“My prince.”
I looked at Kah’s father as Nero and Zaha punched, kicked, and slammed limbs into one another.
“Thank you”—he placed his fist over his chest and bowed his head—“for helping my daughter.”
“My honour,” I told him. “She’ll be my wing’s head servant for the next year. I will work with her on some minor training since she missed out on it due to her impairment. I’ll check on her hearing every so often with my lissa to make sure it’s the best it can be for her.”
“Thanas blesses me with your compassion.”
I said nothing, only nodded. I glanced back at the pair of males just as Zaha quickly bested Nero and pinned him. Nero’s throat was exposed. Had this been a death match, Zaha would have ripped it from his body. This signalled his victory. Nero was not upset over losing. I would not be dismayed either. Zaha was the best fighter amongst the Elite of the Guard. He was lightning quick, and though many could beat him at brute strength alone, none could handle him when it came to speed. He punched, kicked, and headbutted an opponent before they knew what was coming. It was why Nero jumped him without warning.
Zaha had never lost a fight.
“Is that a no then, nenna?”
Zaha growled at Nero once more, placing himself in front of his sister.
“It’s a no, baja.”
Nero grumbled at her calling him baja. He would have preferred a nauseating endearment compared to the respectful term. With a bow in my direction, the family left. Zaha growled at the warriors on duty who had been watching Kah for the past few intervals. They were still staring at her, and Zaha didn’t like it. When the family were gone, Nero sighed.
“I want her because she won’t let me have her,” he said. “Zaha knows it too.”
He wanted every female he came into contact with.
“She is his youngest sibling, and she’s female, so I don’t blame him. I hate that Surkah has an intended. I’d steal her away tomorrow if I knew she wasn’t going to birth the next Revered Father.”
“I do not understand Kah. I am a female’s male … My mother says the female who becomes my mate will be the luckiest female in the Universe. I don’t want her as my mate, but she does not know that.”
Thanas, help me.
“She does know that. Kah does not want a fur mate. She wants a male to mate completely.”
Nero flinched.
“I am three hundred and three. Only a single year older than you. I am way too young to mate.”
“Kol is mated, and he is only two hundred.”
“He is also insane. I’ve pointed that out dozens of times.”
Amused, I shook my head. I glanced up as the sky suddenly darkened. I noticed angry clouds were approaching, and I heard loud thunder off in the distance. Those kind of flash storms came and went like the wind.
“Did you attack Zaha to see how long it would take him to pin you this time?”
Nero smirked. “Was I that obvious?”
“Only to me.”
“I lasted forty-four seconds this time. Three whole seconds more than last moon cycle when we sparred. I am improving … He is so fast, though. Thanas gifted him with unrivalled agility.”
I agreed with a grunt. I was about to suggest Nero and I spar when my name was roared from behind. Myself and my kin spun around, taking defensive stances instantly. Kol was running our way.
“Ezah!” he shouted. “We need a healer, and you’re the closest to the incident. Father won’t risk Surkah.”
I rushed towards him.“Who is injured?”
“Two females in Sector Two. A flash storm has blown in out there, and they need help. It is bad. One female is greatly injured and dying. Reports are sketchy, but one thing is clear.” My brother’s gaze switched to our kin. “Nero, the female who is dying … is your mother.”
Chapter Eight
Levi
Sector Two. Berry picking.
That was my morning schedule. Nuni was attending another herbalism lesson, one that was being taught by a Maji Elder, so she was bouncing with excitement about that. Hilah skipped her morning lessons and opted to stay in bed. She said she used to have to wake up before sunrise every single day, and she refused to get out of bed now until her body woke her up naturally.
I didn’t argue with her. I simply left her be.
I had never been foraging in the wild before, but back on The Farm, I did have to help maintain Master’s private garden in his greenhouse, so I had some experience with growing food. It was the only time in my life that I ever saw grass and plants and crops until I came to Ealra. I always pretended to hate the chore Master had given me. If he knew how much I enjoyed it, then he would have given my role to one of my sister slaves. That was how cruel he was. He didn’t want any of his slaves to know an ounce of happiness.