Chapter 8
Riley
I’ve been sitting here, anxiously waiting for Stella to wake up.
It’s been harder than I thought it would be to not coax her from sleep, but I’ve remained strong.
Then she shifts. I bolt from my position at the end of Zalik’s bed to the small pallet where I’d finally laid her.
Alert blue eyes blink up at me and tears fill mine.
“Hi, baby girl. It’s your mommy.” I swoop Stella up in my arms and breathe in her baby fragrance. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I get to my feet and pace with her held tightly in my arms, afraid that if I loosen my grip for even a second someone will take her from me.
As usual, she’s quiet. No fussing or anything.
She’s been like that since she was born.
Alice says she’s never seen anything like it before.
Whatever it is, I’ll take it. Although, Stella could cry continuously and I still wouldn’t care because we’d be together.
She’s a part of Lara. The only part left.
Walking the length of Zalik’s tent, I glance around for a better look.
I hadn’t paid much attention when he brought me in here.
I’d only cared that Stella was finally back in my arms. His tent is surprisingly clean and neat.
It’s also more than twice the size of mine.
Between Lara and me it had been a tight fit, but we’d made it work.
After she was gone, I’d missed having to squish together to sleep.
But even with two adults and a baby, Zalik’s tent is spacious. Definitely made with a family in mind.
Thinking of families draws my eyes to his bed.
It’s nothing more than a massive pile of furs, but I can’t stop wondering if it’s as comfortable as it looks.
Or how he would look reclined in it wearing nothing but a smile.
My face gets hot from the image, but my imagination has never been anything but vivid.
No matter that I’ve never seen a Tavikhi without clothes on, I picture Zalik stroking a hard cock.
I picture one that is somewhat human in shape and form.
What I imagine would be a perfect specimen.
Not too long, but long enough to feel and possessing a nice, thick, but comfortable girth.
A penis that stretches just before the point of pain.
There’s a slapping sound at the door flap, and before I can give the okay to enter, Zalik steps through the entrance. Mortification sweeps over me that I’d just been having dirty thoughts about him. Especially while carrying Stella.
He stops just inside the doorway and inhales. “What is that odor?”
Panicked that he can smell my arousal, I swivel in circles and look everywhere but at Zalik.
“I think our kit needs changed,” he says, coming closer.
“Oh…oh yeah…you’re probably right.” I head over to the chest where he’d said the diapers were stored to keep him from getting any closer.
Zalik stops and watches me with a strange expression. “Are you well?”
“Me?” my voice pitches high. “I’m fine. Just trying to hurry and get Stella changed.”
“I can help.” He takes another couple steps.
“No. Stop. I mean, it’s okay. I can handle it.”
Zalik continues staring, with his brow bones dipped inward like he’s trying to figure out what’s wrong with me. I’m not going to tell him. Thankfully, he stays where he is while I grab a diaper and get to work changing and cleaning up Stella.
“What did your shefir say?” I need to distract us both.
“He agrees that it is not safe for you to return to the human settlement, nor is it safe for Stella.”
That, I already knew. “He doesn’t think Stella belongs with her biological father?”
Most people I know would be appalled that someone—especially someone like me from the bottom tier—would dare keep a child from its blood parent.
“Dane has made it more than clear he only wishes for the kit in order to punish you. He cares nothing for her and it is obvious that he does not truly want her. Kits are a blessing from Deeka and should be treasured. Not used as punishment or bargaining tools.”
I finish adjusting and fastening the cloth diaper around Stella and pick her up. I look at Zalik.
“So if it’s not safe for me to return to the settlement. I guess that means my decision whether to stay here or not is made.”
He slowly approaches and palms the side of my face. I can’t help but lean into his touch. “If you do not wish to live here, then I will help you find somewhere else where you will be safe. No one will force you to remain here. On my honor.”
“You would really let Stella and me leave?” It sounds too good to be true.
Zalik fists his chest. “I swear it.”
My decision has already been made, but hearing him promise cements it for me.
“I’m staying. With you and Stella. Here.” Not only for protection, but also because I want to see what this thing between Zalik and me is.
“My heart is filled with joy at this news,” he says.
Surprisingly, so is mine. This is the first time since before Lara died that I don’t feel like I’m drowning. Stella lets out a small whimper.
“It is near her feeding time,” Zalik tells me. “I will get milk ready for her.”
“Thank you.”
