by Zara Starr
The problem was, I had no way of explaining this to any of them, and after seeing the shadow of an enormous bird, I understood why they didn’t want me to roam around outside by myself. I had seen something myself in the bushes when I’d still been alone with Karr.
Still, thinking I could continue to survive, much less flourish, living inside a hole in the ground was downright crazy. I really needed to soak up some sun, like my life depended on it.
I sighed as I looked over the two of them and tried to get them to understand the meaning of family and my question, but as they continued to grunt and speak to one another, I realized it just wasn’t happening, no matter how hard I tried to force it.
And yet, with every single day that passed, I was growing more and more wary of the disconnect and the effort to fix it. Finding a breach in the gap with the bird-trueno reference was great, but it didn’t get us very far.
I stood up and walked toward the mouth of the cave as a shadow appeared within it and watched as the source drew nearer.
Karr had returned.
Karr
I had seen the trueno flying over the waters and knew that I needed to make haste in returning to the home cave.
Ella would likely still be entertaining Dew and Bahl, if not a few other males, but I wanted to make certain she was safe after seeing the bird searching for prey once again.
My eyes searched around the fire and I nodded when I noticed Ella walking toward me, her body clad in the softest stag fur that I had seen in some time.
“Karr!” she cried as she came running to my side, throwing her arms around me as she placed her head against my chest.
I looked down at her and felt the sides of my mouth as they tugged into a smile. Her enthusiastic greeting warmed my heart more than I had expected.
“Ella.” I sighed, running my hand over her hair as I looked back at her.
She moved away from me and fanned her hand out, drawing it down over the dress she was wearing.
“Clothes,” she said with a happy expression.
I nodded. “It looks like you have made her quite pleased with your workmanship, Bahl,” I said as I looked up at him.
I turned to Dew. “Good evening, Dew. I’m growing accustomed to seeing you both here nearly every night. Perhaps, we should hold a nightly banquet?” I asked.
Bahl and Dew smiled in unison as they nodded.
“Indeed, perhaps we should,” Bahl agreed.
I smiled, thinking that having a family might be nice, even if made up of mostly friends. In fact, that was perhaps the best solution.
Surely, the possibility was more real now for me than it had ever before been.
Sixteen
Ella
As time passed, the thought of going home grew less realistic. Eventually, I began to realize that it just wasn’t going to happen.
My expertise at making the best out of my situation began taking over. With that in mind, I knew that the old adage, when in Rome behave like the Romans do, was the best thing I could adopt.
I also recalled that, as my therapist told me, I could only work with what I actually could control and I hadn’t had any control over arriving here, let alone the return home.
I still didn’t even know what to call this planet, or where in the universe it was, but I had started growing especially close with Bahl and Dew. And when my lips met with Bahl’s first, I knew that my attraction to him was stronger than I cared to admit.
As the weeks passed, my extra time with Karr also brought me a great deal of comfort. There was something particularly settling about him going the extra mile to bring me the things he noticed I enjoyed, like the sweet water as opposed to brine.
Julene appeared less and less frequently, leaving me to the care of my three favorite purples. I found that I was correct in assuming that because there were so few women, multiple males would mate with one female.
It was different and hard to grasp, considering the way my society insisted on a one-to-one mating ratio, but I noted that most of the women were doted upon and treated like goddesses, every whim met with no argument.
The idea of having men jump at the snap of my finger was a little strange, but I started to grow accustomed to it. Once I realized how things went, I decided to test out the waters by seeing if Dew would allow me a few moments outside. I could only hope.
I sighed as I rose to my feet and strode over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder to draw his attention so our eyes could meet.
I gestured toward the mouth of the cave, giving him a pleading expression I hoped he would understand. I really needed some vitamin D and it wasn’t like I could take supplements here. I had to get out into the sunlight.
“Sun?” I asked him. He tilted his head and reached into his satchel. I took my hand from his shoulder and shook my head. “No, no fruit.” He arched a brow in confusion and I chuckled, pointing back toward the mouth of the cave. “Outside.”
He narrowed his eyes briefly and glanced at the entrance, his lips twisting into a frown as he shook his head.
I sighed, lifting my hand and drawing my palm slowly across his cheek. I stood up on my tiptoes and gently placed a kiss to his cheek. “Please?” I asked.
His gaze seemed to soften then, and he let out a loud sigh as he began walking toward the entrance. He stepped outside and instantly lifted his face toward the sky as I watched from the safety of the cave. Suddenly, he dropped his face and began waving toward me.
I strode out of the cave and slowly looked up at the sky, gasping as I noticed how very bright the sun was here and how it seemed so much closer than it had on Earth.
Other than the obvious language difference and the appearance of the beings, I realize that I had been in the cave so much that I’d had little time to compare this place to Earth.
I twirled around to glance at the tree line, my eyes flickering over the place where I first saw the strange glowing eyes.
Oddly, it looked bright and inviting, like a postcard from somewhere in the tropics, a place I had never been but had seen in movies and commercials.
