Page 38 of Savage Giant

I forced in a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself.

Finally, the hovercraft shot away and disappeared over the horizon.

Oh, thank God. It was gone. My pulse began to slow.

Gorran pulled his hand from mine, then turned to face me and gently grasped my upper arms. “Why are you afraid?” he asked, but before I could answer, a knowing look came over him. He sighed and appeared mildly guilt-stricken. “I cared for Sashona, and yes, I feltcalledto mate with her, but we didn’t share a heart-bond. What I feel for you is far more intense.” He lifted one hand to stroke my hair and guide me closer, surrounding me with the warmth of his body. “I have never heard of a heart-bond developing between a couple before they physically mate, and yet we share one.” He leaned down to kiss my forehead, and I melted at the affectionate gesture.

He'd sensed my fear, but he’d gotten the reason wrong. Yet I supposed his confession had calmed a worry that likely would’ve materialized later. Once I’d finished freaking out over the blue hovercraft, that was.

“I appreciate your honesty, Gorran.” I said, deciding I would be completely open with him. “But that isn’t what caused me to feel frightened just now.” Even though we would leave the cabin soon, and even though the chances of Salax coming after me were slim at this point—after all, more than two months had passed since my escape—but Gorran deserved to know of any potential threats to his land.

His visage filled with concern. “Are you afraid of the humans in the hovercraft?” he asked. “Are you worried they might land in the Starblessed territory?”

I swallowed hard and glanced outside, wishing it had never snowed. We could be far from the cabin right now, safe in his people’s cavern. We could be mated already, too.

“Do you remember the criminal I told you about? Salax?”

A growl left him as he nodded, and his entire body tensed. “Yes.”

“He had a small fleet of hovercrafts that looked just like that one.”

“Do you think it was one of his vessels?” Gorran asked.

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Probably not. Lots of people have blue hovercrafts like the one we just saw, but seeing it scared me. Especially after not glimpsing a hovercraft or any other signs of human civilization during the last two months. It was jarring. That’s all. I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about—I doubt Salax is still alive—but I wanted to be honest with you. You can sense my emotions, which is pretty amazing, but you can’t read my thoughts.”

His muscles remained rigid, and he kept glancing out the window. A minute later, he led me to the waiting bath, which I’d nearly forgotten about. I’d also nearly forgotten about my period, but a twinge of pain in my abdomen reminded me that the next couple of days wouldn’t be very fun. Awesome. The analgesics in the cabinet were long expired, but maybe they would still work enough to take the edge off.

“Take your bath, pretty human,” he said, “and I will stand guard outside the door. I promise I will keep you safe. Perhaps in four or five days we can depart the cabin. Once we reach my people’s cavern, there will be little chance of anyone from your former life finding you. You will be safest among my people.”

Chapter 27

GORRAN

As we waitedfor the mountainside to become passable, I remained vigilant for trespassers—humans and pullshannas alike. I also kept my attention on the skies, constantly scanning for metallic air vessels.Hovercrafts, Cari called them.

I’d moved our makeshift bed to the hallway between the living room and the kitchen, since it provided a safer location for sleeping and lounging—it was the only location in the house, save for the bathrooms and the closets, that couldn’t be glimpsed from a window. The basement would’ve been optimal, but it was cold and damp, and I feared my sweet human might became ill if she were forced to sleep in such conditions. I wanted to keep her safe, but I also cared for her comfort.

Cari spent most of her time reading and sleeping while I stood guard. I wouldn’t allow her to go outside, not even to catch a better view of a vibrant sunset from the porch. She was becoming restless, and I sensed her increasing agitation, though she didn’t argue with my rules regarding her safety. I hopedthat when we finally departed the cabin, we would have an easy, uneventful journey over the mountainside.

When the snow melted enough to permit foraging, I collected acorns and pokklam berries, the latter of which grew year-round inside the hollow trunks. I placed the items in one of the baskets Cari had tossed in the forest, then returned to the cabin, eager to share the food with my mate. I paused on the porch and peered over my shoulder, looking in the direction of the river as I considered whether I ought to catch some fish as well. But no. If I went to the river, the cabin would be out of sight for too long. The acorns and pokklam berries would have to suffice.

I found Cari in the kitchen, mixing something in a bowl, and I ground my teeth together to find her out of her hiding spot. I’d instructed her to wait in the hallway until my return.

Were all human females so disobedient? Or just the one I’d been called to mate with?

She shot me a remorseful look that accompanied the guilt I felt radiating from her. “I know you want me to stay in the hallway, or one of the bathrooms, while you’re gone, but I wanted to surprise you and have dinner ready when you got back. Please don’t be mad. I’ve been very quiet so I might hear if anyone is coming.”

“Why didn’t you hide when you heard me on the porch?” I asked, fighting back my irritation over her disobedience.

“Because I recognized your walk… and the porch always creaks like it’s going to collapse when you step on it, Mr. Bigfoot.” She flashed me a playful grin that caused the last of my frustration to melt away. “Besides, I knew you wouldn’t go far.”

“Ididn’tgo far,” I assured her. “I stayed within sight of the cabin the whole time.” I offered her the basket, wondering if she would finally accept my gifts. “Here. These are for you.”

She took the basket from my hands and peered inside. “What, no slugs?”

“I did find some slugs underneath several rocks and a rotting log, but I didn’t think you would want them,” I explained, “so I ate them myself. But I would be happy to go fetch some more if you would like to try them. I promise they are delicious.” Large juicy banana slugs were my most favorite meal, followed closely by fish.

“I appreciate the offer,” she said with another smile, “but the acorns and the berries will be just fine. Thank you, Gorran. I was very curious about the berries when you left the baskets on my porch. I’ve never seen anything like them before. Golden and glowing like little suns. What are they called and where did you find them during winter?”

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