Page 26

Kala

My world has changed since I first held Iris in my arms many moons ago.

I stare out over our village from in front of my tent and take in all the differences nearly an entire sun cycle has brought.

Scattered around the main fire are wooden seats my sneaky mate commissioned from the Tavikhi in exchange for what she called “hours of babysitting.”

She and Sorin would visit their village while I was out hunting and, while there, not only would she apprentice with Kyler and Sage, she would gather all the Tavikhi-human halflings and watch over them for their gogos and momos so the pairs could go on human “dates”.

Iris and I have gone on many of these dates ourselves since becoming mates. Most of them end with us mating, despite my vow that first time it would never happen again. My sweeney is stubborn and irresistible.

“Gogo.” Sorin comes racing to me and skids to a breathless halt. “It is time.”

Panic surges and I take off running toward the water source where he and Iris went so he could bathe. She is seated on one of the wooden benches I had moved there when she grew larger with our kit. Beneath her is a pool of water, and the traditional Tavikhi lower body covering is soaked.

However, she graces me with my favorite kind of smile at my approach despite the beads of wetness that line her brow and trickle down her temples. Pain is etched on her face, but still she radiates happiness.

“Breathe, honey. It’s going to be awhile, yet.”

I cannot breathe. She reaches her hand out, and I take it.

“Everything is going to be fine, remember?” Iris says.

Just because I remember does not mean I believe it is true.

The ever-present fear grows, despite every reassurance over the last nearly nine moon cycles by Kyler and Sage that my mate—along with our kit—are doing well.

All I can do is nod in agreement with her, because I cannot make myself form the words.

“We must go.” It is the only thing I manage.

“I’m ready.”

She agreed to go to the Tavikhi village to give birth since we do not have any healer besides her. Although Moshi is learning a few things about healing from Iris, he is not skilled in birthing kits, especially if something might happen.

I scoop my mate in my arms and head toward the path that will lead us to down the hill to the Tavikhi village. Sorin follows on my heels. She wraps her arms around my neck and glances over my shoulder at him.

“Before the day’s over you’re going to have a brother or sister.”

Our kit’s excitement has grown with each passing turn. Like Iris, he doesn’t carry the worries that burden my shoulders and he should not. They are mine to carry for both of us. That is what a gogo does.

He rushes to catch up and appears at my side. “I will be the best big brother ever. I will teach them to throw my war axe and how to skin a dreri and leburin. I will watch over them and make sure they always have enough to eat even if that means giving them some of mine.”

Surprisingly, I do not think that will be necessary.

Over the last sun cycle, our kills have grown with each hunt.

We even made it through the cold season with plenty of food still left in the stores.

Even more wonderful, Ashrif survived and while he is still weak, I have noticed that he has gained some of his strength back.

I do not know what the cause of our good fortune is, but Sorin is certain it is from the prayer he made to our god. Perhaps it is.

We make it in good time down the winding descent and, like always, I pause at the opening to scent for danger. Once I am certain there is none, we step out into the bari field.

“Run ahead and let the Tavikhi scout know we are coming and will be there soon.”

Sorin does as I say and rushes through the bari that is no longer quite as tall compared to him.

Over the cold season, our kit experienced a what his momo called a growth spurt.

His leg coverings became too short and tight for him and he had to borrow several pairs from the chest within the storage tent.

Instead of only his head visible, half of his chest is as well.

It is hard to imagine my kit growing so.

“You can slow down a little, you know.” Iris chuckles softly and then sucks in a sharp breath. Her hold on me tightens and her body goes rigid.

“It is obvious I cannot, because you are in pain.”

A few beats pass and she relaxes. “It’s normal for contractions to hurt. Nothing unusual is happening. They come and go, and they’re still far enough apart that I’m not going to give birth before we reach the Tavikhi village.”

“I cannot help my fear and worry.”

Iris sighs and strokes my head. “I know you can’t, and I’m sorry if you don’t think I’m taking either of them seriously enough.

If it makes you feel any better, I’m scared too.

This is my first baby and yes, it’s nerve-wracking.

I’m trying to be so positive is because we both can’t freak out.

I wish I could rid us both of our fears. ”

I nuzzle her cheek with mine, taking care not to graze her with my mouth claw. “I would carry your fears as well as my own.”

“You know I love you more than anything, don’t you?”

“As I do you.” The first time my sweeney said the words, I had stopped breathing. I had never thought to hear them from anyone, but from Iris they were worth everything.

We finally make it across the length of the bari field and into the grove of trees where Sorin and the Tavikhi scout wait.

“I have signaled ahead that you are nearby,” Katem says and fists his chest. “Congratulations on the arrival of your kit.”

“Thank you.” Iris smiles at him before she winces in pain.

Sorin fists his own chest since I cannot with my mate in my arms, and we take off again in the direction of the Tavikhi village where the calls of mellenje lead our path. At last there is a break in the trees and before us is the front entrance where two guards straighten to attention.

“Greetings, Kala, Iris, and your kit. Blessings on the upcoming birth. I will pray to Deeka for a healthy kit.” One fists his chest and gestures for us to pass through.

“You have our thanks.” I nod, although his words strike more fear in my hearts.

We do not get far into the village when Iris pats me. “I can walk from here. Sage said it’ll do me good to move around. It helps with situating the baby farther down in the birth canal.”

I hesitate before carefully setting her on her feet.

I do not go far, but rather, remain close at her side in case she needs me.

Sorin brackets her other side. Between the two of us, we will make sure she safely reaches the healer’s tent.

Tavikhi and humans observe us as we make our way through the village. Voices carry on the air of our arrival.

Soon, Zander and London approach.

