Page 30 of Offering Herself to Darkness

They followed the strange being who had greeted them through a narrow path in the jungle. Xarex went first, keeping a watchful eye out for any dangerous plants and animals. Nora was right behind him and he turned his head every once in a while to be sure she was safe.

He sent a silent prayer to the Goddess that they would be able to get the Flower of Healing or what The One who Cares for All called “Syrilla’s Bloom.” Nora’s desperation was almost palpable and he was genuinely worried about what might happen to her if they couldn’t get the cure for her daughter.

But he didn’t just want the cure for Anna because of Nora, though that was certainly a large part of his motivation. He was already quite attached to the child. Her sweet, open demeanor at the Joining ceremony had touched Xarex’s heart. And when she’d put her little arms around his neck and called him “Daddy,” he’d felt the emotions of warmth and protectiveness wash over him in waves.

No matter what happens, we have to get this flower, he told himself as they walked through the jungle. We can’t go home without it. No matter what the price is, we have to pay it!

If only he had known how high the price would actually be he might have felt differently…

17

NORA

They kept to the curving path through the jewel-toned jungle for some time until they came to a large clearing that was filled with small, straw-thatched huts. It looked primitive but clean and neat to Nora, who looked around in wonder.

It occurred to her that this place looked much too primitive to have the technology to speak with spacecraft or send coordinates. But maybe they were kind of like the Mennonites or some other religious sects back home on Earth and only used technology very sparingly.

In the center of the village was another smaller clearing where a lot of people were sitting. They were in a circle around the perimeter of the clearing and in the center was what looked like a tangle of purple roots and vines. It was shaped into a kind of rectangular platform that was raised several feet off the ground. The people of Primus Nine—Nora wasn’t sure what to call them—were sitting around it as though waiting for something.

This time she was better able to tell their sexes. The smaller ones had breasts and the larger ones didn’t. Also, though their clothing was made of leaves, like The One, it was more form-fitting and showed bare arms and legs. Presumably to keep the wearers cool, Nora thought.

She was beginning to wish her own t-shirt and jeans were cooler. It really was warm and humid here on Primus Nine. Xarex didn’t seem to be having any trouble with the temperature, however—even though he was wearing all black including tall black boots, tight leather trousers, and a long-sleeved black uniform shirt. Nora wondered if maybe his W’rx DNA allowed him to control his body temperature in some way? She really should learn more about that half of him.

The One who Cares for All led them to the center of the circle, standing beside the rectangular platform of leaves, vines, and roots. Nora noticed that in the very center of the platform there was an extra mound of long, purple, green, and blue vines. They seemed to be woven in a pattern and she thought she saw something shining in the spaces between them. What was down there under the mound of vines?

Before she could look more closely, The One who Cares for all began to speak.

“Welcome to all of you,” they said in a clear, neutral voice like the rustling of leaves. “As you can see, tonight we will be hosting some visitors from another world. They have come seeking Syrilla’s Bloom so they must be tested and tried to see if they will be found worthy. We are hopeful that the Bloom will shine for them during their sacrifice so that they may pluck it.”

Nora wondered what the “sacrifice” would be but this didn’t seem to be the right time to ask. Instead, she nodded at the people around them and tried to smile but she got no answering smiles in return. Instead, everyone extended a hand and began patting it on the ground. The sound of many palms slapping against the hard-packed earth of the circle made a rhythmic thumping sound. Was this the Primiens’ way of applauding or showing approval?

“Thank you for your welcome,” The One said, when the patting had ended. “Your kindness in extending a greeting is noted. Now, who will volunteer to help them through the feast? It must be noted that they do not wish to change sexes,” they added.

At first none of the people in the circle said anything and Nora began to worry. What if no one wanted them to sit by them during the feast? What if they rejected her and Xarex and didn’t even give them a chance? What if?—

Then a small Primien, (Nora wasn’t sure what else to call them) with prominent breasts rose and nodded her head. The tall Primen beside her also stood and nodded.

“Jammu and I will accept them and help them through the feast,” the smaller one said.

“Ah, thank you, Twilla, for your kindness.” The One nodded gratefully. They turned to Nora and said, “You, Nora, must go and sit by Twilla and your mate, Xarex can sit by Jammu.”

“Thank you,” Nora said. She made her way around the circle to Twilla, who greeted her with a smile. Her teeth were pale blue instead of white, Nora noticed and her eyes gleamed both emerald green and ruby red, depending on which way she turned her head.

Twilla made a gesture, spreading both arms wide in what Nora assumed was a welcome.

“Welcome, off-worlder,” she said in her soft, musical voice. “We are so very pleased to meet you.”

“Thank you so much. My husband and I are grateful for your hospitality,” Nora said, smiling back. “Er, should we sit down?” she asked, looking at the circle.

“In a moment. First allow me to bring you to my living space so that you may change into feasting garments,” Twilla said. “If you are to seek Syrilla’s Bloom, you must be properly dressed to do it.”

She stepped out of the circle and Nora started to follow her, but Xarex put a hand on her arm to stop her.

“Wait—I prefer to accompany my wife,” he rumbled. “To be certain she is safe, since we do not know your planet.”

“You are protective of her—good, that speaks well of you as a male.” It was Jammu speaking—his voice was much deeper than Twilla’s. “Come,” he said. “Since Twilla and I are mates, our shared living spaces are connected. You can both change into feasting garments at the same time.”

“All right.” Xarex nodded and they followed Twilla and Jammu out of the circle and into the maze of huts.

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