She only spares me a few more words before she breaks off to address the group.
“Today, you travel deep into our city to hunt for your Fuegorra. It will be placed in your chest, and once you put it in, it cannot be removed. You will be counted among the Enduar people.”
The women around me buzz excitedly, but something sinks in my stomach like a stone. If I’m going back to Eneko, I must remain unaltered.
I will not have anything placed in my chest.
I will continue as I am.
Free from a mate, but disjointed from the community until my mission is complete.
The women here are content, happy even, as they call out how much they love being in the under mountain. They are right; it is a good place to live.
I pat Estela on the back when she looks scandalized over a particularly explicit joke one of the women tells—something about making babies.
“Chin up,” I say to the queen. “You know, I never knew either of my parents. Here’s to children knowing where they come from!”
Several of the women raise their water glasses into the air as if they were fine goblets of mead and take a long drink. No one detects my lie, and I’m content to let it be.
Just as I begin to say something else to Estela, the wise woman emerges from the ground. She is even more stunning up close. She is distinctly Enduar, from her white silver hair to her deep blue skin, but she is more otherworldly and ethereal than the others.
Perhaps it is the thousands of crystals that hang off of her dress, but I bet she could blend in with the side of the cave if she tried.
She and Estela begin to speak as Abi and Paoli walk over.
The two women grin at me.
“So,” Abi says, taking hold of my arm, “What do you think?”
I smile at her as she twirls.
“You both look fucking gorgeous,” I say, hinting at an old inside joke.
They both laugh, but Abi shakes her head.
“I mean about the caves. Look at what they’ve done for the ceremony!” She points at the glowing orbs above us.
“I like it here. It’s much more beautiful than I imagined,” I say.
“Agreed,” Abi says. “Have you chosen someone yet?”
“Joso is very handsome,” another woman says, coming over.
I recognize the name of the tall, burly hunter and frown. He’d stood near the redhead the night we arrived.
“I believe he is with Arlet.”
The woman I don’t know frowns. “Oh. Damn. Well, I am sure there are others.”
I nod. “But not Ra’Sa.”
He’s still tasked with taking me to Zlosa. I require his whole, unyielding attention.
Paoli catches my eye and signs,He is very handsome. I hope you sing soon.
I smile and sign back,thank you.
Abi sighs, “I think I like Niht.”