Page 37 of Across the Stars (Cosmic Threads of Fate #1)
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
MAE
Mae followed Xarntu and Xaynu as they made their way through the dense jungle toward the rushing river.
Fela, the large black cat with emerald and sapphire stripes, trotted alongside them, her tail twitching with excitement.
Mae carried a bow and a quiver of arrows, feeling a thrill of adrenaline as they approached their destination.
The sound of the rushing water grew louder as they got closer to the riverbank. Mae could see the spray of the rapids in the distance, the water cascading over rocks and boulders.
Mae felt a sense of excitement and adventure as she followed the others, her heart racing with anticipation.
This was her first venture away from the large tree, and she had no idea what to expect. She wondered if there were any other dangerous creatures lurking in the jungle, but she trusted her companions, especially Fela, to keep her safe.
The feline creature was larger than any big cat on Earth and appeared to be twice as dangerous.
Mae didn’t want to be on the receiving end of her claws and teeth. If there was anything to be concerned about, it was her, because she assumed the feline had better hearing than the three of them combined and would notice if something was wrong.
The sounds of the river grew louder as they approached, and Mae could feel the mist from the water on her face.
She could see the shimmering reflections of the sun on the water, and the scent of wet earth filled her nose.
Mae could see the outline of fish swimming below the surface, and she could feel her excitement growing.
As they reached the river, Xarntu and Xaynu unslung their bows and began to shoot at the fish swimming in the water.
She couldn’t wait to see what they would catch.
Mae watched as Xarntu and Xaynu expertly shot the alien fish with their bows.
The fish wriggled and writhed, but the arrows held them in place.
Xarntu and Xaynu said a prayer to each fish before gently placing them in the woven basket at their feet.
Mae felt a sense of reverence for the creatures of this world and the way the community respected their resources.
She was awestruck being able to witness the beauty in the rituals and traditions of this new world.
Mae took note of their technique as she grabbed her own bow, feeling a rush of excitement as she prepared to test her skills.
While she was proficient in hand-to-hand combat with a psydagger and had passed her special tests to use a psyblaster, none of her training had prepared her for wielding their primitive weapons.
She nocked an arrow and drew back the string, aiming at a nearby fish. She let go of the arrow and watched it fly through the air, missing the fish completely.
Feeling a little discouraged, Mae grabbed another arrow and tried again.
The sound of the bowstring echoed through the jungle as Mae released her arrow. The fish was struck and thrashed in the water before floating to the surface.
She grinned triumphantly as she grabbed the fish from the water and held it up for Xarntu and Xaynu to see.Xaynu nodded in her direction, focused on his next fish as Xarntu walked over to her.
Mae watched as Xarntu knelt beside her, a serene expression on her face. She paid close attention as Xarntu taught her the prayer, her gaze fixed on the elder woman’s lips as she spoke. Xarntu spoke in a soft tone, her words flowing like a gentle stream.
As Xarntu guided her through the prayer, her eyes were kind and patient. Mae’s nerves fluttered—she didn’t want to offend either Xarntu or the fish’s spirit—but gentle encouragement steadied her. Closing her eyes, she repeated the words, feeling their rhythm and flow settle into her.
When she opened them again, Xarntu was smiling, delight shining as she placed a hand on Mae’s shoulder and nodded in approval. Warmth rose in Mae’s chest. She was proud, honored to be learning their customs, and she felt as though she was finally becoming part of their community.
She wanted to prove to herself—and the people around her, particularly Watai—that she was making an effort to fit in, participate in their daily tasks, and learn about their culture, languages, and traditions.
Fela, who had been sunbathing on the shore, came bounding over to them, her tongue lolling out of her mouth in excitement. Mae grinned and tossed the fish to her, watching as the big cat caught it in her mouth and happily munched away.
Xarntu looked over her shoulder and shook her head at the happy feline, who was now rolling around on the long grass, muttering something under her breath. She gathered her bow and gestured to the school of glowing rainbow fish in the water, indicating that she would continue bow fishing.
Sighing, Mae turned in the direction where she’d accidentally sent her first shot and wondered how long it would take for her to find the purple feathered arrow.
She had to find it, not just for herself, but for Xaynu and Xarntu as well. They had both put so much time and effort into creating the perfect arrow and bow for her, and she couldn’t bear the thought of losing it.
As she approached the river, she could hear the sound of rushing water and see the sunlight filtering through the trees overhead. She was grateful for the bright sun, knowing it would make her search easier.
With a deep breath, Mae stepped into the water and began to search.
She felt the cool water swirl around her ankles as well as the familiar rush of adrenaline while she focused on finding the arrow.
Her eyes scanned the riverbed for any sign of the missing arrow, repeating the prayer to herself in the hopes of memorizing it for future hunts.
As she continued to search, she took in the beauty of her surroundings.
Mae stood at the riverbank, taking in the breathtaking beauty of the exotic flora that surrounded her.
She marveled at the vibrant hues of the plants, from deep purples to electric blues and brilliant pinks.
The air was heavy with the sweet fragrance of the blooms, and Mae felt as if she was in a dream world, surrounded by colors and scents she had never before encountered.
The rushing water of the river added to the peaceful atmosphere, and Mae felt as if she could stand there forever, soaking in the beauty of this strange and wondrous place.
At last—after what felt like forever—Mae spotted the arrow. A triumphant shout escaped her as she snatched it up, pride and relief washing through her. This was the arrow Xaynu had crafted to match the bow Xarntu had given her, and holding it felt like carrying a piece of both of them.
She couldn’t afford to lose or damage anything her friends and mentors had given her. To do so would feel careless, as though she didn’t value their gifts—or the trust behind them. That wasn’t something she would ever allow.
Smiling, she hurried back along the shore toward her companions, clutching the arrow tight.
At her hip she secured it safely in her quiver, then slung the bow across her back, its wooden limbs fitting snug against her.
With both weapons close at hand, she felt prepared—ready for whatever this world might throw at her.
As she walked along the shore, her eyes caught a glint of iridescent colors peeking out from beneath a cluster of rocks. She bent down, carefully lifting the rocks to reveal a collection of vibrant shells, each one more stunning than the last.
The shells were all different shapes and sizes, and their colors ranged from deep blues and greens to bright pinks and purples.
With a smile on her face, she picked up a few of the most vibrant shells and held them in her hand, admiring their beauty. She had an idea for how she could use them, maybe to decorate her hair.
She had always loved collecting little trinkets and treasures, and these shells were no exception.
Mae bent down, fingers brushing the sandy shore until they closed around a smooth stone.
She lifted it, struck by the teal color that shimmered in the sunlight—so like Watai’s skin.
Turning it over in her palm, she felt her heartstrings tug, the image of him rising unbidden.
Closing her eyes, she drew a slow breath and imagined his arms around her.
When she opened them again, a sigh slipped free, longing deep in her chest. She tucked the stone into her pocket, letting herself linger on the thought of Watai and the pull she felt toward him.
Despite all the uncertainty in her heart, she couldn’t deny it—her thoughts always drifted back to him when they were apart.