Page 46 of Claimed By the Krijese

“Greetings,” Sorin calls out.

The two males glance up and Moshi dips his head. “Greetings to you and your momo.”

“Sorin and I stopped by to say hello and see if there is anything we can do to assist you. Although truthfully, I also came by to see if you had any tips or tricks or advice for me that will help meto become a better tribe sister.” I’ve learned people like feeling useful, not useless.

“Birth new kits,” Vora says without any hesitation.

My face heats and I choke a little. “I’ll see what I can do.”

He nods and returns to his task—whatever it is. Moshi glances at him and his tusks twitch, but I don’t think in amusement. Not with the way he glares. He turns to me.

“Continue being a good mate to Kala and Momo to Sorin and keep peace in our village. That is the best thing we can ask of you.”

“NowthatI can definitely do.” I study the way he shapes the bone which I find fascinating. “Are you making something specific?”

“A bone blade.”

“Like a knife?”

“Aye.”

“Would you teach Sorin and me?” I glance over at him. “Then again, he probably already knows how so just me?”

Sorin straightens. “I do know how, but it has been many moons since I have made one and it is always good to practice skills that have not been used in recent turns.”

“Perfect. Would you mind or would it be a bother?”

Moshi rattles his head. “I do not mind. Making weapons for hunting or defense is never a bother. It is an important skill for all Krijese to have.”

Technically, I’m not Krijese, but I’m not going to say that out loud. Instead, I offer my thanks as the elder male passes Sorin and me a medium-sized bone and gives us instructions. As with all new things that two-handed people can perform with more ease, I struggle at first. But with every challenge I’m presented, I do what I always do and that’s become stubborn.

I’m not one to give up easily and although it almost always takes me a lot longer to accomplish a task and I make more mistakes, I stick with it. The end results aren’t perfect and I have admitted defeat before, but no one can ever say I didn’t try my absolute best.

Time passes and we take a break for the afternoon meal, with Moshi assisting Ashrif out of their tent, but then return to our blade-making after we’re finished eating. Before I realize it, Moshi stands. I glance up at him and discover the first moon has almost broken past the horizon. Which means it is almost time for the evening meal and for Kala to return. I’m nearly finished with my current blade anyway.

“Thank you for teaching me and for spending your day with us.” It has been a great day actually. I love hearing the stories Moshi and Vora told of their lives. It gives me a greater insight into Kala and why he and the rest of the others crave peace.

“It is my honor, Iris. You are welcome at our tent any time.”

“Do you mind if I take these to show Kala? I’ll return them, I promise.” I gesture toward the few blades I made that still need to be attached to their wooden handles.

“Your mate will be proud of your work.”

“Thank you.”

Sorin helps me gather the things up and we head for our tent to wait for Kala’s arrival. Now that my mind isn’t occupied with another task, the anticipation and impatience accelerates.

Chapter 22

Kala

My steps are rushed, but I am still cautious as always, as I make my way back to the village. Back to Iris. It has been a surprisingly successful turn of hunting considering much of it was spent thinking of my mate. It has also been a lonely one without the company of Sorin. I did not realize how much I appreciated him at my side until he was absent.

Hung from the rope at my waist are several leburin. Behind me is a sled that carries the weight of several dreri as well as three dhibani. Our god must be watching out for me, because this is the largest number of kills I have returned with to the village. Perhaps I will break out the vessel of special Tavikhi brew I had been gifted by one of their elders to celebrate.

At last the village appears within a break in the trees. The scent of the main fire had reached me a bit ago, but the scent is even stronger now and mixed with the odor of cooked meat. I had packed some dried dreri sticks to eat throughout the day, but the hunger pains grow the closer I approach.

I walk into the clearing and am finally spotted by one of the other warlords who calls out a guttural greeting. I glance in the direction of where my tent lies and several beats later, Iris and Sorin appear. My mate offers me the largest smile and runs toward me with our kit straight on her heels. I release the rope I attached to pull the sled just as she jumps into my embrace. She wraps her arms and legs around me and drops kisses all over my face. I hold Iris tightly against me and my hearts soar with an emotion I cannot name. It is nothing I have ever felt before.

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