Ever since we left the Tavikhi village, Gannen has not stopped talking about Elodie or the fact we left without seeing her one last time to make sure she is okay.
“We were the ones who found her,” he says and not for the first time. “Should it not be us that makes sure Elodie recovers? That she is eating and resting? She needs someone to take care of her.”
“Healer Sage and Healer Kyler have far more skills than we do. They are capable of seeing to her and ensuring she is doing all the things needed to heal properly. There is nothing for us to do besides return home to our people.”
“We should have at least said goodbye.” Gannen huffs. “Elodie will think we do not care for her. She will think she is easy to dismiss.”
An ache grows inside my head at his constant chatter. “She will not think that. Even if she does, it is not our concern. We ensured she reached the village with her own kind.”
“Iris is her kind, and yet she is our concern. Why is Elodie not the same?”
“Iris is Kala’s sivalla. She is a member of our tribe because of this. Elodie has no connection to the Krijese, therefore, she is not our concern.” I try to keep my tone even. “Once she is healed, she will return to the human settlement and forget all about us the way we will forget all about her.”
Gannen stomps loudly and passes me with angry steps. “I will not forget about her.”
I have no wish to fight with my kit, so I let him go. One turn, he will understand. Soon, our small village comes into view. We have adopted a few of the Tavikhi ways like ensuring that a central fire always burns and food of some kind is available any time in case one is hungry. Ashrif tends to the flames, while Moshi washes the platters from the morning meal. Given where the sun hangs in the sky, it has only recently ended.
Gannen reaches the elders first and gestures heatedly. Even from the distance, most of his words reach me. The two males listen as my kit talks, darting glances in my direction until I finally reach them.
“Gogo seems to think I will forget Elodie, the female we found and took to the Tavikhi village.”
“When you have lived as long as we have, one does have a tendency to not remember people from our past,” Ashrif tells him. “It is the way our minds work and nothing to fear.”
Gannen turns mulish. It is not often he digs his heels into something, but there have been a few cases over the seasons. This is clearly another one.
“I will not.”
“Then you will not,” Moshi says, as if it is that simple. I am certain he has no interest in continuing the argument either. “Come, eat. Both of you. You will feel better.”
The elder picks up a bowl he has just finished cleaning and, from the pot, scoops out a helping of what appears to be some type of stew. He passes it over to Gannen before filling up a vessel for me. My kit moves to one of the benches on the far side of the fire, leaving me with the elders.
“I am uncertain why he has developed this sudden and intense attachment to the human. He speaks to Iris, but not often. So why this female?”
“Perhaps he hopes to receive a momo the way Sorin did,” Ashrif says. “We have all seen how much Iris and her kit adore each other. Gannen has never had that. He is still young enough to wish for these things.”
That is my concern. While I hope to one turn have what Kala and Iris do, that does not mean I wish for it to happen with the first unknown female I come across. Gannen does not seem to have the same thoughts or hesitation. Elodie was kind to him, so I should not be surprised he may have developed a sense of emotion toward her. He has always felt things far more strongly than I have.
“She is an injured female who will return to the human settlement once she is well. I am certain, after that, she will notgive either of us another thought, aside from perhaps a small sense of gratitude.”
Ashrif and Moshi study me in a way that makes me want to fidget, but I stay still. Finally Moshi speaks. “I do not know this female you captured and then rescued, so perhaps you are correct. However, I have come to learn that many of the human females are different. The few I have met are kind, thoughtful, and accepting. They are also stronger than we believe or give them credit for. They also know their own minds and will not hesitate to share their thoughts.”
“Moshi is right,” Ashrif adds. “Instead of making decisions that are not yours to make, what if you allow this female to choose? Perhaps shewillonly feel gratitude for saving her life. Perhaps, in time, she could feel more. If you have even the slightest interest in learning more about this female, then perhaps you should try.”
I glance over at Gannen. “Would it be fair to him, though? What if Elodie does not wish to be a mate or a momo? I do not want my kit hurt if he is somehow hoping for her to play that role in his life.”
“You should talk to him,” Ashrif points out.
As much as I may not want to admit it, he is right. Gannen has never mentioned wanting a momo. Just because he may have developed some sort of attachment to Elodie does not mean anything. Perhaps he sees her as a potential friend in the way Sorin sees Healer Sage. He cares for her deeply, but he loves Iris more than anyone.
“Thank you for your wise counsel.” I incline my head and make my way to Gannen.
When I sit next to him, he does not acknowledge me, but rather pushes his food around in his bowl.
“I am sorry we left before you could say goodbye to Elodie.”
His movements pause, but the silence continues.
“What is it about not doing so that makes you so upset?”
