by Pearl Foxx
Beneath her was a series of pools, which all steamed and overflowed into the pools around them. Hot springs, Niva realized. Snow and ice clung to the edges of the water as if freezing and melting at the whim of nature’s temperature was their entire life cycle. The watery pools continued until they disappeared into the mist, presumably over the edge of the mountain.
“Wow,” Niva breathed. It was beautiful.
“These are just the small ones,” Zayd said from beside her. His face was surprisingly soft, his eyes full of pride. His hair rustled in the wind, and Niva caught sight of the gruesome scars beneath that marred the right side of his cheek, jaw, and neck. “There are others above us that are much larger and flow down into the springs.”
He pointed over her shoulder, and Niva had to tear her eyes away from him to look.
A fjord in the distance furiously tumbled water down the other side of the crevice like a rockslide. Steam lifted off the waterfall, filling the air with moisture as it plunged toward the lake below.
“It must be deep.” She gestured to the pool of water, which rippled from the fjord’s impact.
When he continued along the bridge, Niva followed. They crossed more bridges, all swinging and narrow, suspended above an endless number of steaming hot springs that grew in depth and size the deeper into the mountain pass that they went.
In one of the larger ones they crossed over, Niva looked down to find a dark-haired woman swimming toward the edge. She climbed out and covered herself with a simple cloth wrap, barely bothering to dry off. Neither Zayd nor Maxsym paid much attention as she followed along silently.
As they walked, a few more men and women joined them from some of the grassy areas and scattering of small buildings, but no one spoke. They all watched Zayd with reverence as if drawn to him, feeding off his presence.
Structures appeared through the mist, signaling their arrival deep into the heart of the Draqon hive’s valley. The buildings had been constructed directly into the mountainside around them, fingertips reaching out from the craggy rock. They were shaped like inverted triangles, with some kind of piping leading up into the mouth at the bottom. The pools of hot water became more spaced out, the mist dissipating as they entered an area of bustling activity.
A steady hum of activity vibrated deep in Niva’s bones. Pots and pans clacked together at tables full of plants, roots, and fruit, which appeared to be in the process of being prepared for a meal. Beside a large fire pit, shirtless men and women in cropped halter tops worked on weapons. More Draqons hung clothes on drying lines or sat at large looms weaving brightly colored material.
It was like nothing Niva had ever seen. The Draqons all seemed to be touching one another at various times. It didn’t appear like they were restricted to coupled pairs or only men and women; people had their arms wrapped around each other or held hands or simply sat leaning against the body of the person next to them. Everything felt utterly communal as if they were working together as one being. Suddenly, the description of the Draqons being part of a hive made complete sense.
The humming stopped, and Niva realized it had been their voices, all droning at the same tone and pitch. They hushed as they recognized their leader walking into their midst with Niva and Maxsym at each shoulder. The humming was replaced by a ripple of excitement as the Draqons stood and hurried over.
Niva stepped back as the Draqons embraced Zayd or took his hand. Once they’d greeted Zayd, they moved on to Maxsym. They all wore tight-fitting leathers and boots strapped up to their knees. Their skin was tanned, their bodies made up of sinewy muscles. All the men had tattoos on their backs in the shape of wings, just like Zayd’s. Most of the women had scales along their cheeks and necks, their hair braided away from their faces.
Niva had always been petite, not quite what people would go so far as to call short, but her family genetics leaned toward the smaller side, especially in women. Her dark, nearly black skin came from her mother’s side of the family, while her green eyes were a mystery. She didn’t know who her father was. She’d always felt out of place, too different, too unique, but not quite exotic enough to be considered beautiful. But as she looked around at the Draqons, she realized that while they were all larger in frame than her, the coloration of their skin and eyes ran across the spectrum of every color on Earth. And the hinting of scales that ran across their bodies, assorted colors in different placements, each unique to the individual, set them apart.
