Chapter 11
Zalik
The evening meal approaches, which means it is time for Riley to awaken. Stella and I have been passing the time with a bath, eating, and playing with the various wooden blocks crafted into the shapes of animals that Rojtar made for her. They are her favorite thing to chew on.
Through it all, Riley slept on. I have only had uninterrupted sleep since bringing Stella back to the village. My mate has had four moon cycles of them. It is no wonder she is so tired. The stress of Dane’s arrival does not help either. Or his attempt to breach the entrance this turn.
As if sensing my regard, Riley stirs. She stretches and her eyes slowly open. It takes her a moment to become aware of us. She glances around and sits up.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep so late.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. It is clear you needed the rest. Stella and I have been keeping ourselves occupied. Is that not right, little one?” I gently bounce her in my arms.
Riley stands and approaches. She plays with Stella’s curls and speaks softly to her. Our kit smiles and coos.
My mate lifts her eyes to me. “She’s always so happy.”
“We have been blessed.”
Riley’s cheeks darken and she glances away before returning her gaze to mine. “Do you want more kids?”
I jerk at the question because it is not one I expected from her.
Not yet. She has barely accepted the idea we are mates.
Before responding, I study her a moment longer to try and read her expression, but Riley gives nothing away.
Since I spoke of only wanting honesty from her, it is only fair that I give her the same courtesy.
“I have always wanted to be a baba. While I am being given the opportunity with Stella, I do not want her to be my only kit. So, if it is Deeka’s will, and you wish for more as well, then, yes, I wish for more kits.”
Riley speaks, but she lowers her eyes to look at Stella.
“I never really gave much thought to having kids back on Earth. Mostly because I was in this weird place of not belonging. The people in the bottom tier treated me as if I were a traitor. Like I’d turned my back on them because Lara didn’t treat me like a servant.
The people in the upper tier, though, never let me forget where I really came from—where I actually belonged.
It certainly wasn’t with them. How was I supposed to raise a baby like that? ”
“That must have been difficult for you.” I cannot imagine living in a world where I was not fully accepted.
Riley lifts a shoulder. “I tried not to think about it too much. The things I didn’t have or even wanted to have, I mean.”
“Things like kits.”
Finally, she lifts her gaze to mine. “Yeah.”
“And now?”
“And now that I feel as though I might have finally found my place, I worry that if I want too much, someone’s going to take it all away from me.”
There is nothing I can do that I have not already done to convince Riley she is safe and protected. That no harm will come to her or our kit. It is now something she will have to discover for herself. It is a good thing I am the most patient of males.
“We do not have to come to any decisions this turn.”
There is plenty of time for our lives to become less worrisome. I need to get Dane to return to Earth. However, those thoughts are for another turn.
“You’re right,” Riley agrees.
“I was thinking on something while you were resting. Before the evening meal begins, we should return to the settlement for your things.” While there are chest and leg coverings in the storage tent, I am sure my keeshla wishes for her own belongings.
“God, I didn’t even think about that.” She glances at Stella and bites her bottom lip.
“I know you only just got your kit back, but she will be safe for the short time we will be gone. If Alesha and Wakiel are not able to watch her until we return, there are any other number of tribespeople who would be happy to do so. We are all family and help each other.”
Riley nods. “I’m not normally this needy, I swear. Dane being here really has me rattled—unsettled.”
“That is perfectly understandable.”
She straightens and takes a deep breath. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Do you wish to walk with me to speak with Alesha or would you like to stay here and clean up before we head out?”
“Would you mind terribly if I came with?” Riley ducks her head sheepishly.
“Of course not. Getting to spend time with my mate is always a pleasure.”
She laughs and I savor the sound. “You, sir, are a flirt.”
“This is a good thing?”
Riley rises up and kisses me. “It’s a very good thing.”
“Then I will be sure to continue being this flirt.” There is nothing nearly as satisfying as knowing I am pleasing to my mate.
Having her in my tent at last is more than I could have ever hoped.
“Only if you don’t mind me being a flirt back.”
My tail wraps around Riley and I tug her closer, taking care not to squash Stella between us. “You, my beautiful keeshla, are welcome to be a flirt with me as often as you wish.”
She giggles and caresses my chest. “Good to know.”
