Chapter 1
Present day
Zalik
I scan the far too quiet forest—searching for signs of life—and tighten my grip on my bow.
My steps are light and silent so as to not scare off any prey that might cross my path.
Katem and Daveel split off from me to search a different area, but we will meet up again soon.
Thoughts of Katem always bring with it thoughts of a mate.
He and I have spoken on occasion that perhaps Deeka was done blessing the Tavikhi.
That he, Daveel, and I would remain alone until we journeyed to the lands of the goddess.
Except, my hope has been revived, because Katem just found his keeshla.
Piper had been on Tavikh since the same ship carrying Kala’s mate arrived a sun cycle ago.
Now, Daveel—who has never mentioned wanting a mate before—and I are the only ones left. All the unmated males who have reached their majority have found their keeshlas except us. In fact, not only do they have mates, but they have all become babas, Evren being the most recent.
I pause and breathe in deeply to try and determine what direction any scents might be coming from.
There are the earthy forest odors along with the sweetness of the various blooming bushes and plants.
Beneath all the familiar fragrances is an unfamiliar one.
It is light and clean—faintly feminine—but so subtle to be almost non-existent. I cannot even tell where it originates.
A rustling sound jerks my focus off the narrow path in front of me and to one side of it.
Carefully, I walk toward where I believe it to be coming from.
The sound occurs again, only this time it is accompanied by another noise of some kind.
It appears to originate from a large grouping of nenuphar bushes, but there are no injured creatures visible.
Fearing a trap, I put away my bow and unsheathe my sword.
When I reach the nearest bush, I nudge aside the branches and spot a bright color that does not belong.
It is neither the color of the bush nor the blooms that grow on it or that have fallen to decorate the ground around it.
Moving to the other side, I stop and gape as the object partially hidden within the branches becomes visible.
“By the Goddess.”
I jerk my head up and swivel, scanning the area for other beings.
Nothing stirs and no other scents or colors that do not belong are noticeable.
I sheathe my sword and ever so gently pick up the bundle from where it has been tucked within the bush.
A tiny, human kit stares intently up at me with bright colored eyes.
“What are you doing out here all alone, little one?”
It does not cry, only gurgles in response.
My heart lurches, and I draw my finger down its cheek and along its jaw, curious about how a fully human kit feels compared to a Tavikhi.
The kit’s flesh is softer than even the fur of a leburin.
My fingertip bumps against a hard, shiny object.
Attached to it is a dirty and wrinkled piece of material tucked partially beneath the fur that is securely wrapped around the kit.
I draw it out and stare at the letters crafted there.
Over the past sun cycle, I have been learning the human letters from Evren’s mate Astrid.
No one besides the three of us know this.
I asked for it to be kept secret since the only other tribe members being taught are the kits.
Because I do not get to practice often, I speak the words out loud, slowly.
“My name is Stella and I am loved. It is important I know that. But I am not safe with the humans any longer. When you find me, do NOT return me to them. Please find me a new family who will care for and protect me as my mother has tried to.”
There is nothing else, not even on the back of the material.
No explanation for why the kit—Stella—is not safe or who presents the danger.
I study the small being in my arms with its dark hair similar to Remi’s and blue eyes that match the blooms of the bush it had been nestled within that stare back at me.
Between the name and faint feminine odor, I believe this Stella is female.
Until I am told otherwise, that is what I will consider her.
“Greetings, Stella. I am Zalik.”
As if understanding what I am saying, she smiles broadly at me with a toothless mouth that leaks water from the corner.
I will be the one who cares for and protects her from whatever harm she might face.
“Zalik, is all well?” a voice calls out.
Keeping Stella firmly within my grasp, I pivot and face Katem and Daveel who walk toward me, each carrying a dead dreri over their shoulders.
Katem’s eyes widen. “Are you holding a kit?”
“Her name is Stella.”
Daveel’s brow bones shift in confusion. “How do you know this?”
“She has the human letters crafted on material attached to her coverings.”
Katem sets down the dreri he carries and comes over to stare down at Stella.
“You can understand them?”
“Astrid taught me.”
He lifts his head. “Perhaps I will ask Piper to teach me. It could be a useful skill to have.”
Shock radiates through me, although I try not to show it. Daveel joins us. “What do the letters say?”
“They tell me her name and that she is loved but in danger at the human settlement. Whoever finds her must not return her. Instead, she needs to be kept safe and protected from harm.”
