  "Resonance is forever," I say…and then think of my own situation. "More or less."

  "More or less?" She echoes.

  "Just…forever." I shake my head. "Not important. At any rate, the others might be a little difficult around you at first, but they'll come around."

  "Because we're human and we should all get along, yes?"

  Sure, Daisy, whatever you say. "It takes time," I say neutrally. "And time's the one thing we have plenty of around here."

  I show Daisy my extra clothing and how to lace things up. I teach her how to tuck extra fur into her boots to give them added warmth, and how to layer her clothing against her body to stave off the worst of the cold. The khui will help her, but until then, she's going to be ever so slightly cold at all times, so I end up giving her most of the blankets and just stoke the fire higher than I normally would.

  She goes to sleep in the bed of furs I normally stay in, and so I sit on T'chai's furs and quietly wait for him to return. Just when I think everything is quieting down, something new comes along and shakes our lives up. Part of me feels guilty that we're leaving in the morning. Tia clearly doesn't want to go. If she talks Liz and Raahosh into letting her stay, I can't demand to be taken to the other village. And Daisy needs a friend to help her out, because she's like a brand new, eager fawn ready to take on the world. She needs someone to put their arm around her shoulders and help her through the first few days here, like Lauren did for me.

  I feel guilty for putting me and T'chai first. Just a little guilty. But if not now, then when? Someone's always going to resonate. Someone's always going to have a baby, or have some sort of tribal crisis. There will always be visitors showing up, like Bek and Elly did. Or Daisy might be just the first in a stream of humans that Niri drops on us. There's no way of knowing.

  There's also no sense in waiting for a “better” time, just like there's no sense in waiting to see if my khui wakes up again.

  I'm tired of waiting.

  The door flap pulls back and T'chai enters, all heavy furs and bare feet. He gives me a questioning look and I put a finger to my lips and point at Daisy, asleep in my nest. He moves to my side silently and sits down, and I immediately begin to undress him, tugging at laces. I touch one of his feet, since I don't have to pull his boots off for him today. "Your toes are frozen. You've gotta wear shoes," I whisper to him. "Who do you think you are, Farli?"

  T'chai gives me a curious look and then smiles. I don't tease him very often, I realize, and I think I should do it a lot more. I love his smile. "I will remember them next time." He glances over at Daisy's spot and back to me. "Shadow Cat clan were all very disappointed she ran away with you."

  "Too bad for them." I pull a thick, woolly vest off his shoulders and toss it aside. "They do realize she's not going anywhere, right?"

  He huffs in a silent laugh. "Will you think poorly of R'jaal if I say he asked to come by and visit her, as well?"

  I fight the urge to roll my eyes. R'jaal is just lonely. He's the only one in his clan that hasn't resonated and has to be feeling all kinds of things about that. "Something tells me Daisy's going to be very popular for a while, and it's going to make the other girls crazy." I lick my lips as I pull off the last layer on his chest, and then he's nothing but smooth, pale blue skin. My fingers itch to touch him, but I don't, because I don't want my cootie to send that NO NO BAD signal to my head. I want to just keep enjoying this moment. "Are we…is Tia still going to the other tribe? Tomorrow morning? Or has it been called off?"

  T'chai shakes his head and reaches for a lock of my hair, playing with it. His other hand rests on my lower back, and I wish he'd take me in his arms. I know why he won't, but…still. "I spoke with R'hosh and Leezh, and with A'tar and V'ronca. We are still going. They understand why we wish to go, and they feel we must. Plus, I think V'ronca does not want to be the one to tell the other humans about your world."

  God, I don't blame her. I'm not sure I want to do it, either, but I'll take it on as my responsibility. It's the least I can do if we're getting a free ride in the middle of deepest winter over to the other village. "Okay." I'm suddenly nervous. What if we see the other healer—Maylak—and she can't do anything either? What if we're doomed? "T'chai—"

  He shakes his head, cutting me off before I can say it. "We take what we have and we are grateful for it," he whispers. "Because at least we are together, and we are healthy."

  He's right. I look over at Daisy's sleeping form and feel pity for her. Through all of this, I've had someone at my side. At first it was Lauren, shepherding me around. Then it was T'chai. Ever since we returned to this beach, others have constantly checked in to make sure we're okay. R'jaal and the others of Tall Horn have fed us and helped build our hut. Ashtar and Veronica have been supportive of T'chai's healing and my struggle with my khui. Callie's been a shoulder to lean on, and Farli and Mardok, too. I've been feeling alone, but there's been a whole communi
ty around both of us this entire time. Even when I landed, I was with sixteen other women in the same situation. Poor Daisy's here all alone.

  I need to find her a buddy before we leave, and I make a mental note to talk to Callie about it.

  "What troubles you?" T'chai asks at my silence.

  "Just thinking about everything. You sure you want to go with me? I know I'm asking a lot." I'm suddenly nervous that I'm pulling T'chai away from his support system and asking him to come with me to the other tribe. If I decide to stay there for a while…how is that going to be fair to him?

  "My mate, you do not ask too much. If anything, you never ask for enough." He studies my face and then leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead. I stiffen at the caress, but it doesn't send tingles of irritation through my body this time. It just feels…benign. "Go to sleep," he whispers. "We will be awake very early and it will be a long day of travel."

  "Are you coming to bed?" I ask, gesturing at the furs.

  "Do you want me to sleep with you? I can make a bed elsewhere—"

  I cut him off before he can even suggest more. "You're sleeping with me."

  His smile fills me with warmth.

  20

  MARI

  It seems like I close my eyes for just a moment and then T'chai is gently shaking me. Time to start our journey. A thrill of wary anticipation curls in my belly. Please let this work. Please.

  The fire has burned down to nothing, and Daisy is burrowed under the furs, still sleeping. I think about waking her up to go over how to make a fire again, but in the end, I decide to let her sleep. I'll talk to Callie and make sure she checks in on Daisy—something tells me Daisy's not going to have a moment to herself for a while, anyhow. She's going to be the most popular girl on the planet until she resonates…at least, she'll be popular with the men. I just hope the others are understanding. Like Daisy said, we're all in this together. We're all humans.