Page 87 of Exiles on Earth

Her lips part in surprise, and then she tugs at the chip on her necklace. “It’s okay. Shara gave me this. She said I could use it whenever I want.”

My breath hitches, hope igniting like fire in my chest. I didn’t recognize it before, but now I make out theAll-Mother’s insignia of a never-ending intricate knot. Using the All-Mother’s ship, El-len could leave.

She hasn’t used it. She stayed.

The tiny human looks up at me. “I… guess I wanted to make sure you were okay. You were put in some room on the ship you called, and I still don’t know what that meant.”

I step back, stunned. “The ship I called? El-len, I contacted no ship.”

“But one came for you.” Her eyebrows knit tighter.

Her frown is like a blade to my gut, her confusion something I want to banish forever. “The All-Mother brought me back for the Mating Games. I don’t know why or how my exile was lifted, but—” I stop myself, lowering my head.

The words burn inside me, demanding to be let loose.

I wish I was still exiled, with you on your planet.

Loud barks from a further room make me swing in front of her, fists raised. A quadruped with white and black fur runs in, closely followed by a larger one in grey. Without hesitation, the white and black one heads for El-len, purple eyes glowing and tongue rolling from the side of her mouth.

“Holy shit. Floss!” El-len squeals with delight.

And then a voice floods my mind. ‘You, rescuer of my mate. I am in your debt.’

TWENTY-SIX

ELLEN

Floss barrelsin from where one of Imaya’s mates had gone. Her fur is different, so fine it floats around her muzzle and long legs, her wagging tail like a flag.

‘Finally, you can understand me!’ The voice rings in my thoughts, feminine and over excited. Floss jumps up and licks my face.

“Uh… hi?” I try, looking around for who’s speaking, but Floss whines until I face my dog. Her face stretches in a doggy smile.

Wait. Really? “Is that you speaking, Floss?”

Ilia whips to face me. “You can hear them too?”

“I think so?” Either that or I’m a little overstretched mentally, which wouldn’t surprise me at all, given the circumstances.

Ilia raises his hand into a barrier as the gray one trots forward. This one is thicker with muscle than Floss, his gray-silver fur floating like if he’s underwater. It fixes Ilia with a piercing stare, blue-green eyes swirling.

“He… he says he is in my debt,” Ilia says, voice low with awe. “That I saved him, and now Floss.”

Floss snorts. Her warmer purple eyes crinkle at the edges, the dog equivalent of a laugh. ‘Can I have strokes now, Ellen? Please.’

I shake my head with a chuckle and ruffle her neck just the way she likes it. “I can hear her.”

Ilia gapes at me. “She is a starhound! They only choose to form a mental connection with beings they consider worthy.”

Floss nudges my hand. ‘And you are, and I need more strokes.’

“Of course.” I fondle her soft ears, watching her eyes half-lid with happiness. Her fur is so soft now, like flax along my fingers, smooth as silk.

The male fixes Ilia with a stare, but then he licks Ilia’s fist.

Ilia flinches as though he expects a bite, eyes widening, and takes a step back. “Starhound, it’s an honor, but no. I’m not worthy.”

The gray dog stares at him a moment more, then pivots, trotting to Floss’ side. Floss touches noses with him, then turns her glowing purple eyes to me. ‘Rexiculus is upset.’