The pulsing beat in my lower belly and dampness between my thighs suggest I agree with her. “I guess.”
She barks out a laugh so loud it draws the attention of quite a few people, not the least of which are the three males closest to us. Stella jumps at the sound.
“You’ve got it so bad for him.”
I duck my head and avoid answering despite the fact it wasn’t a question. It doesn’t stop me from sneaking peeks at Ortak and squirming in my seat while I press my legs together to try and ease the ache. Thankfully, it takes them less time than I expected, and at last, Ortak and Gannen’s new home is upright, secured, and ready for them to bring their things inside.
Riley stands and plucks her daughter from my lap. “My work here is done.”
She walks off and joins Zalik, who steps back to admire the task he helped complete. I secure my crutches under my arms and make my way over as well. I stop next to Ortak, and Gannen shifts to my other side.
“It looks great.” Their tent is about the size of mine, but it’s shaped differently. Whereas mine—and the rest of the Tavikhi’s—have an arched ceiling with a single smoke hole in the top, the Krijese’s tent ceiling has two pointed humps with a sagging center between them. It kind of reminds me of a circus tent I once saw a picture of in a museum.
I glance around. The Krijese tents that are now spread throughout the village resemble each other, but differ in appearance from the Tavikhi ones. Despite the fact, they all manage to complement one another and blend in nicely together.
“We will leave you to get settled, unless there is anything else you wish for help with,” Zalik says.
Ortak shakes his head. “You have my thanks for your assistance with this. Gannen and I can do the rest.”
The two adults clasp forearms, and when Zalik does the same with Gannen, I’m pretty sure there are stars in his eyes as he stares up the Tavikhi. My heart swells at the gesture and how much I know it means to the young Krijese, who soon won’t be so young anymore.
I wave goodbye to Riley and Stella and the small family heads off. I turn to Ortak and Gannen. “Before you tell me no,I’mtellingyouI’m helping bring your things inside.”
“Elodie.” Ortak’s tone and the tilt of his head feels patronizing.
I jab my finger into the center of his chest. His firm, muscular chest.“Don’t you ‘Elodie’ me, mister. I’m helping and that’s final.”
His coal-shaded eyes widen. Gannen’s mouth slit separates and folds outward partway like he’s gaping in complete shock, but he quickly closes it. The two of them stare at me a minute longer, before finally, Ortak inclines his head. “We are grateful for your assistance.”
I nod back and hop over to one of the sleds containing their belongings. They join me and we get to work.
Chapter 17
Ortak
It takes much longer for us to unload our sleds with Elodie’s help than it would have without it, but she made her intent to provide assistance known. After she had slung several furs over her shoulder and taken them inside, Gannen approached and leaned close.
“Elodie is very fierce. I did not know she could be like that.”
Neither had I. The fire in her eyes had stirred my cock. Even thinking of her ferocity now makes it twitch with need. For an entire moon cycle, the ache I have felt for Elodie has grown stronger. With each passing turn, it has become harder to resist her. She has given no signs, though, that her desire for me is anything other than friendship.
We have touched often, but nothing more than hand holding or a graze across the flesh of my arm. Perhaps Elodie has also laid her hand over the place where my hearts beat several times, but the touches are brief and never linger. I have caressed the soft flesh of her cheek many times, but she has done nothing more thansmile and blush—a human word she shared when I asked how to describe the change in color.
Kala has said I must wait for Elodie to initiate the kissing that humans do, because it is too easy for our females to be cut with our mouth claws and teeth. So I have done what he says, and I have waited. Still, she does not kiss me, not even the innocent kisses she often gives Gannen. I have reached the conclusion that it is because Elodie chooses not to. Which means I must settle for her friendship.
She sits on a stool a Tavikhi female named Alanda brought to our tent while we were unloading. Her gaze travels over the space and she pauses to study various items on occasion.
“I’m going to bring in a few bundles of dried livando to hang. They’ll make the place smell nice,” Elodie says. “I also think we need to set out a vase of fresh flowers to add some color. There’s a whole copse of nenuphar bushes near the river we can pick them from.”
A shift happens in my chest at her suggestions. “You wish to add female touches to our dwelling?”
Elodie winces. “Sorry, I got a little carried away. This is your home, not mine, and you should decide if you want to add anything to it.”
“I thought you were going to be making this your home,” Gannen rushes out. “Did you not plan on sharing our dwelling with us soon?”
She sputters and shifts back and forth on the stool, not meeting my gaze or his.
“An unmated male should not ask an unmated female to share his dwelling.” No matter how much that unmated male wishes to do so.
