Page 48 of Claimed By the Krijese

“It is a name given to those held in the highest regard. There is no direct translation, but it is nearest to meaning a gift from our god.”

Her eyes shimmer with wetness. She swallows and sniffs, then returns to her task. Sorin glances at me with concern in his gaze, but I wave him off and join Iris at the fire. Together, we finish preparing the meal and serve our people as they walk through the line. Ortak and Gannen are the last to come through.

The older Krijese studies Iris for a moment before glancing down at his adopted kit. I cannot read the expression on Ortak’s face, but there is something lurking in his gaze. He has never had a mate before and I often wonder why he chose to raise Gannen, but I have never questioned him about his decision. The kit is much quieter than Sorin, but they get along and Ortak treats him well.

“Thank you Sorin’s momo,” Gannen says softly after Iris adds a little extra to his platter.

Her face softens when she looks at him. “You are welcome, and please, call me Iris.”

The kit nods and continues moving on. Ortak inclines his head and sits beside his adopted kit not far from the fire. Now that everyone has been served, we get our own food and take a seat as well. There is little to no conversation while we eat other than from Sorin. Although Iris does add in her own words here and there.

“Tell me more about this luani.”

“It is a ferocious beast that has teeth this long.” Our kit stretches his arms an exaggerated distance apart. “Its claws can strike through a male with a single swipe and cut him into many pieces. They are the biggest beast you will ever see. Not even Gogo can bring one down on his own. Benham has seen several of them in his lifetime, including the one who gave him the scar across his face. Healer Sage’s mate was nearly killed by one as well. Jodah has a scar that runs from beneath one shoulder to the opposite hip.”

Iris appears appropriately terrified. “I hope I never come across one.”

Sorin shakes his head. “Benham says they are slowly becoming extinct and that soon one of these turns they will no longer exist.”

“Maybe that’s a good thing,” she says.

“I think it is a little sad to know that these once plentiful animals will disappear from Tavikh like the Krijese will. It is difficult toimagine that a turn will come and both of our species will be gone. The Tavikhi and perhaps the Njeri and the Trivari will continue on and stories of their ancestors will be told. Who will be told of our ancestors? We will be forgotten, as though we never existed.”

A heaviness lands in my chest at our kit’s words. He should not be thinking of the time when we are no longer. His is only a kit and should be sparring, playing, and laughing with other kits. Iris must believe the same, because she draws him into her side and holds him tightly.

“You’re right. It is sad to think of and I’m sorry for saying otherwise. Thank you for reminding me of that, but I also don’t want you to worry about things that may never happen.” She kisses the top of his head. “Remember what I said earlier about keeping your heart and mind open.”

Sorin glances up at her. “I will keep both my hearts and my mind open.”

Iris widens her eyes and glances between him and me. “You have two hearts?”

I nod. “All Krijese do.”

“Huh, interesting. I had no idea, but that’s kind of cool.”

“You may feel.” Sorin leans away, takes her platter and sets it on the ground, and takes her hand to place it on his chest.

She cants her head and I can tell she concentrates. I can also tell when she must feel both of his hearts beating because she laughs softly.

“Oh wow, that is so fascinating.” Iris lowers her hand. “I’m kind of jealous, actually, that you have two and I just have my one.”

The rough sound comes from Sorin’s throat, and my own hearts feel true peace.

Chapter 23

Iris

Night’s fallen, and the village is quiet. Sorin took forever to wind down for the evening, but he’s finally asleep in his bed while Kala and I sit together in ours with me between his outstretched legs and my back leaning against his front. I fit perfectly within his embrace and he lightly rests his chin on the top of my head. It’s like we’re two puzzle pieces that snap together.

“This is nice. Sitting here with you like this.” I swivel my head slightly and tip it back to look up at Kala. “It’s so peaceful with only the sounds of nature and the occasional crackle and pops of the fire.”

“Often it feelstooquiet. Like right before the chaos of a storm hits.” He stares forward almost blankly like he’s seeing something else. Or maybe sometimeelse. “It was never quiet in our former village unless we waited for punishment from King Armik. Then no one spoke for fear of drawing attention to themselves. There are turns when I lie in my pallet and my hearts race during the silence because I am waiting for death tocome. It is always what our king decreed, oftentimes for nothing more than his enjoyment.”

The ache in Kala’s voice breaks my heart and I snuggle closer to him. “I know I said it before, but I’m really glad your former king is dead. Some might say that’s a terrible thing to say, but it’s the truth. He was a terrible person and I suspect you all are better off without him. The entireplanetis better off without him.”

“We were all raised to follow his lead. To answer only to him. For my entire life, I did just that. Until I could do it no longer. It was not the kind of life I wanted for my kit.”

“You did the right thing by leaving.” Kala had no other choice and anyone who doesn’t see that can’t understand.

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