Page 42 of Wayfinder
Fuck!
“Priemba, my sweet, go change out of your school outfit and have a snack. I need to talk to Uncle Jutuk.”
Priemba’s lower lip rolled in an audacious pout. Still, she obeyed her mother, clamoring off my lap and flouncing toward her room with a backward wave.
Jala waited until her daughter was out of earshot before sliding closer amid a heavy sigh.
“I am not my daughter and therefore not so easily waylaid.”
The look on her face was one she’d adopted from our mother—the look that meant confession would be far better than denial. Of course, I was no longer a youngling and terrified of the expression—well, not as terrified.
“Your point?”
“Something is wrong.” Jala wagged her arched eyebrows at me.
This time, I only sighed in answer.
“You might as well tell me.” Jala crossed her arms over her chest, glaring lovingly. “You know I will pester you until I find out.”
I sighed again, but this time in defeat.
“It’s Pearl.”
“Did she throw another knife at your head?” Jala asked, lips quirking in amusement.
“I wish.”
A look of concern flashed over my sister’s features. “What happened?”
What happened?
That was the question. One I didn’t quite know how to answer.
I fixed my gaze on Jala, raising an eyebrow.
“Ahhh,” my sister chuckled. “She threw something else at your head. Did you not like it?”
“That’s the problem. I did.” I groaned, laying my head back and closing my eyes. An image of Pearl floated through my mind as though my brain suffered some mandate to keep her foremost in my thoughts.
“Why is it a problem?”
I opened my eyes and squinted at Jala, rather astounded by the question.
“Pearl is human.”
“And?” Jala challenged. “Have not some of your crewmates found happiness with human women?”
“Of a sort,” I admitted. I would accept my brethren seemed happier with their human females despite the matings being unblessed by the goddess.
“Don’t you want to find that kind of happiness with Pearl?”
I did.
I wanted to find more than happiness. I wanted a bond with Pearl that would last forever. I wanted more than a mating of convenience or pleasure. I wanted a soul bond.
“She can never be my true mate.” The words tore at me, as though hearing them spoken aloud cemented the truth that Pearl could never be mine.
My sister said nothing, her golden eyes studying me curiously.
