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 community 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.
Maybe the last humans.
I swallow the knot of grief in my throat and get dressed