Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 85553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
I swallow hard. There is a difference between snapping a limb in the heat of battle and this. For some reason, the idea of re-breaking the limb is making me queasy, but Vivi is giving me such an expectant look that I cannot fail her. I wipe my sweaty palms on my fur cloak and inwardly brace myself. “Show me what you would like done.”
Chapter
Thirty-Two
VIVI
It’s a long, awful afternoon.
In my head, I’d foolishly thought that we’d find the cat, pop the leg and send him off again, right as rain. The reality is a lot more intense. Re-breaking the bone is hard, tricky work, because we have to make sure we’re doing it just right, and that we’re doing it clean. We discuss how to approach it, and Skarr handles the worst part.
I know I’m going to hear the sound of that cracking bone in my dreams, though.
Once it’s done, I set the bone as best I can. It might not be perfect, but it feels as if it will heal straight if it remains in place. I snap my ski poles in the middle and wrap them around the wounded limb, snaking leather straps in and out to hold the poles in place against the leg. They form a crude cage around it, but I think with a few days of it being braced, it’ll be better than it was.
I hope. I’m not a veterinarian, and I’ve never set a bone before. Why did I think we could do this?
Because there’s no other choice, that’s why, I remind myself. It was this or a mercy killing. We still might have to come out here in another week or so to finish him off if it doesn’t take, but I’ll handle that when the time comes. For now, the leg is splinted and the cat remains asleep.
“Come,” Skarr says, putting a hand on my shoulder. “It’s getting late and there is no more we can do.”
“Oh, but…should we leave him? He’s vulnerable like this.” I bite my lip, hesitating. “Something could come across him and eat him.”
“And if that is the case, then there is nothing more to be done for it.”
Even so, I fret. “What if he pulls the bandages off? What if—”
“Vivi.” Skarr helps me to my feet. His expression is gentle as he looks me in the eye. “You have done all that you can. We will take the ropes off and check on him in the morning. If something happens between now and then, you have done what you can. Remember that this is a fierce predator who has been hungry for a long time. You do not want to be around when he awakens.”
He’s right. I know he’s right. I’ve just invested so much in giving this cat a second chance. Logic tells me to leave before it wakes up and decides we’re prey. “What now, then?”
“Now we retreat to our cave and wait.”
I hesitate. We’re a few hours away from the village, with a hunter cave probably about a half-hour from here. Skarr needs a warm place to sleep tonight, and I’m exhausted from this day, mentally and emotionally. Part of me doesn’t want to leave, but I remind myself that this wasn’t about fixing him. It was about giving him another chance.
That’s why we’re on this planet, right? This is our second chance after the universe decided we’re rejects. We’re not guaranteed anything, and I’m fine with that. I just want the opportunity to create my own happy ever after.
I want the cat to have the same. So I untie the ropes holding him down and let Skarr lead me away. “We’ll be back in the morning?”
“Absolutely.”
We skip the skis, since we have no poles, and make our way back to the hunter cave on foot. It’s late by the time we get there, the moons high in the skies and the dark bitter cold. My boots feel wet and slushy and by the time we get to the cave, I’m relieved to start a fire. Skarr doesn’t complain, but when we cuddle under the blankets, I can feel the chill setting into him. I kiss my mate and roll him onto his back, and this time I ride him until I come, taking turns on both of his cocks. Skarr comes moments after I do, and we hold tightly to one another under the furs, listening to our khuis sing.
I’m happy, I realize. It’s strange to think about, but I’m happy. I have a mate and a home. I have friends, and at some point, I’ll have a family. This might not be what I’d envisioned my life turning out to be, but those were someone else’s dreams, someone else’s life.
I make Vivi’s future, and I’m liking how it’s shaping up. I run my fingers over Skarr’s touchable green skin, and I’m struck by the lack of the tattoo on my finger once more. The quotation mark, to remind me to speak up.