Chapter 9
Katem
It hurts to see Piper not feeling well. Even though she says she is well, it is evident she is not. There are dark smudges beneath her eyes and her color off.
“If you are not too fatigued, would you like to walk with me to the village? Alesha says she would be happy to teach you how to make clay items, but she wanted to discuss a few details with you. If not this turn, then perhaps another.”
Piper’s eyes widen and she makes an excited noise. “Truly? I’d love to go.”
“Would you like to wait until the next turn?”
She scrambles to her feet. “We can go now, if that’s okay?”
Her anticipation is a joy to witness. I rise as well and give her my hand. “It is more than okay.”
Piper skips along beside me, clearly feeling more energized than before.
Even stopping to smell various blooming bushes, we make good time.
She carries a lone lulebore bloom I plucked for her and every so often brings it up to her nose to smell.
Each time she does this, she grins up at me as if I have given her the most precious gift.
Yet, it is she who presents me with one whenever she smiles.
Daveel and Zalik guard the entrance. Their mutual looks of envy dim my happiness slightly. Both males are honorable and wonderful tribe brothers who deserve to find their keeshlas just as I have.
“Greetings, brothers. This is Piper, my mate.” I lay my fist over my heart. “Piper, this is Daveel and Zalik.”
“Hello.” Piper mimics my gesture. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
They both do the same, and I can tell the greeting pleases them immensely.
“The honor is ours,” Daveel says.
We continue past them and further into the village. I can feel the stares of both males against my back. Piper’s head swivels as she takes in the controlled chaos.
“I didn’t realize there were so many children,” Piper notes. “Human ones as well.”
Nearly all the kits, including the youngest who are able to walk, chase after each other, laughing and having fun. The Tavikhis’ small tails thrash behind them which always fills my heart. For far too long there were only a handful of kits. Our village has grown much in such a short time.
“We continue to celebrate each new birth.”
Tribe members—Tavikhi and human alike—observe us as we stride toward the rear of the village where the elders have all chosen to reside.
They have their own central fire for when they cannot—or do not want to—join us at the main fire.
Zander and London have moved closer to the elders so they can assist with anything if needed.
“How many tribe members live here?” Piper asks.
“Well over a hundred and growing.” I point at a large tent we pass. “That is the healing tent where Kyler and Healer Sage work. Between the two of them, there is much they can heal.”
That same grief I continue to witness rises to the surface in Piper’s gaze.
“Katem,” a male voice calls out in greeting.
The shefir walks toward us with a small kit on his hip. Dasha has her tail wrapped around his forearm. We all come to a stop together and I fist my chest.
“Shefir, may I introduce my mate? This is Piper.”
Similar to Evren, he reaches out his hand. My keeshla places hers within, but instead of shaking it, Zander bows his head over it and rests his brow bones against her knuckles.
“It is an honor to welcome you as our newest tribe sister, Piper.”
“Thank you.” Her voice cracks and she coughs to cover it up.
Zander rises. “This is Dasha.”
His kit places her tiny fist over her chest causing Piper to “awww”. Because Dasha enjoys the production, I salute her in return.
“Greetings to you as well, little one.”
The kit grins, showing off several teeth. Piper laughs and my heart swells.
“My mate has a desire to learn clay making and Alesha offered to show her. I have brought Piper to speak with the elder.”
The shefir turns his gaze to my mate. “That is wonderful news. With as quickly as our tribe is growing, we can always use more items.”
Piper’s cheeks darken. “I could be terrible at it, so I wouldn’t get too excited just yet.”
Zander chuckles. “I am sure whatever you might craft will be perfectly acceptable.”
“I’ll remind you of those words if the time comes,” she says with a grin.
The shefir’s chuckle turns to a booming laugh. “I am sure you will. My shefira would do the same. Katem is truly blessed to have a strong mate. When you are ready, we would like to celebrate your mating with a feast and drink.”
Piper looks startled. “Oh, that’s very kind of you.”
Zander dips his head. “Forgive me, but I must go find my shefira.”
He and Dasha continue their journey in search of London, while I place my hand on Piper’s lower back and lead her toward the elders once more.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she says.
“It is my pleasure.”
