Page 228 of Mates for the Raskarrans #1-6

Throughout my conversations with her tribe brothers, I feel my Grace’s attention on me.

Whenever I look over, catch her gaze, she smiles again, and there is happiness in that expression - growing more bright, more obvious with each smile she gives me.

When we return from this sweet moon, I would have her smile like that always.

I am hopeful this is a thing I can achieve.

“It is a good day,” Darran says. “A very good day.”

He has been reserved in his joy for me, and I understand this. My joy is only reminder of his own pains. I grip his arm.

“I wish that Lahven were here to celebrate this day with us. That little Mellah and Fallah could have shared some teasing words with their uncle. It is the only thing that makes my joy in this moment incomplete.”

“They wait for us in Lina’s embrace, brother,” Darran says, his voice rough. “I am glad to say I will have some new joys to share with them when we are reunited.”

After we have eaten our morning meal, I pack a tent and a bag full of the supplies my Grace and I will need to sustain ourselves alone in the trees for a few days. I speak to Vantos, seeking advice for which direction to travel to find a good spot for our sweet moon.

“There is a place not so far from here - half a day’s walk at the pace of the females - I will explain to you the path so you might find it,” he says.

“Half a day’s walk would be a good distance,” Shemza says. “Grace is keen to be here for the birth of Sally’s youngling. Half a day as the females walk would be close enough for someone to run and fetch her back in ample time, should Sally’s birthing start.”

“Good, this place will be pleasing to my Grace then.” I give both males, my new brothers, my thanks, and they send me on my way with warm wishes for my mating.

Then it is time for us to leave. I find my Grace speaking quiet words with our youngling. I wish I could speak the human words to add my own reassurances. Then I spy the female, Sally, who speaks raskarran words so well.

“Would you be able to give a message to the youngling, Molly, for me?” I ask.

“Of course,” Sally answers with a smile.

“Please tell her that I will look after her mother well, and that I look forward to getting to know her better when we return.”

“I will,” Sally says. She touches my arm in a very raskarran gesture. “Molly has many troubles and it may be difficult for her to adjust to another change in her life. I know I don’t need to counsel patience to a raskarran, but I will anyway.”

“I am good at being patient,” I assure her.

“We will guard your daughter well while you are gone, also.”

It makes me stand taller to have this female I have only just met address Molly as such.

Sally may have lived many seasons here, grown used to raskarran ways, but in its own way this is cause for hope for me.

Sally has come from the same world as the other females, likely had some of the same issues.

That she has surmounted them and lives a full and happy life with her mate and her younglings says to me that this is possible for my Grace and Molly also.

“You have my sincerest thanks for this,” I say.

“Enjoy your time with your linasha,” Sally says. “Grace is a kind female, much concerned with looking after others. I am very pleased that she has someone to look after her now.”

The females wave to their sister as we leave, taking our first steps into the forest together. I am glad that they care so deeply for my Grace, but I confess, I am most pleased when the trees close in behind us and we are separated from the tribe. Alone.

I know there is a bounce in my step as I walk, my pleasure in being here under the trees with my linasha filling my body with lightness.

Feeling daring, I put an arm about her shoulder, and when she does not protest, I draw her close to me so that we might walk together.

Her pace is slow, and I can enjoy all the sensations of her body touching mine as we go, the scent of her filling my nose, without fearing distraction.

I am sure to look down at her every so often, to check that she is still happy, still comfortable, and each time I am greeted by one of her smiles, which only lifts me further.

We walk until it is time to have our midday meal.

Our path follows a small stream and there are many adequate places to stop for a meal break.

I wait until we come across one with a djenti bush, so my Grace might collect some berries to treat any aches she may have.

Shemza warned me that the females are not much used to walking long distances and need to build up their resilience after their mistreatment by their previous tribe.

My Grace takes a seat beside the stream, refilling her canteen and drinking from it in long, thirsty gulps.

It is not so hot today, the big rains drawing ever closer, but she is pink in the cheeks from exertion or the temperature.

I squat beside her, pointing to her feet then making the ‘good’ gesture that Shemza taught me before we left, raising my brows to make it a question.

My Grace nods, but I gesture to the djenti bush in case she might need it all the same.

I take out two of the meal bars that I have packed.

When we make our camp, I will check the area for any hunting.

I am a warrior, and with the rains so close, the hunting will not be easy.

But perhaps Lina will smile on me and grant us a juicy frenelle to enjoy.

If not, I have supplies enough to last us, it will just not be such enjoyable fare.

My Grace nibbles on the meal bar I hand her. Her shoulders look loose and relaxed, which I take to be a good sign of her comfort. I eat my own food, and the salt of the meal bar has never tasted better than it does eaten now beside my linasha.