Neverwylde (The Rim of the World Book 4) by Linda Mooney

“It’s not my leg. It’s my…period.”
    He stared at her for two seconds, then nodded. “I knew it was inevitable. Unfortunately, contraceptives were not among the supplies Mellori brought back from the ship. And to be honest, if I had gone, I don’t think I would have thought to pack any. I’m sorry. How are you coping?”
    “Right now I’m okay, but I have a history of having heavy flows, and I’m worried what might happen when I start.”
    Sandow grimaced. “I recall that note on your medical history.” He glanced over her shoulder and she knew who he was looking at. When he returned to her, he slowly shook his head. She spoke before he could.
    “Making love to my husband is not what I’m worried about.”
    “Still, because you’re no longer protected, you’re at your highest risk of pregnancy.” He gave her a wry smile. “I’m going out on a short limb here and assuming he’s not using a Seneecian condom, or any other form of contraceptive.” Seeing her facial response, he sighed. “I thought not.”
    “A possible pregnancy is not what’s at the top of my list.”
    “It’s the bleeding,” he bluntly remarked.
    Kelen gave him a helpless smile. “Remember when Hoov smelled me and said blood? I don’t think he smelled my leg.”
    “After what you’ve just told me, you could be right.”
    “I’m afraid if I start, the scent might attract other creatures.”
    He rubbed his chin. “It’s possible.”
    “Doc, is there anything you can give me to stop me from menstruating?”
    Sandow bowed his head as he thought. Frowning, he gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Kelen. Short of giving you a complete hysterectomy, which is impossible given our current situation, I have no medications I can give you, and nothing I can mix that’ll act as a contraceptive.”
    “What about the plant life here? Maybe there’s a bush with some chemical components you could use to fabricate one?”
    “If we were at the other temple, I could pull some samples from the garden to test, but I didn’t bring any with us. I’m sorry, Kelen. You’ll have to suffer through it.” He added a wan smile. “Fortunately, we have enough rags you can utilize.”
    She patted his arm. “Thanks anyway.”
    “If the cramping gets too severe, I can give you something to help you through that,” he added.
    “Now that I can guarantee I’ll take you up on.”
    She moved away from the physician to let him finish his work and went over to an empty section of the wall to sit down. Her cycle would begin soon. Perhaps tonight. Once it did, she had no idea how it would affect things.
    Cocooning herself inside her blanket, she brushed a patch of ground free of rock and loose dirt before laying down. She was completely unaware of when Kyber came to join her, wrapping himself protectively and lovingly around her to share body warmth.

Chapter 9
    Hole
     
     
                She awoke when Kyber shook her shoulder, his voice low, insistent, and worried.
                “Kelen! Wake up! Kelen!”
                “What? What?” She tried to focus as she rose up on one elbow. Immediately, her body reminded her what it was like to be female—the body aches, the headache. The cramping.
                She gave the room a quick scan. At first, everything appeared to be normal. Except for Gaveer, who was on guard duty, the others were asleep or starting to rouse. The room was dark, the fire giving out the only light. Despite the discomfort, she was warm, and it wouldn’t be difficult to close her eyes and fall back asleep.
                Kyber lowered his face until his lips touched her cheek. “I sense excessive bleeding coming from you. Wake up, Kelen!”
                She rubbed a hand over her face and eyes. Rolling over onto her back, she looked up at where he hovered above her. “Yes, I’m bleeding, but don’t worry. It’s natural for my species.” At his curious