A tiny bird fluttered across the trees, and I watched with intrigue as it perched on the edge of a massive purple fern to watch me with intense interest.
Dew smiled and pointed at the creature. “Pahari,” he said.
I smiled, enjoying learning yet another word in their language as I took in the strange and bright colors that made up its plumage. It was similar to a parakeet but seemed a bit smaller.
I repeated the word, “Pahari.”
He beamed with something like pride and placed his hand at the small of my back, leaning his head so that it rested lightly against the top of mine.
My eyes fluttered closed as I relished the feeling of having him so close, and I was jolted with the realization that his presence was more than just comfort. I was growing very attached to him.
I smiled as we shared the moment, observing a tiny colorful bird in contented silence. I had never imagined I could fall in love, but if ever there was a possibility, I most certainly felt the hope of it when at his side.
Karr
I had done my best to teach Ella all I could, and at the same time, I also strove to learn as much as I could about her. I had no doubt that she was bright and capable, and after seeing her with Bahl and Dew, it became clear to me that she was developing attachments.
It had been weeks since I first rescued her and the elders had still not asked any questions. But with the more frequent absence of Julene, I knew soon enough the inquiries would start.
When I arrived on the beach for the last day of fishing, I had no doubts the day had finally arrived. Funi’s grimacing face followed me as he stood closest to the tree line, his long arms folded over his chest as he stared at me.
Ignoring him, I began tugging the rope and pulling the boat ashore as Otoro announced, “Julene said that the female has made a full recovery. Is this true, Karr?”
I snorted. “Ella,” I said. Otoro blin
ked as I continued. “Her name is Ella.”
Why did they insist on calling her ‘the female’ when everyone clearly knew she had a name?
I found it incredibly disrespectful and I wasn’t about to let it go. It didn’t matter how they felt about her. We respected females, regardless of their species.
“Very well, is Ella fully recovered now as Julene has said?” Otoro reiterated.
I gave a shrug. “She’s eating well and seems much more active. On more than one occasion, she has tried to venture out of the cave. I don’t think she is sick,” I replied.
I was not going to make any guarantees, wary of their position on the matter and what demands they would make.
“Then you will understand when I tell you that we, the council, have determined it is high time for her to have her triad choosing ceremony,” Otoro said flatly.
I sighed. “She still doesn’t fully understand our tongue. How are we to explain to her exactly what that means?”
“No matter. Is the need for a tongue necessary for mating or bearing sons?” Funi interjected.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“Does she understand the triad custom?” Otoro asked.
I had to concede that she had an idea. “Yes, partially. I have instructed her on it to the best of my ability. I’m fairly certain she has a minimal understanding. Dew and Bahl have also spent some time teaching her some of our ways. She knows of the trueno well enough,” I added matter-of-factly.
“Very good. Then you shall tell her that, at first light tomorrow morning, she will meet with the sun circle and declare her three mates.” Otoro left no room for argument.
My eyes flickered away from him as I gave a curt nod. I knew better than to plead for more time. If the council said it was time, then time it was indeed.
I just hoped Ella understood the repercussions of making flippant or rash choices when it came to selecting her three mates.
Ella
I was pleased that Dew allowed me to spend a few hours basking in the radiant sun, watching the Pahari as they frolicked and flitted through the trees.
As wild and dangerous as the outside seemed to be, during the time that he and I shared out of doors it was surprisingly pleasant.
A rustling in the underbrush made my ears twitch and Dew pointed back at the cave. I didn’t want to go back inside, so I shook my head as I watched the tree line.
But the sound of leaves brushed aside made me turn in the direction Dew stared, and suddenly, Karr stepped from the trees, his gaze flickering between the two of us, assessing the situation.
My eyes widened, knowing we’d been caught misbehaving, and I quickly darted back into the cave, hoping I hadn’t upset Karr too much by going against his wishes.
To my surprise, he and Dew did not speak as they followed me into the cave. I glanced back as I watched Dew slowly walking inside, bringing up the rear, leaning into the stone wall as Karr murmured something to him.
I drew my brows together, wondering what was so secretive and made them so solemn, and I turned to go find the stick, bringing it to Karr.
He frowned and sighed as he took it from my outstretched hand. He glanced back to Dew as he said something more, his words rapid and clipped.
What was going on?
I grew anxious as I watched him continue speaking, but I didn’t dare to interrupt, and he made no move to draw anything for my understanding.
Was he angry with me for being outside? Or was this something else entirely?
I had a million questions swirling in my head and not a single clue about answers to any of them.
Bahl
I had wandered away from Karr’s home cave for most of the day, but I was curious about Ella’s welfare. After the sweet but passionate kisses we had shared, I needed to know she was safe.
I crossed out of the tree line and began walking toward the cave, but I didn’t like the scene before me, nor the words I overheard Karr saying as he spoke quietly to Dew.