Flapping in the air caught her attention. The sound was like a thousand giant birds beating their wings at the same time, thunderous and earth trembling. Niva shrank back as the mist dissipated.
Overhead, Draqons, giant beasts with scales that shimmered in the wet air, flew down. They stole Niva’s breath straight from her lungs. She’d never seen a shifted Draqon up close before, at least not one that wasn’t trying to kill her. They towered above her, breathtakingly powerful and at least five times taller and wider than her. Their wings were double that, their heads as long as her entire body.
When they landed, water splashed out of the pools, and the loose rocks on the mountainsides tumbled down.
More Draqons dropped from the sky, and others in their primary forms appeared from the mist, swarming in around Zayd and surrounding him.
Niva wanted to back away, but there was nowhere to go. She marveled at how Zayd didn’t falter no matter how many eyes turned to him. His highly erected wall remained in place, never crumbling, never showing any cracks. It had to be difficult to always be the one others looked to for reassurance and leadership. Somehow the mantle of responsibility seemed to weigh heavier on him than she’d seen on Gerrit. Perhaps he took it more seriously.
As the wind from the flapping wings settled and the breeze shifted toward the deeper ponds, the Draqons’ attention darted from Zayd to her.
“What is that?” asked a red-haired man who stood with his arm resting on the shoulder of another Draqon male.
“I think it’s a human,” one of the women hissed.
“There are no humans in the hive,” another said.
The voices all joined together until it was a verbal onslaught of questions and demands. The sound took on an agitated, high-pitched hum that hurt Niva’s ears.
Some of them advanced toward her, and before she realized what was happening, Zayd had stepped in front of her, pushing her behind him with a snarl. “Her name is Niva, and yes, she is a human. But I have welcomed her to our hive as a peaceful liaison. If you can’t accept my ruling, you can get the fuck out of this hive.”
The hive went silent, but the tremor of displeasure continued to run through the group.
“A liaison?” someone asked. “With whom? We have no peace treaties.”
Zayd took a deep breath and lowered his arm, standing up straight, his full height impressive when he stood so close.
“We have struck an alliance with the Vilkas.” This time the Draqons did not simply fall silent and accept his announcement. The humming returned, but it was discordant, like an angry wailing Zayd had to speak above. “I understand your concern. I will reveal all the details to each of you, but know I have made this alliance in good faith. The Vilkas have joined with us and the Katu to put an end to the flesh trade on Kladuu once and for all.”
“What do we care about the flesh trade?” a woman with white-blond hair and blue scales on the side of her face stood up and asked. She had a long staff in her hand, which she planted in the ground next to her as if stating her claim.
“We care because it’s wrong,” Zayd said in a voice that made it clear any other opinion would be unwelcome.
The blonde woman blinked at him, still obviously angry but unable to counter the truth of his words.
“While the Draqons have never participated in the flesh trade, those who did kidnapped one of our own shifted youth. Dirim only managed to escape the clutches of the flesh traders who were preparing to sell him to Earth thanks to the help of a human and a Vilka.”
A shudd
er went through the crowd again, and the people turned to one another, speaking quietly. The energy in the crowd changed. Knowing this arrangement was due to helping one of their own placated the distrustful Draqons.
“Things are changing. Our world has been very small, but our youth are having difficulty shifting back into their first form more often. The Hylas have medicine for this, which they are hoarding for themselves. The Vilka Alpha, in a gesture of peace, has shared what little medicine he has with both the Katu and us. Our children cannot be made to suffer simply because the Vilkas offend our senses. They are different, they are not our friends, but they are our allies. And this is how it has to be.”
“And the human?” someone asked from the back of the group.
“Niva will be living here with us now. She will help us navigate our alliance with the Vilkas. Anyone who has more questions about my decision or about the Vilkas can speak with me at evening meal. It’s been a long walk.”
The Draqons chuckled at his last comment, although Niva couldn’t quite figure out what was funny about it. Her feet were killing her.
