Page 121 of Planet Zero
Addie issued a small bitter laugh. “I get it. They didn’twantme to object. Shur needed a mate, and to everyone’s surprise, he chose me. Better get it done before he changes his mind. Such a neat solution to the problem.”
“You have to admit, it’s the best outcome.” Qalae licked her lips. “He’s a good male.”
Addie slashed air with her hand. “That isn't the point. I can’t mate with him!”
“You can’t undo it. The chief’s words are biding.”
“What if I refuse? Will they tie me to the post?” It was looking more and more like a very real possibility. She’d likely die in pain, taking her child with her. Lose-lose all around.
“It could happen,” Qalae allowed, “but it rarely does to females.”
“How are the females punished?”
“We are rarely punished. There are other ways to force us into obedience.” She spoke to Addie, but her gaze went to the tops of the Olzol Mountains barely visible in the distance. “We are shamed. We’re told how fortunate we are to have a mate to protect us. How our men need us to stay strong. Children have to be born, to take us into the future.”
Shivers ran along Addie’s spine. Children.
“I am not saying I don’t ever want to take a mate,” she said hoarsely. “I just don’t want this one.”
“More’s the pity. He’s the one you got.”
Addie took a deep uneven breath. “I am carrying a child.”
Qalae’s head reared back just as her eyes flickered to Addie’s still-flat stomach. “Are you certain?”
“Yes, fairly certain.”
“And does… he know?”
Addie mutely shook her head.
The queen was scrutinizing Addie openly now.
“Your union with Shur is done, Addie-woman,” she said slowly.
“It isn’t Shur’s child.”
“I understand.” A slight smile played around the queen’s mouth. “That other male, the one who sired a child on you, can challenge Shur for his mating rights.”
Addie chose not to share with Qalae the fact that Zoark was unlikely to fight for her. If he wanted to mate her, he had had plenty of chances to ask.
But what if, after learning about the baby, he decided that he was honor-bound to challenge Shur? True, Zoark was stronger than anyone suspected, but the fact of his bad knee remained. Shur would kill him.
“Can I ask the chief not to be mated? I don’t want anyone to fight.” Addie felt absolutely miserable.
The queen’s eyes didn’t soften, but her face fell in sympathy that she was trying to conceal. “In chief’s eyes, Shur is strong and able. The chief will favor Shur for the mating.” She paused. “And so should you.”
“What?”
The queen’s strong white hand slowly rose and hovered as if in indecision before gently settling on Addie’s cheek. “Think about your child. Who is going to raise it?”
“I will.”
“Not alone.” The queen’s hand withdrew. “Shur is not a bad choice. Not bad at all.”
Addie's heart bled. At this moment, she yearned to leave the tribe as much as once upon a time she had wanted to join it. It was the only choice. She could travel to the mountain valley with its beautiful blue and green quartz layers in the rock and its caves with golden light. She could stay awhile and spend time stocking a pantry and reading the etched scrolls. When the baby came, the two of them could stay there forever and make a home of it.
“You’re thinking of leaving, aren’t you?” Qalae asked quietly.
