Page 14 of Claimed By the Krijese

Now it is Talek who turns a confused look at her. “Why would I not be? Remi and Abby go hunting with their mates. Cecily and Carter go with me and Benham when he is not training the warriors in the arena or spending time with Maeve and their kit. There is always need for someone to bring back more food for the tribe. The cold seasons have grown colder, and each one brings more cold dust and less creatures.”

“What’s cold dust?” Iris cants her head.

“Snow,” Cecily answers. “Cold season is basically what we call winter and lasts about three months, give or take. The rest of the time, we call warm season, although that’s really a combination of fall, summer, fall. Kind of warm, hot, and then kind of warm again. After that, the snow comes. Once it starts, it doesn’t stop. At least until warm season returns.”

Iris blinks. “I see. What do you all do during cold season when it snows?”

“The same thing we do during warm season when it doesn’t,” Carter answers. “We hunt what we can and try not to freeze our asses off.”

“You need not worry. Zander and his people make sure none of their people suffer during cold season. There are many fires going and many furs available to keep warm.” Far more than we have in my village. Cold seasons will only continue to get worse for the Krijese.

The smile Iris bestows on me makes my hearts stutter again. “I guess that does make me feel a little better. Thanks.”

I dip my head. “You are most welcome.”

“Does that mean you will let Gogo teach you?”

She pulls her bottom lip in between those blunt teeth of hers and the silence stretches long enough for me to know she does not have an answer. Or perhaps she does, but does not want to say it.

“You do not have to decide in the moment, if you are not sure. I will not take offense either, if you do not wish to learn.” I will actually be surprised if Iris agrees. “We have been invited to take the evening meal with your tribe. You may take more time to think on it if that is agreeable.”

“I’ll let you know what I decide before you leave, then.”

“Retrieve your blade and let us go to the river to wash before we eat.” I set my hand on Sorin’s shoulder.

“Yes, Gogo.” He runs a few steps before he stops and turns back to us. “Would you sit with us during the evening meal, Iris?”

She glances briefly at me before quickly darting her gaze back to my kit. “I don’t want to intrude.”

“It is not an intrusion,” I tell her.

“Okay, thanks.” Iris swipes her palm on her pants, again in a way that appears unobtrusive. “I’m going to wash up in my tent. I’ll see you at the central fire, I guess.”

“We shall see you there.” I incline my head.

Sorin skips forward and throws his arms around Iris in what Healer Sage calls a hug. He has only ever done this human thing with her. Until now.

“I am glad you will be joining us.”

“Thanks for inviting me.” She strokes his floks, although there is surprise in her gaze as she stares down at the top of his head. “All right, you, don’t keep your dad waiting.”

He releases her and bares his teeth in his not-smile. Then, while I wait, he rushes over to where his axe still lies after Iris’s wild throw and sheaths it at his back like I have taught him. Iris walks past me and glances swiftly in my direction before hurrying along without a word.

Long after she is gone, a sweet, fragrant scent—not fear—remains.

Chapter 8

Iris

What the hell am I thinking agreeing to sit and eat dinner with Sorin and his father? Especially considering the elder scares the living daylights out of me despite all the reassurances by Remi, Zara, London, and all the other women that Kala and his tribe are ‘friends’. In the short time I spent with him, Sorin grew more adorable. It was mostly because of just how sweet he is. How could a child who holds my hand and gazes up at me with sparks of silver shining in his eyes be scary?

Kala, on the other hand? Terrifying.

I rush toward the tent I was given on my first night in the village, acknowledging, but not speaking, to people I pass. Apparently, it had belonged to Remi, Zara, Sage, and Maeve at one time when they were all single and roomed together. One by one, they found their mates and left until it sat empty. I push aside the door flap and step over the threshold.

Inside, there’s an earthy, herbal scent from all the plants that have been stored in here since the women vacated it. With thegrowth of the Tavikhi village, and the fact there are two full-time healers now, Kyler and Sage added a special, curtained off section to the healer’s tent for the humans who wanted some additional privacy to use. It’s also where any future births will take place.

Because of that, they needed a place to store all their medicines and the plants they use to make them. Interestingly enough, I learned that Bohna is the closest planet to Tavikh and that the Bohnari actually trade with the Tavikhi for a special plant that is also stored in my new home. It would have been wild if I’d actually been chosen in the bridal lottery to go to Bohna. Maybe I would have ended up visiting this planet anyway.

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