Chapter 3
Katem
“Daveel says you met a female during the previous turn.” Evren tosses the dead dreri over his shoulder.
We have barely made it past the village border, so perhaps this is a sign of a good turn of hunting.
“Daveel talks too much.” I should have known he would tell the others about Piper.
“Is it true?” Rojtar asks as we set off to continue our hunt.
Neither of them will let the topic go, so I might as well tell them.
“She was one of the humans that arrived on the same ship as Iris. I spotted her walking during my scouting shift and, because she was alone, I did not think it safe for her to continue. I escorted her for the remainder of her voyage and then made sure she returned safely to the human settlement.”
“Did you ask her if you could touch her?” Evren asks with far too much excitement. “To see if perhaps she is your keeshla?”
I shake my head in disbelief. “You have heard the shefira tell all the unmated males not to ask any female that. It will cause them to become uncomfortable in our presence.”
Rojtar and Evren both nod. Like they had forgotten the fact. Which is not surprising, since they are both mated. Why would they need to be reminded not to ask a female if they are allowed to touch them when they have no desire to do so? They have already found their keeshlas.
“Will you go to the settlement to ask her if she would like to go on another date?” Evren adjusts his hold on the dreri.
“We did not have a first date.” I point out.
“Did the two of you not go walking together with no specific destination in mind?” This comes from Rojtar.
I narrow my gaze. “Yes.”
He nods as if I gave the correct answer. “Then you had a date already. The human females have said that is what one can consist of. A male and female agree to go for a walk and learn about each other. So, if you did these things, then you and your female did a date.”
Is this true? Yes, I did learn a few things about her, but surely what we did the previous turn does not qualify, does it?
Regardless, I do not have any intention of seeking her out for more walks.
As much as I wish for a keeshla, I am not sure I will be able to survive being disappointed again when the female turns out to be the mate of yet another male that is not me.
“So?” Rojtar presses. “Will you head for the human settlement in search of this female?”
“No.”
The two males share a confused look, and it is Evren who speaks first. “No? Why not?”
I ignore his question because I do not seek their pity. “We will not be able to bring any additional kills back to the village if you do not cease making so much noise.”
My pace quickens so I may widen the distance between the two of them and myself. Evren and Rojtar continue whispering amongst themselves, but I tune out their chatter. Instead, I focus on the forest surrounding us and look out for any sign of prey.
We barely travel much farther when a flash of color draws my attention.
I throw up my arm to signal I have spotted something.
Carefully, I creep forward, not making a sound on the padded ground beneath my feet.
Evren and Rojtar follow closely, both of them silent as well.
The flash of movement grows closer and whatever is traveling through the forest makes no effort to do so quietly.
I dart behind a tree and draw an arrow from the satchel at my back.
I nock it along my bowstring and take careful aim at the space where the creature will hopefully appear next.
Except what steps out from behind a distant bush is not a four-legged beast, but rather a beautiful two-legged female who is, once again, walking alone.
I slowly loosen the tension on my bow and step out from my hiding spot into full view of Piper, who startles and jerks her hand up to her chest.
“Katem, you scared me.” Her breathless voice is like a caress over my flesh.
“Did I not explain to you how dangerous it is to be walking through the trees without a weapon or an escort?” I stalk toward her, but she holds her ground.
“You might have mentioned something to that affect, but as you can see, I’m perfectly intact.” Piper sweeps her hands down the length of her upper body.
I cannot help but track the same path and appreciate just how intact she is.
“Greetings, female,” Rojtar calls out as he and Evren come to stand beside me.
She grins broadly. “Oh, hello. Are you Katem’s friends?”
The damned male nods and grins back. “I am Rojtar and this is Evren.”
Instead of fisting their chest as they both would have normally done, Evren reaches out a hand in the way Astrid taught him as a way to greet people.
Piper places her small palm within his and despite him being mated, an urge to rip him away from her rises up inside.
“It’s nice to meet you Evren. Rojtar. I’m Piper.”
“The pleasure is ours.” Evren glances at me and a devious spark flares in his eyes. “Katem was just speaking about you.”
I stare at him with retribution in my gaze.
“Oh?” she asks. “He was probably telling you what a menace I am and how he so kindly offered to walk with me yesterday when I was exploring the forest.”
