Page 8 of Claimed By the Krijese

How many women are with these Tavikhi anyway? Three kids? I study Remi’s husband—I just can’t keep saying mate—as well as the rest of the Tavikhi males that accompany them. Once I get past the feline eyes, the men are actually quite attractive. In an alien way. And if seven feet of pure muscle, topped with long flowing hair that would make most women envious is your thing, I get the appeal.

“I’ll go.”

Heads whip to the side and bore into me. It hits me what I just said. What I just did. I swallow and step forward.

“I’ll go to the Tavikhi village with you.”

Remi grins again. “Excellent.” She glances around. “Anyone else?”

No one accepts.

“The invitation is open if you change your mind later,” she says, scanning the crowd again before turning to me. “Since they’re all set here, we’re going to head out. Are you ready?”

Now? I’m supposed to go now? “I guess. I mean, I need my bag with my belongings.”

“We’ll wait.”

Okay, then. I walk to the other side of the building where we’d been told our luggage would be delivered. It doesn’t take me long to find mine. When I turn, there’s a huge Tavikhi warrior standing right behind me, practically touching me.

“Greetings, female. I am Katem and would be honored to carry that for you.”

“Okay, Casanova, back up a hair and give Iris some room.” The other woman I’d been introduced to, Abby, approaches.

The poor Tavikhi glances between us and the bones over his eyes shift. “Who is Casanova? I am Katem. You know this.”

I press my lips together to fight a smile. “It’s fine. Thank you, Katem. I appreciate the offer, but I can get it.”

For a second there’s a hint of guilt at declining his offer, because he truly appears disappointed I didn’t accept. I’m not used to attention from people. At least not this kind. Not once has any of the Tavikhi or either of the women that came with them stared at me in fear or horror. They haven’t made any snide or hurtful comments. In fact, they’ve been far kinder to me than anyone has been.

Finally, he dips his head. “If you change your mind, then know I am happy to help.”

He walks away leaving just Abby and me. She turns my direction. “You should probably be prepared for more of that when we get to the village.”

“What? People offering to carry my things?” Maybe going with the Tavikhi isn’t a great idea after all. Not if they’re all going to treat me like I’m helpless or something.

Abby chuckles. “Malesoffering to carry things. Males asking to take a walk with you. Males asking if you’d like to sit with them during an evening meal. Anything they can do that might provide them with a so-called random chance to touch you.”

My spine goes rigid. “I see. So thesemaleswant to know what it’s like to touch a freak, is that it?”

Abby’s head jerks back and she blinks before her eyes widen and her mouth forms an ‘O’. “Shit. I’m so sorry, that’s not what I meant at all.”

I cross my arms—effectively hiding my missing left hand—and wait. “Then what did you mean?”

She flushes and glances at the Tavikhi that have gathered by the door of the meeting building waiting to depart, I suppose. She turns back to me. “Do you notice anything different about some of the guys?”

My gaze narrows, but I slowly shift it in their direction to study them. Each one has the same golden hair, although a few have theirs either tied back or plaited in some intricate pattern. They carry similar weapons. Wear similar pants. They all have long,prehensile tails that make me look twice. But then I do notice a difference.

“Some of them have black tattoos, while others have none.” Katem is one of the ones without a single tattoo.

Abby nods. “Exactly. Although, they’re not tattoos. They’re mating marks. And theonlyway those mating marks appear is if the male touches the woman who happens to be his fated mate.”

She doesn’t say anything else. Just stares at me, like she’s waiting for the pieces to click. Click they do. “So what you’re saying is that the Tavikhi will try to randomly touch me to see if I make those tattoos show up?”

“Mating marks,” Abby corrects. “And yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.”

I can’t stop the laughter from bubbling up out of me. These extremely good-looking aliens are going to do what they can to try and touchmeto see if I’m theirmate? Somebody must really have a twisted sense of humor.

Chapter 5

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