“He’s very protective.”
“I know. But sometimes trying to save someone pain only makes it worse in the end.”
Izzie reached over and squeezed Zemma’s hand. Zemma returned the clasp, then gave her a determined smile.
“But enough about me. What about your family?”
“My mother died when I was born as well. My father raised me.” Although, that was overstating it. “He was not a good parent. I left home as soon as I could.”
“You have no family to miss you? No tribe?” Zemma looked horrified.
“No. I’ve been on my own for a long time.”
“Not anymore,” Zemma said firmly. “You’re Baralt’s mate, and that makes you part of our tribe now.”
Was she? Had he made that announcement because of how he felt about her? Or simply so that she would be allowed to remain?
“And it gives me hope,” Zemma added. “Maybe more of the old ways can change.”
“The old ways?”
“Forbidding us to mate with anyone other than another Hothian.”
“Does that matter to you?”
Hothians couldn’t blush, but Izzie suspected that if Zemma had been human, her cheeks would be pink.
“I met a male while I was…outside. But he is not Hothian. And he’s probably forgotten me by now,” she added gloomily.
“I doubt that. But can’t you go see him?”
“I’m not supposed to leave the caves.”
“They’re keeping you prisoner?” Zemma’s situation seemed all too close to her own recent imprisonment. “Tell Baralt—he’ll get you out of here.”
“No, it’s not like that. Exactly.” Zemma looked down at the cutting board, avoiding Izzie’s gaze. “But the last time I left, it didn’t go well. They want to protect me.”
“What happened?” she asked softly. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“There was a male. I went to him because I thought he might know about Baralt. And at first, he was exciting, but then…I couldn’t leave. And it was no longer my choice.”
Izzie’s heart ached. She reached out and took Zemma’s hand again. “On the slave ship… It wasn’t my choice either.”
They sat in silence, taking comfort from each other, until Zemma gave her a shaky smile.
“You can never tell Baralt. He would only blame himself.”
“I won’t. And don’t say anything to him about my situation either.” She suspected he already knew, but they had never discussed it, and she didn’t want it between them.
“Of course not.”
After a brief pause, Zemma changed the subject, asking Izzie more general questions about life on Earth as they finished cooking.
She’d had fun cooking with Zemma, but now as they sat down with Baralt to eat, Izzie noticed that he didn’t look happy. While she and Zemma had been busy, he’d left the cave to make some unspecified arrangements.
“Is something wrong?” she asked quietly as he toyed absently with his food.
“Not really. But being here is harder than I expected.”
“Why?”
“Because I am no longer considered one of the tribe.”
“Of course you are,” Zemma said indignantly. “Have you been listening to that loudmouth Durgal again?”
He shrugged. “It’s not just him.”
“We don’t have to stay here.” Izzie reached over and took his hand. “Would you rather go back to the port?”
“It would not be safe there.”
“I trust you to protect me.”
“That’s sweet.” Zemma rolled her eyes in a remarkably human gesture. “But he’s right. If someone comes looking for you, half the people in Port Eyeja would turn you over for the price of a cheap ale. We would never let offworlders enter the caves.”
“You let me,” she pointed out.
“Because you are Baralt’s mate.”
There was that word again. She and Baralt really needed to discuss it.
“I’d be willing to bet that Njkall even knew you were coming,” Zemma added.
Baralt frowned at her. “Did he say something to you?”
“Of course not. But he’s a canny old bastard.”
“Is that any way to speak about an Elder of your tribe?” a deep voice said pleasantly from the cave entrance, and Izzie and Zemma both jumped. Izzie noticed that Baralt looked resigned rather than surprised that the leader had returned.
“I apologize, Elder Njkall,” Zemma said stiffly.
“Not at all. Your assessment, while colorful, is not inaccurate. And I did know that Baralt was coming to join us—and bringing a visitor. These days, there is very little that occurs in Port Eyeja of which I am unaware. Which is why I wish to speak to you,” he added, looking at Baralt.
“We just sat down to eat,” Zemma protested.
“It doesn’t matter,” Baralt said, starting to rise to his feet.
Izzie put a restraining hand on his arm. “Yes, it does. Zemma worked hard and this is our first meal as a family. But perhaps Elder Njkall could join us?”
Both males looked surprised, but Njkall bowed his head and accepted. The first few minutes were rather awkward, but Zemma filled the silence with cheerful chatter, and Njkall proved to be a courteous and entertaining guest. Even Baralt seemed to relax.
As they sipped their after-dinner drinks, Njkall sighed. “This has been most delightful, but I do need to speak to Baralt.”
“Go ahead,” Baralt said.
“It might be better to discuss it alone.”
“If it involves Baralt, it involves me,” Izzie said firmly, and Baralt shot her a surprised, gratified look.
“And me,” Zemma added. “We’re not as fragile as you seem to think.”
“Forgive me. Of course you are not.” Njkall tapped his claws together thoughtfully before turning to Baralt. “I have been requested to ask you to leave.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Baralt simply looked at Elder Njkall, not particularly surprised at his words. During his earlier explorations, more than one tribe member had turned away from him, and he had heard muttered whispers following him.
“Perhaps it is for the best,” he agreed. “But I would ask that you allow my mate to remain.”
“I’m not staying here without you,” Isabel said indignantly.
Even though his heart rejoiced at her desire to remain by his side, he shook his head. “We just discussed this. This is the safest place for you
