Page 3 of Claimed By the Krijese

Whereas Benham is the largest Tavikhi, his mate is the smallest of all the females. I still find it difficult to picture them together. They are as opposite as two beings could be. Yet the ferocity in which he cares for Maeve would make the hardest of heartssoften. It is no less than she cares for him, either. All the Tavikhi are devoted to their mates in a way no Krijese has ever been.

“It would appear our planet continues growing.” Perhaps not in ways we wish.

“The unmated warriors in our tribe are grateful for the fact, since it would appear as though none of the females that already reside in the settlement have an interest in seeing if they are thekeeshlato any of them.”

Unlike the Krijese, Tavikhi warriors have a single female that is their fated mate—theirkeeshla. She is the one who makes their mating marks—dark swirling lines in various shapes and locations on their body—appear with only a touch. Before Zander touched London and triggered his mating marks, the Tavikhi had also been fearful their species would die out.

“Yes, I am sure they are.”They have far more females and kits than the Krijese do, but Talek had been one of the last kits born to the Tavikhi until recently. It does not surprise me that their people are anxious for more females to arrive. “I wish your warriors well in finding their mates.”

Benham inclines his head, but does not offer the same to me. It is because he knows—just as I do—that humans females are not meant for Krijese.

Chapter 2

Iris

Nervous excitement fills me as the huge ship that’s been my home for the last two months finally settles onto solid ground. I still can’t believe I left Earth for an alien planet. Of course, there was nothing there for me and even though I didn’t trust what the government said about what our lives would be like on Tavikh, I had to believe it couldn’t be worse than the life I was already living.

I’d had another opportunity to leave Earth almost eight months ago through a bridal lottery for a different planet, but of the twenty women whose names had been called, mine hadn’t been one of them. Maybe it’s a good thing I hadn’t been picked to go to Bohna as a bride. What would have happened to me if I’d gotten all the way there, the men had taken one look at me, and every single one rejected the idea of becoming my husband? What then? I don’t really want to think about it.

Luckily, I don’t have to since I’m not on Bohna. I’m on Tavikh. Here, I don’t have to worry about impressing a potentialhusband. There’s no reason for me to try and be anyone other than who I am. Not that I can hide it, even if I wanted to. I doubt there are others here with a birthmark covering half their face or who lack one of their hands.

The captain had given instructions right before landing, but I’m glad there’s a small crowd for me to follow because I’d been too nervous to listen. We wind our way through the darkened ship, the recessed bulbs offering the only light—artificial as it is—I’ve seen for months. Until now. Even from my place in the middle of the pack, I can see the bright sunshine up ahead from the open cargo hold.

Not only that, but there’s a partially obstructed view of…trees. Except they’re not like any trees I’ve ever seen. These are towering ones with thick black trunks the color of coal. Which isn’t necessarily odd if not for the bright purple leaves in full bloom. The shade is a stunning contrast to the lavender sky, but both complement the yellow grass of the field spread out before us.

The dirt-packed earth beneath the soles of everyone’s shoes kicks up small puffs of dust clouds with each step we take. Despite the vast differences from my planet, it’s weirdly beautiful. And quiet. A breeze doesn’t even blow. I’ve never been in the presence of such stillness before.

A body knocks into mine causing me to stumble and a harsh voice releases a curse. “Don’t just stand there, freak. Get moving.”

I clutch my small handbag tightly to my chest and hurry out of the way, biting back one of many smart ass remarks. Just like every other day of my life, I can feel the stares of the surrounding people. Hear their whispers. I spent most of the trip alone in mycabin, leaving only to dart into the cafeteria to get food before taking it back to my room to eat. It was better that way.

Growing voices reach me and I circle around to the other side of the ship, only to come to a complete stop. Almost seventy people stand staring, no doubt seeing the same thing I’m seeing. There’s a giant, concrete brick enclosure with two thick wooden doors parted wide exposing what’s on the other side.

A snort erupts from me. Followed by a giggle. I quickly cover my mouth, but it’s too late. Several people turn and shoot me a death glare. That only makes the giggles come faster until I can’t hold them back. Tears of laughter spill down my cheeks and I snort again.

Two men approach from the doors. Each carries a spear. They reach us and cast me a narrow-eyed glare as I try to rein in my amusement.

“Welcome to Tavikh,” one of the men greets us. “I’m Gary and this is Adam. We’re the ones in charge of the human settlement.”

Settlement. I’m not sure that’s the word I would have used, but it’s an apt one. Whispers grow louder as people share confused glances. I’ve barely gotten my laughter under control and it threatens to spill out again. An older man steps forward from the crowd.

“What do you mean settlement? Where are the houses and land we were promised?”

I snort again, because I can’t help it. I’ve been told time and time again that because I’d never have beauty, I at least better have brains. I might be the most well-read person in the entire bottom tier. If not for the fact I’m a bottomer, I could have probably graduated from any of the best universities on the planet. I don’tsay that to brag, merely to state a fact. Before either Gary or Adam can reply, I speak up.

“The government has done everything they can to get rid of citizens, especially those of us in the bottom tier.” Nearly everyone turns to me, and I swallow, then force myself to continue. “Why would the government spend money on housing for bottomers on a different planet if they wouldn’t even piss on us if we were on fire back on Earth? We’re here—all of us—because we were so desperate to get away from that place and those in charge know that. You all were conned.”

Grumbles and rumblings filter through the crowd and many people shift. Whether it’s from defeat or because they’re ready to lay into me for daring to burst their hope-filled bubble, who knows? I stand rigid and still, scanning the faces of every man and woman who stares back at me, almost daring them to contradict anything I just said. They can’t because as much as I might disgust or frighten them, they have to admit I’m right.

Gary throws his arms up and pulses his palms toward a group of people that are slowly unraveling. Some look like they’re about to get rowdy. “Everyone needs to relax. Let’s help unload the ship and put things in storage. Then we’ll have a meeting and discuss how things are around here.”

The people aren’t happy, but unless they plan on stowing away onto the ship and catching a return ride to the one place that doesn’t want them anymore, then they have no choice. I’m the first to move and walk to the cargo hold where crew members have begun unloading crates.

A uniformed man glances at me, takes a second look, but quickly turns his gaze elsewhere before handing me medium-sized metal box without meeting my eyes. It’s lighter than itappears although there’s still some heft to it. I head toward the settlement, passing Adam on the way. I pause for a second.

“Where’s this go?”

Just like my whole life, he stares at me with mild horror. I can tell how hard it is for him to maintain eye contact. “I’ll show you.”

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