“You’re telling me.”
“And I thought my life on the ship was bad.”
Striver gave her a questioning look, but he didn’t follow up with any questions, so Eri let the topic drop. “What do we do now?”
“We wait,” Striver whispered, settling down on an upturned root.
“How long?” Eri already felt suffocated by the underside of the roots and the high water. She couldn’t imagine spending a night cramped inside the tree.
“As long as it takes.”
“Ugh.” Eri’s legs ached. She couldn’t stay bent over like this forever. Joining Striver on the root, she gave up, letting the murky water seep around her to her waist. She checked her locator for Litus’s life signal. So far, his heart still beat.
Striver took her wrist in his and ran his fingers along the screen. “Did this hurt?”
Eri laughed. “Not at all. Doctors attach the locators to us at birth. The plastic is actually synthetic bone, which grows along with the bone in our wrists. I’m sorry if it bothers you. I can’t take it off.”
His fingers brushed along the keypad, continuing up her arm. “No, no. I’m curious, that’s all. It’s a part of you, and I don’t want to change who you are.”
Suddenly, the humid air in the hollow tree grew hot, almost suffocating. Eri changed the subject. “I was checking Litus’s vital signs. What do you think’s wrong with him?” She stretched her legs until her toes hit the other side of the roots. Her knees were still bent, but it felt good to relax her muscles.
“Some sort of infection.” Striver pulled his arm away and shook his head. “I’m not sure. Could be the side effects of the coma dart. Some people have an allergic reaction to the poison.”
Eri suppressed a rising current of panic. Litus was a strong young man. He could withstand a lot. “Did you manage to recover our medical equipment from the scout ship?”
“We took several containers, but I’m not sure what’s in any of them. Like I said, we don’t use technology.”
“When we get back to the village, I’ll go through what you have and see if I can find our tissue regenerator.”
“So many gadgets.” Striver handed her his water pouch. “What does that one do?”
Eri was surprised he showed interest, considering how he felt about technology. “Repairs damaged cells in our bodies. Why?”
“Just thinking.” Striver’s voice trailed off. “You care for Litus, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.” Eri brought the pouch to her lips and sipped, coolness trickling down her raw throat.
“Is he your lifemate?”
Her throat constricted and she choked on the water, spitting it out into the swamp muck. “No. Litus is my sister’s lifemate. Everything I do, I do for her.”
Striver sat silently for several heartbeats and she wished she could see his features better in the shadows. “I see.” His voice was hushed, yet intense.
“I don’t know why I’m trying so hard. She doesn’t even seem to like him. I guess I’m hoping she’ll grow to. I want her to be happy.” Eri knew she shouldn’t have said it, but she trusted Striver, and this wasn’t the first time she’d confided in him. She needed to get her frustration off her chest, anyway.
“What about you, Eri. Do you like your lifemate?” Striver voice was soft and careful.
Eri swallowed hard. “I don’t have one. I’m the only female in my generation without a lifemate.”
“For Refuge’s sake, why?”
She’d told him so much already, what was a little more? Eri doubted he’d look at her any differently, even though everyone on the Heritage did except Aquaria. “I’m the product of an illegal pairing. My parents got together before their lifemates were chosen.”
“That’s horrible.” Striver patted her hand. “I mean, not that they got together, but that it prevented you from having a lifemate.”
“I don’t blame them. I love them both very much.”
“What happened to their love?”
“They were placed with different lifemates. Aquaria, my half sister, shares my mom. Although my parents aren’t together anymore, I’m proud to be a product of love, not one of science. I guess it’s the rebel inside of me, passed down through my parents. It’s pretty cool, except for the way everyone looks at me like I’m some kind of freak.”
“You’re not a freak. You’re probably the most normal person on the Heritage.”
Eri laughed. “Normal to you, not them.”
Striver ran his thumb over the back of her hand. Her skin tingled underneath his touch.
“Do you want a lifemate?”
“Are you kidding? It’s one of my dreams. Besides finding a better job. Linguist was not my first choice.” Although her job had earned her a seat on the exploratory team. It had brought her to him.
He squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry. I’m all for rules and a structured society, but the more I hear about your life aboard the ship, the more I want to take you away from it.”
Eri leaned in, half excited, half afraid. What if she wanted to go with him? “Take me where?”
His hand traveled from her hand to her chin. He cupped her cheek in his palm. He opened his mouth to reply, and she pressed into his touch.
The water splashed outside their tree and someone brushed aside the veil of moss. Riley poked his head in. “Coast is clear.”
How long had they been under the roots? Tearing herself away from Striver, Eri got up and walked to the hole. “You sure?”
“I sneaked out and scouted around. No one’s here but us and a whole lot of muck.”
Eri looked over her shoulder to Striver and he nodded encouragingly. But she didn’t want to leave. Not yet. They had been in the midst of something important, momentous, at least in Eri’s world—even if she didn’t know exactly what it was. Striver never did get to answer her question, and she had so much more left ask.
