Page 120 of Planet Zero
Never again.
Addie reflected on these two words while clutching Qalae’s potion in her hand. The contest had long finished, and the Tek meat feast that followed had been over with. She didn’t eat raw meat under normal circumstances, and today the look of it made her gag. Zoark had never materialized at the plaza, and Addie had endured standing next to Shur until the crowd broke up for the night.
She was a coward.
She had looked into Shur’s face and saw Hoban. She had opened her mouth to tell him to take a hike and had closed it again.
She wasn’t afraid that Chemmusaayl would tie her to the post. She was afraid hewouldn't. He might simply let Shur take her away and have his way with her by force.
She now stood at the edge of the rocky incline, protected from the view of the settlement by several large boulders and moderate-density bushes.
She was about to eat her words. If Qalae showed up.
She clutched the herbs tighter and wondered idly if she would end up taking them herself in the future. She didn’t want Shur touching his body, forcing her to touch him in return, kissing her in intimate places, licking and tasting and stretching…
Addie shuddered.
He might give you more affection than your cripple,a voice whispered in her mind.
But no amount of reasoning could ever overcome the desires of the heart. Shur was handsome and solid in character, and she wanted to cry at the mere idea of laying with him.
“So you wanted to see me, Addie-woman?” Qalae emerged soundlessly from out of nowhere. “I admit, I’m curious.”
The queen sauntered closer, a malicious glint in her startling eyes.
Addie took a deep breath. “I brought you your poison.”
“Oh?” She sounded indifferent, but her eyes sharpened. “Being mated has brought about a change of your heart?”
“In a way.” Addie opened her palm to give Qalae the little pouch. Qalae looked at it but didn’t reach out.
“You want something from me, don’t you?”
“Your help.”
“My help.” Qalae’s eyebrows rose. “What happened toNever Again?”
“I was too hasty.”
“You’re a fine little extortionist, that’s what you are.”
“It isn’t like that!” It was exactly like that.
“Enough!” Qalae raised her hand and for a second Addie thought she was going to hit her. Instead, she took the herbs. Untying the pouch, she poured the powder into her mouth with a practiced motion, swallowing several times. Her face contorted - the powder burned the throat like undiluted whiskey. “What is it that you want?”
“How do I stop the thing with Shur?”
Qalae didn’t seem at all surprised at Addie’s question.
“You can’t.”
Panic stirred. “But I thought women had the last say!”
“The chief already blessed your union. You’re bound to him.”
Addie was outraged and scared. “I was never asked. They didn’t give me a choice!”
Qalae shrugged, avoiding eye contact. “They didn’t think you would object.”
