CHAPTER ELEVEN

 

Zazora was waiting for them when they arrived. Everyone sprang into action at once. Zazora had previously come across as mild and laid-back. Not now. Now, she was in complete control, giving orders aloud while looking at her patients, fully expecting someone to follow them.

Madison found herself crushing some roots into a powder next to Xar, who was stirring a bowl of a sickly yellow liquid. “We can go if you want.”

“No, that’s all right.” Everyone was helping in the initial buzz of arrival, and Madison wasn’t going to be the one to chicken out.

Xar looked at her critically. “You are tired and hungry. Zazora will not begrudge you a meal.”

“No, Xar, really, it can wait.”

“As your mate, it is my job to take care of your needs.”

“Later.” In truth, Madison liked how determined Xar always was to take care of her, but that didn’t mean she was going to let him baby her… at least, not all the time. She was pleased when she saw Xar taking a deep breath and continuing to mix his bowl of liquid. He was getting better all the time with controlling his instincts.

She watched as Zazora quickly prioritized who needed the most help. She carefully mixed a bright blue powder with water, and to Madison’s surprise, it started steaming. No, it wasn’t steam. It was freezing; she could feel it from where she was. It looked like dry ice exposed to air.

Naxar dipped blankets in what was now ice water and wrapped them around Scarlett’s torso, following Zazora’s instructions on how to prop her up at an angle.

Kaylee was the worst. She had to be held down as Zazora scrubbed her leg.

“I know, I know, I’m sorry,” Zazora murmured as Kaylee writhed in pain. “This wound is filled with inner poison, and it must be cleaned out.”

Inner poison must be the word the Xenshi used to describe infection. Even Madison could see that the broken leg was grossly infected. Thankfully, Kaylee blacked out halfway through. The thorough cleaning left her leg bleeding again, but it already looked better with all the pus removed.

Zazora set and bandaged it, then turned to Sophi, who looked terrified after having watched the procedure with Kaylee. Madison hurried over to her and held her hand. Sophi gripped so tightly she was almost certainly cutting off circulation, but Madison didn’t pull away.

“It’ll be OK. Zazora will take good care of you.”

Sophi’s wounds were more recent, so at least they weren’t infected yet. Zazora spared nothing in her cleaning of the wound. Her movements were gentle, but she resolutely continued despite Sophi’s whimpers until she was happy that everything was properly cleaned. Sophi drank a large cup of tea laced with pain herbs before Zazora stitched up her multiple gashes and bites.

Madison sighed in relief and felt Xar’s hand at her back. The worst seemed to be over. The most critical patients had been dealt with. Zazora turned her attention to the others, ministering to their various injuries. A few people, both Xenshi and human, stayed to help, but most of the clan dispersed as Zazora made waving motions with her arms, shooing them out.

“Is everyone going to be OK?” Madison was the only human not in the sick bay, which had been expanded from Zazora’s small room to take up most of the main platform. She’d had Xar protecting her with his own body when they’d crashed and was the only one who wasn’t hurt at all.

“Do not fret, they will be well. It may take some time, but I believe they will all recover.”

As Zazora turned back to change Scarlett’s cold pack and help her swallow something, Madison finally allowed herself to be led away. She realized that she had Sophi’s blood all over her hands and arms.

“I need to wash.” She expected Xar to resist, but he just nodded.

“The others will want to as well. We’ll get a group together.”

Bathing with nearly half of the clan was awkward. Well, it was awkward for Madison. None of the Xenshi thought anything of nudity. She’d worried that they would be curious about her, having seen little of human bodies, but they all kept their eyes firmly on her face when they spoke to her. That might have had something to do with the not-so-subtle growling from Xar whenever anyone got near her.

It was worth the embarrassment to get clean, and to her relief, they didn’t have another encounter with a vriax. On the way back, the group carried up buckets of water for Zazora. It was amazing how they could jump and climb all while holding a bucket of water upright, even if it did have a covering on the top to help prevent spilling.

By the time they got back, some of the humans were sitting cautiously in the main area, with bandage packs of leaves and poultices over various small wounds. One woman had her arm in a sling but didn’t seem to be in too much pain.

Food was brought out. Madison ate eagerly, hungry enough merely to grimace at the taste.

“We will get you some more jooma fruits,” Xar promised. She smiled at him, leaning into him as he put an arm around her. This world was still strange, but with Xar beside her, it was already starting to feel like home.

A couple of Xenshi got up and quickly moved aside when Rin appeared carrying Sophi. She looked pale but certainly better than she had a few hours ago.

“Sophi! Are you all right?”

“I’ve been better.” She forced a grim smile. “Zazora’s herbs are helping, though. She said I could come and eat with the rest of you as long as someone helped me get around.”

Rin proudly set Sophi down and snatched a plate for her, heaping it with food. Sophi was jumpy and kept glancing down. “What about the vriax? What if they come for us?”

“They will not,” Rin said swiftly. “They cannot reach this high.”

Sophi still looked doubtful, and it was clear that some of the other humans shared her worries.

“This is a dangerous planet.”

There were murmurs of agreement.

“It has dangers.” Xar held Madison’s hand as he spoke. “You will learn, though. My Madison has already learned much. The first secret of Xenshar is learning the risks and how to avoid them. With time, it will become second nature.”

