Page 30 of Across the Stars (Cosmic Threads of Fate #1)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
WATAI
Watai felt lost as he unbuckled Iskzo’s saddle and hung it on its hook. He needed to give Mae some space to gather herself while he spent some time outside, delaying his return.
Watai examined each leather strap on his harness and saddle for signs of wear or tear, running his fingers over the smooth surface.
He yanked on each one, testing its strength and endurance.
He was well aware that these straps were critical to his and Mae’s safety while flying, and he took great care to keep them in top condition.
A sense of satisfaction washed over him as he double-checked his equipment, knowing that he was doing his part to ensure a smooth and safe flight.
Realizing that his attention had been diverted by Mae over the previous few cycles, he made a promise to himself to be more diligent about performing routine checks on his equipment.
Watai couldn’t get his mind off what had happened between Mae and him during the evening wash, no matter how many times his hands ran over the same straps.
He had no idea what he had done wrong to cause Mae to flee in such haste. What puzzled him was that she’d kissed him. He assumed they had a mutual attraction as threadmates did—so why had she acted confused when she pulled away?
Was he such a bad kisser?
He had never heard of threadmates having such a problem, at least not that he was aware of. It was unusual for people to resist the bond that was forming between them. Most sealed their bond on the first cycle they met because Z’myu had brought them together for a reason—to fill a void.
He would have to consult his mother about what he should do.
He had a strong desire for Mae that grew stronger every time he was in her company.
Watai could tell she had enjoyed their kiss because she had grabbed his neck and leaned in. He would’ve liked to do more, but he hadn’t wanted to push further than she was ready for, especially considering her skittish reaction.
At this rate, he could be the first of his people to be rejected by their threadmate. He didn’t even know if that was possible. But Mae wasn’t a Z’myuxi—a child of Z’myu—and everything about her was different, being from a faraway land.
Was this a test from Z’myu to prove that he was not only worthy of Mae, but also of the reward she would bring him? His goddess must have something special in store for him. He was willing to go through whatever trials were necessary to persuade Mae to seal their bond.
He stroked Iskzo’s head, seeking advice from his Z’myuzo companion.
“What should I do, my friend?” Watai pressed their brows together and looked into Iskzo’s eyes. His presence comforted him.
“Give her time,” Iskzo said, sending him a reassuring wave.
“If she were rejecting you, she would not sleep in your bed or welcome your presence. I felt a sudden, strong wave of passion radiate from you and echo from her when she tackled you and leaned in for a kiss. She wants you, but something is preventing her from acting on it.”
“What could it possibly be?” Watai scratched under Iskzo’s chin, looking for any answers he could glean from his conversations with her. “Does her kind have a biological or spiritual tradition that needs to be honored between mates? Is that why she’s been avoiding our connection?”
“It’s possible she can’t feel it.” Iskzo nuzzled his chest, jerking his snout hard enough to rock Watai’s body.
“Even though Z’myu has accepted her, she is not one of her children.
You must seal your bond with her and complete our thread before she can experience everything we do through our connection. ”
“That would explain her hesitation. It’s almost as if she’s unsure about her feelings.
” Watai frowned, wrapping his arms around Iskzo’s head and pressing it against his chest. “If she were Z’myuxi, she would feel a gentle tug in her hearts, leading her to us, that would strengthen as the distance shortens. ”
“That would be true, if she discovered and bonded with her threadmount,” Iskzo reminded him gently, sending a comforting rumble through his body. “We were mistaken in assuming that she landed here on her mount.”
“And she is blind to our cord unless she completes the trials with the entwining ride and the weave walk.” Watai cast a glance behind him at his hut, where his hammock hung on the other side of the wall, knowing Mae was probably waiting for him to return.
“The trials are a rite of passage into maturity and independence from family ties. A Z’myuxi would become a true member of the clan, ready to find the other members of their cosmic thread.
But none of that necessarily applies to Mae. ”
“You are achieving the first step, which is getting her the assistance she requires to learn Z’myu’s language, survive within our lands, and prepare her for trials,” Iskzo pathed.
His purr-like rumble grew louder while he wrapped his wings around him, sheltering him from the world in an attempt to soothe him.
