Page 38 of Across the Stars (Cosmic Threads of Fate #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

WATAI

Watai furrowed his brow as he gazed at the weavetree, expecting to find his cosmic thread leading him inside, as it had previously, and where she should’ve been in the Crafter’s Alcove.

He felt a wave of confusion wash over him as the thread seemed to be leading him along the river that fed into the lake.

“Do you feel it too?”

“Yes, I sense her deep in the jungle,” Iskzo pathed, leaning away from the weavetree to fly around it.

“Fela claims she’s been lounging next to Mae, watching her as if she were one of her own while the group fished all afternoon.

She claims that Mae struggled to keep up with the others at first, but in time she found her rhythm. ”

“They’re fishing?” Watai’s curiosity was piqued. “What is she using?”

“They began with the bow and arrow, but Xarntu advised her to use her new spear, hoping she would be better at it because she is capable of standing still.”

Watai pursed his lips as he digested the news. He wondered what, if any, weapons she was trained in if she wasn’t proficient in the two different types of weapons she was given.

He hadn’t had a chance to see if she could wield the daggers, darts, and ring blades available, as well as fishing nets and battle anchors used when flying.

It would make sense if she had a basic understanding of archery and the spear, because all Z’myuxi were trained to use all types of weapons in an emergency and to use what was readily available.

Watai felt the wind rush through his hair as he flew high above the jungle canopy on top of Iskzo.

The feeling of becoming one as a result of their bond with his threadmount was indescribable.

He closed his eyes and focused on the sensation of flying, the wind and the sun on his face, the feeling of freedom and weightlessness.

Iskzo’s powerful wings beat in time with his hearts as they followed the cosmic thread’s pull toward Mae.

His hearts raced with anticipation as he felt the thread grow stronger, pulling him closer to her. He could feel the bond between them strengthening with every beat of Iskzo’s wings.

As they descended, the lush jungle canopy thinned, revealing the shimmering river below. Watai’s eyes darted around, searching for Mae among the trees and boulders. Finally, he spotted her, standing on the riverbank surrounded by Xarntu and Xaynu.

Iskzo landed on the shore and Watai pulled his consciousness away from him and closed his eyes to center himself. Opening his eyes, he followed the pull through his cosmic thread and peered at Mae as he dismounted.

As he watched Mae expertly hold her spear in the shallow water, his hearts filled with pride and amusement. He couldn’t help but smile when he saw her, tall and confident, her gaze fixed on the fish in the flowing river water.

Mae caught sight of him and smiled, her eyes brightening. “Watai!” she exclaimed, motioning him over. “Xa’me!”

Watai shook his head, laughing. “I think I’ll leave the fishing to the experts,” he said, gesturing to the impressive pile of fish on the shore.

Everyone in the tribe could fish, both on land and on their threadmount, but Watai preferred to hunt beasts.

It was the rush of slaying a creature that was attempting to infiltrate the tribe’s territory, invading and wreaking havoc on the local ecosystem.

While they were all born from Z’myu, it was Watai and his warriors’ responsibility to prevent an unhealthy imbalance from creatures killing for sport rather than survival, or others who reproduce quickly, capable of overpopulating an area and disrupting its environment.

Fela, the large black Z’myuw, sat beside the baskets of fish, lazily watching them. Watai knew the sly feline was there not only to protect the cycle’s catch, but also to catch any flung fish that missed the baskets.

Mae’s gaze shifted from him to Fela and the fish baskets, and she lowered her spear and approached.

Watai’s eyes were fixed on Mae as she approached him, her steps confident and steady. He felt a sense of pride swell within him as he took in the sight of her. She was dressed in the outfit he had crafted for her, and the hunting weapons she carried only added to her already fierce beauty.

Her leather straps crisscrossed over her chest, accentuating her strength.

The way the outfit clung to her curves made his hearts race, highlighting how beautiful she was.

The bow and quiver slung over her shoulder gave her the appearance of a true warrior, and Watai believed she was becoming more and more like a female of his tribe with each passing cycle.

Feelings of pride and admiration for her flooded him as he watched her walk toward him. Watai felt an overwhelming urge to protect her as she approached, convinced that she was the most stunning female he had ever seen.

As she walked closer, she shyly made eye contact with him, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Watai felt conflicted; on the one hand, he was impressed by Mae’s skills, but on the other, he was jealous that he hadn’t been available to teach her.

If she had already found her threadmount, and it was a Z’myuzo, he would have been able to add her to his wing and spend the whole day with her by his side.

He knew that would be for the best for her to learn from others, but still couldn’t help feeling resentful that others were able to spend so much time with her, especially when they hadn’t sealed their cosmic thread.

Xarntu approached him and threw a fish toward Fela. The large black feline pounced on the offering, its emerald eyes shining in the sunlight filtering through the dense jungle canopy.

“You didn’t tell me you were going to take them fishing today.” Watai crossed his arms and jerked his head toward his threadmate. “I would have loved to be there for her first fishing trip and help her if she needed it.”

“I apologize for not contacting you sooner. This trip was not originally planned. My students seemed bored, so I thought it would be nice to change the scenery.” She shrugged and smiled at Mae as she walked up beside him, her bow wrapped around her chest, quiver on her hip, and spear in her hand.

“She’s a natural once she’s grasped it. She’s clearly had some sort of training.

Maybe she’ll be able to join us on hunting trips soon if we figure out what weapon she’s proficient in. ”

“When are you going to put her skills with other weapons to the test?” Watai inquired, feeling a twinge of possessiveness at the prospect of Mae joining hunting trips without him.