“He’s right. Trust me, it’s not that hard once you get used to it.” Most looked reassured at Madison’s words, and Sophi shot her a grateful look.

Torox spoke up as well. “We know that it will take time to adjust. Do not be afraid to ask if you need help. We are all learning here. Xenshi know only a little about human needs. You must teach us, and in turn, we will teach you.”

“Xar and I are already working on making ladders so that we can get around better.”

“Now that everyone else is back, it will go faster.”

“It will,” Torox agreed. “Anyone who isn’t helping Zazora or hunting should help with the ladders.”

The talk turned conversational as the humans asked questions about life on Xenshar. Many of them turned to Madison, who was quick to assuage their fears. They still looked at her and Xar, sitting so close together, with bemusement, but she figured they’d get used to it eventually.

The night wore on, the main area lit by pots of tall grass that glowed in the dark. Madison yawned, feeling more relaxed than she had in a long time. They were all together, and safe. Zazora was taking care of everyone. Torox was on top of things, ensuring that the clan helped the humans in any way needed. Best of all, she had Xar, who would do anything for her. She was starting to think she’d do the same for him.

 

* * *

 

Spending time with the group of humans was pleasant, not to mention interesting. They said strange things, some funny, some incomprehensible.

As much as he was enjoying the evening, Xar wanted to spend time along with his mate. He could feel the eyes of everyone flicking to them. He watched her carefully, and when her body started showing subtle signs that she was ready to leave, he didn’t hesitate to sweep her up into his arms.

Madison squeaked in surprise but didn’t struggle. In fact, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. Rin chuckled as Xar bid them goodnight, taking his mate to their home.

Once he had laid her in bed, he started taking her clothes off. Madison groaned, sounding torn. “Xar, I’m so tired…”

“I do not seek to mate with you.” He looked indignantly up at her. “I know you are tired. I simply want to feel your bare skin as we lie together.”

“Oh.” Madison blushed, her skin going a beautiful pink. “All right, then.”

Xar pulled the thin blanket over the two of them, wrapping all of his arms around his mate. Her breathing slowed, and within minutes, she was asleep. Holding her, Xar had everything he’d ever wanted. It wasn’t long before he too drifted off.

He was woken in the morning not by the sounds of people getting up, or the vibrations of feet walking across the boards, but by a strange smell coming from Madison. It wasn’t unpleasant, but he couldn’t place it. He knew he’d smelled it somewhere before.

Madison opened her eyes as he pulled the blanket down, sniffing her stomach. That was where it was concentrated. Xar immediately worried that she’d eaten something her human system couldn’t handle. He picked her up at once and carried her to Zazora’s room.

“Xar, what are you doing?”

“Do you feel all right? Are you sick?”

“Of course I feel all right. What’s going on? Put me down, I can walk.”

He reluctantly set her on her feet but continued pulling her by the hand to the healing room. Zazora was already up, changing poultices and examining the humans.

“Zazora!”

She straightened from coaxing Scarlett to blow into a cup and turned to him.

“My mate is not well.”

Zazora eyed Madison critically. Xar had to admit, Madison did seem well. More than well, she was glowing with health and life. Still, until he knew what that strange scent was, he wasn’t taking any chances.

“What is wrong?”

“Nothing,” Madison grouched. “I’m fine.”

“She smells funny.”

“Oh, thanks! Remind me not to let you touch me before I take a bath in the mornings.”

Xar hushed her. He’d gladly take her annoyance, as long as he knew she wasn’t ill. Zazora moved to examine Madison, but at that moment, Kaylee moaned, waking up and looking around, her eyes wide in confusion. Zazora immediately went to her side.

“You are safe. You have been in and out of sleep. We’re at the home trees. I’m taking care of you.”

Madison followed, and Kaylee calmed a bit on seeing another human. “How are you feeling?”

“Horrible. I remember it being worse though. At least, I think I do. Were we really leaping through trees as tall as skyscrapers?”

“Her fever is broken. Here, sit up and drink this.”

Kaylee let Zazora help her up while Madison explained what had been happening over the last few days. Kaylee seemed to have few memories of it, and those she did have were blurred.

Xar snatched Zazora’s arm as she went past. “See to my mate!”

She gave him a quelling look that was all too familiar. “Be calm, Xar. I will look at her once Kaylee has had her tea.”

“It’s fine.” Madison tugged on his arm as though she could tell how hard he was resisting cornering Zazora and demanding she check on her now.

Xar waited, very patiently, he thought, while Zazora helped Kaylee sip the tea. Soon afterward, she fell back into a deep sleep.

“Madison, come this way. I’m afraid we don’t have any beds available. Sit here, let me look at you.”

Zazora looked into Madison’s eyes, listened to her heart and her breathing.

“Do you smell it?” Xar’s impatience was boiling over. If his mate was sick, he wanted to know about it.

“Of course I do.” Zazora didn’t seem to be listening to him as she put a hand on Madison’s stomach. “Well, it’s still very early, but from what I can tell, everything is as it should be.”

“Very early for what!”

Zazora shared a warm smile between the two of them. “Something wonderful, something that hasn’t happened in the clan for many years. Madison, you’re carrying a pup.”