“The council has determined that she is well enough to have her triad selection ceremony. They want to do it at the arrival of the sun at dawn,” he explained.
Dew gasped softly as his eyes shifted toward me. “Hello, Bahl,” he greeted.
I nodded and stepped closer to Karr, moving past him to Ella’s side. From her expression, she did not understand anything and she didn’t seem happy about it.
“Bahl,” Karr said. “I assume you heard what I just told Dew?”
I nodded. “I think you should worry more about soothing Ella’s confusion,” I pointed out.
From the look on Ella’s face, she was completely oblivious to everything being said about her, though she obviously knew the discussion was serious and concerned her. If someone didn’t make the effort to explain soon, I feared she wouldn’t trust any of us any longer.
“But how do I tell her?” Karr asked.
I shrugged and reached for the stick he held almost listlessly in his hand.
“Like this,” I said as I began drawing out intricate shapes and forming them into a well-illustrated image.
I pointed at the female in the center and then to Ella. “You.” My fingers then reached to point toward my own image. “Me,” I said. Then I pointed to Karr, followed by the second male. “Karr.” And as my fingers traveled to the last male I said, “Dew.”
I then began drawing the council circle and proceeded to do my best to explain what was to happen the next day.
Much to my surprise, Ella seemed delighted and curious, but I was not so sure she understood the implication or the gravity of the choices she had to make.
Ella
I had a major dilemma.
It may have taken me a bit to process what they were explaining to me, but it eventually settled in that I would have to comply.
Learning that the council wanted me to choose three mates for myself was overwhelming. I hadn’t even come to this place with the intention of staying, let alone living here permanently. And I certainly hadn’t fathomed mating with one of the locals, much less three of them.
And yet, I found myself at a crossroads because, as much as I knew that I didn’t belong here, I also recognized the feelings that had begun stirring within, the emotions that Karr, Dew, and Bahl had all evoked in me.
These sensations, these needs and the way I was drawn to them had to mean something, didn’t they?
I ran my hand over my gown as I looked over it. How I wished I had a damn mirror so I could actually ensure I looked halfway decent. In a way, the ceremony being so early and outdoors was exciting because it meant that I got to escape the wretched darkness of the cave.
However, it also had a sort of arranged marriage feel to it, and I suddenly found it very depressing to think this may be the only real wedding day I ever had. Nobody I knew or cared for back home would be a part of it, and that was hard to accept.
I sighed as I ran my hand over my hair, the strands that had grown several inches since I’d arrived here and that I usually let flow wild and free, twisted into a long, thick plait that I hoped looked decent enough.
I had mimicked the same style that Julene had, interlacing large multicolored tropical blooms of flowers I had found the day before into my braid.
I licked my lips nervously as I waited for Karr to peer within. A few moments later, his familiar purple face appeared with a smile as he waved for me to emerge. I walked toward the mouth of the cave, wondering what would befall me next.
Sure, I understood what this ceremony meant, but I knew nothing about the actual procedure and I was incredibly nervous.
Karr smiled and reached for my hand. As I slid it into his, he gently slid his free hand over the top and squeezed it, his lips puckering slightly as he leaned in to place a tender kiss to my forehead.
I sighed, wondering if this was customary for their people and realizing how it resembled the actions of a male caretaker of an average Earthling family; an uncle or father, or even an elder brother, abo
ut to give away one of the most precious things—a daughter, beloved niece or sister.
Or in mine and Karr’s case, a strange woman he had rescued from briny waters and taken in out of the kindness of his heart.
Karr brought me to stand in the center of all of the council members. My eyes glanced over the two elder men who had first decided my fate, and Julene, the single female elder. She smiled briefly at me and regarded me with a nod.
I gulped and looked over the group of males standing nearby, looking hopeful—what I presumed to be my hopeful.
Karr had pointed out the group of males and I realized that I was correct, they were the chosen few who had been deemed eligible to line up for a chance at becoming one of my three mates.
I still felt strangely uncomfortable as one male began speaking outright as he pointed at me. Why was it that some of them seem so pissed off all the time?
My gaze came back to Karr, seeking out reassurance, and he nodded to cue me that it was time.
I glanced over at the males and noticed that Arh—the one who had dumped all the disgusting meat at my toes and seemed to have a bad attitude every time I saw him—was beaming with the largest shit-eating grin I had ever seen.
I wondered why. He was the most arrogant schmuck here, and somehow, he still seemed to think he had a chance with me. The overconfident attitude was enough to make me sick. There was no way I would ever choose someone like him.
I looked past him and continued to peruse the males as my eyes slid across Karr’s younger brother, Khay.
I smiled at him. He was a handsome young male with an intoxicating gaze, much like his brother’s, but he seemed far too juvenile by comparison to the others. That was just not going to work for me.
Next, my eyes slipped over to Dew, whose gaze met with mine for a moment as he smiled lovingly. From the depth of those incredible orbs, I could see the adoration pouring out of him, and I knew at that moment there was no doubt he would be one of mine.