“Well, are you coming out, or are you going to make a home in there along with the weasel worms?” Riley sighed and shook his head.
“We’re coming,” Striver growled as he stood up from the root. When he pulled back the rest of the moss in front of her, his face looked resigned to obey Riley, but his gaze smoldered with interest, making Eri’s cheeks burn. “After you.”
Chapter Nineteen
Homecoming
Relief charged through Striver as the bristly spikes of the wall towered over the trees below the ridge. Not only was he coming home, but if Phoenix made it back safely, Weaver would be there as well. Even though they’d be holding his brother against his will, Striver felt like his family was complete once again. As complete as it could be without Father.
“We’re almost there.” He hefted his backpack, ignoring the pain in his muscles. The Lawless stilled trailed their scent, and they couldn’t afford to let up their pace.
“Good, because I don’t think he can take another step.” Riley hoisted Litus’s arm across his shoulders. Mars braced his other side, sweat dripping from her forehead.
“I can make it.” Litus spoke through gritted teeth.
“We’re almost there, and once we get to the village, I’ll find the cell regenerator.” Eri walked beside them, touching Litus’s hand.
Litus turned his head in her direction and spoke under his breath. “I need to contact the commander.”
“After you recover,” Eri pressed.
Noticing Eri’s reluctance, Striver decided to push the issue with Litus. “We don’t have time. We’ll be safe once we cross the wall.” Striver turned and pushed ahead, wondering why Litus was so eage
r to talk with the commander and why Eri delayed it. Striver had won this round, but it still seemed as though a war hung imminent in the air. Maybe it was just the giant mother boar of a ship hovering over their heads, but unease sat like a sharp rock in his gut despite their homecoming.
Leaves rained around them as Guardians fell from the sky, meeting their party in a semicircle of iridescent feathers. The Guardians must have spotted them a kilometer away. Striver had expected some sort of greeting, but still, relief flowed through him with the familiar sight of Phoenix’s wingspan blocking the blinding rays of sun.
Mars muttered under her breath, “Oh no, here we go again.”
Phoenix landed last at the circle’s arc. Although the Guardians had no chosen leader, Striver guessed Phoenix influenced most of the decisions. He was over three hundred years old and one of the original hatchlings from the eggs brought to Refuge by Aries and Striker.
“Greetings, Striver and friends.” Phoenix bowed and his fellow Guardians followed, feathers ruffling as they folded their wings behind them.
“Hello, Phoenix.” Striver turned back to the others, they didn’t have time for formal greetings. “You met Phoenix briefly in the swamp. The others are Raven, Dove, Eagle, and Glider. They’re here to help.”
To his relief, Eri bowed and the others followed. At least her team was treating them civilly.
Striver wasted no time. He had to know. “Is Weaver safe?”
Phoenix straightened and nodded, his eyes serene as the surface of a lake. “He’s in captivity. Guards watch over him. He’ll speak to no one, but he’s physically unharmed.”
Striver rubbed his chin, deep in thought. He’d have his hands full when he returned. “Thank you for taking care of him.”
“My pleasure. Your ancestors brought us here and gave us life. Protecting their offspring is the least we can do. You know that.”
“Yes, but I appreciate your efforts all the same.” Striver smiled before turning back to the others. “We’re eager to get back. Lawless still hunt us, even this close to the border. Litus isn’t feeling well, and the rest of us are weary and hungry.”
“That is why we’ve come.” Phoenix had a glint in his eye. “We’re received permission from the council to fly you over the wall.”
“So they couldn’t fly us over when we left to get my team, but they can fly us over now?” Eri put her hands on her hips, eyeing them skeptically.
Striver opened his mouth to respond, but Phoenix put his long fingers on Striver’s arm. “Let me explain.” He turned to Eri. “We are a peaceful species, and we discourage any act of violence or anything that might encourage war. We also have no wish to rule. The council decides the fate of our village, and the Guardians are under their discretion. Without their permission, we can’t help you if you cross into Lawless lands. But I’ve obtained their permission to carry you back over the wall.”
“No way,” Mars erupted behind him. “No way I’m letting one of those…birdmen touch me.”
“Fine.” Striver reached into his backpack and pulled out a coil of rope. He threw it at her feet. “Have fun.”
He scanned the nervous faces of the others. “Anyone else?”
Eri shook her head. Her eyes were steady, but under the tough exterior, her hands trembled. Striver brushed her arm, whispering under his breath. “Don’t worry. I’ve done this a thousand times.”
“I trust you.” Eri met his gaze and the intensity between them deepened. Longings resonated inside him, and he turned away before the urges grew out of control.
Branches cracked and shouts pierced the woods behind them. Striver whirled around. “We must go now!”
“Wait!” Mars’s voice wavered. She kicked back his rope. “I’ll go.”
“Excellent. You will not be disappointed.” Phoenix spread his wings and the other Guardians followed. Each of them took their place behind a human in preflight formation. Striver glanced at Eri and smiled. You can do this.