My tribe brothers shift their attention to me, but most especially Katem.
“You sound as though you will be the one to keep her safe,” he notes.
Purpose and pride fill me. “Because I will. I am the one who found her, therefore I will take on this task. Stella is now under my protection.”
“But what about a mate? You do not have one.” Daveel points out unnecessarily.
“Deeka has placed this kit in my path and this is the path I will follow. There is a reason I am the one who found her. I do not know what that reason is, but the goddess has a plan. I am sure of it.”
Katem claps my shoulder. “I believe you are right. You will be a great baba to this kit.”
“Your words ease my spirit.” My focus returns to Stella, who continues to stare up at us, her gaze sharp as though she is taking in all that we say.
“How will you feed her?” Daveel asks.
“There are many nenes back in the village. They will know.” Yes, it is a concern, as is how I will still hunt or scout with a kit, but I will make it work.
All my life I have wanted a keeshla. A fated mate sent by Deeka only for me.
But almost more than that, I have wanted to be a baba.
To have kits of my own. To teach them all the things mine taught me.
Things like how to track and hunt. How to fight.
How to catch peshku from the river and cook them to perfection over a fire.
How to explore the hills and the forest and all the other parts of Tavikh.
More importantly, he taught me how to be kind and generous with not only his time, but his affection. Now that I have claimed Stella as my own kit, she and I will do all these things together.
“You both should continue your hunt. I will take my kit back to the village and speak with the shefira.”
“Good luck and many blessings to you,” Katem says.
“You have my thanks.” I fist my chest and head in the direction of the village.
Stella is far quieter than any of the other kits that have been birthed by the mates of my tribe brothers, especially Niella.
Of course, now that the Bohnari have supplied Evren and Astrid with a special type of milk that her small body can drink without causing her stomach to be upset, she does not fuss as much.
Perhaps they will be willing to share this special milk with me so that I may feed Stella.
Before long, the village entrance appears before me. Jodah and Evren—who has remained close by to his mate and newborn kit—guard it.
“You have returned early,” Jodah remarks. “What have you brought back with you?”
With great pride, I present Stella to them. They both rear back in surprise.
“Where did you find a human kit?” Evren asks.
“Deep in the forest. Someone had hidden her within a nenuphar bush.”
“She?” Jodah questions.
I nod. “Aye. Her name is Stella, according to the words her nene attached to her coverings. Forgive me, but I need to seek out the shefira.”
With that, I hurry past them and begin my search for London.
She is often with the kits at this time for their lessons by the river, so I head there first. Deeka is with me, because seated on the bench the shefir had crafted for her, is his mate.
At her feet are five kits, each of them with their heads bent as they craft letters on special leather implements made for that purpose.
She turns at my approach and gives me a warm smile.
“Greetings, Zalik. Is all well?”
“Aye, but I am in need of some assistance.” When I reach her, I offer the bundle in my arms.
London’s brow wrinkles. She takes it from me and sucks in a sharp breath, jerking her head up. “A baby? Where did you find it?”
Again, I share the story of how I found Stella and the human words she came with.
The shefira locates the material which contains them and observes for herself what they say.
She lifts her gaze to mine once more. “I’ll talk to Zander and see how he wants to proceed.
In the meantime, I’m sure we can find a foster home for her until a decision is made. ”
I bow my head. “With all due respect, Shefira, Stella remains with me. I am the one who found her, and I will be the one who will care for and protect her with my life.”
London’s eyes widen. “Are you sure you want to take on the responsibility of a baby? Especially one currently without her mother?”
“I will be both nene and baba to her until I have found my keeshla. Then, together we will provide Stella with all the things she may need.”
The shefira looks down at my kit and back up at me. “What happens if her birth parents come looking for her?”
Already my heart breaks at the thought of having to give her up, but I will do whatever is best for Stella. “If they are able to care for her the way a nene and baba should, then it is only right that she be with them. Until that time comes though, I will ensure she is safe.”
London’s mouth flattens. “We have to give her back if they ask.”
Gently, I take Stella from the shefira. “If returning her means her life will be in danger, then I will not. We will leave the village and go elsewhere. No matter the consequences, I will not allow her to leave with any human who tries to take her from me if it means she will be unsafe and unprotected.”
London sighs, but I do not bend. Nothing and no one will harm this kit.