Page 17

Iris

I’m still reeling from the beautiful welcome I received from Kala’s people.

Never would I have suspected the Krijese would accept me so easily.

The whole walk here, I’d been stressing out about my reception and all that time I had nothing to worry about.

It had been nice holding Kala’s hand though.

Other than Sorin, I’ve never really held hands with anyone.

Certainly not the sisters at the orphanage.

Ever since we sat down to eat, Sorin has been attached to my hip. He hasn’t stopped touching me in small ways almost like he’s reassuring himself I’m really here. The first time he called me “momo” I had to bite my tongue so I didn’t break down in sobs. It’s the best name I’ve ever been called.

I’ve always wanted to be a mother, and never thought I would be. Kala offered me something I couldn’t pass up.

I lean in close to Kala and am overwhelmed by his smell.

It’s muskier and holds more earthy notes than Sorin’s scent.

Whereas my…son—that still doesn’t feel real—smells like a sweet wood, his father has a bolder, more masculine odor.

I want to bury my nose against Kala’s skin and just breathe him in.

The thought alone causes my center to throb and I squirm a little in my seat at the sensation.

He glances over at me like he knows exactly where my thoughts traveled.

“These are all of your—our—people, then?” I need a distraction for both of us.

He scans around the fire slowly as though counting heads until finally he nods. “This is all of us. We had two more elders, but we lost them during the last cold season.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that.”

“I fear we will lose at least one more before the next warm season arrives.”

Sorin mentioned the elder named Ashrif was ill. When I met him, he did appear old, frail, and in poor health. He was the thinnest of all the Krijese and his skin coloring held a dull, grayish hue. Kala hadn’t been exaggerating when he said his village was much smaller than the Tavikhi’s.

“I have a small amount of medical knowledge. Granted, it’s medical knowledge about humans and when I say it’s small, I truly mean that, but I will do everything I can to help nurse anyone who gets sick.”

Sorin speaks up. “Gogo, maybe Momo can become a healer like Healer Sage. She and I could travel to the Tavikhi village for her to learn. She could apprentice with Kyler.”

I turn toward Kala, trying to hide my excitement. “What do you think?”

For several moments, he doesn’t say anything and I brace myself for disappointment.

“I cannot speak for the Tavikhi healer and whether he would be willing to take on another apprentice, but if he does, is this something that would interest you?” Kala darts a glance at Sorin and then back to me.

“Do not say yes just because our kit suggested it if it is not truly what you wish to do.”

I stare at him in complete awe. “You called Sorin ours .”

He cocks his head. “You are his momo and I am his gogo. Would that not make him ours?”

My excitement bursts out of me and I lean over and give him a quick kiss. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

“Can I have this kiss again, too, Momo?” Sorin asks.

I laugh, because he’s just too adorable. “Of course.”

He scrambles to his knees and I kiss him right above his brow bones.

He returns to his place with a small huff of satisfaction as he glances around at everyone as if to see if they saw what just happened.

Of course, the tribespeople stare in confusion, probably because kissing isn’t something Krijese do.

They’ll just have to get used to it since I plan on smothering both my son and my soon-to-be mate with the affection they both so desperately deserve.

“We still have not come to a decision regarding the apprenticeship with Kyler,” Kala points out.

“If he is willing to take me on, then I’m definitely interested. I can’t promise I’ll be any good, but if I can at least learn enough to help our people if one of them gets sick, then I’ll count that as a win.”

“Some time in the next few turns we will return to the Tavikhi village and speak with Kyler. If he agrees, then Sorin and you can travel back and forth. However,” Kala says quickly putting a damper on my excitement. “You must practice with the axe every turn between now and then.”

Is that all? “Deal.”

“Deal,” Sorin echoes.

“Let us clean up then and we will return to our tent for the evening so you can sort your belongings before we attend to the dreri with the others.”

Our kit rushes to his feet and takes mine and his father’s plates.

Kala stands and helps me up, but doesn’t release my hand.

Together, we follow the path Sorin took and make our way to the rushing river that grows louder the closer we get.

We reach it while Sorin is quickly cleaning the dishes with something that suds.

“There is a shallow place just downriver from here where we bathe. We have a supply of cleansing bars you can use to wash yourself and your coverings. I only ask that you do not go there alone.”

“I’m not arguing with you when I ask this, but is there a reason I have to have an escort? When I lived in the Tavikhi village I often bathed and washed my clothes alone.” Granted, there were always scouts close by as well as warriors within shouting distance.

