again? Had she truly let him down?
The clawing return of doubt was unwelcome. Being with Grif, she’d gotten used to other sensations: joy, pleasure, happiness, comfort, security, and pride.
Until recently, when he’d made her question herself once more. How dare he? They were supposed to be a team.
“Nayla, can I come in?” A soft voice echoed from the other side of the tent. “It’s Lana.”
Not the person she wanted it to be, but she was also desperate for news, and some answers. “Yes, come in. Please.”
She hurried to the flap entrance.
Lana barreled through, her worry easy to read in the tight lines around her eyes and mouth. “Are you okay?”
Nayla forced a smile. “Not really.”
Pity and concern played across the female’s face. Then, guilt. “I…I saw Grif and he seemed so upset, too. He asked me to come see you.”
The heaviness in Nayla’s chest increased.
“He’s with the others discussing what to do next, but he said he’ll come as soon as he can.”
“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “He…he and I had more angry words. He did not like idea to trade me for females.”
“Yes, I heard.” Lana picked at a strand on the covering encircling her hips, her gaze elsewhere. “Can you blame him?”
Nayla’s eyebrows climbed to her forehead. She had expected Lana to agree, just as Malin had.
She paced across the tent, anger propelling her on. “You are one who said I should be strong. Who said to know my mind. I am reason the missing females are in those cages.”
“You are also the reason we know where they are and have the chance to rescue them.” Lana cleared her throat. “Sacrificing yourself won’t prove a thing.”
She stalled. “That’s what Grif said.”
“He’s right.” She closed the distance between them, her gaze soft. “You can’t blame him for wanting to keep you safe.”
Nayla studied her. “Why you defending him? You always tried to separate us.”
The other female blushed. “I, ah, I heard you arguing earlier. Your voices were raised,” she hurried to explain. “I wasn’t trying to listen, but…I don’t know…once I started listening, I couldn’t stop.”
Nayla’s cheeks warmed. “Then you heard him say I was coward.”
“Oh, yes. I also heard you meet him head-on and express yourself without fear. Th-that’s something I could never do with the males who held me captive. It’s something I struggle with even now. But not you. You’re not afraid to challenge him. Share your thoughts. He doesn’t hold back, either. That’s not the pattern of a captor and captive.” Lana smiled. “It’s the knockdown, honest-to-goodness blueprint of two equals. You give each other space and courage to be who you are. It made me realize I’d been wrong. You two are good for each other.”
The female’s words were bittersweet. “He wants push me away. Then, he’s furious when I offer to go.”
“He loves you.”
Nayla’s breath left in a rush. “W-what?”
Lana sighed. “I didn’t think you knew. He loves you. There’s nothing more terrifying for a man like him. Especially if the female he loves is spreading her wings and learning to fly.”
“He loves me?” Wonder curled through her.
“Yes.” Lana confirmed. “I’m certain of it. Just as I’m sure this rotation must have really scared him. You know what he is. Who he is. Don’t think he doesn’t want you to be strong, but even he has his limits. He’s not going to stand back and let you die.”
You’re so ready to die. I want someone who I can count on to live.
Nayla’s heart beat fast, his final words striking her differently this time. “He thinks he can save everybody. He doesn’t want what happened to his sister to happen to anyone else. I didn’t mean to scare him. I only want to show him that I am strong like him.”
“Consider being as patient with him as you say he’s been with you. You told me before you liked his gentleness, but you preferred him fierce and monstrous. I, ah, I was surprised at the time, but I realized after that I was also jealous because it was clear you accepted him as he is. Did he do the same for you?”
She answered without hesitation. “He knows all of my secrets and my fears. He says we fit.”
“You are lucky. Most of us never find the courage to show someone else our true selves, much less gain acceptance when we do.”
“You are right. In my anger and hurt, I forgot. What we have is special.”
“Special enough to fight for? Even against the stupidity