Page 47 of Corvak's Challenge

He toys with a lock of my hair. "But it's a very good idea."

"No. Absolutely not. No torture." I slide out of his arms and grip his hands in mine. "But I do think it wouldn't hurt to meet up with the other guy. See what he has to say. Get information from him."

Corvak isn't sold. "And if he's the enemy, I will be walking into a trap with my hands out."

Good point. I think for a moment longer, and then offer, "Okay, what if you capture him? Without injuring him? And bring him back so we can question him."

"Mm. That is more difficult."

I squeeze his hands. "But you love a challenge."

"I do indeed." Corvak tugs me against him again, nuzzling at my hair. "You are very clever, my Aidy. I am so glad you're my female."

I let him pull me close and snuggle me. "I'm glad I'm yours, too." Weeks ago, I was annoyed at his constant claims on me, but somewhere along the way, I've turned to liking it. I don't think he grasps the word "love," but when he says that I'm his and that he can't imagine his world without me? When he takes care of me? I feel loved regardless. I feel pampered and cherished.

As long as he shows me, I don't care about the specific word too much.

He strokes my back, tucking me against him. Undressing is forgotten and he just wants to touch me for a while. I certainly don't mind that, not after the day I've had. I sink against him, eyes closing, and breathe in his scent. How is it that even after a day of hunting, Corvak still smells so good to me? I want to bury my nose against his skin and just inhale him for hours on end.

"I did not bring meat home," he tells me. "I failed you."

"It's fine. I'm not even sure I could eat it if you cooked it." I rest my cheek against his broad, warm chest. "I'd much rather you cleaned off the path. Our friends are leaving turds everywhere."

I can feel the tension in his body. He continues to stroke my back, running his fingers up my spine. "I don't like that you are sick. Is there something I can do?"

"It's probably just something I ate or touched. All we can do is wait it out." His chest-worm is purring, but it's not the same wild sound it was before, and I'm concerned. Before, I justwanted it to shut up so I could think, and now I'd give anything for it to be loud and insistent again, just so I know nothing is wrong. "Our chests have been quieter. Did you notice that?"

"I did. It makes hunting easier."

I manage a smile at that. "I bet it does."

"And it makes noises every time I'm close to you. Yours does to me, too."

It's true. Our humming is quieter, but my chest still thrums whenever he's around, and his does when I'm close. "You don't think they're sick, do you? I know we need them to survive, but what if we're supposed to do something to help it?"

"Like what?"

"I don't know. Water it?" I chuckle at my own ridiculous response. "Maybe it was just upset about something for a while and now it's not. I'm probably seeing shadows where there are none."

"You are being cautious, and there's nothing wrong with that." Corvak's voice is steady and reassuring. "And your advice today has been wise. We'll set a trap for this other gladiator and capture him and insist that he give us answers."

He makes it sound so easy. "Just don't hurt him or we won't get anything out of him."

"I won't."

"Bind his arms really well. The bad guys always escape in the movies when the ties aren't tight enough."

"Will do."

I tap a finger on his skin. "And don't get yourself hurt, either. If you're not around, these snow-people aren't going to listen to me at all."

He doesn't laugh at my words. He only strokes my hair and sighs. "I wish I had listened to you when you said they were a problem. I grow weary of our friends, and yet more and more of them arrive every day."

"Don't beat yourself up. You wanted strength in numbers. It'd make sense normally. It's just…they don't behave like normal people. They might talk, but that doesn't mean they're civilized. You couldn't have known." I lean back to gaze up at him. "And I'm not sure they would have listened even if you told them to go away. You're the chosen one, remember?"

Corvak's expression remains solemn. "I just worry what will happen when this valley runs out of food. It's easier to feed a dozen mouths than a dozen's dozen."

It's the same worry I've had, too. We're going to run out of resources. It's not a matter of if but a matter of when. "Just be careful when you go out, all right?"

---