“There have been far too many sightings of wild creatures within the forest. It is too dangerous for anyone to go alone, so it is not something I ask only of you. It is a rule all follow aside from the male warlords, but only because they are able to protect themselves. All the elders, the few remaining females, and both kits all must have at least one other tribe person present.”

“While a little bit sexist, I can understand why you require it. I’ll make sure I don’t go by myself.”

Kala nods in appreciation.

“All finished,” Sorin calls out and carries the now clean platters over to us.

His father takes them from him and the three of us walk back to the village with Sorin holding my hand.

After Kala’s placed the clean plates with the rest of them we head toward what I assume is their—our—tent.

By now, most everyone has left the fire, but a large group of people sit outside another tent we pass and skin the dreri the hunters brought back from their hunt.

“We will join you shortly,” Kala tells them.

They nod and we continue walking. Sorin lets go of my hand, rushes ahead, and draws aside the hide flap covering the entrance.

“This is our dwelling.” There is pride in his voice.

I step inside and glance around. It’s neat and tidy, but also a little bare.

There are two piles of furs on opposites side of the fire pit and it’s a lot smaller than the tent where I slept in the Tavikhi village.

That’s understandable though since it was used as storage, and it had housed four women previously.

Still, it’s the perfect size for the three of us. I’d call it cozy.

“Gogo sleeps here, and this is my pallet.” Sorin points out.

“Until I can gather a few more furs to create your own sleeping place, you can sleep within mine and I will sleep outside.”

Excuse me, but what? I turn to Sorin.“Sweetie, will you do me a favor and go start helping with the dreri. I need to speak with your father in private for a few minutes and then we’ll join you.”

He glances between his father and me before he gives me a short hug and then darts out of the tent. I wait until I’m sure he’s gone before facing Kala.

“You’re not sleeping outside.” If I wouldn’t let Sorin sit on the ground and eat a meal, I’m certainly not letting my almost mate sleep out there.

“It is best that way.”

I fist one hip. “Says who?”

“We have spoken of this and the kind of mating that is not possible between us.”

“Having sex and sleeping beside each other in the same bed are two completely different things. I’m supposed to be your mate, which means we’re supposed to share a bed. What will Sorin think if his parents sleep separately?”

Kala stalks forward until he’s in my personal space. I take a step back, but stop myself from taking another. Kala moves again until his chest presses against my breasts. Beneath my shirt my nipples harden. Damn him. I tip my head back and stare up, daring him to argue.

Against my belly a hardness grows and my knees tremble. Kala breathes in deeply and closes his eyes, blocking me from viewing the dark shadows that dance and swirl in their depths.

“How can I sleep beside you and not touch you? I have become addicted to your flavor and your scent. If I lie beside you, I know we will touch, and I will become addicted to that as well. It will be torture for me knowing it can go no further than a single instance.”

Kala’s become addicted to me? To me? From the tightness in his face and, in fact, in his entire body, maybe it’s already torture for him. I hate that he might be hurting, but deep down, I’m also reveling in the fact that I might be able to make him lose control.

“Why does it have to be only once? I may not be experienced, but I know there are ways we can touch and bring each other pleasure that don’t include sex.

At least there are for humans. Krijese can’t be much different.

Why does it have to be all or nothing?” My face is so hot I’m worried I’ll burst into flames, but I feel like my questions are valid.

Kala’s eyes open, and for a second I swear there’s a small fleck of shiny silver similar to Sorin’s but then it’s gone. “You tempt me like no other female ever has.”

I circle my arms around his neck, rising on my tippy toes to reach. “That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. How about we make another deal?”

His brow bones shift. “I am listening.”

“We start slow. Kisses and some exploration. Find out what gives the other pleasure. Then we can progress to a place where we’re both comfortable. What do you think?”

“Kisses and some pleasure?”

I nod.

Kala narrows his gaze.“And that is all?”

For now. “We can reevaluate things later, how about that? Do we have a deal?”

He’s silent long enough that I think he’s going to turn me down, but finally there’s a shift to him, a kind of resignation that I know he’s going to say yes.

“Deal.”

“Excellent.”

“Should we not shake hands on this deal? That is how it is done, yes?” he asks.

“How about we seal the deal another way?” I can’t believe how bold I’m being. I’ve never been a seductress, but Kala apparently brings it out of me.

“In which way?”

I try not to grin too broadly. “I’m so glad you asked.”