While he rummages through the second chest, I take a seat in the single chair that sits beside the table. Always inquisitive, Stella stares up at me, patiently waiting. She has Lara’s eyes, so big and full of wonder at the world around her.
“When you get old enough, I’ll tell you all about your first mother. How much fun we had growing up. How much you look like her.” I stroke Stella’s cheek. “She was beautiful. Inside and out. Always kind. So excited for you to get here. I wish you could have had more time with her and she with you.”
“Here.” Zalik hands me a makeshift bottle.
It’s not what I’m used to, but it works. Stella latches on and her tiny hands come up to wrap around the wide cylinder
“Your tribe sister sounds like a wonderful person.”
I smile remembering her, even if it’s a little sad. “Lara was the best.”
“I will make sure we never let her forget her first mother.”
“Lara would love that.”
“Anything for you and our kit.” Zalik crouches at my feet and caresses Stella’s cheek.
“Why didn’t you give her to another family after you found her?” I’ve been curious about that since he first called Stella his. “You’re a single guy—or you were single, anyway. What possessed you to claim a baby as yours?”
“The moment I held her in my arms, I knew. It was as though Deeka spoke to my heart. She sent you both to me knowing we were meant to be a family.”
I smile. “I like that. After my mom died, Lara was my only family. I never thought I’d have another one.”
“After my nene and baba traveled to the land of our ancestors, neither did I.” He gazes down at Stella and the love in his eyes is impossible to ignore.
“Stella and I are lucky to have you.”
Zalik looks up at me. A similar glow of emotion shines from him as our eyes meet. “I think it is me who is lucky.”
In that moment, something shifts inside me. There’s no chance I won’t fall for him. It’s going to be a losing battle. “For the first time since losing Lara, I feel hopeful for the future.”
Zalik threads his fingers through my hair and kisses me softly. “You have brought me much hope as well. My heart swells knowing I am able to do the same for you.”
Content, we sit together and watch Stella finish eating. Once she’s burped and heavy-lidded, Zalik goes over to a third chest and draws out a length of material.
“I thought, perhaps, I could give you a formal tour of our village. You can carry Stella wrapped in the sling I have crafted for her. She enjoys visiting and observing.”
“That would be lovely.” I’m a little nervous still about Dane despite Zalik’s reassurances, but I know I’ll have to fully trust him at some point. I might as well start now.
He teaches me how to wrap Stella within the material and then around me so she’s secure. I’d had something similar back at the settlement, but this thing is better.
“Ready?” Zalik asks.
I nod. “Ready.
We step outside, and I breathe in the fresh air.
I haven’t seen much of the village, but even just standing here, I can already feel the difference between this place and the settlement.
Within the settlement, there’s always this lingering hint of despair in the air.
That’s the only way I can describe it. It’s like every person brought a small piece of the bottom tier with them.
It’s just so heavy. Burdensome. Depressing.
Here, there’s so much activity. Almost as if there’s a constant hum in the air.
“I will show you where we bathe,” Zalik says.
The tribespeople we cross paths with greet us with a wave—the humans—or a head bow—the Tavikhi.
Several kids race around, playing with each other.
There’s the smell of food and an array of sounds, from the din of conversation to children laughing to the occasional crack that sounds like sticks being slammed against each other from somewhere in the near distance.
“There is the healers’ tent.” Zalik points out. “We have a Tavikhi healer and a human one. Sage is mated to Jodah, one of my closest tribe brothers. Zara—the human weapon maker—is mated to Kyler. Sadly, they are struggling to have a kit, although no one speaks of it in front of Zara.”
“I’m glad there are healers here. Alice is the closest thing we have to one back at the settlement.” Just thinking of her brings back memories of Stella’s birth and Lara’s death.
“They are both quite skilled. Also, the Bohnari left a few of their advanced devices here for severe emergencies.”
My forehead wrinkles. “Bohnari? You mentioned them once before.”
“They are our neighbors and allies from the planet Bohna. Eloise and Johnna were tribe sisters working on a ship that got attacked a little over three sun cycles ago. Eloise crashed here and Johnna crashed on Bohna, although neither knew it at the time. Now that they have reunited, the Bohnari visit more frequently than they did before. They are much more technologically advanced than us but are generous with sharing things whenever we might need something.”
“They’re good neighbors to have then.”
Zalik nods. “They are the best. I am sure you will meet them soon.”
“I look forward to it.” There are definitely things from Earth and the upper tier I miss. But I also know that Lara wouldn’t want me going back there. Not for anything.