If I do not want to get further distracted, and perhaps never leave our tent, I have to release my hold. Reluctantly, I unravel my tail from Riley’s waist. “Come, before it gets too late.”
She pouts but there is a playful gleam in her eye. “Fine.”
We leave our tent and make our way through the village to where the elders reside. The goddess is with us this turn, because Wakiel is outside. He greets us warmly.
“A pleasure to see you again,” he says.
I bow my head. “You as well.”
“How may I be of help?”
“Riley and I need to travel to the human settlement so she can get her belongings. But with the new humans here, it is not safe for us to take Stella. Would you be able to care for her during our trip there and back?”
Wakiel holds his arms out for our kit and I place her in them. “Alesha and I are always willing to watch over this little one any time you need us to. Never be afraid to ask.” He strokes Stella’s hair fondly.
“You have our thanks. We will return soon.” I bow my head once more in gratitude.
Before Riley can hesitate or change her mind, I draw her away from Wakiel and our kit. “She will be well.”
“I know,” she says. “It’s just harder than I thought to leave her again.”
“She is a well-loved kit and lucky to have you as her nene.”
We walk out the village entrance and into the trees. The weather is still pleasant enough with a light wind and the sun shining, but before we are ready, the full cold season will be upon us. At least this coming one I will have a mate to keep warm in my furs.
“I was going to donate Stella’s clothes to a woman with a third baby on the way if she has a girl, but now I wonder if I should go ahead and bring them with me,” Riley says. “I feel bad doing that though since I already told Maggie she could have them.”
“Kits grow so quickly and do not wear coverings for long. There are several storage chests filled with coverings—male and female alike—that we can choose from if we run out. So, if that is your concern, then no need to worry.”
Riley bobs her head. “They do outgrow clothes so fast. Even if it’s only another couple of weeks until Maggie gives birth, Stella probably won’t be able to wear half of her clothes anyway.
I’ll just leave it all for the Vaughns or any other family who might need baby clothes.
Besides, it would look weird if I took it all with me. ”
“Yes, we do not want anyone questioning your story in regards to what happened to our kit.”
My keeshla groans. “I wish he would go away.”
It is my wish as well, but he has already proven he is going to cause as many problems as he is able.
The shefir has cautioned me about this male, but has given his full support to handle him in any way that proves necessary.
He will not be the first male who suffers the consequences of being a danger and threat to a Tavikhi mate.
“I will do whatever it takes to ensure he goes.”
“Every minute he spends on this planet is another minute I worry,” Riley says.
I thread my fingers through hers. “I know, and I am sorry for that.”
“Thank you for not trying to minimize the problem or tell me not to worry. I can’t stop.”
Asking her to stop worrying would be like asking the sky not to drop cold dust during cold season. “Being worried is a reasonable emotion.”
Riley snorts. “Tell that to nearly every human guy. I’m not sure any of them got the message.”
“When Dane returns to your old planet, I will make sure he takes the message back with him.”
She bursts out laughing. “Yes, please do that.”
By now, we have nearly made it across the long length of the bari field to the dense forest that separates the human settlement from our village.
A branch snaps nearby and I draw Riley behind me just as Dane and two other males step out of the trees in front of us.
All three are armed while I only carry the blade at my waist.
“I knew you’d have to leave the village at some point.” Dane strolls forward as if he has no cares. He glares at me. “Not so tough when you don’t have a bunch of your other aliens around are you?’
If he thinks I fear him, then he is mistaken. He is even more so if he believes me to be truly alone. I hear the call of a mellenje at my back.
“You are not welcome on our planet any longer.” He was told this earlier when he was at our village gates.
Dane sneers. “I don’t really care what you have to say, alien. I’m not leaving until I get what I came for.”
“And you have been told, more than once, that what you seek is gone. Why do you appear to have trouble understanding that?” I rest my hand on the hilt of my blade, not intimidated in the least at this show of aggression.
“I don’t believe any of you.” Dane says. “It’s clear you’re having trouble understanding I’m not going anywhere.”
“Perhaps I should just kill you and be done with it then.” I take a threatening step forward, but Riley grabs my arm to stop me.
Dane and the other two males stumble back several steps before finally drawing their weapons. It is clear they are not familiar with how to wield them properly.
“How dare you fucking threaten me.”
“I will dare even more if you do not cease bothering me and my mate.”