“It’s all you can do right now. I know it’s difficult, but don’t put any pressure on her.
Females dislike it, and you don’t want her to withdraw any more than she already has.
Hopefully, as you spend more time together, she will learn to trust her instincts and accept that we are a part of her future. ”
Mae had taken over Watai’s thoughts, which Iskzo had picked up on.
Watai couldn’t help but be drawn to her. He had grown to care deeply for her, but she seemed unsure of her own feelings for him. He was dying to find out whether she shared his feelings, and if not, what he could do to change that.
Watai couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something was preventing Mae from fully committing to him.
Was it fear? Doubt? He had no idea. He only knew that no matter how much he wished she could follow her instincts and accept their connection through their cosmic thread, he couldn’t force her to feel a certain way.
Watai didn’t want to push her away or make her more uncomfortable than he already had. She came from afar and held different customs and beliefs, and he wanted to respect that.
He prayed to Z’myu that once Mae sealed her fate with him, she would not remain blind to their bond. It would bother him if she could never experience the full joy of a threadmate connection.
Because Mae lacked a tail, he had to accept that he would never be able to connect his xa’mylu with another. Watai could only hope they would be able to share their thoughts and feelings over their cosmic thread once sealed.
He would accept whatever Z’myu desired for them, but hoped he wouldn’t have to live his life in silence like he had all this time, with only Iskzo and her threadmount as companions to share telepathic and empathic connections.
Watai would do whatever it took to show Mae what she was missing. And he would keep his distance, no matter how strongly the cosmic thread drew him to her. He would put up with the throbbing pain in his chest as Z’myu demanded that he seal their bond and become one with her.
He yearned to be able to express his feelings for her and to know for certain how she felt about him, but he didn’t want to jeopardize their friendship or their uncertain future together.
“You will never be alone.” Iskzo sent through their connection, sending a wave of love. “I will always be there for you, just a thought away.”
“And I thank you for that, Brother. You’ve been very helpful recently with Mae.
” Iskzo’s eyes swirled wildly as their gazes locked.
He scratched the space between Iskzo’s worried light-green and content dark-green eyes.
“I apologize for not bathing you more while she’s been here.
I promise to be a better rider and friend. ”
“I am completely capable of washing myself by rolling in mud and diving in deep waters.” Iskzo snorted and drew his head away from Watai’s grasp, lowering his wings.
“I understand you’ve been preoccupied with Mae, and I know that everything you do is for the benefit of our cosmic thread.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to spend time with my new cordmount soon. ”
Watai snorted, crossed his arms, and shook his head at Iskzo’s ridiculousness. “Does that mean that I don’t have to wash you every night?”
“I never said that.” As he sat up, Iskzo fluttered his wings and tucked them in. “Who will scratch my difficult-to-reach areas?”
“I’m sure there are some sticks and rocks in your mud.”
“I’m the only one who can communicate with Mae fluently,” Iskzo countered, his eyes turning a joyful blue. “ With all the work ahead of us, I may be taking longer naps in the near future.”
“You’re reminding me that we’re on fallen tree removal duty starting tomorrow. I’m going to return to Mae and see if she’s ready for bed.” Watai reached out and scratched Iskzo’s chin. “Perhaps you’ll be in a better mood after you’ve slept.”
Iskzo huffed, blowing air into Watai’s face. “I hope the same for you.”
Watai chuckled and shook his head as he walked back into the hut along his wraparound porch. Soft sounds of his tribemates and their threadmounts unwinding for the evening surrounded him.
Watai stood at the entrance of his hut, hesitant to pass through his vine curtain. He needed to talk to Mae about what had happened. He didn’t want to leave things unresolved between them, and he wanted to make sure she was okay.
It would be a difficult conversation, but it was necessary, even if he wasn’t sure how they’d communicate effectively without Iskzo’s help. But he would prefer not to use his threadmount. Iskzo was already exhausted from the heavy grounds work he had to do earlier that day.
Watai closed his eyes and took in the nightlife, allowing the familiar sounds to wash over him. The soft rustling of leaves, the chirping of insects, and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures filled the air.