Page 15 of Claimed by the Krijese (Krijese Warlords #1)

Iris

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?” Astrid asks while I pack up the last of my few possessions.

Kala waits for me at the central fire with Zander and the other Tavikhi people.

“I think this is everything, but thank you.”

“Just let me know if there’s something you missed or forgot and I’ll have Evren take me to the Krijese village so I can bring it to you.”

Astrid’s always been the one to initiate hugs between us, but on impulse I move first this time and throw my arms around her. “Thank you for your friendship and for welcoming me so warmly here. I appreciate your kindness more than I can ever say.”

“It was my pleasure. Don’t think you’re getting rid of me so easily now that you’re moving to Kala’s village though.

” She chuckles. “I plan on visiting on occasion so we can catch up on all the girl talk and you can tell me all about what it’s like to be a mother. I’ll need someone to give me pointers.”

I draw back, but don’t fully release her. “Astrid! Are you pregnant?”

“Not yet, but let’s just say Evren and I are doing our best to make it happen soon.”

“Good luck. I know you’ll be an amazing mother.”

Her cheeks flush. “I think so too. We both really want kids.”

“I hope you get as many as you wish for.”

“Thank you.” Astrid gives me another quick hug. “All right, don’t keep your soon-to-be mate waiting any longer. I’m sure Kala is anxious to get back to his village and introduce you to everybody.”

The thought makes my stomach a little woozy. What will the other Krijese think of me? Do they know I even exist? Will they take one look at me and think I’m not strong enough or good enough to be Sorin’s new mom? God, I think I might get sick.

“Breathe, Iris. Everything’s going to be fine.” Astrid grips my biceps and gets right in my face so I focus on her.She breathes deeply in and out and I follow her rhythm until mine slows back to normal. She keeps breathing and nods in encouragement.

“I’m okay now.”

“You sure?”

“Positive.Thank you again, Astrid. For everything.” I step back and pick up my overstuffed bag. My handbag is slung across my body.

“You’re so welcome. Don’t forget I plan on coming to visit you.”

“Please do.”

Together, we walk out of the tent I’ve made my home since arriving on this planet. Who would have thought that two months ago I’d leave a shit life in the bottom tier on Earth only to move to a second alien village to become a mate as well as a mother?

People wave and nod as we pass by on our way to the central fire. I may have only been in the Tavikhi village for just under two weeks, but this place has felt more like my home than any place else. I only hope Kala’s village feels the same, if not better.

We get close to where everyone is gathering for the meal and I instantly go on the lookout for Kala.

It only takes me a second time find him, because like the last time he was here, he towers over the lot of them.

Well, all of them except for Benham, who stands at his side.

The two of them are speaking, and I can only assume they’re planning their next hunting trip since they often go together, along with Talek and Cecily.

As though he can feel my gaze, Kala shifts his attention away from Benham and our eyes meet.

The shadows I now believe are real and not imagined swirl in the depths of his.

There’s no shimmery silver spark like Sorin has, but there’s definitely something in them.

I can’t wait to get a closer look and see if I can figure out exactly what they are.

I smile to let him know I’m glad to see him.

He doesn’t return it, but there’s just enough shift to his expression and the lines around his eyes and forehead that tell me he’s happy to see me too.

Of course, I could be making my own assumptions about his emotions, but I’m sticking with it.

Kala glances away briefly, says something to Benham, who turns his head in my direction, and then departs from the Tavikhi’s side to head straight for me.

“Let me carry that.” He takes the suitcase from my hand before I can protest. Not that I’m going to, because sometimes it’s nice to let others do the heavy lifting.

“Thank you.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I spot people approaching so I turn. Zander and London—who’s carrying their daughter, Dasha—walk toward us.

“Congratulations on your future mating,” the shefir says when they reach where Kala and I stand.

“You have our thanks,” Kala returns.

“Yes, thank you. For everything.” I’ll never forget how they both accepted me into their tribe.

“Of course. You will always be welcome here.” Zander inclines his head.

London gives me a one-armed hug since her other is filled with a young toddler. “I’m so happy for you and Kala. If you need anything at all, please ask and I’ll make sure you get it.”

Tears of happiness threaten to fall, but I sniff them back. “I really appreciate that.”

She releases me and moves closer to Zander who wraps his tail around her waist. I love that the Tavikhi males all do that to their mates.

It’s such a sweet, affectionate gesture.

Kala doesn’t have a tail, but maybe he and I can come up with our own gesture of affection. Maybe a head nuzzle or something.

“We best leave if we would like to make good time. I am sure Sorin is wondering where I have gone.”

The two males fist their chests in a show of respect and then Kala places his hand on my lower back and we’re on our way through the village toward the front gate. I wait until we’re outside of it and into the forest before I ask my question.

