It was nearly afternoon when Madas returned to the tree near the beach. She had been leery of leaving for too long in case the male repaired his spaceship and took off. The thought had consumed her until she was running as swiftly as she could through the forest.
She didn’t slow until she was close enough to see the lake through the trees. Drawing in deep, calming breaths, she crept forward until she could crouch behind the tree. Relief swept through her when she saw the spaceship was still there, and items still littered the beach.
“Thank you, Goddess,” she whispered.
She barely smothered the startled squeak of surprise when L’eon jumped down beside her. She turned and glared at the mischievous lizard. He still had that suspiciously pleased expression on his face.
“What?” she hissed u
