Iris shakes her head. “The day the ship I was on arrived, Remi and Zydon extended the invitation from Zander to anyone who would like to join their village. Before I knew what I was doing, I accepted. No sooner had I stepped foot into the settlement than I was leaving and becoming a member of the Tavikhi tribe.”
Now that Iris mentions it, I have a vague recollection of the last ship arriving and one person going with the Tavikhi when they finished helping unload the supplies. I didn’t realize it was her.
“I met Sorin before I met Kala. He came to village one day to teach Talek, Cecily, and Carter how to throw an axe at a target.”
I snort. “That explains why Gannen asked me shortly after they rescued me if I knew how to throw one.”
Iris chuckles. “Those boys are obsessed with doing it, especially now that Gannen’s gotten so good. He practices more than Sorin ever did, I think.”
“He wants to match Sorin in regards to how well he hunts. He has several years of learning to catch up on. The guilt about how much he held Gannen back weighs on Ortak, but he’s doing his best to make up for it.”
“I know life is different here than back on Earth. The children who wish to, learn how to hunt animals when they’re still practically babies. It’s not typical for someone Gannen’s age to not be fully skilled already,” Iris says. “More than once I’ve had to remind Ortak that Gannenisonly fourteen and technically, at least according to human standards, still a child. He has plenty of time before he needs to become a grown up.”
Selfishly, I want Gannen to stay a child for longer. I want him to still hug me and nuzzle his cheek against mine or against my chest, especially after Iris told me it’s how Sorin expresses his love for her.
“Kala asked me to be his mate only so Sorin could have a momo.”
“What?” That has my full attention.
“Sorin was desperate for a mother and apparently, I was the only one who fit the bill.” Iris grins. “The way he played being a coy little matchmaker was adorable.”
I could see Sorin in that role easily enough. “Obviously it worked.”
“It was supposed to be a mating of convenience. I agreed to move to the Krijese village and become mates with Kala, because it meant Sorin would be my son.”
“A mating of convenience? Obviouslythatdidn’t work considering you have Jiasha.” I laugh.
“What can I say?” Iris playfully tosses her hair. “I’m hard to resist.”
“Yes, you are.” Kala comes over and bends to give her a kiss.
Her lips fits perfectly in the space between his two tusks and she presses them tightly against his closed mouth slit. I have to glance away from the intimate gesture, because I can suddenly picture walking up to Ortak and kissing him the same way.
They separate and both turn toward me. I avoid eye contact so they don’t know what I’ve been thinking. Iris lays her hand on my thigh and I finally meet her gaze.
“If there’s something you want, you should fight for it.”
Before I can respond, she lets Kala help her stand. “If you’ll excuse us, we’re going to see if we can help with anything.”
The two of them walk away, leaving me to my thoughts.
Chapter 19
Ortak
The evening meal went well enough. Most of the Krijese—the elders and warlords—were tense and did not converse much, but no arguments occurred and no weapons had been drawn. What did not surprise me was Moshi and Ashrif accepting an invitation from one of the Tavikhi elders to drink with them after the meal.
Apparently it is their evening ritual. They gather in a circle around a fire where all of their tents are located and pass from person to person a jug filled with their special brew. It helps them relax and sleep well during the night.
Of all the Krijese elders, Moshi and Ashrif are the two who have accepted the new way of life we have had to adapt to after leaving King Armik’s tribe. Kala has sought their advice often since becoming our leader. I suspect they will adapt as quickly to this move as well.
With the melding of our two tribes, I am uncertain what the leadership will look like now. I respect the Tavikhi shefir, butbeing under his rule is a difficult thought to have. The next turn is soon enough to worry about it. I want to enjoy the rest of the evening with Elodie and my kit.
“How about we take these bizeles down to the river to enjoy?” she suggests.
“I will carry yours for you,” Gannen offers and holds his hand out.
She places it in his palm with her thanks and turns to me. “You ready?”
