formed between members of different tribes, and it’s a good thing. The Boraq need to not only survive this war but thrive afterward.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
I cover my mouth to hide my yawn, wondering how I’m tired when I’ve been asleep all day and it’s not even that late into the night. I must’ve hit a new trimester.
If that’s even a thing with alien babies.
“Can you help me up?” I ask. Yania easily assists me to my feet, and I smile at her in thanks. “If you could carry Tika, I’d really appreciate it.”
“Let her be, Massela. I will bring her to you in the morning. That way you can have some time alone with the Masse.”
As much as I still want to hold Tika, I don’t want her to be disturbed and therefore exhausted tomorrow. There’s also the fact that I still don’t know where my husband is, and I can’t look for him if she’s with me.
“As long as you’re sure…”
Yania nods, her raven hair skating her shoulders. “Before the first humans came and our village was full of younglings, all of the tribe looked after them. From the elderly to the fiercest warrior, no one shirked the duty, regardless of who the parents were. A youngling belongs to all, so watching Tika is not a chore or a burden; it’s an honor.”
She tilts her head and blinks at me. “What is wrong with your face?”
“I was trying not to cry,” I say with an affronted sniff. “That was so moving, and trust me when I tell you that it doesn’t take much for me to leak like a faucet.” At Yania’s confused expression, I shake my head. “Never mind. I’m just trying to say I cry a lot now because of the pregnancy.”
“That is peculiar. Boraq women do not exhibit such behavior when carrying young.”
I roll my eyes. “La-di-fucking-da.”
“Massela, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to your human phrases.”
“That’s probably for the best,” I say. “Thank you again for taking care of Tika. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I give Yania a little wave before walking over to the bed and placing a kiss to my daughter’s cheek. She doesn’t stir, but I almost wish she would so I have an excuse to bring her home with me.
“Sleep well, my little love,” I whisper.
After that I force myself to leave, knowing I’m being ridiculous for wanting to cry. Again. For fuck’s sake.
As soon as I’m outside, I walk back to my tent, but when I enter and find it still empty, tendrils of worry slither up my spine, making me shiver. The thing is, I can’t meander around the entire encampment at night hoping to hear my husband’s voice. It would be a waste of time, not to mention Jaxar has specifically told me not to do so. After Rozak kidnapped Charlotte, we were all cautioned against being alone at night, even within the parameters of the village. I think the only reason Jaxar hasn’t had someone escort me home is because Vivian’s tent is so close that he believes it safe.
Irritated that I’m being responsible and staying here, I change into my nightgown with a few muttered curses and slip into bed. Even though Jaxar likes to sleep nude and prefers me to be naked as well, that stopped as soon as Tika came to live with us. And truth be told, I don’t really feel confident enough to sleep like that anymore. Maybe I will again after the baby is born, but for now I’m Moby Dick.
More accurately put, I’m Moby, and Jaxar is all dick.
I close my eyes, and even though my body goes into a state of relaxation, I still don’t fall asleep. So I lie there for what feels like eternity until a shadow glides over the rear of my tent. I follow the stranger’s movements, trying to discern their identity, but the most I can gather is that they’re a Boraq male. A shaft of moonlight creeps inside as the person pulls back the tent flap. With as much stealth as I can muster, I creep my hand along the head of the bed, searching for my golden hairpins that are doused with a paralyzing venom. I curl my fingers around the weapons, feeling no less threatened.
“Who’s there?” I ask, my voice sharp.
“Do you not recognize your Masse?”
“Fucking hell, Jaxar. You scared me.”
After returning the hairpins back to their hiding spot, I sit up. It takes a lot of rolling and groaning, and