~ SASHA ~

Yhet ushered her back towards the Village, their footsteps crunching on frozen leaves and twigs as they wove through trees.

"It will be faster to walk as the crow flies. Are you comfortable if I lead you off the trails?" Yhet asked carefully.

"Sure." The truth was, she wasn't comfortable anywhere here, but what else could she do? Having Zev's presence removed so swiftly meant she was rudderless. Yhet seemed like a big enough port for the storm.

He led her through the trees, pulling back branches to allow her to walk through easily, then letting them go when she'd passed—and the branches were so large, the entire tree shook as it returned to its natural place. Sasha shook her head.

Yhet didn't seem to notice her awe of his strength, pointing out small birds and wildlife as they walked—reminding her of Zev all those years ago.

Was this place why he'd been so aware of nature? Well, of course, it must have been. She tried to pay attention, but she struggled to concentrate.

"I'm sorry, Yhet," she broke in finally when the sweet man asked her a question and she wasn't even sure what he was talking about. "I'm struggling to concentrate on anything except… where is Zev? You saw him? Is he okay?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, Sasha, I should have told you as soon as we were out of earshot of Kyelle," he rumbled, looking concerned. "Zev is fine. I gave him the bag, though we couldn't embrace so I wouldn't stink of him. He was going to eat, then return to begin challenging the males. It may take some time, but I imagine we'll see him this afternoon."

Yhey swung his great head around as if they might see Zev right then, and Sasha's heart lifted. But the lovely man was just looking. He continued forward, pointing Sasha through the undergrowth to a point where more light was beginning to push through the trees.

"Where are we going?" she asked once she was certain Zev wasn't about to appear.

"To lunch. There's an area we keep and we take turns cooking and cleaning after everyone. It's more efficient with the sharing of food, and it gives us a chance to see each other. Especially those of us who spend a lot of time working outside the village itself.

"Those noises you can hear are the males who are on duties this afternoon. They eat first, then the rest of us."

Sasha listened carefully, but the only thing she could hear was the wind in the trees above, the occasional twitter of a bird, and her own footsteps.

She blinked, then looked at Yhet's feet.

Like Zev earlier, he was clothed in thick furs and his were natural, moccasin-like boots, the soles thick, but pliable. Sasha frowned. Despite Yhet's massive weight, she couldn't really hear it when his foot hit the ground. She had earlier when he was running, but now?

"How do you walk so quietly?" she asked, pointing at his feet.

Yhet looked down, frowning at his own feet as he took another long, slow step over a fallen log that Sasha would have had to leap or crawl over.

"Oh! You haven't trained, of course," he said with a deep chuckle. "Don't worry, the longer you're with us, the more you'll learn to navigate the forest silently. It helps with hunting and… avoiding unwanted attention."

Sasha wasn't sure she wanted to hear whose attention she needed to avoid, but she was about to ask anyway, when Yhet looked forward and smiled. "Mmmmmm, it's Parritch today. One of my favorites." He rubbed his hands together, then looked at her quickly. "The males are already there. They'll be eager to see you. But you must ignore them—sit with me and only speak to any that I tell you have already mated, or are too young."

Kyelle had mentioned that. How Sasha was supposed to tell between the males, she didn't know. But she was resolved not to do anything that might make things worse for Zev. So she nodded.

"You might have to give me a little signal?" she said, "So I can know which males are safe to speak with?"

"Excellent idea," Yhet nodded, frowning thoughtfully. "Something subtle… how about I scratch my nose if a male is safe. Unless I do that, you don't speak to them?"

"That sounds perfect, thank you, Yhet."

The man's cheeks pinked and Sasha was touched.

A few steps later, Yhet stopped behind a large bush. At least it looked like a bush when she was standing back watching Yhet, but as she approached it she realized it was nearly as tall as her. Yhet, able to see clearly over it, was staring, scanning the other side where Sasha could now hear the murmur of male voices, laughter, and the raised voice of commands and greetings.

She stopped at Yhet's side and his eyes narrowed.

"What are you looking at?" she asked him after a moment when he didn't move.

"Lhars," Yhet said darkly.

"Why are we looking for Lhars?"

"Because he's trouble and I always want to know where he is if—"

"Then you should have looked behind you, Yhet."

They both whirled, Sasha with a hand to her chest. A low sound rumbled in Yhet's chest, but he didn't jump.

"There's no need for your tricks, Lhars," Yhet growled.

Lhar's eyes brows rose. "Who was using tricks? I could hear her walking for the past several minutes. You really need to teach her to do better if you're going to be dragging her through the woods for the next few weeks."

"Weeks?!" Sasha squeaked. "Who said anything about weeks? Zev will be back and—"

Lhars snapped his head, his gaze wide and surprised, but also much warmer than she would have expected as he gazed at her like she'd startled him. Yhet hurriedly motioned to her to stop talking and she snapped her mouth closed. But both of them were staring at her.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? What did I do? I haven't learned to walk quietly yet—"

"No, no, don't trouble yourself, Sasha," Lhars said, his voice warm and curled around her name. "You aren't Chimera. The humans are always clumsy and loud. It's fine. I could teach you, if you like. To navigate the forests."

"I, uh… I'm not sure—" She looked pleadingly at Yhet who had his face in his hands as if something terrible had happened.

What was wrong?

"We can discuss it later," Lhars said, smiling as he glanced at Yhet as well. "I'm sure you're hungry. Perhaps we'll speak later, after you've eaten and rested? I would be happy to show you the sights. That is how the humans put it, isn't it?"

"I… thank you, but—"

"Stop talking to him!" Yhet hissed.

Sasha's mouth dropped open in horror.

She'd been talking to Lhars. Privately. Acknowledging him.

Eyes wide with fear and steaming mad at herself for so quickly and easily forgetting everything she'd just been told, she turned to stare at Zev's brother, but clapped her mouth shut and looked away when his smile broadened.

"Later, then," he purred, then turned and seemed to fade away among the trees that still stood between them and the villagers.

Yhet groaned.