Mari's Mistake - Ruby Dixon Page 0,47

not you. Just like I know it's not me. It's our cooties. Somewhere in all of this, they got confused and now we just need to figure out how to get them to like each other once more…the way I like you." I give him a tiny smile and reach up to caress his jaw. "Farli says that Veronica will get stronger with her healing powers in time—"

He makes a dismissive sound. "I do not want the healer trying anything on me ever again. She has done enough."

"She saved your life," I remind him gently. "Whatever happens, I'm still grateful for that. Maybe just…can we cuddle tonight instead of having sex? We're still mates, even if my cootie hasn't gotten the memo yet." I try to give him a bright smile, but to my horror, I start to cry.

The look on his face is sheer devastation. "Do not cry, my mate." He pulls me close and then hesitates, as if he's not sure if he should touch me. I fling my arms around him, burrowing against his neck, because I want to be held, even if my cootie doesn't want it. "Please do not cry," he murmurs again. "It hurts me when you do."

It seems like all we do lately is hurt each other.

14

T'CHAI

The next day is a good one. The weather is mild, the winds are light, and the suns peek out from behind the clouds. For this cold shore, it is a warm day…and I am spending it listening to Shadow Cat squabble with Strong Arm over the first round of the games.

"This is clearly weighted in Strong Arm's favor," I'rec snaps, holding up the weapon called a “bola' in front of T'shen's unyielding face. "Anything with arms favors them. We should have racing games instead."

"So you can win?" J'shel calls back, tossing his long braid over his shoulder. "Everyone knows that Strong Arm is not built for sprinting. We are fierce warriors, not hoppers to race away at the first sign of danger."

O'jek bares his teeth at that, and then everyone is snarling all over again. I rub my brow, tired. It has been like this all morning. Who thought a competition for the knives was a good idea? So far all it has done is create fights amongst the clans…as if we needed another reason to dislike each other.

"It is a human weapon," T'shen explains. "And the next round will be a footrace. I promise that it will all be fair."

I'rec looks to R'jaal, who only shrugs. "He says it will be fair," R'jaal begins, and I'rec throws his hands up in disgust. Always so hot tempered, Shadow Cat clan. I'rec acts as if his clan is deliberately slighted, and bristles when R'jaal tries to talk to him. R'jaal gives up, walking away from the group.

The little human female T'ia immediately follows him, touching his arm and trying to get his attention. "Where are you going?" she asks, her voice giggly and light. It is obvious that it is an attempt to flirt and get his attention.

R'jaal is oblivious. He points at me. "I wish to talk to T'chai. I will be back."

"Don't be gone long." Sticks her lower lip out, pouting at him. "I thought we could sit together."

"We shall see," R'jaal says absently. He sidesteps when she tries to pull on his arm, pats her shoulder, and heads to my side. "Ho, brother. How are you this morning?"

"Alive and whole," I say, watching as Shadow Cat and Strong Arm clans squabble over the race markers. "So it is a good day." I gesture at T'ia, who dances back over to stand near Shadow Cat clan. "That one is giving you soft eyes."

R'jaal just grunts, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the rocks with me as we watch the messy group. "She gives all the unmated males soft eyes. We are not special to her. She just wants attention."

My clansmate is wise. I watch as the female touches O'jek's arm and giggles at him, tucking her fluffy mane behind her ear. What he said is not wrong. I know he was mildly interested in T'ia when she first flirted with him…until he realized she also flirted with I'rec, and O'jek, and U'dron and A'tam. She flirted with N'dek and S'bren and M'tok before they were mated, too. Now that male after male has been paired off, her group of hunters has grown smaller. Even U'dron enjoyed her flirting at first, but now