Chapter 5
Katem
As I head for the main entrance of our village, several warriors not present during the previous turn’s evening meal offer their congratulations on my mating.
An event I continue to reel from. I, Katem of the Tavikhi, have finally been gifted with a mate.
One who is not only beautiful in looks, but also in spirit.
Piper radiates kindness.
There is something else as well. Some other emotion that feels heavy. I have yet to determine what it is exactly. It almost has the weight of grief, but I am not fully certain.
“You are off to visit with your mate?” Rassim asks from his post.
I nod. “Piper has a wish to see something called the…I cannot recall the Earth name, but it is a large body of water. I am taking her up into the hills to show her the ujera and hope it is close to what she is seeking.”
“The weather is perfect for the trip. I hope she enjoys it.”
“As do I.” I fist my chest, and he returns the gesture.
Talek had been the only one bold enough to ask why my mate had not returned with me to the village.
Of course, the kit has never been reluctant or hesitant to constantly ask questions.
Even ones that are not appropriate. Sorin encourages him, since his nene Iris says asking questions is the only way to learn.
Piper did not appear ready to fully accept the fact we are mates, and as difficult as it might be, I will be patient.
We have the rest of our lives to spend together.
I can wait until she is ready to leave the human settlement and reside here, in the village, with me.
I will even concede to living with the humans if that is what she prefers, although it will be an adjustment.
But no less of one than I would ask of her by coming here.
My trek through the forest is a quick one.
I am anxious to see Piper so I do not waste time.
Far faster than I have ever made the trip, I reach the gates of the settlement that are open.
The two males that stand at attention on either side of the entrance track my movements.
I nod in greeting, but continue walking passed them.
It is when I am halfway across the length of the village that I realize I do not know which tent belongs to my mate.
“Can I help you?” An elder female approaches.
“I am looking for Piper.”
The female takes in my mating marks and raises one of the furred lines above her eyes. “Her tent is in the back. I can take you there.”
“You have my thanks.”
With the elder in the lead, we make our way through the settlement.
The humans are familiar enough with the Tavikhi that our presence is not worthy of much attention now.
At last, we come to a stop in front of a tent that is barely big enough for one person.
Piper will have far more room sharing a tent with me than she does now.
I smack the door flap to announce myself. Only two beats pass before it swings back and my keeshla appears. Her eyes are red and there are dark smudges beneath them as if she did not sleep well. Yet her face lights up in a way that causes my soul light to brighten in response.
“Good morning, Katem.”
“Blessed morning to you. Are you well?”
Piper waves me off. “I’m fine. Just need to put my shoes on and I’ll be ready, I think.”
“I shall wait out here.”
“Thank you.” She ducks inside and my gaze wanders around the settlement.
Will there ever come a time when my mate does not say she is fine? That she will share her burdens with me? My hope is yes, she will. In the meantime, I will continue to be present and perhaps soon, Piper will realize she does not always have to pretend to be fine.
As she predicted, only moments pass and she steps out of her tent.
I scan the length of her. She is suitably attired in a chest covering that suits her coloring and long leg coverings that are trim in the waist and follow the curved flare of her hips.
Her foot coverings appear sturdy and good for walking.
I lift my gaze and meet Piper’s eyes. Her cheeks have darkened, but she does not glance away.
“Is my outfit acceptable for hiking?”
“You look perfect.”
Her smile is shy and small, but I can tell my compliment pleases her. “Thank you.”
“Shall we begin our journey?”
She breathes in deeply and straightens her shoulders. “Let’s go.”
With my keeshla at my side, we make our way out of the settlement and toward the hills in the distance. I let Piper set the pace.
“I brought water and a few things to eat so if you get hungry or thirsty, you need only let me know.”
“Oh my god, I didn’t even think to ask if I should bring anything. I’m sorry.” She touches my arm briefly, but I feel it throughout my entire body.
“There is no need to be sorry. I will make sure you are taken care of.” Always.
