“Thank you.”
“You may not wish to thank me. As I said, there will be others who will disagree, and I suspect that they will attempt to make your time here…uncomfortable.”
“As long as they do not attempt to bother my mate, I can handle it.”
“No one will interfere with her. I will pass the word that she is under the protection of the Elders.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, thank you,” Isabel echoed.
“Of course. All females should be protected.” Njkall shot a quick glance in Zemma’s direction before turning back to Isabel. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Isabel.” He headed for the entrance to the cave, then stopped. “And Baralt—welcome home.”
The Elder was gone before he could respond, but warmth filled his chest. Apparently, not everyone hated him.
“Now it’s my turn to ask the questions,” Zemma said, glaring at him, and he winced. Perhaps his relief had been premature.
Chapter Twenty-One
Izzie almost laughed when Baralt tensed at his sister’s statement. He looked so guilty.
“Why didn’t you contact me?” Zemma demanded.
“Because I did not want you to be tainted by your association with me. I knew that you were safe and well cared for, and I hoped that everyone would forget that we were related.”
Zemma’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a load of sarlag shit. Our people worship their fucking lineage. Of course they weren’t going to forget.”
“When did you start talking like that?” Baralt demanded.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a child anymore. I can speak however I want.”
“I know you’re not a child.” He sighed. “I suppose I still think of you as the way you were when I left.”
“I was afraid that you were dead,” Zemma said softly. “Then we heard recently that a Hothian had been seen in the fight pits. I knew it was you. I even tried—” She came to an abrupt halt, then shook her head. “It doesn’t matter now. I am still angry that you left and angry you did not contact me, but it is more important that you are here now. You and your mate.”
Zemma looked over at Izzie, her eyes assessing, but she appeared curious rather than hostile. Now that Izzie had a chance to observe her more closely, she realized that Baralt’s sister was a very attractive female. Like the other female Hothians, her fur was short and close to her body, revealing a curvy figure. A variety of beautiful necklaces hung around her neck, and a jeweled belt circled her hips, but she wore no other clothing.
“I’m very happy to meet you, Zemma,” she said with a cautious smile.
“I’m happy to meet you as well.” Zemma looked at Baralt, then sighed. “Don’t think that you are off the hook yet, but perhaps we should continue this discussion over a meal.”
“Are you cooking?” Baralt made a horrified face. “I still remember that horrible cake you made for me.”
“As you have pointed out several times already, I was only a child. And it wasn’t terrible.”
“Oh yes, it was.”
“Then why did you eat the whole thing?”
“Because you made it for me, Zemma,” Baralt said softly, and Izzie saw Zemma’s eyes fill with tears before she jumped to her feet.
“I’m going to start on that meal now.”
“May I help you?” Izzie asked.
“Of course. We can discuss my brother.”
Baralt groaned, but he didn’t object when she went to join the other female.
Before they started on the meal, Zemma gave her a quick tour of their family caves. The public spaces were centered around a central cave filled with a lush garden. The individual quarters were further back, and Izzie was startled to realize how many there were—the space had been intended for a much larger family.
“If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your parents?” she asked as they set to work. Her job was to chop the mound of vegetables they had gathered from the garden. The kitchen was surprisingly modern, and she was relieved that they weren’t cooking over the stone pit her imagination had conjured up.
“Zeeja—my mother—died when I was born,” Zemma said.
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you, but because I never knew her, I never really missed her.”
“What about your father? Did you know him?”
“Not really. My mother’s family raised me, and he only visited occasionally. My brothers came to see me more often than he did.”
“They didn’t live with you?”
Zemma shook her head as she stirred the contents of a large pot. “My mother was my father’s second mate, so my brothers are not related to her family. Besides, they were already older and more independent when I came along.” A reminiscent smile crossed her face. “You would think they would have resented me, but they were wonderful brothers. Right up until they left.”
“Why did they leave?”
Zemma sat down next to her and began chopping as well. “My father died when they were teenagers. He was somewhat of a recluse, and I’m not sure that either of the boys really felt at home in these caves. Baralt had been arguing for a long time that we need to be more involved with the rest of the Empire, and the two of them decided to move to Port Eyeja. I didn’t want them to go, of course, but they told me I could join them when I was old enough.”
“What happened to your other brother? And why does Baralt blame himself?”
“Akhalt was killed in Port Eyeja. As to why Baralt blames himself—” Zemma shrugged, but face was filled with sorrow. “He’s always taken responsibility for everyone else. And he was the most outspoken about the idea of moving to town. When he brought Akhalt’s body back for the death ceremonies, many of the tribe treated him poorly and suggested that he was responsible. He left as soon as he recovered.”
“Recovered?”
“He was badly injured in the incident.”
Izzie’s heart ached at the thought of an injured Baralt, surrounded by people who blamed him for his brother’s death. She could understand why he had left. “And you hadn’t heard from him since?”
“No. I do believe what he