Zayd nodded to the blonde woman who still stood with her staff in hand and gestured for her to come over. The group broke apart, aware that the official announcement of their leader returning home had ended and it was time to go back about their evening. Once again, Niva marveled at the fluidity of the Draqon crowd. They seemed to move together, not quite in unison but in harmony.
The blonde woman approached, her silver eyes and sparkling blue scales shining in Zayd’s direction. “Are you in need of some company to help you relax after your long trek?”
Niva bristled at the intimate tone of the woman’s voice. Was this Zayd’s lover? She’d overheard Gerrit speaking about the hive being without a Queen, so Zayd must not have an official mate. Why did the idea of him being attached to someone make her insides feel like they might come loose and turn to goo all around her, like she would dissolve into a puddle right there?
“Kinyi, this is Niva. She will need a sleeping area in one of the single dwellings.”
Kinyi narrowed her eyes at Niva. The woman’s tresses were almost as pale as Zayd’s nearly silver hair. However, she had dark brows and accentuated makeup around her eyes. Along the left side of her face, a series of small ice-blue scales ran along her cheekbone, emphasizing her sharp and dangerous appearance.
“Good to meet you, Kinyi,” Niva said, hating how her voice trembled.
Kinyi’s brow arched, and Niva felt like she was melting beneath her eyes. They were so filled with unquenchable heat. Not the kind that made her think of romance and passion, but the type that brought to mind images of being roasted alive, hogtied over a pit out in the deserts of Earth.
“Of course,” Kinyi said smoothly. “I’d be more than happy to show our new guest where we live.” She smiled at Niva, but Niva found the gesture to be anything but reassuring. “Maybe tomorrow you can join us in training. I lead the hand-to-hand combat training for unmated women.”
At the offer, the back of her neck tightened and her exhaustion threatened to pull her under. But it was good to be included, and even though Kinyi’s beautiful, icy looks intimidated Niva, maybe they could be friends. “Thank you. I would love that.”
“Certainly. You look exhausted from the climb. I can show you to your room now if you’d like.”
Zayd placed a hand on the small of Niva’s back, pulling her attention. “Rest well.”
His touch sent fire across her back and up her spine. He hadn’t touched her until then, and heat radiated out from where his hand made contact with the thin fabric covering her skin. She wanted to feel that hand against her skin. She was suddenly overcome with the thought of turning and wrapping herself around him.
Kinyi took her arm and pulled her away from Zayd’s touch, her grip almost hard enough to leave bruises.
Niva held back a wince as the tall female Draqon propelled her away. She glanced back to find Zayd watching them.
As Kinyi walked, she pointed out the different areas of the valley: which hot springs were used for cooking, which for bathing, which for cleaning, and all the different areas and small buildings and their uses. But Niva’s mind wandered back to Zayd.
When Kinyi paused in her tour, Niva asked, “The hive doesn’t have a Queen?”
Kinyi snorted. “Not for over five years. If you ask me, it’s past time for a new one. This hive needs a woman’s touch.”
“A woman’s touch?” Niva frowned. “It looks fine to me.”
“I don’t mean that kind of touch. If Sotu were alive, she never would have allowed Zayd to ally with the Vilkas. No offense,” Kinyi added as an afterthought. “The Draqons are a warlike clan. Without a Queen, we’ve gotten soft.”
Niva would never use the word “soft” to describe Zayd. “Sotu was the former Queen? Zayd’s mate?”
“They weren’t officially mated for that long,” Kinyi said, almost scoffing at the dead woman’s memory. The way she spoke, Niva wondered if Kinyi wanted the role of Queen for herself. “They were very young.”
Niva wanted to ask what had happened to Sotu, but the question seemed too intrusive, and she couldn’t work up the nerve.
