missed her.”
“What about your father? Did you know him?”
“Not really. My mother’s family raised me, and he only visited occasionally. My brothers came to see me more often than he did.”
“They didn’t live with you?”
Zemma shook her head as she stirred the contents of a large pot. “My mother was my father’s second mate, so my brothers are not related to her family. Besides, they were already older and more independent when I came along.” A reminiscent smile crossed her face. “You would think they would have resented me, but they were wonderful brothers. Right up until they left.”
“Why did they leave?”
Zemma sat down next to her and began chopping as well. “My father died when they were teenagers. He was somewhat of a recluse, and I’m not sure that either of the boys really felt at home in these caves. Baralt had been arguing for a long time that we need to be more involved with the rest of the Empire, and the two of them decided to move to Port Eyeja. I didn’t want them to go, of course, but they told me I could join them when I was old enough.”
“What happened to your other brother? And why does Baralt blame himself?”
“Akhalt was killed in Port Eyeja. As to why Baralt blames himself—” Zemma shrugged, but face was filled with sorrow. “He’s always taken responsibility for everyone else. And he was the most outspoken about the idea of moving to town. When he brought Akhalt’s body back for the death ceremonies, many of the tribe treated him poorly and suggested that he was responsible. He left as soon as he recovered.”
“Recovered?”
“He was badly injured in the incident.”
Izzie’s heart ached at the thought of an injured Baralt, surrounded by people who blamed him for his brother’s death. She could understand why he had left. “And you hadn’t heard from him since?”
“No. I do believe what he said—that he was trying to protect me—but I wish he had talked to me before he made that decision. I’m sure he thought I was too young to understand, but I wasn’t.”
“He’s very protective.”
“I know. But sometimes trying to save someone pain only makes it worse in the end.”
Izzie reached over and squeezed Zemma’s hand. Zemma returned the clasp, then gave her a determined smile.
“But enough about me. What about your family?”
“My mother died when I was born as well. My father raised me.” Although, that was overstating it. “He was not a good parent. I left home as soon as I could.”
“You have no family to miss you? No tribe?” Zemma looked horrified.
“No. I’ve been on my own for a long time.”
“Not anymore,” Zemma said firmly. “You’re Baralt’s mate, and that makes you part of our tribe now.”
Was she? Had he made that announcement because of how he felt about her? Or simply so that she would be allowed to remain?
“And it gives me hope,” Zemma added. “Maybe more of the old ways can change.”
“The old ways?”
“Forbidding us to mate with anyone other than another Hothian.”
“Does that matter to you?”
Hothians couldn’t blush, but Izzie suspected that if Zemma had been human, her cheeks would be pink.
“I met a male while I was…outside. But he is not Hothian. And he’s probably forgotten me by now,” she added gloomily.
“I doubt that. But can’t you go see him?”
“I’m not supposed to leave the caves.”
“They’re keeping you prisoner?” Zemma’s situation seemed all too close to her own recent imprisonment. “Tell Baralt—he’ll get you out of here.”
“No, it’s not like that. Exactly.” Zemma looked down at the cutting board, avoiding Izzie’s gaze. “But the last time I left, it didn’t go well. They want to protect me.”
“What happened?” she asked softly. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“There was a male. I went to him because I thought he might know about Baralt. And at first, he was exciting, but then…I couldn’t leave. And it was no longer my choice.”
Izzie’s heart ached. She reached out and took Zemma’s hand again. “On the slave ship… It wasn’t my choice either.”
They sat in silence, taking comfort from each other, until Zemma gave her a shaky smile.
“You can never tell Baralt. He would only blame himself.”
“I won’t. And don’t say anything to him about my situation either.” She suspected he already knew, but they had never discussed it, and she didn’t want it between them.
“Of course not.”
After a brief pause, Zemma changed the subject, asking Izzie more general questions about life on Earth as they finished cooking.
She’d had fun