Page 10 of Ngozii's Plight

Chapter 6

Xenshay

Sitting on an outcropping of rock by a small flower bed, I watch the people around me chat, go about daily life, and exchange goods and services. Ziza marches over to me, her gaze sharp and consuming. She’s studying me closely, she always watches me closely, and it’s unnerving.

“Xenshay, have you finished fileting the fish for tonight’s dinner?”

Her little hip cocks to the side as she stops in front of me, two of her hands resting on her hips while the others cross her barely there chest. She’s at least half my size but has all the attitude, always trying to keep me in line in some small way or another, as if she has every authority. I’m not sure if she’s fully grown or not, but she definitely acts it. Her short hair sticks out in odd ways, but with her pointy nose and thin lips, it works for her.

“Yes, Ziza. I wouldn’t be sitting around had I not finished my tasks. I’m not slacking, I assure you.”

She studies me a moment before gesturing to the opening of the rock beside me with a raised brow. I nod, allowing her to sit with me a moment. She settles beside me, my eyes noting the way our pink and purple skin tones look together. It’s a good blend, and I hope Tavionna will agree, if I ever get the chance to speak to her again.

She told me we should talk when I saw her in the hall last night with the boy who was ill, but I haven’t seen her again to try. I’m hoping she’ll call on me or come find me, so I got my tasks done as quickly as I could this morning to give me as much time as possible to be available for her.

“You’ve done surprisingly well, Xenshay. You’re skilled in butchering our food, you have the strength to help with opening new caves, and you’re adept at sewing. You get tasks done earlier than anyone else. I have to wonder, are you just that good or are you trying to impress someone?”

Ziza babbles, her voice soft and melodic for once, no longer stern and reprimanding. It’s like a different person. We haven’t spent much time together outside of working. She simply shows me my task for the day, teaches me how, and then leaves to do her own work. We don’t sit and talk as if we’re friends. She doesn’t look at me as I study her, refusing to answer. It’s not really any of her business anyway.

“We all saw the way you and Priestess Tavionna reacted to each other. There’s something there, huh?” Her eyes finally drift to mine, nothing but curiosity swirling in their depths.

I exhale through my nose, my jaw clenching as I look away, scanning the crowd for my Priestess. I debate for a moment whether or not I should admit the truth to her. It’s not really any of her business, and she may not even understand if her people don’t have such a bond, but if I’m to blend with this society, I should probably make friends. Ziza is attempting to be here for me in a capacity other than that which her Priestess gave her, so I should at least give her a chance.

“She’s my soul bond. I haven’t had the chance to tell her yet, but I’m pretty sure she felt it. She doesn’t seem to know what she felt, but if I could just talk to her. She told me we need to, but I haven’t seen her.” My lips move in an odd pattern as I speak, using the local language of the Ngozii rather than English. The translator dissolved into my head must be able to take over my mind and body to allow me to communicate with others. It’s disorienting and amazing.

“I see. So is all this an attempt to impress her? I’m not reporting to her, you know.” Ziza raises a brow at me, a hint of a friendly smile on her lips.

I scoff. “I don’t need to impress her, Ziza, she’s my true mate. She’ll love me no matter what. I’m getting my tasks done quickly so I’m available should she call on me.”

“Well, in that case, good luck. You seem like a good guy, she’d be lucky to have you. I just hope Seuke can handle that. He’s been her one and only most of her life.” Her head turns as she looks out across the expansive cave, lit by small holes in the ceiling from above as well as the crystals that litter the caves. People wander around, back and forth as they go about daily life, bringing around water and food, collecting the fruits, flowers, and silkworms to complete tasks. “Speaking of Seuke…” Her voice trails off, and I follow her gaze.

Sure enough, the guard who’s always with Tavionna, Seuke, is coming right toward me. My heart flips in my chest, my stomach rolling with something akin to nerves, and I swallow. His silver eyes are trained on me, two hands loose at his sides, the others perched on the knives in the belt around his waist. His pink chest is bare, showing off the muscles he has, and a part of me wants to touch them, maybe even lick them. Would he even let me? What is happening to me!? Never have such thoughts crossed my mind before about a man, I’ve never been attracted to one. I mentally shake myself and sit up straight as he approaches, my heart rate speeding up with each step closer he takes.

