Page 62 of The Highseer's Mate

I watch Selvara work, checking Melina’s forehead to see if she’s running a fever. Even though we are different species, it’s amazing how much her skills transfer over. Selvara meets my gaze. “Has she stirred today?”

I translate to Lara who responds that she hasn’t.

“Mm,” Selvara murmurs. She waves Nicole over and points to the cup and the water basin, then the luminite gem I pulled a hunk from the other day.

Nicole gets right to work, silently following all of Selvara’s nonverbal instructions.

“Wow,” I mumble. “You’re good,” I tell Nicole.

She shrugs her shoulders as she mixes up the ingredients with her bare hands, reaching for the bundle of herbs that Selvara gives her. “We don’t really talk, but I guess we don’t need to. It makes sense to me.”

That’s impressive. If I wasn’t able to communicate with the Vruts, I would be completely lost.

I clear my throat. “Selvara,” I speak to her in the language she can understand. “How is it that I can talk with you, but they still can’t?”

She shrugs her shoulders. “I do not know. I thought maybe your species has special intelligence with language, but your friend cannot understand me.”

“Nicole?” I point.

“Yes. She follows me around.”

Nicole perks up as she finishes grinding the ingredients. “Is she talking about me?”

“Yes. I’m trying to ask her about the language. It doesn’t make sense that only I can understand her.”

“Can you ask her if I can study under her like an apprentice or something?”

My lips slide into a wide smile as her request sinks in. “Really?”

“Yeah, I mean, I don’t think we’re going anywhere anytime soon. I’d like to have a purpose. Not hang around the chamber all day like some people.” She shoots a pointed look at Lara who throws a round fruit at her in return.

“Shut up,” Lara grumbles.

I giggle and nod. “Of course.” I focus my attention on the elderly woman, watching Nicole as she helps Melina drink. “Selvara?” I ask.

She eyes me.

“Nicole, my friend.” I point again just to be sure she remembers her name. “She wants to learn how to be a healer.”

Selvara straightens. Her weathered features beam as she approaches Nicole, placing her hand along Nicole’s back. She smiles softly and bows her head in respect, as I’ve seen many Vruts do when in agreement.

The two share a moment and it’s bittersweet to watch. I wish I could share in the joy of it.

“Where’s Ryan?” I ask. It’s been days since I’ve seen her.

Nicole dabs the dribbled liquid off of Melina’s lips and answers me. “The hunters have returned. She wanted to avoid the one who’s chest glows when he sees her.”

Lara rolls her eyes across the room and I attempt a smile.

Seeing that everything is okay here, I stand and say goodnight to my friends. I walk through the glowhollows alone as the beams of light from above soften and die out. I enter mychamber—the one that feels too empty, too lonely without my mate—and slide into the furs.

I was right. The scent of him surrounds me and it’s like a punch to the gut.

I would go to him, but I’m sure he would put up a fight and force someone to drag me back here.

Jerk.

But he understands his people more than I do and maybe he’s already preparing for the worst. The lump forming in my throat makes it hard to get comfortable.

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