Page 42 of Master
"It's just that…" she shrugged. "I recognize some of the different species from the ship.”
I cast my glance back at the crowd. While Tau Ceti comprised a mostly human population, other species resided here. Just in the mix of shoppers, I spotted a Romvesian, Verdesian, Warlick, and Serdat. None of these species were inherently dangerous, although I didn’t like any of them glancing in Clara’s direction. Instinctively, I stepped closer, slipping an arm around her waist. She leaned into me, welcoming my touch.
“Maybe you were right to pretend we were mates,” she murmured.
“Haven’t you figured out I’m always right?" I chided, bringing a smile to her lips. "No one will bother you here. I won’t allow it." I glanced to where Lula bent, whispering with three human women, the hushed gossip easily overheard by my ears. I squeezed Clara’s waist, nodding in Lula's direction. “I don’t think it will take longto get around that we're a couple.”
Clara's gaze landed on Lula, and she chuckled, relaxing further.
Buck took notice of his wife gossiping and frowned. “Tarook, why don't I take you around and introduce you to some of the fellas?” Apparently, he didn’t like to be left out.
I hesitated, not wanting to leave Clara's side. An excuse formed on my lips, but Lula sauntered over, pulling Clara from my grip.
“You boys go on. Clara can help me in the stall. We'll be fine.”
I needed to speak to the village leaders about the Bardaga's arrival and ask permission to use long-range communications to contact the ship. But I hesitated to leave Clara—an affliction that seemed to grow worse with each passing second.
Clara resisted Lula's pull, turning to face me. Her hand went to my chest, right over that spot that seemed to throb and simmer.
“It’s okay, I’ll be fine.” She smiled at me, violet eyes dancing. Whatever bothered her… I’d made it better.
I’d never been prouder.
Buck and I walked toward the center of the street, fielding greetings from those we passed. I glanced back once to catch Clara watching, and she smiled and waved, making the center of my chest erupt into flames.
No. It couldn’t be the valakana. Unless….
I’d heard tales in my youth of other Vaktaire claiming females out of jealously and spite, even completing a ritual claiming in front of the priest, only to have the Valana ignore the claim. What I felt could be a sign of punishment from thegoddess. A burn and throb that would always remind me I squandered my chance for a fated mate.
I glanced to see Clara laughing with a group of women. Happy. Safe. If what I felt was truly punishment from the goddess, I bore no regrets.
A group of men congregated near the baked goods stand. The faintly sweet, yeasty scent made my stomach rumble. The group held steaming mugs of something that smelled nutty and smoky. I recognized it as something the humans called coffee. Orzon, the Framaddi chef on the Bardaga, kept a stash of the drink for the humans on board, but I’d never been able to get past the bitter taste.
“I’d like you boys to meet my new houseguest," Buck announced, reaching out his hand to take a mug from the stall owner. "This here is a Vaktaire warrior,Tarook. He landed near the farm yesterday after a little trouble with his ship.”
"Welcome to Tau Ceti," the portlier of the men announced. "The name's Atkins Parlow. I'm what you might call the mayor of our little town." He held out a hand to me—the human gesture of greeting. I accepted his grip. A slight chill traveled over my skin—a sense of foreboding honed from my years as a warrior. Most Vaktaire possessed the capability to size up an opponent in seconds. While this man didn’t seem dangerous, he was smug and pompous. While his short, chubby stature wouldn’t last seconds on the battlefield, his pale blue eyes held deviousness—like many politicians I’d encountered. The displeasure flashing across the other men’s faces when he announced himself as mayor didn’t escape my notice.
“Craig Munroe." The tallest human stuck out his hand. He stood a foot taller than Parlow, with a body leanly muscled from years of labor. His hair was light, a shade or two darker than Clara's, and a short beard stubbled his chin. I felt honestly in his handshake.
“I’ve talked to your Chieftain Khaion many times,” Munroe said. “I’m the Peacekeeper on Tau Ceti.”
“It’s good to meet you," I replied, and I meant it.
“How come you're not traveling with the Bardaga?” the peacekeeper asked, drawing a bored huff from Parlow. "They’re due here in about a week… dropping off a load of children. That’s got everybody excited.”
I knew the basics of the plan to have Tau Ceti citizens adopt the children miners Daisy and Daicon rescued, but not enough to speak on it. Instead, I glanced toward Clara, watching as she showed a handful of sweet potatoes to a thin woman with dark hair and an amiable smile.
“I rescued Clara from captivity.” I did not disclose what type of captivity, not wishing to cause her embarrassment. "We were on our way here to rendezvous with the Bardaga when our ship malfunctioned, causing us to land in the forest."
“So, we got us a new resident," Parlow chuckled, gazing toward Clara with such lewdness that I clasped my hands behind my back to keep from hitting him.
“She’s awful pretty. What’s her name?” The mayor continued, oblivious to my need to throttle him.
"Clara, and she is my mate." It was the easiest lie I'd ever told. It didn't feel like a lie at all. It felt real. I tensed, waiting for the pain of the valakana, but it didn't come. All I felt was thethrob and burn… obviously punishment from the Valana for my earlier falsehood.
Why did I feel disappointed?
Parlow held up his hands, the mug teetering between his fingers. "Didn't mean to step on your toes, partner," he chuckled.