“Thank you.” Piper chuckles. “I feel like I’m always thanking you for something.”
“Will you cease if I tell you it is not necessary?” I offer her a smile.
“Probably not.”
“Then think nothing more of it and know that everything I do for you is done with my pleasure.”
Piper pauses in the middle of the field, forcing me to stop as well and face her.
“Are all Tavikhi males like you?”
I cock my head. “I do not understand your question.”
She flails her hand around. “You’re so…sweet and…nice. Don’t you ever get upset or angry?”
Based on Piper’s tone, it is evident that she feels those things.
“Of course I do. Were you not the one who pointed out my annoyance at Evren and Rojtar?”
“That’s different,” she says. “Anyone would have got aggravated at their teasing. Don’t you ever just get angry at the world where you want nothing to do but scream out your rage?”
“I did when the Krijese killed my baba and nene.” The anger that flowed through my body had nearly destroyed me. “But even anger did not bring them back.”
Piper’s shoulders sag and she sighs. “You’re right. Getting angry doesn’t change things.”
I cradle her jaw. “No, it does not, but that does not mean we cannot still feel those emotions. Perhaps it would be better to purge the anger, rather than hold it inside or pretend it does not exist. Thank you for that reminder.”
My mate stares at up me with her deep brown eyes. I almost swear I can see my soul light reflected back at me.
“I pretend my anger doesn’t exist sometimes,” Piper admits. “Mostly because, these days, I’m always angry.”
I swallow the urge to ask what it is that angers her, because I suspect she is not ready to tell me. My patience is an overflowing well when it comes to my keeshla. I will wait until she trusts me enough.
An overwhelming need to mouth touch with her fills me, but, instead, I press my lips to her brow. Piper’s eyes close and she leans into me.
Several beats pass before she finally opens them. “We should probably get going again.”
“Yes, we have much distance to travel.”
Once again, we head toward the hills at a slower pace than I would go if I were alone. But I am now given the opportunity to do what I would not normally and that is enjoy my surroundings and the simple company of the female at my side.
I understand why a walk with my mate would be considered a date. We are alone together, learning about each other. There is the happiness of knowing that I belong to Piper as much as she belongs to me.
“What are some of the other things on this list you created?” The journey will give me time to think of how to accomplish her tasks.
She startles as though not expecting me to speak.
“Oh, um, let me see.” She glances quickly over to me. “I’d like to learn how to make pottery. Like bowls or plates. Cups. Maybe even a vase I can fill with water and a bunch of flowers I can put in my tent for something pretty to look at.”
“We have a few elders who are skilled in this kind of task. None of the kits have shown much interest in learning so I am sure they would be pleased to have someone to teach.”
Piper’s eye widen and glow. “Really?”
“I cannot speak for them, but when I return to the village, I will be more than happy to ask. Alesha or her mate may be willing.”
She squeals and claps her hands. I delight in her happiness. “That’s incredible. I can’t wait.”
“There are two things we are attempting to remove from your list. What else?” It is my hope they are all as simple and easy as the first two.
“I want to learn how to swim.”
“You do not know how?” Swimming is taught to the kits as early as possible since the river runs so close to our village.
Piper shakes her head. “There wasn’t any place to learn in the bottom tier except the river, but it was a cesspool of bacteria and who knows what else. I know people who risked getting sick, but I wasn’t taking that chance.”
We have nearly reached the base of the hills. The walk from here will be more strenuous as we ascend.
“Luckily our rivers are clean and mostly calm. If this is a skill you wish to learn, we will need to begin soon. Otherwise, it will be the next warm season before we will be able to mark that off your list as accomplished.”
“No, I can’t wait that long.”
I cant my head at Piper’s phrasing. “We will not, then.”
“Good, thank you.”
“So we have three tasks to work on and hopefully we will complete one of them this turn.”
Piper turns her smile on me again. “I hope so, too.”