Page 74 of Romancing Rem'eb

“I agree,” Noj’me says brightly, eating another mussel. “I think we should invite more of the above peoples to go with us, so they will be seen as friends and not strangers. It can be a short visit, but I think it would be beneficial to all of our people.”

“I’m not sure anyone is going to want to go with us,” I admit, looking over at Rem’eb. “So many have small children here and won’t want to leave them behind. I’m guessing they won’t want to take them with us, either.”

“It hurts nothing to ask,” continues Noj’me, her expression cheerful but stubborn, her mind made up. “What of you, Set’nef the Wanderer? And Tal’nef the Swiftest. Will you return?”

The brothers exchange a long glance.

“I am not ready to return,” admits Set’nef. “I have only seen a fraction of the above. I would yet see more before I am satisfied.”

Tal’nef gazes thoughtfully at his brother. “And I will remain at his side, as family should.”

I don’t point out that he looks less thrilled at the prospect. That’s between Tal’nef and his brother. I offer my mate one of my mussels and he gives me an adoring look, leaning down to brush his lips over the top of my head. “I am worried we will have a fight trying to change the minds of those that like how things are, but we must try.”

“I think you will have less of a fight than you realize,” Tal’nef says. “Just because something is a rule does not mean it is popular. Your father will be the one with the most objections.”

Rem’eb’s expression is determined. “I can handle my father.”

The next morning, I speak to Liz and Raahosh over breakfast and tell them my plan. They think I need to address everyone, and so we spread the word around camp. By the time dinner rolls around, everyone is back at the camp for an announcement, and I tell the gathered people of our plan to return to his people and establish trade between our two groups.

“We would love if more people would come with us so we can show them that we’re friendly and normal and mean no harm,” I say, even as I watch R’jaal protectively put an arm around Rosalind’s shoulders. I can check them off the “maybe” list for sure, not that I blame him.

Lauren looks at her mate, who has their son in his lap. He nods at her and she raises her hand. “We’ll go. K’then’s old enough to travel a bit and I wouldn’t mind warmth for a while.” She gestures at the thick, furry collar around her throat, which moves. “Kki is getting older and he could probably use the break from the chill.”

Right. Because K’thar has a bat-winged pet that has no fur and spends most of his time cuddled up with someone else for warmth. It makes sense that they’d want to check out the warmth of the city below.

“We will go, too,” says one of the new clone women. Her name is Vivi and she’s resonated to the part-lizard gladiator.

“You will?” I say, surprised.

“It is warm below, right?” She glances at her mate and then back at me. “I want to stay there during the upcoming brutal season, then. I don’t like the cold.”

Something tells me that it’s less about her liking the cold and more like her mate not liking it, judging from the protective look she gives him. Just like Kki, he probably struggles with the weather. But I’m fine with it. “We’d love the company.”

“Well, maybe I’ll come, too,” Colleen blurts out. “What could it hurt?”

Noj’me gasps in happiness and flings her arms around her friend. “Wonderful!”

Liz gets to her feet, putting her hands up to indicate silence. “It’s a good crew, and we should establish a way for you guys to send a signal back to us if there’s a problem. Maybe leave a note in the fruit cave or something. How long will you need to get ready to return?”

Rem’eb looks to me, leaving it in my hands.

“I was hoping we could bring furs and some salted red meat.” I get to my feet to address the group, keeping my tone firm. It feels strange to be in charge of the return party, but Rem’eb keeps a supportive hand on my boot and makes no move to get to his feet, which tells me I have his support. “And we’re probably going to have to split the produce from the fruit cave with the people below. There should be plenty for all, but we can mark off who gets what so no one cleans the place out again. We think of it as ours, and they think of it as theirs, even if they weren’t touching the fruit until recently.”

“We’ll send you guys with a welcome package, for sure,” Liz says, and for once she’s not full of jokes or silly comments. Her expression is as serious as mine. “And let them know that they’re welcome to come and spend time with us whenever they like. We don’t bite.”

“I bite,” Chalath says.

“Shut up, tater,” Liz replies sweetly, her smile remaining on her lips. “No one asked you.”

Chapter

Thirty-Five

TIA

It takes two days to pack everything we want to bring. In that time, Natalie comes by my hut and asks to see the loom. She sketches it out on a hide with some charcoal and then thanks me. “I’m going to make my own,” she says.

“Have you ever woven before?” I ask. I’m torn between bringing the loom with us so I can give the half-finished project back…but I’m also rather covetous of the loom itself. Part of me wants to keep it even though I know I shouldn’t.

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