Page 32 of Shifter King
Zorna looked him up and down. "Those other two are half civilized, but you? Vawtrians must grow big and rude on the other side of Dry Deep, hm?" She turned her gaze back to Amelia though she still kept her walking stick up. "You will be very pleased with mine, of course. We are not here to threaten. Only to make an offer. Now is the time for peace."
"Peace?" Naatos demanded.
"Shush. I am talking to your leader." She shot him a sharp glare. "Just because you are the best killer does not mean you are the best choice. Rude beast." She squinted at Amelia, her voice warmer and yet firmer now. "Come. Let us speak like fully civilized people."
"Speak about what?" Amelia asked. "I don't understand why you are here." A chill passed through her, warning her that she did know and that it was wise to tread carefully. Even with Naatos here. Even with QueQoa and AaQar, and WroOth on the way. "I am no one of importance. I am simply here with my family. It is as he said," she nodded to AaQar. "We are only travelers resting for a time. Soon we will be on our way."
"Now every single one of us knows that that's not true," she said. "We all know there is a Neyeb coming. The Mother of a New Race. Did you think it would go unnoticed?" She glanced at Naatos. "I'm sure these ones thought they were clever to snatch you so swiftly. Though I would not have guessed you would have three husbands."
The younger man cleared his throat. "But—"
"Gabrice." Zorna stiffened and lifted her hand though she did not look at him. "You know better."
A chill passed through Amelia, rooting her in place. There was a woman. Another woman. Terrified. Wounded. She reached out, brushing the edges of Zorna's consciousness. Something was wrong.
A woman's screams punched into her mind, agonized and twisting. A dark place. Far from the sun. Far from anything except darkness and pain.
Amelia stiffened, dropping the barrier back into place. Her mouth went dry.
"She only has one husband," Naatos growled, moving between her and Amelia. "And you will not disrespect her or my brothers."
"You consider this disrespect?" Zorna laughed, shaking her head before she peered at Amelia. "We mean none. I assure you, Neyeb. This journey has not been easy, and we have come only with the greatest of respect. We, your sister race, remember the vows made in ages long past. It is our hope that you will remember them as well."
"And what vows are these?" Naatos demanded. "There have been no Neyeb on this world for millennia. With whom did you make these vows?"
Zorna's eyes narrowed. "This is how you speak to your elder and your better?"
"You are neither my elder nor my better. And even if you were, I would not permit you to speak withmywife without her consent and all measures for her protection."
"Can she consent?" the woman demanded, a sharpness in her voice. "Can you consent, Neyeb? Or are they holding your tongue? You hardly acknowledge me at all."
"No one is holding my tongue," Amelia responded, placing her hand on Naatos's arm. "But I don't know anything about vows between the Neyeb and the Bealorns."
"Then let us tell you how it came to be. Come join us for a meal. There is much for us to discuss. It is not right for the Mother of the New Neyeb to be here in this place. Or for these Vawtrians to lay claim to you simply because they found you first. Let us at least share our offer. One might ask what right this male has—"
Naatos glared at her. "I was there when the elders made their decision in the age before the Tue-Rahs fell. I knew the Neyeb. I was their Para."
The look Zorna gave him suggested she doubted this very much.
Amelia tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. If he attacked, she'd have to fall back. "I am not opposed to talks of peace or of friendship. With the Abliatos as cruel as they are, it would seem that we could stand to have as many friends as possible. But I am happy with my husband. I will not take any others." She hesitated as she looked up at him, her heart quickening. "If there are ever children, then they will be his. He is the Father of the New Neyeb. But if you wish to parley over anything else, I am willing to listen."
A thrum of happiness pulsed through Naatos even though his expression didn't change. She leaned into him a little more.
"Ahhh." Zorna shook her head, her lips tweaking with a tight smile. "But you have not even heard what we have to offer. It is good you have only one husband right now. That makes it simpler to balance. All this is is a small adjustment. If you accept, it will be good. Besides, as the Mother of the New Neyeb, it is wise for you to have many husbands and bear as many children as you can. So long as you do right by my people, we will of course support you in all of this. And if you do right by my people, you will have our favor. And once you have our favor, oh things will be so good for you. You will be happy. You will be safe. You will be well cared for. Nothing matters but making this future happen. The Abliatos? They will fall. The Grey Season will fall. We will thrive. All of us. Bealorns, Neyeb. Vawtrians. All of the bad will be washed away."
Naatos scoffed.
"How is it that you knew to be here?" AaQar asked.
"One of my many secrets." Zorna smiled slyly. "Another is how it is that I always manage to get my way. Now. Let's see upon what we can agree. Can we all at least agree that we wish to be friends, Neyeb?"
"Is there any context in which that friendship does not involve one of your males rutting my veskaro?" Naatos snarled.
She scoffed. "Such vulgarity." She sighed as she returned her gaze to Amelia. "The offer remains should you choose to accept it. Half a mile from here at Kaija's Fork in the Half Moon Serpent's River, there is a septi. This is a sign of great trust from us to you as it is the manner in which our nations and tribes speak to one another. When you are ready to meet with us and discuss how we may mutually benefit one another, meet us there and summon us. My personal guard will ensure that you arrive, but understand we expect propriety."
Naatos continued to glare at her. Amelia nodded though. "Thank you. We appreciate the offer."
QueQoa released the warrior and stepped back.