“Sorin didn’t know you were coming here?”

“He has not been speaking to me since the day of our attempted training.”

I wince. “I’m sorry to have caused a rift between you.”

“You did not cause any rift. All the fault lies with me.”

From his firm tone, I decide it’s best not to argue. Pick my battles and all that. If he really wants to take the blame, then I’ll let him even if I know it’s not the full truth. I’m equally at fault.

“He will be happy to see you,” Kala says.

I can’t help but smile. “I’ll be happy to see Sorinas well. I’ve missed him.”

We fall into a comfortable silence as we trek through the field toward the hills.

The sun is just setting and the first moon has already risen partway into the sky.

It was weird seeing two moons that first night and discovering the days are a lot longer here than they are on Earth and the nights are much shorter.

There have been some nights where it’s been hard to sleep because it’s still too light out and then it feels like it’s time to get up just as I’ve finally fallen asleep.

Out of nowhere a thought occurs to me. “What sort of things will I be responsible for in your—our—village?”

“Taking care of Sorin will be most of it.”

I side-eye Kala. “What else? I mean, Sorin is nearly ten and he doesn’t need a lot of ‘taking care of’. Love and affection, on the other hand? Absolutely he needs that and I’ll give him as much of it as I possess.”

“You can assist the elders with their tasks if you would like.”

“Okay and what tasks are those?” I’m not sure why Kala is making this a difficult question to answer.

“Moshi and Ashrif spend the most time preparing and serving the meals.”

Now we’re getting somewhere. “I’m happy to help them in whatever way they need. Any other tasks?”

“Sadly, we are not as organized and regimented as the Tavikhi are,” Kala admits. “Most of our time is spent just surviving. I should have made that more clear before you accepted my offer to be Sorin’s momo.”

My steps falter for a second, but I catch myself. ‘Just surviving’? I spent my entire life on Earth just surviving . Now I’m leaving a place where I feel like I was actually thriving and going back to survival mode? A heavy weight settles in my stomach.

“Iris?”

“Yeah, sorry.” I wave off his concern. “Just thinking.”

Kala stops in the middle of the field. “We can turn back if you wish, and we will continue on as before. I will not think harshly of you if you have changed your mind. I know your life was difficult back on Earth. I do not wish for your difficulties to continue.”

I swallow and for an instant I almost take him up on his offer, but I shake my head instead. “No. I made a commitment to both you and Sorin. What kind of person would that make me if I gave up already because it might not be easy?”

Kala studies me a bit longer. “It will be harder on Sorin if you decide later that our way of life is not one you wish to live any longer and you do not wish to stay.”

He may have said Sorin’s name, but there’s an obvious hint of vulnerability in the way he watches me that makes me think it’s not just Sorin who will take it hard if I choose to leave later.

I move closer until I can reach out and lay my hand on Kala’s chest. It’s weird how easy it’s becoming to touch him. I like touching him, in fact. A lot.

“Back on Earth, I was alone. I didn’t make friends easily so it was really just me.

So, not only was I alone, but I was lonely.

Not once since I’ve gotten to Tavikh have I been lonely.

Knowing I have people to care for and who care for me in return changes so many things.

” I drop my gaze from Kala’s face to where I trace a random pattern on his greenish-black skin.

“I plan on making our village my home for the rest of my life. Not just where I’ll live, but my home .

Because that’s where you and Sorin are. I have no plans to leave.

Not now and not in the future. Sorry to say, but you guys are stuck with me. ”

Kala lays his hand over mine, stalling its movement. Beneath our connection, there are two sets of beats. I lift my gaze to meet his. Those shadows swirl faster than I’ve ever seen them do before.

“I too have been lonely. Until you. There is no need for you to be sorry about being ‘stuck’ with us, because then I will have to be sorry that I do not think I would ever be able to let you go anyway. And I am not.”

We study each other a bit longer and then I rise up on my tiptoes.

Kala meets me halfway and I press my lips to his mouth slit.

His tusks are just far enough apart that it’s a perfect fit.

I don’t think our kisses will ever be more than this—a mere pressing of my lips against his mouth—but I’m okay with that.

He rises up and I drop down, but I don’t step away from him quite yet. I want to enjoy this closeness a bit longer.

“I wish I could give you the kind of kiss a male gives his mate.” It’s almost as though Kala’s read my mind.

“We can try different kisses and find one that works for us. If it ends up being the kind we just shared, then that’s the kind of kiss you give your mate. It’ll be perfect for us no matter how we wind up doing it.”

“You are too good and kind for a male like me.”

I lay my finger against his mouth slit. “None of that. Now, are you ready to head home?”

“With you? Always.”