“You are not a menace.” I am quick to defend her. Piper should not speak of herself so.
“That’s kind of you to say, but we both know you were frustrated by what you see as a disregard for my safety, both yesterday and again today.” She chuckles.
“I was not frustrated, merely concerned.”
“It may not appear that way, but I really do appreciate your concern.”
“We suggested to him that it would be nice if he asked you to go on another date,” Rojtar says, as if he is helping the situation.
Piper’s cheeks darken. “What do you mean ‘another’ date?”
Rojtar gestures between himself and Evren. “Our mates are human and they have described various kinds of dates humans go on back on Earth. We have gone on these so-called dates with them, which includes pleasant walks with each other.”
“Yes,” Evren adds. “Since Katem is still unmated and he has an interest in you, we were encouraging him to court you.”
I curse the males who are supposed to be my brothers. If it would not affect the entire village, I would wish for them to fail at hunting for the rest of the season. Instead, I will have to take my revenge in the training arena.
Although the amusement has returned to her eyes, Piper’s face turns an even darker color. One I did not know was possible for humans. She coughs so hard I worry she will hurt herself. I move to gently tap her back, but stop short of touching her.
“Are you well?” I ask her instead.
She holds up a finger, coughs a couple more times, but finally manages to clear her throat. “I’m fine now, thanks.”
“Please ignore them.”
“I think it’s sweet that they’re trying to play matchmaker for you.” Piper grins.
Sweet? Shurup nectar is sweet. The scent of the flowers on the lulebore bush is sweet. These two males are not sweet. They are devious. They are menaces.
“So,” Evren begins. “Would you consider allowing Katem to court you?”
Annoyed, I walk away and send a prayer up to Deeka that she punish the males who are supposed to be my brothers in whatever way she sees fit.
Fast approaching footsteps sound overly loud. Far too loud to be either Evren or Rojtar. Which leaves Piper.
“Katem, wait, please. They were only teasing you.”
I slow my pace, but do not stop. While she is correct—and under normal circumstances it would not bother me—but lately, I have become increasingly less quick to accept the good-natured jabs at my continued unmated status.
It is no longer something I can tolerate, especially from those who Deeka has blessed.
I am only further reminded of how lonely I am.
“Katem,” Piper calls out again.
Finally, I stop and whirl to face her.
She nearly collides with me, but braces herself before that happens.
“There was no need to follow me.”
Hurt flickers across her face. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I am well.”
Piper huffs. “You don’t have to pretend with me. It’s obvious you’re aggravated with your friends, which is understandable. Nobody wants to get put on the spot like that. I’m sorry.”
I wave her off. “You are not to blame.”
She nods. “I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel bad for their teasing. Especially since it was in regards to me.”
“I thank you for your apology—however unnecessary.”
“Maybe we could begin again since I feel like we sort of got off on the wrong foot?” She outstretches her arm. “Hi, I’m Piper.”
I stare at the hand that is far too close—yet not close enough. Fear rises up within me. An even greater emotion is present.
Longing.
Piper lowers her arm and her shoulders sag, defeated.
Before she is able to drop it the entire way, I catch her fingers with mine and clasp them gently.
A burning sensation spirals up my arm and along both my sides as dark, swirling lines appear on my flesh.
The heat traveling through my body travels directly to the center of my chest, and a light flares to life, shining brightly for all of Tavikh to see before fading to a warm glow.
My soul light.
I stare at the mating marks that grow darker with each passing beat of my heart, then shift my gaze to meet Piper’s eyes that have widened in wonder.
“What just happened?” she whispers and her voice is a soft caress over my heated skin.
I glance upward. I am sorry for doubting you.
“After all this time, Deeka has blessed me with a keeshla.” I cannot stop staring at Piper in awe.
This is why I was sent to scout the previous turn instead of being sent out with Jodah and Zedam to hunt.
This is how she sensed my presence when no one else should have been able to.
It was the goddess who placed this female in my path.
“What’s a keeshla?”
I glance to where our hands are still clasped together and rub my finger over hers. She has one more than I do, but all five of Piper’s are perfectly formed. Just like the rest of her.
“You are my keeshla. My fated mate. The one female that is meant for me. Deeka has brought us together.”