Page 6

6

Deficient

*Jalen*

“ C an you believe this, Trivet?” I spun toward my companion, shaking the note I’d read about a dozen times in his face. “What did I tell you? I knew everything would turn out all right.”

The midday sun shone on the garden as Trivet’s gaze shot to mine, though he didn’t bother lifting his head out of his food bowl. Still, I could tell from the way his tail wiggled he was happy for me.

Yes, I was talking to an animal. I was starved for company, remember? But that was about to change. I just had to do one thing, and then I could bust out of my cage for good.

I dragged a hand through my chest-length blue hair. “My bag’s packed already. Got the route all planned out.”

A smile crossed my lips as I pictured stepping out of the fence for the first time in three long years. I’d get to travel the jungle again! Before I’d landed myself in captivity, I’d always loved hiking to far-off spots, seeking new seeds and plants to bring to Karln.

This wouldn’t be exactly the same. For one thing, I was about to venture into one of the most dangerous spots in the jungle. And I’d have a Terran in tow… One I’d been explicitly warned to keep safe—and not to touch.

“Why do you think Rhelt was so worried I keep my hands to myself? Do you think he’s still hung up on what happened?”

Trivet finally lifted his head, his long purple tongue darting out to clean his lips, showing off a row of off-white teeth. I’d befriended the furry critter my first year here, when his mother holed up in a makeshift nest that I’d discovered while planting. Trivet had been the runt of his litter, with a lame back leg that hadn’t formed properly in the womb. When his siblings took off, he’d stuck around, making a home in my garden.

I probably should’ve shooed him away. His species, lormates, were nimble, black-furred mammals that grew to about the size of an infant. And they were omnivores, which made him a menace in the garden. But I couldn’t help feeling a bond with the puny guy. While all the other lormates were out in the wild, living their lives and finding love, he’d been left behind. No female in his species would ever settle for a mate with such an obvious deficiency.

Guess we were kindred in that. After what happened with Rhelt and Cassidy, it was clear I was pretty deficient, too.

But I’d made peace with that long ago. Not all Dionions were destined to find love. Suppose I was one of the few who fit in that category. That didn’t mean my life had no purpose. Like Trivet, I’d keep my head up and make the best with what I’d been handed.

“You know what? I’m not going to worry about it.” I folded the paper in two and shoved it inside one of my vest pockets. “If Rhelt wants me to take Cassidy’s friend to find something in the jungle, that’s all right with me. And hopefully after I’m done, I can fly out of here.”

There was once a time when I’d dreamed about exploring off-world. If I were being perfectly honest, those dreams never faded completely. Even while confined with no sign of release, I occasionally pondered what it’d be like to travel the stars.

It looked like I might get my chance after all. I just had to obey that note to the letter. Keeping my charge alive wouldn’t be an issue. I knew the jungle like the back of my hand and had an uncanny knack for tracking moon cycles. I’d spent many days in my youth holed up in some nook, waiting for safe passage.

The other part might be a tad trickier. I’d gone three long years without any female companionship. But no matter how nice the female Rhelt sent was—no matter how tempting—I wouldn’t touch her.

It won’t be that hard, will it?

I just had to endure a week alone with a stranger, and then I’d be free to pursue anyone I’d like. Ellios willing, I might even find a mate one day. If not on Dionus, then perhaps somewhere out in the stars.

Trivet crossed the room, twining his lithe body around my ankles with a halfhearted mew .

“Hey, don’t worry. If I find a ride off this rock, I’ll take you with me. How does that sound?”

With a flick of his tail, Trivet hopped onto the fence and leaped out of the garden. I watched him go with a sigh. “See you out there, buddy.”