“I’d like to be present when you plan on introducing the ring blade to her, as that is the weapon I’m known for among our tribe. ”

“Of course, that wouldn’t be a problem.” Xarntu frowned at the sky. “At this time, I believe it’s best we discuss Mae’s weapon training later and focus on bringing today’s catch to the weavetree. It’s getting late, and Yawix just told me that the evening meal has begun.”

“I’ll help the three of you.” Watai nodded and peered down at the great Z’myuw. “Want to help, Fela, or is your stomach too full from today’s catch?”

Fela greeted him with a lazy yawn, stretching her large body before getting to her feet. Watai smiled at the feline, knowing that she enjoyed napping with Iskzo whenever time allowed.

“Fela offered to carry our catch back for us.” Xarntu scratched the top of her threadmount’s head. “Mae has fed her enough fish for the day that she couldn’t possibly take any more unless she wants to become slow because her belly drags on the ground.”

“We can’t have that,” Watai teased. “Or you’ll have a cub on your hands who will require you to catch her food.”

Fela locked her emerald gaze on him, pulling back her mouth, revealing her fangs, and hissing at him.

Mae took a step in front of him, her spear lowered in a protective position, and hissed back at the Z’myuw.

“Fela!” Xarntu snapped. “Stand down! Don’t confuse Mae with your playing.”

He quickly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her behind him and attempting to calm her down. He could feel her rapid heartbeat against his chest and he whispered soothing words in her ear.

Watai knew that Fela was friendly, but he couldn’t risk Mae getting hurt on a misunderstanding.

Despite the tension of the moment, Watai felt a quiet contentment holding Mae against him.

Her breathing slowed, her heartbeat easing back to a steady rhythm—signs she was beginning to relax.

He let out a deep sigh, relief washing through him, and kept her close, savoring the warmth of her body pressed to his.

“Fela likes Mae and admires her fighting spirit,” Iskzo pathed, stepping beside them and nudging Mae’s shoulder with his head. “She didn’t mean to scare her with her playing.”

“Perhaps you should hold off on play fighting for a while, Fela,” Watai said, shooting Xarntu a pointed glance as he nodded. “I think it’s for the best until she gets used to you, and perhaps discovers her own threadmount.”

“I’ll make sure Fela understands.” Xarntu pinched her lips and looked down at her threadmount as she gently tapped her side with her spear. “You need to be more self-aware of your surroundings. We’re no longer in the Hidden Cove Tribe’s territory. Not everyone is used to wrestling Z’myuw.”

Mae shoved against his chest, her spear slipping from her grasp and clattering to the ground.

Watai’s arms fell away as he stepped back, watching her breath come in heavy bursts, chest rising and falling.

Every instinct urged him to hold on, but he forced himself to let her go—he wouldn’t risk making her feel trapped.

Watai felt a surge of pride as she extended her hand, offering itfor Fela to sniff. He could see the fear in her eyes, but she refused to give in. He admired her courage and willingness to push herself outside of her comfort zone.

The large feline sniffed Mae’s hand, and to Watai’s surprise, she started to purr. Mae smiled, a look of relief on her face, and began to pet Fela. Watai exhaled a sigh of relief and grinned as his hearts filled with joy as he watched the two of them bond.

“You must have a way with animals, Mae,” Watai muttered. “She is a fierce hunter, but your kindness has won her over.”

Mae looked up at Watai and smiled.

“Fela understands that Mae is like a cub, still learning their place in the world,” Iskzo pathed, hovering his head over Watai’s shoulder, watching Mae with interest. “She promises to show her how to properly pet her in the hopes that she will spoil her until she has her own threadmount.”

“I bet she does,” Watai tsked, casting a glance at Xarntu, who met his gaze with interest. “Iskzo stated that Fela’s mission is to garner as much attention from Mae as she can while she can.”

“Fela!” Xarntu hissed, her tail whipping back and forth. “You can’t use her like that. What’s the matter with you?”

“What exactly has Fela done this time?” Xaynu inquired, tossing his catch into the overflowing basket.

“She’s tricking Mae into petting her,” Xarntu grumbled, crossing her arms. “And Mae is spoiling her.”

Watai glanced up at the sky and noticed the sun was starting to dip below the mountain ridge.He knew that the evening meal was in the middle of being served, and he didn’t want to miss it.

He turned to Xarntu and Xaynu, who were still fishing on the riverbank. “It’s getting late. We should head back before the evening meal is done being served.”

Xarntu and Xaynu nodded in agreement, gathering their fishing gear and baskets filled with their catch. Watai walked over to where Mae was still petting the large black feline.

“Mae, it’s time to go,” he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “We don’t want to miss the evening meal.”

Mae gave Fela one last scratch before standing, slinging her bow over her shoulder and retrieving her spear. Crossing to Iskzo, she took a fish from one of the baskets tied to Fela’s back and offered it to the threadmount.

Watai watched with quiet pride as Mae stroked Iskzo’s snout and fed him the catch she’d earned.

When the dragon finished, he nudged her hand for more attention, soaking up her scratches before she turned toward his saddle.

Watai rolled his eyes at the display—Iskzo acting jealous, as though competing with Fela for every bit of Mae’s affection.

“All right, all right. Let’s get these fish back to the Gathering Hall. I’m sure they’ll be appreciated.”

Watai walked beside Iskzo, his gaze drawn to Mae as she moved between his threadmount and Fela. The two beasts seemed in perfect harmony with her, leaning into her touch as she stroked them and murmured softly in her own language.

Pride and contentment swelled in him as he watched. Having her at his side felt right, and he was certain Iskzo and Fela sensed it too. The ease with which she handled them, the gentleness in her voice, showed how quickly she was adapting to their world.

More and more, it was clear—Mae was becoming part of their community.