Page 27 of Orange Tundra
"If word of this reaches anyone," I said quietly, letting my authority fill the space between us, "I will personally ensure your deaths are neither quick nor painless."
Nif's eyes widened comically above the hands still muffling him. His beast reacting to my alpha command. Then he narrowed his eyes. Clearly, he wasn’t cowed by alphas nor royal heirs. Good. Brynn chose them well.
"We understand," CG replied solemnly. "Your mate's secret is safe with us."
The sacred hiscat chose that moment to slink through the doorway, regarding CG's crew with alien intelligence. To my surprise, it approached Nif, sniffing his legs before letting out an approving chirp.
"Well," Sinx remarked dryly, "if the hiscat trusts him, I suppose we have no choice."
CG snorted.
The hiscat then marched back back to the room, its tail held high. Amazing how these males did not cower or ran for the nearest exit. I leave one heavy look at the three of them before I went back and close the door. It's time for us to leave.
Back inside, Brynn was finishing her meal, though her movements had grown sluggish with fatigue. "You think the White Tribe had answers?" she asked, returning to our earlier conversation.
"They were the most advanced in genetic research before their fall. And they welcomed other species more readily than any other tribe." Sim answered while he stroked her arm absently. "If anyone understood cross-species breeding, it would have been them."
Suddenly, a small, delicate burp escaped her. She covered her mouth, blushing furiously.
Sim and I chuckled, the tension breaking. "Excuse me," she mumbled, embarrassed.
"Never apologize for enjoying your food," Sim said, nuzzling her neck. "You're eating for at least two now."
"Speaking of which..." Brynn set aside her food, frowning slightly. "My belly feels really heavy."
We all looked down at her abdomen. What we saw made my breath catch. Where there had been just a slight swelling before, now there was an unmistakable curve.
"That wasn't there yesterday," Brynn whispered, panic creeping into her voice. "Is it supposed to grow this fast?"
The hiscat pressed closer to her, purring loudly. Its presence seemed to calm her somewhat, but tears still welled in her eyes. "What if- what if my human body can't handle this? What if something's wrong?"
Sim immediately wrapped his arms around her. "Shh, my heart. We won't let anything happen to you."
I straightened, my mind racing. We needed Crix's expertise more urgently than I'd realized. The accelerated growth could be normal for a Manasty pregnancy - but with her kind? There were too many unknowns.
"We leave now," I decided. "The sooner we reach the White Tribe ruins, the better." Sim and Brynn nod at me and wasted no time preparing themselves.
When we rejoined the others, Zulkir led us through a hidden passage, revealing an elaborate network of tunnels beneath the prison. The sacred hiscat trotted ahead, seeming to know the way instinctively. Others were scared, even Xy looked stiff knowing a hiscat was joining us.He had years of training on how to contain one. Some of CG's crew, those closest to him, were not afraid.
"The cart system still works," Zulkir explained, gesturing to a large mining cart equipped with crystal-powered engines. "It will take us most of the way to White Tribe territory."
As we boarded, Nif couldn't contain his excitement at riding in the ancient cart. His childlike wonder contrasting with his gruff personality would have been endearing if it weren't so dangerous to our secrecy. CG and Sinx flanked him, ready to silence any outbursts.
I held Brynn steady as we navigated past steaming pools that cast rainbow reflections on the cave ceiling. The ancient sigils carved into the walls seemed to pulse with their own light, telling stories I wished I could read.
Sim hung back with Sinx, ensuring our tracks would be covered. Onork sat near the front with Kaelor, deep in quiet conversation, while the hiscat curled protectively around Brynn's feet. I’m sure Sim will ask me later why I’m not afraid of the creature.
As we approached the outskirts of the White Tribe territory, I felt Brynn lean more heavily against me. Her hand rested protectively over her growing belly, and I covered it with my own. Whatever answers awaited us in the ruins, one thing was certain - I would do anything to protect her and our child.
The cart began to slow, and ahead, I could make out the first signs of White Tribe architecture - elegant spires of crystal and stone, now partially collapsed but still magnificent. Somewhere in those ruins lay the answers we needed. And possibly, if my suspicions about Crix were correct, a way to ensure our future.
15
SIM
Morning light filteredthrough the dense canopy above, casting dappled shadows on our makeshift camp. The air was crisp and filled with the scent of dew-kissed leaves and rich earth. Brynn sat across the dying embers of last night's fire, her eyes reflecting the flickering light as she nibbled on a piece of dried fruit. She looked serene, a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within me.
I stretched lazily, my tail swishing behind me. "Sleep well?" I asked, injecting a playful lilt into my voice.
