“Where is Marlene?” I ask, curious.
“Probably having sex with Zennek again,” Georgie comments, dragging her hand through the steamy water.
“She’s been insatiable lately thanks to the pregnancy. Me, I get swollen ankles,” Megan complains. “She gets a kicked-up libido.”
“I’m pretty sure Marlene was born with a kicked-up libido,” Nora giggles.
“Like you’re one to talk. We hear you guys going at it every night.” Georgie rolls her eyes. “Your voice in particular echoes really loudly.”
Nora just giggles again. “Can I help it if Dagesh has incredible stamina? Or that he’s turned on by my big pregnant boobs?”
“Ew?” Megan teases. “Did I want to know that?”
“About as much as I wanted to know about your foot thing?” Nora replies sweetly.
Megan groans.
“Foot thing?” I ask, my face scrunching in confusion. “You mean like Cashol has a foot thing?”
“No, like Megan does.” Nora wiggles her brows. “You should see her go on and on about how veiny Cashol’s ‘strong feet’ are.”
Georgie makes a mock-gagging noise.
Megan just groans again and lowers herself under the water’s surface, as if that can hide her from the good-natured laughter in the cave. I try not to giggle too much, but the happiness in the cave is infectious. It’s so nice to see my friends again. I love everyone in the South Cave, but half of our family is here.
It’s nice to come home, even for a little while.
* * *
I towel off and sit near the pool, chatting with Georgie while I wait for my hair to dry. It’s been the laziest of afternoons, but I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. Tomorrow, I’ll pitch in and help Sevvah around the cave, or Maylak, or sew with Georgie—whatever is needed. Today, though, I’m being a lazy, indolent slug and loving it.
Sessah trots over to where we sit. He’s Aehako’s younger brother, just a small scrap of a boy, but I could swear he’s shot up by several inches in the last few months. He’s got a serious look on his face that reminds me a bit of Rokan, but when he approaches me, his grin is all Aehako. “Mother told me to come and get you,” Sessah says. “She made a meal just for you.”
“I’ll be there soon,” I promise him, glancing at Georgie. “Where’s Aehako?”
“He’s talking with Rokan.” Sessah gives me a toothy grin. “Did you bring me a present?”
I reach out and tweak the long braid over his shoulder. “Your brother might have been making something for you,” I say, knowing full well that there’s a carved slingshot for him in Aehako’s packs. “What are they talking about, your brothers?”
“Dreams.” Sessah’s answer is cheerful.
My blood runs cold. I think of Aehako’s worried confession from a few days ago. “Dreams? What kind of dreams?”
Sessah shrugs, already bored. “I’ll tell Mother you’re coming.”
“Be right there,” I whisper, my gut churning as he races away. The baby in my belly flips and I absently caress it, fighting the panic rising inside me. I think of how serious Rokan and Aehako looked. How they quickly changed topics when I approached, guilty looks on their faces.
Aehako assured me that he didn’t have the “knowing” dreams like his brother does. But…what if Rokan is having bad dreams about us, too? What if something’s wrong with the baby?
What if I’m not meant to have one after all?
I feel cold all over.
“Kira?” Georgie asks as I get to my feet. “Are you okay? You just got really pale.”
I nod absently. “Uh, just gas.” I pat the small swell of my belly. “You know how it is.”
“Boy, do I ever.” She gets to her feet, slightly awkward. “Come hang out after dinner if you’re not too tired? I’ve missed talking to you.” She squeezes my hand and gives me a warm look.
“Will do.” I turn toward Sevvah’s cave, but I can’t concentrate on anything. I can’t concentrate on Sessah coming back out to retrieve me, holding my hand in his smaller one. I pick at the delicious root chowder with chunks of fresh fish in it. Normally I’d devour two bowlfuls, but I have to force myself to eat tonight. My stomach is too upset, and after dinner, I claim fatigue and that I want to lie down. Sevvah helps me set up a bed and a fire in one of the storage caves so Aehako and I can have privacy, and I curl up in the blankets, watching the fire crackle as my thoughts churn and churn.
I keep thinking of Aehako’s guilty expression. Of how he and Rokan both looked uncomfortable when I showed up. How quickly they stopped speaking.
Dreams, Sessah said.
I touch the rounded bulge of my belly. Here I thought all of my dreams were coming true. What if I’m wrong, though? What if this is just another one of life’s cruel jokes?
Do I…need to prepare myself for the worst? Just the thought makes my breath catch. I…can’t. I just can’t. If something happens to my baby or to Aehako, it’ll break me. I’ve been strong through so much, but I can also only take so much. I need to see Maylak and have her tell me what’s wrong, but the thought of finding out those answers frightens me even more.