The planet was nothing but a barren
wasteland and who knew what other perils else existed here. If they kept him alive and he was anything
like the other Chiagan-Se, he’d fight to the death to protect them.
She reached for his water
skin. He struck out, knocking her hand
away.
“What are you doing Deg’Nara?”
“Quit with the insults! I’m not a
damned Deg’Nara and I’ll help you if you’ll let me.” With slow and careful
movements, she resumed her efforts, touching and patting. He watched but did
nothing to aid her. With a small crow of triumph, she pulled the bag from under
his shoulder. “Now we’re getting somewhere.”
“Ask if we can have a taste,” Moira
implored. “I cannae hardly talk my throat’s sae dry.”
Leah leaned over the male, grasped
him by the nape of his neck and then lifted his head. She dribbled several
mouthfuls between his parched lips. He
gulped several times and then slaked his mouth with his tongue, emitting a sigh
of relief.
“How was your arm injured?” She
lightly touched the purple flesh of his hand.
He jerked as if stung. “Poisonous
plant. I picked up a barb while I was watching the Deg’Nara.”
“Serves you right,” she muttered in
English. Maybe she should find a few more and add to his misery. Might make losing Sharon less painful.
“May we share your water?” Good
manners never hurt, even in this situation, but if he refused, she’d give some
to Moira anyway. They needed a drink.
One light eyebrow arched over a
blazing blue eye. “Why would I share my water with Deg’Nara bastards?”
She could feel warmth rush to her
face, even in the sweltering heat. His insults were really beginning to wear on
her patience. Suppressing the urge to strangle
him, she exhaled, counting to ten before she spoke. “As I have said several
times, we’re not Deg’Nara and I don’t
appreciate your nasty comments. Let’s
get this straight. If you need us to help you and if you won’t share your
water, we’ll just walk away. It’s very
simple.”
The full lips quirked. The blue
eyes registered expanding clarity. “How
long do you think you’d survive without me?” The uninjured hand brushed back
his sweat-soaked hair. “I’ll allow you a few sips, but that’s all I have until we
reach my campsite. Do you understand?”
“Of course,” she sputtered, annoyed
and insulted. “Do I look like an idiot?”
The brow arched again. “Since I
don’t know what you’re supposed to look like…”
Carefully, making sure each drop
hit its mark, she dribbled more water into his mouth, mostly to shut him up.
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