Chapter 8
Elodie
My heart breaks for how lonely Gannen is.
Hearing him describe his village and the people in it makes me realize how starved for affection he must be.
Not necessarily from Ortak, because it’s clear he cares for his son.
Loves him. But I’m gathering it’s not easy for the Krijese to show that love and caring.
How can it be when all they’ve known is war?
Gannen finally takes a breath and Ortak quickly interrupts. “We should make our way to the central fire.”
On cue, my stomach growls. I slap my hands over it and laugh. “I’m hungrier than I thought.”
“Would you like any of the burim root before we leave?” Ortak asks.
“No, thanks. I’m trying to wean myself off it. The stuff wipes me out, and it’s too early in the day to be falling asleep. With my luck, I’ll face plant right into my plate or bowl.”
The same rough scraping sound erupts from Gannen. It scared the hell out of me the first time I heard it. Until I realized he was laughing. Does Ortak ever laugh or smile?
“Moshi once did that,” the young Krijese says. “His eyes kept drifting shut and then…splat.”
I chuckle at the image. “It’s not anything I’d like to experience, so, yeah, I’ll pass on the burim root.”
The second I move to get up, Gannen is on his feet to help. He’s such a sweetheart. I could tell he was hurt when I didn’t jump at the chance to be his mother.
If only it were that simple.
“Thank you, kind sir.” His hair has a ropey texture against my skin.
He smiles up at me, which also freaked me out at first. I thought he was going to bite me.
Then I felt bad for thinking that. Once I’m standing on my good leg, Ortak appears at my side.
He’s just as tall as Kyler, which means he’s going to have to stoop a bit for me to get my arm over his shoulder. He does so without me asking.
I drape my arm over him and it’s nothing like touching the Tavikhi healer.
The second we’re skin-to-skin, a spark of electricity stings me.
I jerk, and so does Ortak. His head whips to the side and those pitch black eyes widen.
A tiny flare of silver bursts in the center, but it’s gone so fast I must have imagined it.
“Static, sorry.” That’s a reasonable explanation, right?
“It is fine.”
Fuck if that deep, gravelly rumble doesn’t give me goosebumps.
More embarrassing than that is the fact my nipples have gotten hard and achy.
Kill me now. Desperate to get to the central fire so I don’t have to touch Ortak anymore, I hop.
He scuffles forward to keep up with me since I nearly fall.
I keep my eyes forward and gauge the distance.
The central fire isn’t even visible yet.
Son of a bitch, I’m never going to make it all the way on my own.
My hops slow, but I don’t give up. My breathing is heavy and sweat drips between my boobs. I keep going, but then, my good leg gives out. Before I know what’s happening, Ortak scoops me up into his arms bridal style. I let out an undignified yelp and cling to his neck.
“You are a stubborn female.”
I huff a short laugh, because that’s the truth. “Guilty as charged.”
“Gogo often calls me stubborn as well,” Gannen announces, nearly running to keep up.
His father slows his steps.
“Being stubborn is a positive character trait, I say.” I refuse to believe otherwise.
The young boy nods so fast I’m scared his head’s going to topple right off his shoulders. “I say so too.”
Man, this kid is funny. The best part is, I don’t think he’s actually trying to be.
I glance around and finally spot the central fire where several people have already gathered, including a Krijese male who’s even bigger than Ortak.
Standing tucked into his side is a curvy blonde with a bright birthmark covering half her face.
She’s also missing her left hand. This must be Iris.
Which means the lumbering Krijese is their tribe leader.
The closer we get, heads turn and observe our approach.
My cheeks grow hot from the attention. It wouldn’t be so bad if Ortak wasn’t carrying me like we’re about to cross our marriage threshold.
Might as well make the best of it. I wave at those standing around the fire with a big smile on my face like I’m some kind of pampered princess being delivered by her trustworthy attendant.
Most of the people aren’t known to me, but there are a few faces I recognize like Kyler and Zara.
There’s also Astrid and Evren. Riley and Zalik, who has baby Stella secured in a support sling that’s wrapped around his chest and shoulders.
They all wave back and laugh. Others continue to stare without making it look like they’re staring.
Finally, we reach the small crowd that’s gathered and Ortak carefully lowers me to the ground.
He doesn’t remove the arm from behind my back, a fact I’m grateful for since I’m feeling a bit unsteady and out of breath still.
Gannen slides in close on my other side, and I feel strangely protected.
