22. Nevarn

Chapter 22

Nevarn

I wasn't sure how I'd be greeted, though my brother had not believed I'd killed Weela. My grandfather, sadly, was convinced I'd done it, but he'd been a harsh male. He'd raised us after our parents died, and he'd had a strict hand and a snarly demeanor. Perhaps he'd resented having to take care of two younglings when he was already busy as clan traedor. Or perhaps he was mourning the loss of the son he'd adored, my father. Whatever the reason, I never felt close to him. He was much too critical of me and much too indulgent toward my brother, his presumed heir. Even Firion had remarked on it, telling me it wasn't fair.

At least I'd had him.

Hugging my brother felt amazing, like I'd finally come home. But my home was with my Celedar Clan, not here, and I suspected the males who'd left with me felt the same.

I stepped back out of his embrace and nodded. "Thank you."

"I'm glad you took me up on my offer." Firion's intent gaze landed on Kerry. "This is your mate."

He didn't ask, and that didn't surprise me. He'd seen the women lying in stasis on the central god island, plus the ones now mated to Zuldruxian males. He must note the mating mark on my wrist that Kerry had recently discovered. I'd wanted to give her a chance to love me for who I was, not because the gods chose her for me.

"This is Kerry." I wrapped my arm around her waist and tugged her closely. "Yes, she's my mate." Pride shone in my voice. She was everything to me already, and I couldn't imagine going on without her.

Molly scrambled out of Kerry's arms to perch on my shoulder.

"This is Molly," I said. "Our pet. We won't be eating her."

"I see," Firion said, his brow scrunching. His gaze traveled to my hand and softened with envy. Was my brother as lonely as me? "Congratulations." Stepping over to Kerry, he hesitated, studying her face, before he enveloped her in a hug as well. "Welcome, sister."

Pain stabbed through my chest, and my throat ached so much, I couldn't swallow. His welcome meant so much to me.

He backed up but couldn't look away from Kerry, and a touch of jealousy shot through me, a feeling I had no right to.

I hoped what was growing between Kerry and me would continue to grow into more. We would discover who'd killed Weela and then we could talk about a future together. Over the past week, I'd gotten to know her better, and there was no one else I wanted standing by my side. If the gods were kind, she'd soon feel the same way.

As long as my deficiency didn't drive her away like it had Weela.

"Someone tried to kill me on my way here," I said.

"What?" Firion barked.

I explained, and he scanned the area. "Do you think they followed?"

I shrugged. "I believe whoever killed Weela knows I was coming here to prove my innocence, and they're determined not to let that happen."

"If someone thinks to harm you while you're here, they'll deal with me," he said grimly. "I'm here for you, brother. Together, we'll find out what happened, and they will be the one who is banished, not you. What happened three years ago was wrong. Weela's murder was a tragedy, but it was compounded when Grandfather banished you."

I was eager to find out if he'd discovered anything new. When we spoke at the clan gathering, he said he'd ask some delicate questions and share what he learned when I arrived. He'd insisted I was innocent years ago, but after asking around, he couldn't discover who might've killed my first mate.

Clearing his throat, Firion nodded slowly. "You'll stay in a guest cottage, one with a stone god's presence to ensure you're safe. They won't appreciate anyone trying to hurt you."

Would they protect me? They might believe I'd done it too. But I was glad my brother was worried about our safety.

"I'll put you in the one on the end with the lovely view," he added.

The nicest one of them all, the one visiting traedors stayed in. But I was a traedor and equal to any other. "Thank you."

"Bags?" He took Kerry's and looked at the ground by my feet.

"Whoever attacked me stole my pack and weapons," I said. "They stabbed me and followed, waiting for me to die."

"I'm so glad you're alright."

I rubbed my belly. "Kerry healed me."

"He stumbled into my campsite, wounded," she said. "He was sick for days."

Firion's growl ripped out. "I won't allow anyone to harm you here."

Could he protect me any better than I had myself? We'd see.

His brow narrowed. "I've heard rumors the Veerenads are creating problems, though mostly with the desert clans living near the lizard city. Is it possible you came across a rogue lizard?"

"Despite wearing a mask to disguise their face, they had blue skin and silver hair." I tugged on one of the strands lying across my shoulder.

"Zuldruxian, then," he hissed. "Male or female?"

"I couldn't tell. As for the Veerenads, I'll be happy to give you Celedar Clan input into the treaty you're negotiating with them."

"Thank you."

If the Veerenads decided to attack, they'd seek those closest first, and my clan and those in my area were in their direct path. This treaty was vital, which was why my brother had taken an interest in it. At the recent clan gathering, he'd been appointed the liaison for all the clans. He'd sought input from each traedor before the meeting was over, though he and I hadn't had a chance to speak about Celedar's needs. Another thing I'd take care of while I was here.

