The LEVELER King ✔

CHAPTER 6

Since Indel fell asleep earlier that day, Nala wrestled with a feeling of dread. Dread should Indel go; dread should he stay.

The Leveler looked nice when he slept. Using Indel's own robes, Nala covered him from head to toe. Everything was lovely about the surly Leveler when he was at rest; from the two toes on either foot, to the three fingers on his hands. Nala traced the second digit, her own rough fingers gliding along the plush skin of Indel's would-be grip. Once the mating spells ended, Indel would no doubt return to his usual form. This second digit which was a finger smaller than Nala's own second, would bear a talon sharp enough to rip out someone's throat.

Nala wondered for a moment if that throat might be hers.

Living in the wilderness alone, it seemed unlikely that Nala would ever live to reach her third stage, a fact for which she was thankful. She would be so much smaller than Indel was now.

Visions flashed of a short-tempered Indel snapping Nala's neck for moving too slowly when fetching water. It was perhaps a gross exaggeration, but the thought lingered in the back of her mind nonetheless.

She studied Indel for some time.

"Mana." She chuckled at letting the word slip. As her eyes scanned the small barn, she let out a sigh. "Beloved. You are incapable of such a thing as true affection. But for a moment, you let me make pretend."

Using Indel's robe, she covered the Leveler's face and scooped him up.

Now it was time to think realistically. When Smith returned, Nala had to make certain she had a proper hiding place. Short of seeing her grave, it was doubtful the Earther would leave her in peace. So long as Smith didn't kill the sloth—Nala's only beast of burden now—there was hope.

The double suns greeted her as soon as she stepped out. Daytime, despite the bitter heat, was safe if no one knew of her cargo. In these piercing suns, even Earthers wouldn't dare venture out in large numbers. She could travel unopposed.

She should have left earlier. It was foolish to put it off. No doubt she'd only hear another complaint once they arrived at the cave. Indel was seldom pleasant for long.

"You are temptation made flesh. It'll be good riddance," Nala muttered.

Much like before, she affixed the surly Leveler to the sloth's hide, several gunnysacks stuffed under the rope to hide the fancy robes. Fortunately Indel crouched up, making him appear more like stuffs than a body.

"Na'am..." came a groan.

The word gave Nala pause. A title like that was useless after the first mating. Perhaps Indel was still recovering from the effects of the raw pods and that was why he'd said it.

"Na'am...Na'am, where have you gone? Will you return? Will you pull me to you again?"

Each groan came softer and softer still until only the name lingered.

A cooing sound accompanied Indel's quiet voice. "Na'am...please do not go from me. Bring the darkness with you."

Staring at the gunnysack, Nala wondered what it all meant. No doubt Indel was feeling the madness of waiting too long to change form.

"Bring the darkness with you...?" Nala feared for him enough to loosen the rope. A third stage being was no easy charge. They required moisture lest their bodies dry out and they lose their senses. Nala had been careful. As her fingers loosened the knot, she feared she hadn't been careful enough.

"Oh! Heave. Move, you miserable bitch."

At the voice—a voice Nala would know in even the blackest pit—Nala paused in her task.