y

pink, orange, and gold paint the wispy clouds and the wave

r hand covers mine, squeezing it almost painfully

even been the target of suspicion. And yet, the thirty-six hours after the night of the Muc are

xiety in the air, but there is hope too. As time passes, the day gets brighter and the silhouette draws closer, taking the shape of a familiar boat

ck!" Sarai grins and then hugs me. I smile and nod,

the dock. While everyone runs into the water, helpin

d-up baby in her arms and a proud smile on her face. She's safe. She is followed by the Matrika Katya and the H

tressing fo

ikas' and the High Warriors' necks. Then the elders hold a candle in both hands and murmur an age-old chant th

Sarai whispers. "I just want to pla

wrinkled, they look old and ugly. Only after a

get to meet them for

aired up with a couple. The new family stays in their cocoon for at least

ow, I

ets, and then welcome them into Nari. They take the ba

u coming?"

hand all the babies to the healers and come back out. Everyone always asks them questio

t need us. What's t

go with the

I ju

"You've been so aloof. I haven't seen

together. But ever since my encounter with the man in

have no choice. "I'm sorry.

een very sick then. Nothing gets you down bad enough to k

ut if I tell her about the man, she will want me to do the right thing and tell t

pt it off. Doing

wn hair around her finger, playing with it. "Do you wan

e blue eyes are lined with kohl, and her cheeks and lips are a soft cherry red. Braids intertwined with flowers and vines frame her

ou're dressed fo

n change

iful hair and makeup. How about I go for

" She smiles.

k as I jog away from Sarai.

know if the man is doing alright. He has been asleep for the past thirty hours,

caves is long so I keep my pac

ounds. Most importantly, I returned Maa's medical bag to its place. I also tried formulating a strategy to deal with the man. But this situation is so different

oundings. I have restrained him well, but I can't help

ce of the chamber, I st

ing," I sa

rest before sprinkling some wa

d, creating a halo around his head. His eyes are closed, his thick, long lashes cast a soft shadow on hi

er and place it on th

is beautiful. Don't forget yourself, Nysa. Wolfsbane and dart frogs are beautiful too. Pretty exte

carefully take a seat, making sure not to touch the man. With gentle

ht surp

less angry, the bleeding has decreased, and the pus is clearing up. If it c

ing the wound. Then, I reapply a generous coat of salve over it and some coconut oil on

p, bluish-grey eyes star

art j

lge in his throat moves,

ips, and use my other hand to cup the back of his

the cup. His gaze falls on the shackles around his w

in his senses. My body feels wired. Suddenly, I can feel the danger lurking beneath his skin. He

tand up and

clutches his head for a moment. "Fu

d on the fox where the chain is anchored. He grabs the re

me do I have

wound. You're not

re they

u talking about?

elax. His gaze slides down the length of my body in an analysing manner

ars on my island and I'm questioned why he is restrained. Why do

ent for a whil

n the world, I grab the pot of oil from the home supplies basket

st at sea. I spotted this isla

used powerful spells to safeguard Nari. It ensure

d you g

I study him closely. I don't think he is hiding anything

st came her

was lost. Ther

have you b

ee d

for only three days. He could be lying. In any case, this is terrible news. A m

if there are more men like him out there on Nari? Hiding, watching, waiting to attac

you hiding? Wha

thi

st had

more w

r my questi

throat's dryi

up another cup from the water pot. "We don't take kindly to strangers, especially ones who have no business

y gaze before h

ps of his fingers grazing mine. Phantom spiders crawl up my

hrough his eyes. Shaking his head, he brings the cup to his lips. His head tilts back

ack to my question... Why were

dn't know if I could trust anybody

t were y

go to the

u answer all

urge

work. Soon, he will run out of all excuses and he will

thers in the cave. I walk over to the sculpture of the half-man half-woman and the fox. I

chamber. A small, door-shaped part of the wall slides open with a loud groan, reveali

the man whispers, look

lligent and skilled previous

to go outside with

tside and I

his skin has regained some of its colour, his eyes look more lively, and he has more strength in him than I thought. I look at h

that could be used as a weapon to hurt me or to damage his res

g to stand he

ious

e says. "I'll come back

the toilet? People go in groups. Unless... he has

He doesn't slide it down or lift it properly over his waist. He doesn't even sit down. What is he doing? A moment later, I see a strea

going to s

ers. "Men don't need to

the animal skin from the front, just enough to reveal hi

the clothes out of the way and s

and turn around. I gesture for him to walk

Can you please keep the do

softens my h

he walks towards the sculpture of the

. what were you doing

hyena's head stops.

f on being sharp and observant, but a man has been in ou

id you c

ia," he says, his voic

se, he wouldn't have told me he is from there. Wait, Helldom? Does he not like Va

re you

hun

in. "Answer

have so

nchbox I prepared yeste

devours the whole container in minutes and then licks his fingers clean. M

, thank you," he sa

e welc

absent before. "I've answered all of your questions honestly. I don't want to cause trouble. I know that this is some sort

spy who will ultimately end up creating trouble for us, I will never be able to forgive

cted, it needs to be treated properly or it will start regressing again. It would be unwise fo

ndaged forearm. "How lo

The more cooperative you are, the

rs sag. "I'

sm

be entirely