"Follow me, and I'll show you where you'll stay." Firion slung the strap of Kerry's bag over his shoulder. "After breakfast tomorrow, we can talk." His intent gaze met mine. "I have news you'll find very interesting."

Related to whoever killed Weela? I hoped so. I'd tried to discover who she was with while she still lived, but they'd kept their love secret. It wasn't easy to ask questions without giving her away, and if nothing else, I cared for her as a friend. I didn't want her to be scorned for being with someone while mated to another.

Now, if it had been Kerry, my heart would've been raging, and I would've snarled through the village until I discovered who she was with. But I was falling in love with my true mate, and I'd never loved Weela.

We followed Firion through the gate that was closed behind us. He stopped to let Kerry look around at the one- and two-story stone buildings laid out in neat rows with crushed rock paths between them.

"Hundreds of Dastalon Clan members live here," he said proudly. "Others beyond the village walls and some on other islands."

"Why did your clan build the wall?" she asked, her gaze filled with excitement as she looked around.

"The gods built the wall when they arrived and fused their spirits within the stone. We don't know why; it was very long ago."

"Fused?" She blinked. "I see."

"I don't believe you do." Firion's low laugh rang out. "But you will." He swept his arm out. "I assume the population was much smaller then, but the gods were generous with their gifts, and our people grew." His smile faded. "Our population is even smaller now. The disease swept through my clan as well. For a long time, most of us lived on large rafts, floating across the ocean, but we've returned to the way of life we missed so much when we separated from the gods." His gaze sought mine. "They're grateful to have us living with them once more."

When we met up at the clan gathering, I'd told him about my Celedar Clan and how we lived with a god of wood. He was skeptical at first. Who wouldn't be? Wood burned. Stone did not. But when I described our homes and our way of life, he'd nodded and said that one day, he'd visit. I hoped to arrange for that while I was here.

"The gods are pleased with us once more," I said. "I'm in touch with Aizor's Indigan Clan as well as the Ulistar Clan."

"How is Xax?"

"He mated with a human, one of those taken from their home planet, Earth. They've moved to the valley below the Indigan Clan and share the traedorship."

"Truly?" My brother's eyes widened. "They abandoned their shrooms?"

"They brought spores with them and planted them. They'll nurture their plant gods until their homes are fully formed, then move in. Our clans are small. It makes sense to combine them when we can." More males to provide protection from threats like the Veerenads and to hunt and provide for those who aren't able to care for themselves. "The Ulistar Clan is even smaller than mine."

"Will you also move to live with the Indigan Clan?"

"They've invited us to do so, but for now, we'll remain in the forest spread across the low areas between Aizor's clan and the central god island."

"Again, you and the others are welcome to return here. We have homes for you and our arms are wide open."

Not yet. Maybe never. "I miss some parts of island lifestyle, but my home is with our wood god. I believe the other males feel the same, though I'll mention your offer when I return home."

"Very well." He started down the path on the right. "This way."

Kerry walked beside him, and he pointed out various shops as we passed. I walked behind them with a hint of nostalgia gliding across my bones. I'd loved living here, smelling the briny air and eating fish for nearly every meal. There was something about soaring with my ryvar across the wide-open sky that couldn't be replaced within the forest.

Yet the coolness I'd found below the canopy, plus the plant life growing around my new clan, couldn't be replaced with fish or salty air. My clan god didn't provide the same things the stone gods did, but I didn't mind hunting or fashioning my own clothing, though I would be tempted to take tunics and pants home to my clan. The gods provided those to the Dastalon Clan along with vegetables and other assorted goods.

For the first time since I left, I felt good about my decision to remain in the forest. I'd extend Firion's invitation to the rest of my clan, and some might take him up on the offer, but I was sure most would not. The forest was in their blood as it was in mine.

We passed a few villagers. Most frowned at me and shot curious looks at Kerry and Molly. A few strode over to me and braced my forearms, welcoming me back to the clan, including an old friend, Khol.

"Will you be moving back to the island?" Khol asked. We'd grown up together, running down the wide paths between the village homes and sneaking into a few of the shops to beg for wares.

He hadn't stepped forward to offer support when I was accused, but time had a way of softening hearts, and perhaps he'd realized he was wrong.

"We're only here for a few days," I said. As long as it took to prove my innocence, though I was only going to share my true reason for coming here with Firion. Whoever killed Weela might give themselves away. I needed to watch everyone.

I put my arm around Kerry's waist. "This is my new mate, Kerry. Kerry? This is Khol, an old friend."

She gave him a smile. "It's nice to meet you."

Khol's gaze traveled down her front but not in a bad way. "You're fortunate, Nevarn." His voice remained neutral. "Do you know if the gods will send more of the women to us soon? Others would love to find mates among them."

"Have any been sent here yet?"