Piper bites at her lower lip. I have observed her do this when she is nervous. As much as do not wish to push, often a small nudge is necessary.
“Do not ever be afraid to speak up if there is anything you wish to say.”
She nods and clears her throat. “I was just thinking that maybe it would be easier for us to work on the things on my list if I were staying in the village.”
I try to speak, but Piper holds up her finger to stop me. “I’m not saying I’m ready right this minute, but it’s an idea for me to think on.”
With my hand on her arm, I draw us to a stop. “When you are ready, I will be happy to help move your things here. When you are ready. I will not once mention it, so you have nothing to fear. Everything will be on your terms, in your time.”
To my great delight, Piper walks into my arms and embraces me tightly. “I don’t know what I did to deserve someone as kind as you, but thank you.”
I hold her against me, enjoying the way she feels for however long she’ll allow it. Too soon, her embrace loosens so I make mine as well. She steps away, but smiles up at me.
“Come.”
We start off again and soon, we arrive at the elders’ area. Since it is just after the evening meal and still early, most of the elders have gathered around the fire. Several pass around a jug—no doubt filled with their special brew. They glance up at our arrival.
I bow my head. “Greetings. This is my keeshla, Piper.”
Echoes of greetings fill the air as they all welcome her.
She lays her fist on her chest. “It is an honor to meet you all.”
“Come and sit.” Nellora calls out and pats the spot next to her. “Drink.”
Piper glances at me and I nod. Slowly, she walks over and lowers herself to the ground next to Jodah’s nene.
I take a seat on my mate’s other side. Wakiel hands me the jug, and I take a sip.
The potent brew leaves a warm trail down my throat and pools in my belly.
I pass it to Piper with a softly spoken word of caution.
She carefully takes a drink as well. Her eyes water, but she manages to control her reaction with nothing more than a small cough.
The elders glance at her with admiration.
“It is truly a blessing by Deeka that another one of our males is mated,” one says.
A chorus of agreements ring out.
“Alesha has told us she will be teaching you how to craft items from clay.” This comes from Alesha’s mate.
“That is my hope. I’ve never done it before so there’s no telling how things will turn out. I could be an utter failure.” Piper shrugs.
“Aye, you could be.” Alesha joins the circle and sits next to her mate. “Or you could excel at it. It is up to you. Greetings, Katem’s mate. I am Alesha.”
“No disrespect intended, elder, but Piper is more than just my mate. She is her own person and should be addressed as such.” I bow my head to soften any harshness in my words.
“You are right, Katem.” Alesha turns to my keeshla. “My apologies. Greetings, Piper.”
“No apologies are necessary, but I thank you, regardless. Greetings, Alesha.”
The jug has reached me again and I take a drink before once more handing it to Piper. She leans over.
“I haven’t eaten much today. I’m not sure having anymore would be a good idea.”
“Do not worry. You do not have to drink any more.” I pass it over to Nellora instead. “While you speak with Alesha, I will get you something to eat. Perhaps some bread and broth? It will be easy on your stomach.”
“My appetite really isn’t there, but I should try to eat a little bit. Thank you.”
I dip my head. “I will be right back.”
Quickly, I get to my feet and head for the main fire where there is always some food left over from the evening meal. The elders will look after Piper for the short time I am away.
Maeve and Benham linger near the central fire.
Before they were mated, Maeve would disappear nearly as soon as the meal was over.
Apparently she came to Tavikhi with many secrets, although the only people who know them are Benham, the shefira, and their other three tribe sisters.
Perhaps she could become a close tribe sister to Piper.
“Greetings, Benham and Maeve.”
“Katem.” The large warrior acknowledges me and his mate smiles and waves.
“My mate is visiting with the elders while I get her some food. It would be an honor if you were able to meet her. She is a bit nervous.”
Maeve strokes Benham’s chest. “We should go and make her feel welcome.”
He sighs, but nods. “Zara has already taught our kit several bad habits. I am sure longer in her presence will not make it worse.”
Maeve grins, but ducks her head, so only I witness it.
“Thank you. Let me grab a bowl, and I will take you to her.”
Perhaps if Piper sees how welcoming everyone is, she will realize sooner that this could be her home. I swore I would not ask her again to move here, but that does not mean I cannot show her how wonderful being a part of our village is.