“Xenshay, the Priestess wishes to see you.” He comes to a stop in front of me, his eyes trailing over my stiff body as I stare up at him. He nods his head for me to follow and turns on his heel, looking over his shoulder for me.

Ziza nudges me with an elbow as she whispers, “Go! Now’s your chance to talk to her. Go!”

I jump up, swallowing as Seuke begins to walk away. I follow him closely, noticing for the first time that he doesn’t have a tail. His ass is sculpted and perfect, and I have to catch myself before I drool. My eyes travel up his back, noting the way his muscles move as he walks, and I wonder if he ever relaxes. He always seems to be on duty, uptight and prepared to fight.

He glances back, his eyes catching mine for a moment before they drop. I’m not sure if he merely looked away or studied my body, but it felt like he looked. Part of me is proud that he’s interested, I’ve taken care of my body, and it’s nice to have it admired. On the other hand, I have to wonder about these feelings, why I even have them for a man. I’ve never been one to go after other men, it was wrong, wasn’t it? My father would be furious if he could see me now, defying his every lesson and order. What kind of person am I?

My feet stall as I pant for breath for a moment, panic overtaking me. Should I even be here? Am I even worthy of a mate like the Priestess? Shouldn’t she be way above me, way out of my grasp? She’s gorgeous, selfless, and cares so deeply for others. I’ve been a selfish ass my entire life, taught to be by the one person who should have loved me the way she loves her people. I don’t deserve her, not by a long shot.

I thought I could change to be what she needs, thought the bond would show me who I’m meant to be, but what if I’m wrong and it doesn’t? What if I hurt her somehow? I’ve just found the one thing my father never did, the one thing I never expected to have. I can’t afford to lose it now. When she learns of my past, the truth of it all, will she turn me away, refuse our bond? Surviving a rejection is unheard of, and I’m not yet ready to die.

“Xenshay?” Seuke stops several feet away, turning slowly as he watches me. My vision tunnels slightly, Seuke the only thing that I can see clearly as the crystals blur together, creating a kaleidoscope of colors around me. He steps closer hesitantly, and when he’s within reach, he puts a hand to my shoulder.

My body jerks as if in shock, my eyes widening as they meet his. Something in me settles, allowing me to take a deep, calming breath. His gaze is wide, confused, as he watches me closely. “Are you all right, friend?” His voice is shaky, as if he, too, feels the effects of our proximity. Is it possible to be bonded with two people, one of them of the same sex? I’ve not heard of such a thing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. How can I announce a bond to him if I’m not even sure my bond with the Priestess will be accepted? Best to keep this to myself for now.

“Yeah, sorry. I’ll be fine. Let’s not keep the Priestess waiting.” I nod to him and wait for him to remove his hand. He slowly pulls back, straightens his spine, and says, “This way.” Turning on his heel, he marches off again, leaving me to chase after him.

We walk through several small halls, going deeper and deeper into the caves until he finally stops in front of a cave opening where he gestures for me to enter. He bows as I step up beside him and addresses Tavionna. “Xenshay, as requested, Priestess.”

“Thank you, my love.” She nods to him, giving him a sweet smile before he leaves, heading back down the hall and leaving me alone with the woman of my dreams.

She’s standing beside a large blanket, a basket at her feet. She’s lit by bright pink and blue crystals, a small babbling brook in the back of the cave filling it with a calming trickling sound. Her long black hair is down and loose around her waist, her multicolored eyes shining with curiosity as she stares at me. She’s wearing a purple outfit, her breasts and waist covered in thick material while her skirt and the bottom of her shirt are sheer to keep her cool in these hot caves. She has beads strung around her neck, wrists, midsection, and in her hair, giving her an ethereal sort of look.

“Come, sit with me. I brought us a picnic. I’d like to get to know you a bit, Xenshay.” She gestures to the blanket before lowering herself to her knees, gently sitting on her hip and leaning onto one hand. My body moves slowly as if it’s trying to wade through thick, raging waters, and it feels like forever before I finally drop to the blanket cross-legged opposite her, the basket of food between us.

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