He shook his head. "They remain on the central island in the pods that brought them here. There are many and our males . . ." He sighed. "They need mates. Younglings to brighten their lives."

Perhaps a mate for him as well?

When I returned to my clan, I'd ask Helena, our wood god, what the plan might be for the other women. While she wasn't often in touch with the other gods, she might be willing to share what she knew. I could send word to my brother who must also hope to one day find a mate among the women.

Khol patted my shoulder. "Come find me when you have time. I'd love to talk."

"I will." Leaving us with a nod, he strode down the path and rounded a corner.

Feeling the weight of someone's attention, I peered around, finding Gilard staring our way. When he caught my eye, his scowl deepened, but that was expected of Weela's father. With a huff, he dropped the tools he was working on and stepped into the darkness of his shop.

Firion grunted and sent me a sour look, but he said nothing.

We continued across the village, only stopping a few times to show Kerry the shops where we collected vegetables the gods provided for us, furniture, and other goods. Our last stop was a shop where we could collect clothing.

"When you say the gods provide these things, you don't mean it literally, do you?" she asked, obviously skeptical.

"The gods are kind to us," the clothing shopkeeper, Melwarn, said with an indulgent smile. "For example." He studied Kerry's frame before leading her to the back of the shop, where he pulled a few dresses off a rack and held them up in front of her. "This color looks nice on her, doesn't it?"

"It's cream," she said. "It'll show every stain."

"The gods will take care of that as well," he said.

Firion leaned against the entrance door frame, his arms crossed on his chest, watching us. "Take a complete wardrobe, Kerry. Whatever you'd like. Tunics and pants, dresses, or even simple loincloths like my brother seems to enjoy wearing." He snorted as he studied my frame.

"I wear furs and leather tunics and pants most of the time," I said with a huff.

"Furs are hot."

"Actually, they're not, and it's cool in the forest. Fur provides warmth in the winter and protection from the heat in the summer. However, I'll be happy to take clothing home for the rest of my clan, plus some items for myself."

"Give me their body builds and a list of what you need before you leave," Melwarn said. "And I'll put together a packet for you to take with you."

"Thank you."

"Alright," Kerry said, taking two dresses, plus a few tunics and pants that would most likely fit a youngling, but she was tiny compared to a Zuldruxian.

"Watch," Melwarn said.

Clothing appeared on the rack to replace what she was taking.

She leaned close. "Where did it come from?"

"The gods do a wonderful job keeping my shop stocked, don't they?" Melwarn said with a boisterous laugh. "Is there anything else you need?"

"No, that's plenty."

"Please come take more before you return to your clan."

"I will, thanks." Kerry blinked and shook her head. "If I hadn't seen it, I wouldn't believe it. There's got to be some kind of trick."

"Just the gods' indulgence," Melwarn said.

"What's the cost?" Kerry's concerned gaze met mine. "There's always a price. Nothing is ever given out for free."

"Here, there is no cost," Melwarn said, patting her shoulder in a fatherly way. "If you remain on the island, you'll come to accept it just like we have."

"Maybe."

Melwarn packaged her clothing, adding shoes and undergarments, plus a gown she could wear to bed, before handing it to her.

I took it and added it to her pack, swinging it onto my back.

Molly had decided my brother was appealing. She'd initially waddled over and sat, peering up at him while he watched Kerry select clothing. But after she peeped a few times, he lifted her into his arms and held her like a youngling while she purred.

I had a feeling the village would soon be overrun with grundar pets much like ours. Since they hunted mevarns, a pest that sometimes got into cupboards and nibbled on your food, grundar pets might be very welcome.

We left the shop and approached a long flight of stairs that would take us to the upper level of the buildings built along the back wall of the village.

"This way." Firion led Kerry up the stairs. He stopped at the top and grinned at me as she gaped at the view of the sea stretched out below us and the other islands dotting the sky. A few ryvars soared far above, one spiraling down to spear into the water and emerge with fish in its beak.

"It's amazing," Kerry breathed, sharing her smile with me. She took my hand and squeezed it. "The ocean's beautiful. Our seas are green and dark blue, though with the same white peaks. Here, you have all the shades of purple imaginable, plus a few more. It's glorious. I don't think I'd ever get sick of looking at it."

Molly took this chance to wiggle for Firion to put her down. She scampered to Kerry and sat beside her on the stone platform.

Firion shot me a smile. "I still haven't gotten sick of the view, and I never will. This place is as close to perfect as a clan can be." He put his arm around my shoulders. "You're sure you don't want to return? There are open homes. You could have your pick."

"I'll think about it."

Seeing how much Kerry enjoyed the view and her excitement about the village, I was tempted. The Celedar Clan couldn't offer her anything like this.

But it was too soon to talk about where we might live when we hadn't yet agreed that we wanted to live together.