Page 42 of Claimed By the Krijese

“Good morning.” Her voice is a whisper and rougher than usual.

“Good morning to you as well.”

She glances down and strokes Sorin’s floks. “This is a nice way to wake up.”

“It has been many sun cycles since he has shared my pallet.”

“Is it okay that he’s in here with us?” Iris turns her gaze up to me. “I know this is our bed, and Sorin’s a little old to be sleeping with his parents.”

“While I would have preferred to wake to just my mate in my arms, our kit will only be a kit once. One turn, far too soon, he will be grown and wish to live in his own dwelling without his gogo or momo. But until then, he is welcome to lie with us for a part of the night so long as I get you to myself for the rest of it.”

“I’ve never cuddled with anyone before so I’m glad it’s all right that he’s here. I like that he shows so much affection. All three of us have missed out on too much of it,” Iris says quietly.

Before her, I would not have thought I needed affection, but I have become spoiled by it. From what I’ve received from both her and our kit.“Perhaps you are right.”

“What’s the plan for today?”

“I need to go hunting.”

“Will you take Sorin with you?”

Normally, yes, but I suspect he will wish to stay here with his momo. At least until he is confident she is not going anywhere. “Not this turn. You and he can spend time together around the village. When I return, I will find a chest for you to place yourbelongings. If there are any changes you would like to make to our dwelling, you are welcome to do so.”

“It would be nice to add some color. Maybe some flowers to brighten it up and give it a nice smell. Not that it stinks in here,” Iris hastily adds. “I just think they’d be a nice addition.”

“Whatever you wish to do is fine with me.”

“Will you be gone the whole day? Just so I can have an idea when you might be back so if it gets too late I don’t start to worry.”

I study her. “You would worry?”

Her brow crinkles and she pushes herself up onto her elbow. “Of course I would. I know you’ve been hunting your whole life and you’re skilled at it, but that doesn’t mean I won’t worry you might get hurt out there. I want you to be safe.”

No one has ever expressed their worry over my safety. They worry they’ll go hungry if I don’t return with food. But worried about me as a Krijese? Not to my knowledge.

“Thank you for your concern. It means much to me. To put you at ease, I will most likely be hunting until the evening meal.”

“You’ll be careful? Not that I don’t think you will be, but Sorin is usually with you.”

I reach out and thread my fingers through her hair that has escaped its confines during the night and spills down around her shoulders. “I will always come back to you.”

Iris leans into my touch. “You better.”

Sorin is next to stir. He slowly opens his eyes and focuses in on his momo. “Youarereal. I thought perhaps I had only imagined you in our tent with us.”

She leans down and kisses his brow. “Good morning, sweetie. Did you sleep well?”

“I slept at ease.”

“Good. Looks like you and I get to hang out together today. What do you think we should do?”

Sorin glances up at me. “Will you be with us?”

I shake my head. “There is more hunting that needs to be done.”

Our kit turns back to Iris. “There is much to show you.”

“Then I suppose we better get our day started,” she says. “I also need a few minutes of privacy, please.”

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