“Where is Elodie?” Gannen asks with a hint of impatience.
Before I can reprimand him, Kyler laughs. “There is no need to worry, young one. She is in the village somewhere. Or perhaps down by the river. It has become her favorite place to sit. I amhappy to direct you to where you may begin your search if you would like.”
“Thank you for your generous offer. We accept.”
Kyler gestures for us to follow. Gannen keeps a steady pace with the Tavikhi although he is nearly running to do so. Perhaps because he understands my kit’s intense desire to see Elodie, the healer does not slow his steps. Soon, the river comes into view. Along with it is the form of a human female seated on a bench close to the flowing water.
Gannen must spot her at the same time I do, because he runs ahead. Once again, Kyler laughs. “There is no competing with females when one is nearby. Kits are drawn to them.”
Mine especially so with this particular female.
The Tavikhi healer stops. “I do not believe any further assistance is needed on my part, unless there is anything else you need?”
“No, but you have my thanks.” We grip each other’s forearm and Kyler heads in the opposite direction. I remain here for another moment and observe my kit with Elodie. He is animated in a way I have never seen before, his arms flailing and gesturing in frantic movements. The laughter from the female says she is entertained by whatever tale he is sharing. She nods and claps her hands.
When Elodie throws her head back, my gaze follows the long line of her throat. Beneath my leg coverings, my cock thickens. As if sensing my stare, she turns toward me and our eyes lock. Heat sears my skin, soaking deep into my bones. Fluid leaks from my hardened cock. I dig my claws into my palms to stop from adjusting my aching length that pushes against the hide that imprisons it while it begs to be freed.
Even from this distance, the color rising in Elodie’s cheeks is visible. Abruptly, she jerks her head to face forward and give her full attention back to Gannen. My feet carry me in their direction as if they have a mind of their own.
“Gogo and I will not be able to visit the next turn, because we will need to remain in our village and tend to the kills that are brought back by the other warlords,” he tells her. “Perhaps we can craft another sled and you could ride it while Gogo and I pull so that you may visit us there. You can spend the entire turn outside since you enjoy it so much.”
Elodie briefly glances in my direction. “That’s sweet of you to offer, but I’m not sure that’s a feasible idea for several reasons. Not the least of which is that you should always ask someone if they’re able to help with a task first before you offer their services. You don’t want to force a person to perform this task or embarrass them because they have to decline.”
“Gogo does not mind.”
Elodie sighs and pats the empty spot next to her. Gannen quickly takes a seat, and when she places her arm around his shoulders, he leans heavily into her side.
“Did you ask your gogo beforehand?”
“No.”
“So you don’t know for a fact he doesn’t mind.”
“But I am certain?—”
“Gannen,” Elodie says his name firmly, but gently. “We can’t make decisions for other people no matter how certain we might be that they’ll agree. It’s not the right thing to do. And while I understand you’d like me to come to your village—and I wouldlove to be able to visit—saying your gogo will drag me the entire way on a sled without first asking him if he’s willing to do this is unfair. Not only to him, but to me.”
Gannen raises his head. “I am sorry, Elodie.”
She kisses the side of his head. “Thank you. You should also apologize to your gogo.”
He turns. “Will you accept my apology as well?”
“Aye.” I nod, uncertain what this feeling growing inside me is.
“Now that we’ve got that settled,” Elodie says. “Why don’t you tell me again about this dreri you brought down.”
The reprimand forgotten, Gannen launches into the tale of his first assisted kill. All I can do is stand there and try to figure out what is happening to me.
Chapter 14
Elodie
Ortak’s presence behind me is unnerving. Not because I’m worried he’s going to hurt me or any such nonsense like that. Rather, it’s as if I can literally feel him thinking. There’s this aura of intensity pulsating around him that keeps ricocheting off my body. It’s that sensation sending chills down my spine.
I smile and nod and make all the appropriate sounds while listening with half an ear to Gannen as he recounts his story of the successful hunt he and Ortak had today. I’m beyond excited for him, because I can tell how much it all means to him.
“If the shefir and shefira do not mind, perhaps Gogo and I can share the evening meal with you before we return to our village,” Gannen says, and then, as if, considering, adds. “That is, if it is alright with both you and Gogo.”
