Chapter 25
Ortak
The heat of my mate’s body seeps deep into my flesh. Elodie has not roused since I replaced her chest and leg coverings I had removed prior to our mating and picked her up from the furs inside her tent to bring her to my own. I slept deeply with her tucked against me throughout the night.
Rustling sounds come from Gannen’s side of the tent. He sits up slowly and rubs the sleep from eyes that widen when they land on a sleeping Elodie. His gaze shoots upward to meet mine, and his silver eye stars spark to life.
I caution him to remain quiet so as to not disturb his new momo. Gannen jerks his head in a sharp nod and carefully rises from his furs. He is quiet as he moves around the tent, splashing water on his face and exchanging his leg coverings for a clean pair.
He tips his head toward the door and gestures that he’s leaving but will return. I acknowledge him and draw Elodie tighter into my side. She snuggles closer and releases a heavy sigh, but does not awaken. While I will have to rise soon as well, I want to enjoy the closeness of my mate for longer.
Given her reluctance to awaken early, this may be one of the few times I am able to hold her in the morning. When I join the other warriors and warlords for hunting, we will leave well before the morning meal, which means I must take advantage of this time together.
Perhaps Elodie senses my alertness or another thing draws her from her rest, because she shifts and her breathing changes. I glance down and watch as her eyes blink slowly open until they lock onto mine. The corners of her mouth curl upward until her lips part and her blunt human teeth are visible.
“Good morning,” she says quietly, her voice husky and breathless.
“Good morning.”
Elodie stretches and hums a sound that travels straight to my cock. I will the stiffness away since our kit could return any moment.
“Did you sleep well?”
She nods. “Extremely well. Getting dicked down will do that to a woman.”
I am uncertain of the exact meaning of her human words, but I believe I understand. Pride swells that I was able to satisfy my mate. Elodie gasps and shoots upright as she scans the tent. Slowly, she sags and throws her hands over her face with a harsh laugh.
“Thank god Gannen didn’t hear that.”
“What did I not hear?” Our kit steps back into our tent carrying a small bundle.
“Nothing,” my mate squeaks and lowers her arms to her sides. “What do you have there?”
He closes the distance and passes over a handful of nenuphar blooms. “A gift. You said you wished to add flowers to our tent in order to bring some color to it. Now that you and Gogo are mated, you will be sharing our dwelling with us?”
I open my mouth to caution Gannen against making assumptions once more, but Elodie beats me to it. “Is that what you and your gogo wish?”
Our kit’s head bobs quickly up and down. My mate turns my direction and waits for my answer. I have only one for her. “I wish.”
My hearts skip a beat at the smile she gives me. “I wish, too.”
I rub my cheek against Elodie’s in response. “We will take this turn to move your belongings in here then, if that is agreeable?”
She spears her fingers through my floks. “That’s very agreeable.”
“Come. Let us head to the central fire for the morning meal and then we will begin.”
I assist Elodie to standing and Gannen passes her crutches over. He leads the way out of our tent and through the village that has awoken and teems with activity. Hunters—including several Krijese—carrying various weapons stride past us with a nod of greeting.
“Morning,” Healer Sage calls out from nearby where she walks beside her mate who carries their kit.
“Good morning,” Elodie returns her greeting with a small wave of her fingers.
Sorin exits a tent in the not so far distance and runs toward us, coming up alongside Gannen. “I am going hunting with Benham, Cecily, Talek, and Talek’s gogo this turn. Would you like to join us?”
Our kit hesitates before shaking his head. “I have already committed to helping move my momo’s belongings to our tent.”
This is the first time Gannen has been invited on a hunt without me, and while it aches that he is growing up so fast, it will do him good. “Elodie and I can take care of everything. Go with them and bring back a great bounty.”
He looks between me and his momo, who sends him an encouraging smile and nod. After only a short pause, he jerks his chin at Sorin. “I will join you. Let me get my war axe.”
Before he takes off to our dwelling, Gannen throws his arms around Elodie.
