Page 110 of Sohut's Protection

Movement above them had him looking above and he locked eyes with Wawa.

“She’s safe,” he muttered and the animal blinked at him before focusing on Clee-yo.

He must have heard or smelled the spined creature and had rushed toward the sound.

“Who are you speaking to?”

“Wawa.” He motioned to the slizz with his head.

“Oh.” Clee-yo looked up and he could almost feel her relief. “Thank God he’s okay.”

She still didn’t believe he was as dangerous as everyone said, apparently.

“The little rhag is sturdier than you think.”

Clee-yo laughed again and her teats moved against the hardness of his back. He liked being the reason for her laughter—only, despite how good it made him feel, there was still that underlying feeling of dread.

As he headed back to the Torian camp, the smell of Clee-yo’s blood slowly drifted away as his healing serum worked.

She’d gotten hurt to protect him.

Flashing images of his bloodied brother returning to the depths of the mines with his tail removed came flooding into his mind.

He wouldn’t allow the people he cared about to be hurt because of him anymore.

It was the last time her blood would be spilled for him.

The last time anyone’s blood would be spilled for him.

* * *

Saying goodbye to the Torians was more emotional than she thought it would be.

“One last dance!” Senrit announced and Nupak pulled her toward the center of the camp.

Music filled the air as the celebration began, their feet moving in the soft dirt in time to the beat.

But it wasn’t like the other times they’d danced.

There was a sense of uncertainty that had settled over the camp and even though the Torians pretended all was well, she could see their worried looks.

Whenever she wasn’t looking directly at them, she could see their four eyes darting in her direction.

As they danced, Sohut smiled but the smile didn’t reach his eyes, and when the celebration ended and they were loaded up with rice cakes, a sort of resolve had settled over his features.

Walking back into the jungle felt different this time.

She was suddenly very aware of the real danger that roamed these parts.

They traveled without speaking for the most part and it was only when they were deep in the jungle, far away from the Torian camp, that Sohut paused.

Tilting his nose to the air, he sniffed.

“Water,” he said.

“You can smell it?”

Sohut glanced at her and nodded. Looking into the undergrowth around them, he sniffed again.

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