Her thoughts were jumbled, and she kept confusing her feelings for Gerrit for these new unbidden reactions to Zayd. She was just exhausted. It was all too much. The trip, Gerrit having a baby with Jude, moving to a new planet, and living not only with one alien species but then running away to live with another. Vera would have noticed Niva was gone by now. Niva’s heart ached for her friend. She should have left a letter or at least said goodbye, but in those moments after Jude’s announcement, she’d only felt pain.
When she and Kinyi reached one of the cliff walls, a shiver went through Niva, the moist air getting under her clothes and biting at her bones.
“It’s colder out here at the edge, but don’t worry. The dwellings have geothermal heating thanks to the hot springs.” Kinyi pointed to the tubing that came out from the mouth of the bottom of the triangular-shaped structure. It led down to a hole in the ground, feeding deep into the mountain.
Kinyi climbed a ladder up to the side of the upside-down cone-shaped structure. She pulled aside a flap and stepped in, holding it open for Niva to follow. Inside, the floor was mostly solid with grated openings that allowed the trapped heat to flow into the space comfortably. The roof was made of thin leather. Kinyi showed her how to pull it aside to let the warm air escape.
“You’ll learn what temperature you’re comfortable with. Many of the dwellings like this are shared by single females, but we have an empty one right now so it seemed like it might be better for you to be alone while you adjust to being here.” Kinyi smiled, and the scales on her cheeks twinkled in the dim light inside the dwelling.
Niva would have preferred a roommate, anything to not be alone, but she was in no place to make requests. Instead, she said, “Thank you. I appreciate the kindness.”
“I’ll come get you in the morning for training if you want.” Kinyi wrinkled her nose as she looked at the Arakid silk Niva wore. “And bring you new clothes.”
Niva could only nod as the exhaustion of her journey hit her like a ton of bricks.
She sank down onto the narrow cot and placed a hand on the thin fabric of the dwelling wall. Periodically, there were hard beams, perhaps even bones, that gave the cone its rigid shape. It made her think of corsets from a distant Earth past or inverted teepees.
“Is there anything else I can get you?” Kinyi asked.
“I think I’m going to sleep for a while,” Niva said, hoping she would stop staring at her with sharp eyes and leave her in peace.
“Of course. If you need anything, follow the bridge to the right. It will take you to the main women’s area. Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the boys when they’re acting out.” Kinyi gave a hearty laugh as if she’d shared a joke Niva should have understood but couldn’t possibly get.
Kinyi made her way out, and when
she opened the flap to the dwelling, frigid air rushed in.
The cone was comfortably warm, but Niva pulled on the mechanism that allowed some of the balmy air to escape from the roof so she could breathe easier. She stepped out of her clothes and climbed into her cot naked, surrounding herself with the soft fibers the Draqons preferred over the Arakid silk the Vilkas took such pride in. The pain in her chest tightened, and tears welled in her eyes as she curled into a ball.
Disappointment and lost dreams ripped through her, opening the fresh wound of Gerrit’s disinterest. The fantasy of being with him had existed solely in her head and heart. How could losing something that had never existed hurt so much?
She’d always thought heartbreak was just a pretty term for an ugly sentiment, but she honestly felt it like the delicate tissues of her heart had experienced a deep sundering. In all the ways that mattered, her heart was broken.
She hadn’t been enough for him to even notice. She hadn’t mattered. She’d come back to Kladuu for him, and while everyone else found someone to love and be loved by, Niva had nothing. No one.
She wept silent tears until she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Chapter Three
Zayd
Zayd loved early mornings at the hive best of all. The rising sun filled the valley with colors and light. The ice sparkled, reflecting and refracting light into the springs to create rainbows in the steamy haze above them. It was the time of day when he felt most in touch with his people, and he took the opportunity to wander the valley to check on the different activities going on before the morning meal.
But even walking among his people and the beautiful setting of his home couldn’t take his mind off Niva. The small woman with the waterfall of black hair hadn’t left his mind since he’d sent her off last night with Kinyi. When he’d noticed she hadn’t attended the evening meal, he’d sent one of the other unmated women to bring her a bowl of food.