CHAPTER 125: MEET THE PARENTS (4)

Yep, you got it, Zanari was breathtakingly stunning. Her beauty hadn’t dimmed over the years, and grace clung to her every movement, though the sinew of a warrior lay beneath the elegant poise. Her eyes were like molten lava, amber curling around liquid gold, similar to Yoa’s.

And once again, Nova felt like a mouse. Absolutley tiny. Zanari was either a little bit taller than Aiyana or it was possibly because of the way she held herself. Unlike Raokan, her skin was smooth with the shimmering golden splodges just beneath her caramel skin, looking like artwork trailing down her right arm, stopping just beneath her right elbow.

Zanari’s gaze softened when it fell on Nova, almost immediately recognising who Nova was and the tension that had built almost painfully between her shoulders released a little, offering her some comfort as she found her voice again.

"Yoa has been called away... But I didn’t want to cancel our first meeting. I hope this is okay," Nova said, her knuckles tightening slightly on the spear she held onto, using it to ground her, sticking it into the earth as felt the weight of their stares on her.

Raokan looked her over again with a something similar to a hum and a grunt. She couldn’t tell what that meant, and again, could see some of the same characteristics of Yoa in him. Zanari smiled and opened her arms, bringing Nova in for a hug. She froze for a moment, surprised by the welcoming display of affection from a woman she’d just met.

"You are very welcome here, with or without my son," Zanari said, pulling back, her hands resting on her shoulders. "I’m sad to hear he has been called away, I rarely see that miscreant."

Her voice was filled with love, her eyes soft with a tinge of sadness. It made Nova wonder if she wanted this sort of life for her son? Yoa was a well-known warrior, and the Chief claimed he was always out on border control or doing his own thing than staying in Oncari lands, so Zanari could still be proud of him.

But as a mother, it must be hard to know her only son was out every day ensuring the peace and safety of the island.

"I will make sure he visits more often," Nova said.

"Please see that you do-"

"His duties come first," Raokan stated, his eyes cutting to Nova like she was a bad influence on his son.

Yikes. She had to be careful of what she said.

"Stop fretting and treating him like a cub," Raokan sighed, exasperated at Zanari with a small shake of his head but as he passed them, his dark eyes softened as he held his mate’s gaze and walked back inside the cave.

"He does not say it, but he misses Yohuali too," Zanari added quietly, leaning a little closer to Nova while her gaze remained on Raokan’s giant figure until he disappeared.

"Did you miss me auntie?" Atia piped up, reminding them that he was still there.

Zanari arched a brow at him, and looked him up and down. "Only if you have made yourself a man and asked Aiyana-"

"Such harsh words auntie!" Atia interrupted before she could say anymore. It was clear this wasn’t the first time Zanari had reprimanded him, and about none other than Aiyana. Was it obvious to everyone? Or just those closest to them?

Zanari tsked and rolled her eyes at the manchild. "Oh." Nova offered the spear with the dangling fish. "These are for you. Yoa told me they were your favourite?"

Zanari’s eyes lit up and she was certain her pupils dilated a little. "Ohhh it has been a while since I have last had these. How do you feel about having fish for dinner?"

Nova smiled, she’d turned into a bit of a pescatarian, especially after she could understand and speak with most animals on this island. If she learned they had partners and babies to feed... well, she’d probably be living on nothing but fruit. Fortunately, fish weren’t the same so she ate it most of the time.

"That sounds wonderful," Nova answered, stepping after Zanari toward the cave, until the sudden thud of running footsteps snapped her attention back. She moved instinctively, stepping aside.

A rush of air sliced past her.

A spear slammed into the ground where she had just been standing. Nova’s eyes tracked the weapon to its wielder, her body already coiled in a fighting stance. Her concern flicked to Zanari, but the woman might have been older, but she’d reacted fiercely. She was the reason why the spear was forced to the ground, her foot pinned the spear’s tip to the earth, her arched brow a silent warning to the girl standing behind them.

The young woman’s chest heaved, eyes blazing, a storm of fury restrained only by Zanari’s intervention. Only a moment passed between the women before Zanari released the spear.

Nova’s pulse thundered. She hadn’t even drawn breath before the girl lunged again, yanking her weapon free with a savage twist that nearly caught Nova’s arm. This time Zanari didn’t intervene.

Wait, what? Why... She was so kind...

But this was the wild. This was Tayun.

Nova didn’t know this girl, and Zanari might have been kind, but perhaps there was something more to this. This girl wouldn’t just randomly attack her. There had to be a reason. Ex-lover? No, Yoa didn’t have experience like that. Perhaps another who wanted Yoa as their mate?

That could be-

Her thoughts dispersed as the spear flew towards her again. Nova barely managed to dodge it. "Wait... Could we just talk this out maybe?" She held her hands out in front of her even as her feet moved and she twisted to stay out of the way from that deadly, sharp end.

The girl scoffed. "So this is meant to be Yohuali’s mate? YOU?" She shouted, making Nova jump.

"What’s your problem?" Nova’s chin tilted up as she held the girl’s gaze. She was obviously a warrior, built like a damn brick house. What did these people eat or do to get so freakin’ big?!

"You. You are my problem. You’re tiny." Another swipe. Another dodge.

Nova’s heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline running wild in her veins as she managed to keep up and dodge each of her attacks. But she knew these were just occasional jabs and she didn’t particularly want to be in a fight to the death. First Mark weighed a little heavier on her hip, reminding her of the weapon, but she didn’t want to. She couldn’t.

Nova’s throat was dry. She wanted to ask why, but her tongue stayed still. If she spoke more, if she faltered, she’d be skewered.

Her body moved before her mind could catch up—sidestepping another jab, catching her balance on the slick stone, ducking the second strike that whistled past her cheek. Her heart raced faster, but beneath the fear a spark ignited.

For the first time, she wasn’t going to wait for someone else to step in.

The spear rose again.

Nova braced herself.