Page 24 of The Weaver

Ketahn growled, hugging Ivy closer to his chest even as his eyes fell on the infant in Ahmya’s arms. “They may do as they like. My mate and broodling will remain here, resting in peace.”

“Suck it up,” Lacey said. “It’s not every day that a half-human half-vrix baby is born. And Akalahn is the first.”

Ivy cupped Ketahn’s face and peered up at him. “This is our tribe now, and they’re happy for us. It wouldn’t hurt to join them.”

He huffed through his nose, mandibles falling. “If it is your wish, my heartsthread. For a small time, we will join them.”

She smiled.

Once more, Ahmya’s heart squeezed in response to the open love passing between Ketahn and Ivy. She looked down at Akalahn and was startled to see four wide, luminous violet eyes staring up at her. “Oh!”

He didn’t cry, didn’t fuss or protest that it wasn’t his mother holding him, he simply looked up at her curiously.

Ahmya smiled at him. “Hi there, little one.”

“Perfect timing,” Lacey said.

It was, but Ahmya suddenly found herself reluctant to give him up.

“And you’re both going out with the thornskulls?” Ivy asked.

Ahmya shifted closer to Ivy and carefully returned Akalahn to his mother’s arms. “We’re gathering food and looking for herbs. I also wanted to take this chance to study more of the plants.”

Lacey smiled. “Ahmya’s itching to get back out in the jungle to explore.”

She was. It wasn’t often that she was able to venture outside of Kaldarak, especially as it was much too dangerous to go out alone.

“Is Callie joining you?” Ivy asked.

“Not this time,” Ahmya said. “She’s checking out a tunnel with Urkot and some thornskulls. I think she said its where they’re mining limestone.”

Ivy adjusted the baby in her arms, tucking the blanket more snuggly around him. “Just be careful out there.”

Lacey snorted. “What could go wrong? Giant beasties, carnivorous plants, floods? Pfft. Been there, done that.”

Ahmya’s scars flared with echoes of pain at the memory of the firevine’s thorns piercing her flesh. The encounter with that particular carnivorous plant had been so sudden, so startling, and so dangerous.

But it wasn’t enough to stop her from exploring. It wasn’t enough to make her love plants any less.

“Let’s…take a pass on all that,” Ahmya said with a soft laugh. “Going through it once was more than enough for me.”

“Agreed,” said Lacey and Ivy in unison.

“Now let’s get going before they leave us puny humans behind.” Lacey hooked her arm through Ahmya’s and led her toward the entrance, sticking her tongue out at Telok as they passed him.

CHAPTER 5

“You two arelike school children, teasing each other back and forth,” Ahmya said as she and Lacey walked arm-in-arm across one of the busy platforms.

Many vrix in Kaldarak were outside their homes. Some chatted with one another, some went about their morning chores, and others lounged in the sun, all while younglings played, their chitters and trills as pleasant as any birdsong.

Lacey glanced at Ahmya from the corner of her eye. “Who?”

Ahmya laughed. “You know exactly who I’m talking about.”

The red-haired woman wrinkled her freckled nose. “Telok can’t stand to be around me, and the feeling is mutual. He’s rude, broody, and impatient. He also acts as though I smell offensive anytime I’m around him, which isn’t often as he seems to avoid me as much as possible. It was nice not feeling like I’m some nuisance while he was gone.”

“Wow. I guess I hadn’t realized he’s been acting that way toward you.”

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