Vuskas made his way past them and gave them a questioning look.
Addie dropped her gaze, projecting deference more for Vuskas’s sake than Qalae’s. “She injured her leg and is resting. She won’t be outside tonight,” she said.
Qalae pursed her lips. “Follow me. No, not right away. Watch where I go and meet me there.”
She sauntered away just as Vuskas disappeared in a teepee, his suspicions allayed.
Addie found Qalae a short distance away from the settlement, in a thicket of leafy bushes that were almost trees.
“Give me what Chele sent.” Qalae extended her hand impatiently.
Addie dropped the pouch into her palm.
“You may go now, strange woman.”
Addie turned to go. It wasn’t her business. She wanted no part in it. Only her obligation to Chele was forcing her to stand here and secretly pass the forbidden herbs to this woman. She wouldn’t be doing it again, and the next time… Cold sweat dampened Addie’s back. What if Chele, lame and fumbling, attracted too much attention and got caught with Qalae?
Maybe a fair warning was in order for the queen. “With Chele sick, this may be the last time you’re getting your herbs, my queen.”
Qalae blanched. “Herbs? How do you know what’s in the pouch?”
“I know. From Chele.”
“Whatiswrong with Chele?” the queen demanded, and there was unease behind her sharp, haughty tone.
“She had injured her leg a while ago, and she took a bad fall. I don’t think she realized how serious.”
Qalae clutched her pouch tightly. “Do you mean, she maydie?”
“I mean… No, she won’t.” Addie tried to sound positive but blinked fast against the suddenly emerging tears that betrayed the platitudes she was going to offer. “She won’t.”
The queen looked helplessly around and finally, her wide eyes landed on Addie’s face. “Is there anything you can do to help Chele? You have the skills with herbs, like she, don’t you?”
“Her injury can’t be helped with herbs. There is very little I can do.”
“Youmusthelp her. I can’t bear to not have my remedy, do you understand? This is a disaster.” Now Qalae was panicking, her eyes were peeled wide and her normally white cheeks were flushed an unattractive shade of puce.
She cared little about Chele, only inasmuch as it would cut off her drug supply. Addie had no pity for this woman. “It’s a dangerous game, Qalae. Maybe it’s for the best that it should stop now.”
“You don’t understand!” Qalae rounded on her. “I came to this tribe against my will, a slave for all the titles my mate had given me. My life was ruined the day I set off on my forced journey from home, sold by my father for a bundle of skins, Hunlath’s tools, and another woman for one of his warriors - Chele’s daughter. I don’t belong here. You can’t possibly comprehend my misery.”
Addie said nothing. She simply looked at Qalae.
Realizing what she’d said and to whom, the queen cut herself off with chagrin. “I dream about leaving one day. A baby will tie me to this tribe forever,” she said in a milder tone.
“Why haven’t you left by now, Qalae? If Chief Net’ok is not to your liking, there might be another strong, healthy man who’d be happy to take you away, if only this is what you want.”
Qalae said quietly. “It’s not that simple.”
Is it not?Addie thought as she automatically followed Qalae when the queen started walking. They walked in silence for a short while, each absorbed by their own thoughts. Addie’s concerns over Chele weighed heavily on her heart.
Chapter 25
They cleared the bushes on the other side when Qalae suddenly stopped. Raising her head, Addie looked up sharply, her eyes landing on the trio seated together on the soft green moss amid small stalks of grass crowned with bright flowers. The scene was bucolic in its peacefulness, andearthy.
The three red-headed offspring of old Unn were sharing a private moment. Upon seeing Qalae, Oh’nil jumped to his feet and kicked Vircea lightly with the toe of his boot. Snuggled next to Zoark, she hadn’t seen them approach, and belatedly she also rose, a mulish expression on her face. Addie figured Vircea got busted; she had snuck out early when the women were still busy working on the Elkeks skins.
Zoark had been dozing off. He raised his head and his eyes opened slowly, as if reluctantly. He didn’t rise.
