Page 33 of Claimed By the Krijese

Kala studies me a bit longer. “It will be harder on Sorin if you decide later that our way of life is not one you wish to live any longer and you do not wish to stay.”

He may have said Sorin’s name, but there’s an obvious hint of vulnerability in the way he watches me that makes me think it’s not just Sorin who will take it hard if I choose to leave later. I move closer until I can reach out and lay my hand on Kala’s chest. It’s weird how easy it’s becoming to touch him. I like touching him, in fact. A lot.

“Back on Earth, I was alone. I didn’t make friends easily so it was really just me. So, not only was I alone, but I was lonely. Not once since I’ve gotten to Tavikh have I been lonely. Knowing I have people to care for and who care for me in return changes so many things.” I drop my gaze from Kala’s face to where I trace a random pattern on his greenish-black skin. “I plan on making our village my home for the rest of my life. Not just where I’ll live, but myhome. Because that’s where you and Sorin are. I have no plans to leave. Not now and not in the future. Sorry to say, but you guys are stuck with me.”

Kala lays his hand over mine, stalling its movement. Beneath our connection, there are two sets of beats. I lift my gaze to meet his. Those shadows swirl faster than I’ve ever seen them do before.

“I too have been lonely. Until you. There is no need for you to be sorry about being ‘stuck’ with us, because then I will have to be sorry that I do not think I would ever be able to let you go anyway. And I am not.”

We study each other a bit longer and then I rise up on my tiptoes. Kala meets me halfway and I press my lips to his mouth slit. His tusks are just far enough apart that it’s a perfect fit. I don’t think our kisses will ever be more than this—a mere pressing of my lips against his mouth—but I’m okay with that.

He rises up and I drop down, but I don’t step away from him quite yet. I want to enjoy this closeness a bit longer.

“I wish I could give you the kind of kiss a male gives his mate.” It’s almost as though Kala’s read my mind.

“We can try different kisses and find one that works for us. If it ends up being the kind we just shared, then that’s the kind of kiss you give your mate. It’ll be perfect for us no matter how we wind up doing it.”

“You are too good and kind for a male like me.”

I lay my finger against his mouth slit. “None of that. Now, are you ready to head home?”

“With you? Always.”

Chapter 16

Kala

I left my village only meaning to make things right with Iris. Not once did I ever expect she would be returning with me as my future mate and momo for Sorin. Still, despite her reassurances, I worry I will be unable to provide sufficiently for her. I worry that somehow she will be taken from us. The worst of it is, I do not know if I could survive that.

No matter what she says or believes, we cannot have a true mating. She must understand I will not risk her life. We must both settle for whatever kisses we decide will be ours. Neither of us can have more no matter how much we might wish otherwise.

We have finally reached the level area where we branch off the path to where our village lies in a clearing between a small grove of trees.

“It is just up ahead.” I point in the direction where smoke is barely visible.

Iris nods. Her nervousness is evident and understandable. She is arriving at a village filled with Krijese, a people who are far different than the ones she has been residing with. We number so few and we do not have all the resources she might have grown accustomed to while living with the Tavikhi. Our food supply is not nearly as robust, although there is a fresh, clear water source close by. Also, the tent she was given there is bigger than the one I share with Sorin. I hope Iris is not too disappointed.

She always appears relaxed when she and Sorin hold hands, so I do the same with her. It must be the correct thing, because she glances up at me and gives me my favorite kind of smile. Until her, I have never held a female’s hand.

Affection is not something Krijese show. It is not because we do not feel it inside, but because it is just not our way. I suspect Iris will wish for it often and I discover I want to provide her with it.

We step out of the trees and into the clearing where our small village sits. From what I can tell no one has noticed our arrival yet, although it appears nearly everyone is around the main fire eating. I know we should have scouts monitoring for intruders the way the Tavikhi do, but we do not have enough warlords to do so. They are all sent out hunting to make sure we have enough food for our stores.

At last, someone spots us, because heads lift and tribespeople point in our direction, and even from here, their voices reach me. I scan for Sorin and spot him sitting beside Ashrif who nudges him. He turns and there is only a brief pause before his eyes widen and he scrambles to his feet.

“Iris?” he calls out. “Iris!”

Sorin rushes around the outer perimeter of the circle where everyone sits and runs at us faster than I have ever witnessed him move. His mouth slit is spread wide and he displays all his teeth in his not-smile and does not stop until he collides with Iris. I have already freed her hand and she throws her arms around him just as he does her. She lays her dark-colored cheek on the top of his head so she is able to look at me. Tears fill her eyes and spill from their corners. But she is smiling so I assume they are the tears of happiness.

They embrace for several long moments before Iris finally loosens her hold and she stands upright. Sorin turns to press his side against her and faces me. The tarnished specks in his eyes shine once more.

“Gogo, you brought Iris.”

“Aye. She has agreed to be your momo if you wish her to be.”

He jerks his head and looks up at her. “You will be my momo?”

Iris squats down to his eye-level—something I notice she has does often—and lays her palm against his cheek. “If that’s okay with you.”

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