Page 21 of Claimed By the Krijese

“Come,” Kala says. “We need to return to our village.”

The young boy finally releases me and steps over to his father’s side. The elder lays his hand on his son’s shoulder and it’s clear how much love they have for each other. Sorin leans his head against Kala’s side.

“I enjoyed the meal.” I feel like I should say something.

“As did I.” Kala dips his head. “If you are truly still interested in learning to hunt, I will ask one of the warriors to bring you to the base of the hill where we have settled and meet you there on the next turn.”

“I don’t want to be a problem for you.” Or for the Tavikhi.

“There is no problem.” He sounds so sure that I guess I have to believe him.

“All right. I’ll see you tomorrow then.”

Kala guides Sorin away from the central fire and in the direction where the front gate lies. I keep standing there, watching and questioning the decision I just made.

Chapter 11

Kala

Our trek home last evening had been as silent as the trek to the Tavikhi village and continues to be just as silent throughout this turn. I was still upset with Sorin and his veiled comments to Iris. It had become obvious to me and I am sure to her as well, what he had been doing, despite the many times I have told him that human females cannot be with Krijese males. I did not understand how much affection he had developed for her in such a short amount of time.

I should have told her it is not a good idea for me to teach her to wield an axe, yet I find I could not. Neither the elders nor our god need to tell me that continuing to be around her—and allowing Sorin to be around her—is a bad idea. Many human females reside with the Tavikhi and I have spoken to nearly all of them at some point in time if only briefly. None of them have affected me the way Iris does.

There is no explanation for it, either. Aside from the darkly colored patch on her face and the limb that has not fully formed,she does not appear any different from any of the Tavikhi mates. They have all been just as kind as her and have treated Sorin and me with fairness. We have been welcomed and are trusted allies. Yet she is still different in ways I cannot name.

“Gogo, can I come with you to meet Iris?” These are the first words he has uttered to me since before we left the Tavikhi village.

“Only if you remember what we have spoken about countless times and do not suggest things to Iris that can never be.”

“I remember.”

“Be sure that you do or you will not be allowed to join us during any future lessons she and I might have.”

Sorin nods. “Yes, Gogo.”

“Then come.”

Katem had still been at his scouting post when we left the previous turn and agreed to escort Iris to the base of our hills. I did not care for the idea of him performing this task, but he made it clear she is not hiskeeshla. I wish it did not make me feel better, but it did. Katem is a worthy male who is deserving of his own mate and I hope he is able to find her one turn.

Together, Sorin and I leave the village and travel down the worn path between the trees that are in full bloom. Now that warm season has reached us, we will have pleasant turns until cold season returns and brings with it the cold dust. Voices reach me when we are nearly to the bottom. I cannot make out their words, but already I recognize the gentle lilt of Iris’s.

We arrive at the break in the wall and despite knowing who is beyond it, I pause and sniff the air for danger. I will neverlose the instincts I have had since birth. The same scents as always assault me, except this turn there is another one mixed with them. Instantly I know it is Iris. It is the same fragrance I breathed in when I held her in my arms after her fall. I do not have a name for it, but I will forever recognize it as hers no matter how long I live.

I step through the partially hidden opening and out into the bari field. Not far from here are Iris and Katem. Neither has spotted us, but from the stiffening and then relaxing of the Tavikhi, he is aware of our presence. He turns his head slightly in my direction and gives a short nod. Iris continues speaking and I continue listening to the pleasant sound.

At last, she pauses and Katem breaks in.

“Kala has arrived.”

She swivels her head around until she spots me and our eyes lock onto one another’s. Her mouth curls up and her lips part enough to bare her blunt human teeth. Once again, my hearts skip a beat before they race. My vision shifts as well, which has never happened until recently. Not until I met Iris. I do not know what it means. To my knowledge, none of the elders have ever spoken of such an occurrence.

Iris raises her arm and waves it. A gesture Sorin returns before he leaves my side and rushes over to throw himself against her. She laughs and enfolds him into her embrace. For only a brief moment, I am envious of my own kit and wonder what Iris’s arms would feel like wrapped around me. I quickly dash the thought away, because it is an impossibility. Hoping for a different outcome will bring nothing but heartsache to my kit.

And perhaps to you as well.

That too is a thought I push far, far down.

Iris thanks Katem for the escort, and I fist my chest to offer my own thanks as well. He returns the gesture and departs. With his hand clasped in hers, Sorin leads Iris over to where I wait.

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