already hot embers glowing in my belly until the inferno of love I felt for my mate consumed my soul. How was it possible a woman existed whose strength matched my own, whose fidelity buoyed my spirits, whose humor joined with mine until mirth became as twined about our hearts as vines? A more perfect heart mate couldn’t be found for this hunter, and I puzzled how I might show her my love.
Forcing my way between rock walls, dust spilled where my armor scraped, and I’d witnessed Pattee lay on the ground and stab at the agothe-faxl that tried to climb after the others. Between she and Raxkarax, they killed the trio of threats before the creatures could cause harm.
The rest of our company cleared the crevice and made our way deeper into the Narrows, but now Naraxthel and Esra knew to keep a weather eye for our rearward. None of us relished the idea of being trapped with such little room to move while agothe-faxl speared us with their strikers.
“Once again your might brings me to my knees,” I pinged Pattee on our private channel.
“You’re easily impressed,” she said, and I growled.
“Am I?” I said.
She laughed. “No, you’re not. Especially when it comes to my cooking.”
“The Goddesses could not give you every talent,” I said. “It wouldn’t be fair to the other humans.”
“You just don’t like pemmican,” she said.
“Perhaps you are right. Nonetheless, thank you for sharing your heart with me,” I said.
“When you say such nice things to me, it makes me want to kneel before you, as well,” she said, and I grinned.
“That can be arranged,” I said.
“Of course, we just need to finish up this pesky little quest,” she said. “Then defend your honor among the Theraxl and escape the notice of the Sister-Queens.”
“As you said,” I grunted. “Pesky nuisances. We will make the time for proper worship of each other.”
Pattee, my dignified, intelligent and somber woman, giggled.
“Your laughter lifts me, Joaxma,” I whispered. “What if I were to bring you a gift? What gift would please you?”
“I still have my white pazathel-nax fur that I love,” she demurred. “You give me everything, and I need nothing else.”
“Very well, you force my hand, and I must surprise you,” I said.
“Mkay,” she said, and I heard the smile in her voice.
Speaking of gifts reminded me of Amity with Raxthezana’s book. Of the sketches I saw and the sentence I translated for her of a hunter bringing gifts to the dam of his newest babe and to the children. I thought of Afarax and her dam. They thought me dead, but as soon as we sent a sight-capture to Ikshe, she would know I was alive. I had but to secure a dirt-crust snake before our departure.
I had many reasons to ensure our quest did not fail, but with Pattee by my side and hunter brothers and sisters in my company, I knew we would not.