She embraces him for several beats and he withdraws.
He casts a quick glance my direction and then runs back toward our tent while Sorin waits with us for his return.
Within a few short moments, he is with us again and the two kits rush off together with barely a backward glance.
Elodie strokes my chest, and I look down at her.
“He’ll be okay,” she says.
I am not surprised she is able to see the worry that plagues me. “My hope is that it will get easier each time.”
“No matter how old Gannen is, he’s still your son and you’ll always want to make sure he’s protected. That’s what it means to be a good parent, and you’re a great one, so of course it’s hard to see him become independent and not rely on you so much. It means you care.”
“We have only had each other for so long.”
Elodie rises up and kisses me. “You still have each other, but now you also have me. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I am glad for this.”
“Me too.” Her stomach makes a rumbling sound, and she splays her hand across it with a laugh. “It’s time to feed me.”
“Let us eat then.”
We continue on our way to the central fire where several of our combined tribe members have already arrived. I walk with Elodie to her favorite seat and once she is settled, I go and grab us both a bowl of kokkra, making sure I add a small bit of shurup nectar to hers.
She takes it from me with a word of thanks as I sit at her side. We eat in silence that is only interrupted by the occasional greeting from a new arrival to the fire. A sharp cry startles us and those around us.
“What was that?” Elodie asks, glancing around for its source.
The shefira darts out from behind a tent and runs in the direction of the cry.
Moments later, she reappears as part of a small cluster of females, including Healer Sage and the mate of Healer Kyler.
All five humans are crying, but yet there is joy spread across their faces as they walk together with their arms thrown over each other’s shoulders.
Iris approaches the fire. She too has tears in her eyes when she reaches us.
“Is everything okay?” Elodie asks softly.
Kala’s sivalla nods. “Zara’s pregnant. She just told the others.”
My mate gasps. “That’s wonderful.”
“Kyler and Eloise have already sent word to the Bohnari asking if he and Zara can travel to Bohna for the duration of the pregnancy. He doesn’t want to take any chances with the baby.”
“I’m sure everything will be fine, but I also don’t blame him for being cautious considering how long they’ve been trying,” Elodie says. “Sage told me it’s been over three years.”
Iris lays her hand over her chest and taps her fingers and makes a soft sound. “I know how difficult it’s been for them and how frustrated Zara gets. I’m so happy for them.”
Worry fills me. What if I am unable to give Elodie the kits she wishes for?
Will she grow frustrated with me? Will she wish to take another mate?
One who has a better chance of getting her with kit?
Kala’s greatest fear was that Iris would not be able to give birth and that she would die in the process.
Far too many females did so when the other Krijese took from them.
“Ortak.” I blink away the racing thoughts and focus my attention on Elodie, who has once again pressed herself against me and caresses my chest. “You were pretty far into your head just now. What put that look on your face?”
Iris is no longer standing with us. I am surprised I missed her departure. I hesitate to speak the truth, but decide it is best to know now. “I was thinking about what would happen if I was unable to give you a kit.”
Elodie strokes my cheek, and I lean into her touch.
A rumble of pleasure vibrates through my chest at the softness of her hand against my flesh.
“You’ve already given me a kit. Gannen is just as much my child as if I birthed him myself.
If he’s the only one we have, then that just means I’ll have to spoil him a little bit more.
I love you and I love him. That isn’t going to change. I promise.”
I breathe out a heavy sigh. “I do not know what I have done to deserve a mate as wonderful as you.”
“You’re a good person and an amazing father.” Elodie rises up and brushes her lips between my mouth claws.
“Thank you, sivalla.”
“You are most welcome. Now, how about we eat and then start moving my things into my new home?” she smiles up at me.
It is not easy, but I do my best to give her my own smile in return. Elodie blinks, and a bubbling laugh spills from her as she pats my chest. “Let’s keep working on that.”
If my poor attempts will bring her as much joy as this first one, then I will smile at her every turn.