The Guardians’ wrapped their branchlike arms around each human’s waist. Phoenix lifted Striver, and in a heartbeat the pair broke through the canopy and soared. Below them, arrows from the Lawless arched up and fell short, plummeting back to the canopy of trees.
Wind whipped Striver’s hair back and cooled his warm cheeks. Freedom and excitement pulsed through his veins. He glanced over as Eri, flown by Dove, broke free of the trees. His chest burst with pride as he shared this experience with her and her team. Sure, they’d flown in space their whole lives, but nothing compared to riding the air currents above the lush vegetation on Refuge.
Eri spread her arms in the air as if she had wings. He could picture her as an angel, descended from the sky to save him and his people. If only that were true.
She turned her head and blinked as she caught him staring. Dove hoisted Eri higher in the air. Striver wondered if the Guardian showed off just a little to make a good impression. Humans were prone to flaunting, but Guardians, he could only guess.
Tree huts protruded from the lush greenery like mushrooms. Even though he’d only left days ago, it felt like ages had passed since he’d been home. What will Mother think of what Weaver has become? Can we convince him to stay?
His stomach pitched as Phoenix dove for the middle of the village. They landed effortlessly, and his feet touched the ground as if he weighed no more than one of their feathers. The rest of the Guardians landed beside him. Mars’s face was green as the grass, but exhilaration lit Eri’s features, bringing out her beauty. Striver’s heart quickened. Maybe she’ll like it here on Refuge after all?
The villagers in his tribe descended from their tree huts to meet them, carrying water pouches and fruits. Riptide ran to Riley and he embraced her, twirling her around.
At least she’s not running to me.
“Done it again, have you?” Carven came up behind him and punched him in the arm. His face had color, and he looked well rested and fed. Striver laughed, the sight of his friend calming him.
“We rescued the remaining prisoners, but no sign of the weapons,” Striver whispered under his breath, accepting a handful of nuts from a little girl.
“Still reason to celebrate. You’ve returned unharmed and made friends with the owners of that hulk in the sky. Besides, the villagers need something to lift their spirits. Ever since that ship decided to park over our turf they’ve been anxious.”
Striver murmured under his breath, “They have good reason to be.”
Carven put his arm around him and smiled. “We’ll have a feast with dancing tonight.”
Riptide’s head whirled around when Carven mentioned dancing. Striver avoided eye contact, guiding Carven to the woods behind them for privacy.
“Fine. But not in my honor, not again.” Not with Weaver here.
“Okay, we’ll honor our new friends.”
“And Weaver?”
Carven shrugged. “You can try to talk to him yourself, but I don’t think he’ll join in the festivities.”
A bomb sank in Striver’s stomach. How was he ever going to convince his brother to stay on their side?
Carven clapped him on the back and turned him around to the rest of the village. “Here’s one of our new friends now.”
Eri smiled as she joined them, but her face turned serious a moment later. “Excuse me, but my teammate is very sick and needs a place to rest.”
“Of course.” Carven gestured over his head, and members of the tribe eased Litus onto a stretcher they’d carried from one of the storage huts.
Striver thought she’d go with him, but Eri tugged on Carven’s arm. “I need to go through what you salvaged of our supplies. I’m hoping to find a device to help him.”
“Certainly.” Carven released Striver and offered Eri his arm. “Come with me.”
“Thank you.” She jogged to the villagers carrying Litus away. “Take care of him.”
An elder from the council nodded. “He’s in good hands.”
“Thank you.” Eri moved to leave, but she halted in midstep. She turned to Striver, and the way her eyes sparkled made him feel like he was the only man on Refuge. “See you later.” It sounded more like a promise than a statement.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
Eri wiped a smudge of mud off her cheek. Her shoulders slumped with weariness, and Striver curbed the urge to comfort and embrace her. “I hope so, too.”
Striver watched Eri leave, wondering when he’d get another chance to be alone with her. There was so much he wanted to ask her, so much he still didn’t know. But his duties as leader came first. He had to tend to the villagers’ worries and his brother’s broken spirit first.
…
Eri dug through the containers, throwing out broken pieces of equipment. She’d trained in the medical bay for two days before the mission, learning how to work all of the life-saving devices. At the time she didn’t think she’d ever use the knowledge.
Cyberhell, I wish I’d paid attention.
A small oblong device poked from the pile and she pulled it out, flipping up the lid. The screen blinked on, fluorescent green light illuminating the inside of the tree hut where they’d stashed the supplies. Words flashed by.
READY TO SCAN SUBJECT.
“Did you find it?” Carven shouted from outside. Eri wondered if he’d stayed for her own safety or to spy. At least he’d given her privacy to go through their supplies without breathing over her shoulder.
Her hands shook as she held it. It calmed her to hold a remnant of technology in such a wild, savage place. The plastic was so white, so prefect compared to her mud-caked skin. “I think so.”
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