Page 151 of Planet Zero
At first, Addie figured he was so confused that he thought she took away his arm, but then the real meaning sank in. He was asking why she saved him.
“That’s what I do, Chemmusaayl,” she said simply. “That’s who I am. Another planet can’t change that.”
He turned his head away from her, completely despondent. Yeah, she got it. He didn’t appreciate her help. He’d rather she let him bleed to death on the soft moss and hard boulders than live handicapped.
Addie checked his bandages but didn’t change them because she had no clean ones, and rose to her feet. Too damn bad. He was going to make it. And then he was going to have to deal with the cripple-bashing attitudes he’d been such a staunch proponent of.
Just then Zoark, Oh’nil, and Vuskas crested the hill. They each carried a load on their backs, and people went to meet them as they descended a small incline. The men dropped down their cargo, and everyone started going through the things trying to find any that belonged to them and divide up those that had belonged to the dead.
In a stroke of luck, a stash of dried Tek meat survived, tucked neatly into a large clay bowl, and its presence lifted some of the tension. Today, at least, people didn’t have to worry about keeping their stomachs full.
Zoark’s eyes found Addie’s and held. An emotion so powerful her toes tingled from it ensnared her. Zoark. Her man. The love of her life, so large and foreign and real.
Leg bent, he stood waiting for her, and she glided toward him as if on wings. He unfolded his powerful arms and enveloped her into his embrace completely.
“I found something of yours.” Without letting her go, he reached down and picked up a folded roll of skins.
“Sathe’s skins!” Addie exclaimed, her fingers delving into the pliant texture of a masterfully processed hide. The blanket was dirty and torn at the corner, but she would clean and mend it.
“That's all that was left of your teepee,” Zoark said quietly.
“Chele?”
He slowly shook his head. “There’s nothing left. I found the blanket in the bushes some distance away. I know you treasure it.”
“I do. Oh, thank you. I do…” Her eyes misted. She’d planned to use the few remaining pieces of Sathe’s handiwork for her baby, they were so soft, and despite all odds, she’d get to do it still. A small miracle.
A shadow fell on them, and a sudden hush enveloped the people. Chief Net’ok was standing behind Zoark.
“Our contest isn’t finished, cripple.”
Zoark shook his head. “I forfeit,” he said simply, followed by the indrawn breath of those who heard him.
Net’ok’s head snapped back. “Forfeit?”
“Why are you surprised?” Zoark’s eyebrows rose as the chief’s lowered.
“You’re strong. Despite everything…”
“I know,” Zoark admitted.
“You truly don’t want to be a chief, do you?”
“About wanting it, I thought I didn’t. But I can be.” His orangey eyes skimmed over the tattered remnants of their once large and strong tribe. “For the right people.” His gaze landed on Addie, and he smiled.
Vuskas stepped forward, relief clear on his pugilistic features. “What are we going to do, chief?”
Net’ok glanced covertly at the High Counselor’s diminished form, laying a short distance away in a senseless state. “We walk.”
“We should walk to the mountains,” Zoark supplied. “And make our camp there, in the caves. That’s what we should do.”
His announcement surprised everyone, including the chief. “The caves?”
“Yes. I want my mate to stay there. I want my children born there, protected by the high walls of the Olzol Mountains.”
Now everyone stared at Zoark and Addie like they sprouted a second head.
“You’re a fool if you think you can survive in the caves. Animals don’t roam in the mountains, and vegetation is scarce. You’ll starve.”
