My mouth falls open slightly. “That’s actually a really great idea. I’ve heard from a lot of people how glad they are that you’re here.”
“It will be a change that will take much getting used to,” Ortak admits.
“Change is difficult, but that doesn’t mean it has to be bad.”
“No, not all change is bad,” he says with a tonal shift that gives me pause. I wish I could see what’s going through his mind right now. “We should head toward the central fire.”
I blink at the abruptness, but nod. I’m not sure I’ll be able to eat with the way my stomach’s still in knots, but I need to be there. Not only because the shefir requested it. Gannen steps away, but doesn’t go far. Just enough that I can position my crutches and then he’s practically attached to me again.
Ortak holds the door flap aside as we exit, and he follows us as we make our way through the village. There’s a buzz of excitement present in the air. It’s almost tangible. The sound of voices is constant when it’s near the evening meal time as everyone winds down from their duties and the warriors who’ve been out hunting return.
Tonight the volume level is higher. It’s not from yelling or anger that I can tell. More like there are nearly thirty new additions to the tribe. A hive of activity is visible the closer we get to the fire.
“Looks like people are arriving.”
“Kala was firm in his suggestion we arrive early and offer any assistance we can, even if the Tavikhi do not accept. They have a structured existence we are still learning and do not want to disrupt that with our presence. It will take time for us to fully adapt to one another,” Ortak says.
“I don’t think Zander, or anyone else here, expects the integration of the tribes to go perfectly the first night. There are a lot of different personalities, some of them strong ones.” Which is an understatement. “It’s going to be an adjustment for everyone that requires patience.”
Gannen laughs. “Krijese are not well know for their patience.”
We reach the perimeter of the seating area and pause, giving me a chance to lean down slightly and get closer to him. “Humans aren’t either, so you’re in good company.”
He grins up at me, and I wink.
“Take Elodie to her seat and we will offer our help to those preparing the meal,” Ortak tells Gannen.
“Alright.” The younger Krijese flags me forward. “I will make sure you get your favorite one.”
I laugh and follow as we wind our way through the seating area until we reach a carved log I jokingly referred to as my favorite one night when we sat on it. Gannen had asked why I loved it so much. I said it wasn’t as hard as any of the other benches beneath my ass.
After that, every evening he and Ortak spent here eating with me, he always made sure that was the only place where I took my meal. It wasn’t long before everyone in the village knew it was “Elodie’s” so they all saved it for me.
“Here it is.” Gannen pats the surface “Rest and we will bring you your meal.”
“Thank you.”
He heads off to meet up with Ortak. Sitting here alone gives me time to observe them—him—and maybe admit what I’ve been trying to deny in recent days. There’s no doubt I love Gannen. He’s worked his way into my heart and filled a hole inside of me I didn’t even know was there.
I think about the first time Gannen asked me if I had an interest in being a mother. How I’d been awkward and unsure at the question. Back then, I didn’t know how to answer him, because it had never been a question I looked too hard at.
Why should I? There was no sense of permanence in my life. I was constantly running away from responsibility. Away from my problems. Nothing satisfied me. Not until I ran from Earth to another planet and met a young alien boy who made me realize how much capacity for love I had. If Gannen asked me the same question today, my answer would be unequivocally yes, so long as I was his.
But with that brings his father. I placed Ortak firmly in the friend category. That’s what I told myself and everyone else. He and I were friends. But recently there’s been another voice whispering inside my head wondering if that’s all his or all he could be. I’ve been steadfastly ignoring it—tuning it out—whenever I hear it.
My biggest fear is Ortak not being as aware of me as I’ve become of him. Riley and Astrid joke about how often we touch each other and sit close and the way he allegedly looks at me. It’s during those times when I feel as though we’re the only two people around. There’s nothing saying Ortak feels the same way. I mean, he certainly isn’t. Not once has he given me any sign that his feelings might run deeper, now or in the future. That’s why I’ve kept my mouth shut. I’d rather be his friend than nothing at all.
“You look lost in thought.” Iris stands in front of me and glances at the empty spot on the log. “Do you mind if I sit for a few minutes?”
“No, of course not. Please.” I scoot over a couple inches.
She quietly glances around, a smile growing. “It’s hard to believe this is our new home.”
“Ortak said something similar.”
“Did you know I lived here for a short time before Kala and I became mates?”
I startle. “You didn’t live in the human settlement?”