Kala and Iris walk over.
“Greetings,” the Krijese tribe leader says with a shallow incline of his head. “Ortak and Gannen have spoken of you often. I am Kala, and this is my sivalla Iris.”
To my surprise, he sticks out his hand in offering. I must take too long, because Gannen nudges me and leans in close.
“You are supposed to shake it,” he says in a whisper that isn’t anywhere near a whisper.
I rattle some sense back into myself and chuckle as I grasp Kala’s hand. “Sorry, yes. It’s nice to meet you both.”
Iris offers me hers next. “Gannen told us all where they found you. I am glad to see you are healing well.”
“Thank you. I’m definitely feeling better than I was that day, that’s for sure.”
She grins. “I imagine so.”
“Elodie is sharing a meal with us,” Gannen announces.
“We will let you get settled then,” Iris tells him and turns to me again. “It is lovely meeting you, Elodie.”
“You as well.”
Kala inclines his head and leads his mate over to where a new couple I haven’t met yet has joined. The scarred Tavikhi towers over everyone, but most especially over the woman next to him. Their hands are threaded together and the enormous guy is rubbing his thumb over hers is a soothing gesture.
“Baba!” A lavender toddler with chin-length blond hair rushes toward them on chubby legs. He doesn’t stop until he collides with the giant warrior with the jagged scar on his face. The male scoops him up and rubs the bones across their foreheads together while the little one giggles.
“That is Benham and Graham. His keeshla is Maeve,” Ortak says quietly, gesturing with his chin. “He is the Tavikhi weapon maker as well as the head warrior who teaches the rest how to fight.”
“Do you know all the members of the Tavikhi tribe?”
“Only the ones who are mated to humans, a few of the older kits, and all of the halflings.”
“You must spend a lot of time here.”
“First, let us sit. You need to rest your legs.” Ortak helps me over to a bench that’s long enough for all three of us to fit.
He sits on my left and Gannen on my right, the latter practically in my lap. I’m not going to complain though. While I may only be able to offer my friendship, giving him a bit of affection and comfort won’t hurt.
“Okay, you were telling me about how often you’re in the Tavikhi village.”
Ortak nods. “More so in the last sun cycle than ever before. The shefir has asked Kala to consider merging our tribes since there are so few of us left.”
My eyes widen. “Whoa, seriously?”
“Aye. Kala has not made a decision yet,” he tells me.
“There may not be many Krijese, but we have already uprooted our tribe once when we left our village ruled by King Armik. When we settled in the hills, it was with the knowledge that we would spend the rest of our lifespan there, living in peace. Our elders are the biggest concern. They know they do not have much time left and while they no longer go to battle, it may not be possible for them to live with people they were bred to hate.”
I reach for Ortak’s hand. He jolts at my touch. “I can see how that might be difficult for them. It couldn’t have been easy for you either.”
Ortak glances around me to Gannen who has been listening quietly.
“At first, I did it for him. It was the same for Kala. Healer Sage saved Sorin’s life.
After that, there was an unbreakable connection between the kit and the human female.
Kala had no choice, really, which means, neither did I.
We are gogos who will do anything for our kits. ”
Something inside me cracks. This is what a true parent is supposed to be like.
“Elodie,” Gannen speaks up, sounding properly horrified. “Are you crying?”
I swipe at the tears that are stupidly running down my face. God, this is so humiliating. I am so not a pretty crier. My cheeks get splotchy and my eyes get streaked with red lines like a tomato. Worse than that, my nose gets all snotty. It’s disgusting really.
“Don’t mind me.” I keep wiping away the wetness with my palms and sniffling. “I’m fine. Just getting up in my feels.”
A clawed, greenish-black hand appears in front of me holding a piece of cloth. I glance over at Ortak who pushes it closer toward me. Mortified, but grateful, I take it and blow my nose. When I’m done, I pocket it.
“Thank you.”
“You are welcome.”
“What do you say we never speak of this again?” I sort of laugh.
“If that is what you wish, then that is what we will do.” Ortak leans slightly forward to glance over at Gannen.
He nods in agreement.
“I appreciate it.”
A brief and highly uncomfortable silence settles, until Ortak rises. “Come, Gannen. Let us get Elodie something to eat. We will return with food.”
I smile my thanks and watch as they head over to the fire to join the short line that has started. I keep studying father and son while I try to figure out what it is about them I can’t stop thinking about.