“You honor us with the birth of your kit within our village borders,” the shefir announces. “This night we will celebrate around the fire the newest member of your tribe.”

“Thank you, Shefir.” Iris fists her chest.

Sorin and I do the same.

“Sage is ready for you.” London walks with us while Zander departs, perhaps to announce our arrival.

“I’m more than ready for her.” My mate laughs and the sweet sound is a soothing balm.

At last, we reach the healer’s tent. Just as London moves to part the flap, Healer Sage steps out.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like I’m about to give birth.”

The Shefira and the healer both grin broadly.

“That’s a good thing,” Healer Sage says. “I see your water broke. How far apart are your contractions?”

“Six or seven minutes. Maybe more. Maybe less. I don’t really know.”

“Understandable. Come on in and we’ll get you settled. I suspect we might be in for a long night.”

“We’ll be available if you need anything at all. Just ask for it,” London tells us.

“Thank you, Shefira.” I dip my head.

“Yes, thank you, London,” Iris echoes.

Healer Sage guides us into the tent and I stand aside while she helps my mate up onto a raised platform. The healer turns toward us and her gaze lands on Sorin. She smiles widely.

“Come here, and give me a hug.”

He complies instantly and wraps his arms around her. She strokes his floks and tightens her embrace before releasing him.

“Talek, Cecily, and Carter are down in the training arena. I told them I’d send you to meet with them when you got here.

” She makes a sound when he tries to say something.

“No arguing, please. We’ll come and get you after your brother or sister arrives, but until then, you can’t be in here. I’m sorry.”

Sorin huffs his disappointment, but bobs his head. “Yes, Healer Sage.”

“Thank you.”

He rushes over and carefully hugs Iris. “I love you, Momo.”

“I love you, too, sweetie.”

My hug comes next. “I love you as well, Gogo.”

“My hearts beat for you.”

Sorin releases me and casts a final glance at Iris before he runs out of the tent. Healer Sage turns back to us.

“Let’s do this.”

The first moon is high in the sky, and still the kit has not come. Iris is soaking wet as she leans against me, and I wipe away the water that spills down her brow with a cloth. She is unclothed beneath the fur the covers the upper half of her body.

Fear has become a permanent resident within my body and soul. I have tried to hide it, but I do not believe I have succeeded. Healer Sage remains calm, but I still sense the worry that she too is unsuccessful at keeping at bay.

“You’re doing great, Iris. Just a little bit longer.”

“That’s what you said two hours ago,” my mate cries out and then releases another scream that curdles the blood in my veins. It sounds far too much like the screams of the stolen females while they gave birth.

“This time, I really mean it.”

Iris actually chuckles. “You said that two hours ago, too.”

Healer Sage lifts her head and grins back at my mate. “This time I really, really mean it. I can see the head, and on the next contraction, I need you to push.”

My mate nods, and the grip she has on my hand tightens.

“Push, Iris.”

She does as instructed. There’s a loud grunting sound and heavy breathing. It ends on another scream.

“Again. Push.”

Healer Sage stares intently and then a flash of relief crosses her face.

It is followed by two screams; a familiar one I have been hearing half of this turn and a new, far more shrill one.

Iris cries and sags heavily against me, her breaths coming fast. I check her over swiftly, and the pain that has filled her eyes appears to be gone.

Her gaze is focused in the direction of her feet.

I turn that way as well, just as another shrill cry fills the air. Healer Sage wraps a small figure within a fur, and with a large smile, brings it to us. She places the bundle within Iris’s outstretched arms, and my mate draws it in against her chest.

“Congratulations, mom and dad. It’s a girl.”

Stunned, I look down at the tiny thing my mate holds and my eyes meet a pair that is the exact color of her momo’s.

My gaze travels and I take in every single detail from the light greenish-black of her skin—two colors I have managed to remember—to the dark floks that stick up in every direction from the top of her head.

I move on to the small nose that protrudes and to the mouth slit that resembles not a Krijese’s, but rather a human’s.

“She’s gorgeous.” Iris sobs and touches each of her ten fingers. “Look at her, Kala. Isn’t she beautiful?”

“She is perfect. Just like her momo.”

My mate tips her head back, and I caress her cheek. “I love you with every beat of my hearts, sweeney.”

“I love you, too.”

We turn back to our kit and I gently brush the side of her face. “My hearts beat for you as well.”

There is a soft throat clearing. Iris and I both glance up. I had forgotten Healer Sage’s presence.

“Would you like me to go find Sorin, now?”

“Yes, please,” Iris says. “He’ll want to meet his sister.”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes with him.” She exits the tent, but my attention is back on my mate and kit.

Iris strokes her floks. “Can you believe she’s finally here?”

“It has felt like a lifetime since you first told me you carried her.”

“Have you thought any more on the name we talked about?”

“Are you sure that is what you wish to call her?” I had been surprised when Iris said she wanted a traditional Krijese name for our kit and not a human one.

“Only if you like it.”

“It is a strong name for such a small female.”

“She’ll grow into it, I’m sure,” Iris states firmly.

“Then, yes, I think it will be a good name for her.”

The door flap swings open and Sorin comes running in. “It is a female?”

Iris waves him in and he rushes closer. “Say hello to your sister, Jiasha.”

He stands at his momo’s side and peers down at the tiny kit who returns his stare.

Slowly he reaches out and wraps his much larger hand around hers and gives it a gentle shake.

“Hello, Jiasha. I am Sorin, your big brother. This is Iris and Kala. They are our momo and gogo. Welcome to our world. I cannot wait to show it to you.”

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed Iris and Kala’s story! We haven’t seen the last of the Krijese.