Oh god, dinner. My stomach roils at the thought. Last night's was a thick, viscous shellfish stew that probably tasted delicious. Everyone exclaimed over it. Me, I took one whiff of it and puked, and spent the rest of the night nibbling on raw roots that Juth brought me.
"Steph?" Sam asks, touching my hand. "You just turned really pale. Are you going to be sick again?"
"I'm good," I assure her. "I'm good." A cold sweat breaks out over my body, and my stomach heaves again. "Actually…not good."
"Oh boy. Come sit over here next to Elly." She grabs my arm and pulls me along so I can sit down next to the other woman.
No sooner do I sit on the stone “seat” next to Elly than everything comes up, and I puke into the sand for several wretched minutes. Sweat cascades down my face and my stomach lurches, and I know I just have to get through this and I'll go back to feeling all right again soon enough.
Once the worst of it is done, Elly rubs my shoulder. "It gets better, I promise."
I give her a wan smile. "Thanks."
She pushes my sweaty hair off my brow, which feels nice, and I close my eyes. "Just sit still for a moment," she advises quietly. "Sam went to get some water and some dried not-potato slices. I learned that when my stomach was feeling yucky, tepid water and chewing on one of those dried slices helped settle things."
I continue to sit by Elly while Bek settles the fussy baby, pacing circles around us. His tail twitches as he croons to little Emma, rocking her to sleep in his arms and giving his mate a break. Elly watches him and me both, and when Sam returns, I sip water and eat the slices. It definitely helps a little, and I stay where I am as Elly takes the sleeping baby again, and Bek gets back to work with Vordis.
By the time the suns hit the horizon and the sky turns a brilliantly streaky pinkish-purple, the new hut's roof is on and Sam cooks dinner over by the main fire. I remain where I am, just in case dinner is unpleasant looking, and chat with Elly about nothing in particular, mostly about those that are staying in Croatoan through the brutal season.
"I like it here better," she offers. "It's really cold in Croatoan, and here, the stars are so bright." Her slender face broadens into a smile. "And I like the thought of raising Emma alongside Gail's Zhren."
I nod understanding. Elly and Gail are very close, just like Juth is becoming with O'jek.
"Mama!"
I turn the moment I hear Pak call my name. He approaches with little Rukhar and Daisy, who has her herb basket on her hip, a smile on her face. Daisy's reached a quasi-compromise with camp chores, I think. She rarely leaves camp and she isn't much for cooking or sewing, but she always makes sure to watch at least one of the kids. It gives everyone a bit of a break. Pak loves Daisy, and I appreciate when she takes him on “adventure walks” up and down the beach, because it allows me alone-time with my mate.
Pak races toward me, his face alight with pleasure as he holds up something shiny. "Look what I found! It's a shell-beast in a rock!"
I take the rock from him and sure enough, a twirled shell impression curls in a fat circle in a small chunk of rock. "It's a fossil," I tell him. "I bet Devi would love to see it. She can help you name it."
"We can name it?" His expression grows even more delighted.
"Maybe? But ask Devi first."
Pak starts to race back to camp, but then he pauses, turns around and flings himself into my arms and kisses my cheek. I hug him and kiss him back, because I love the squirt, and then send him on his way. Devi's fascination with creatures makes her one of Pak's favorite people, and he sometimes “colors” specimens for her on leather. It's usually a hideous drawing but Devi treats it all quite seriously, which is adorable.
Daisy lifts her chin at me. "We were coming over to tell you that Juth is heading in, but I guess Pak got distracted." She grins, putting a hand on Rukhar's head. "Come on, little friend. Let's go see what Pak gets to name his rock, hmm?"
And if my mate is returning, I should head back, too. I get to my feet, groaning at the uncomfortable gurgle in my stomach, and manage a weak smile for Elly, who looks concerned. It's just morning sickness. It'll ebb in the next few months, hopefully. "How long did your morning sickness last, Elly?"
She shakes her head. "You don't want to know."
Oh boy. If that's the answer, yeah, I don't. I scan the distant cliffs that cup the beach protectively, but no sign of Juth. I head for the fire, since he'll look for me there…and then immediately head in the other direction once I get a whiff of dinner. Fish stew. My stomach hates fish anything right now, and just the thought makes bile raise in the back of my throat. Pressing my fingers to my lips as if that will somehow keep everything down, I head for my hut.