Ortak
I study the sleeping female I accidentally captured. Aside from the humans living in the Tavikhi village, the rest have only looked at the Krijese with fear. Not this one though. I do not have a word for the way she watched me. It is not the same way Iris watches Kala or the way I have seen the human females watch their Tavikhi mates during the few times I have been here. But there was no fear. I am unsure what to make of her.
“You and Gannen are welcome to remain in the village, but the female will be well taken care of,” the Tavikhi shefir says.
I do not take my eyes off her. “Elodie.” Somehow I know she would want to be referred to by her name.
Zander clears his throat. “Yes, Elodie. As I said, you are welcome to stay here if you wish.”
With all the skills she possesses, Healer Sage will look after her far better than I can. There is no reason Gannen and I should notreturn to our home in the hills. We did our part by getting Elodie here. We are no longer responsible for her.
Finally, I turn my attention away from her and onto the shefir. “Perhaps it would be best if we waited until the morning before returning to our village. It is getting late.”
Despite the fact that tthere is plenty of light left for us to safely make the trek home, Zander merely nods.
“I will arrange for a tent and plenty of furs for you and your kit,” he says. “As always, you are welcome to join us for the evening meal.”
I slam my fist on my chest—the Tavikhi sign of respect—and the shefir returns the gesture before exiting the healer’s tent. My gaze shifts back to Elodie, but I do not move any closer. I am aware of Healer Sage’s presence, but she is quiet as she attends to whatever tasks she performs. Time passes, but I cannot say how much. I stand frozen in place, doing nothing more than observing Elodie.
Finally, a whisper of sound comes from close by. I swivel my head in the direction of it to find the human healer standing a short distance away. She smiles kindly.
“Would you mind looking after Elodie for a brief amount of time? I need to return to my tent and check on my daughter,” she says. “There is a cup of burim-infused water on the supply table to help with any pain she might have if she happens to wake up while I’m gone.”
A small tremor of fear ripples through me. I am no healer. What if something happens to Elodie while the other female is absent?
“She’s out of immediate danger, Ortak. Her injuries are not life-threatening, I promise. She will be fine in your care.”
I hesitate briefly before giving her a jerky nod.
“I won’t be gone long.” Before I can change my mind, Healer Sage steps outside, leaving me alone with a still-sleeping Elodie.
Why did I agree to this? Is it because she did not appear to fear me? Perhaps she hid it well. What if she awakens, sees only me, and screams in terror? My stomach lurches. Not long ago, I would have celebrated her fear, reveled in it, because that is what a Krijese is taught. Embrace the fear we cause. It is the only way we will survive. Except that is no longer the case. I have no wish for anyone to fear me, especially not this female. All I wish for is peace. For myself and my kit.
A faint groan falls from Elodie’s lips. I am still, sending a prayer to our god that she continues to sleep. He, however, is not listening, because her eyes flutter open, and she slowly turns her head as though sensing my presence. I brace myself for the panic to flare in her gaze.
“Am I hallucinating?” she rasps. “Or have I died, and you’re waiting to escort me into hell?”
I cock my head. Not all her Earth words translate. I move toward the table that houses the vessel of water. “Do you need something to help ease your pain?”
“If that’s the shitty tasting water, I’m okay for the moment,” she says. “You’re Ortak. Your kit is…something with a G, I think.”
I nod. “Gannen.”
As if Elodie summoned him, the hide flap of the door swings away and he stumbles in, his gaze seeking out the female, and comes to an abrupt halt when he focuses on her.
“You are finally awake,” he announces and rushes forward until he stands next to the platform where she lies. “I thought you were going to sleep forever.”
She raises her eyes and seeks me out. “Do you think you could help me sit up, maybe?”
I hesitate because I have no wish to hurt Elodie. Nor do I have any wish to touch the silky smoothness of her flesh again. Or to get close enough to breathe in her fragrance.
“I will help,” Gannen exclaims and hurries to do exactly that.
“No.” The word comes out sharper than I meant, and my kit freezes. I soften my tone. “I will do it.”
There is a sloped, fur-covered board on a nearby platform that I take over to where Elodie is. Carefully, I lean over her to slide my arm beneath her back and gently lift. She sucks in a sharp breath and flinches, but does not ask me to release her. Her warm breath caresses the side of my neck as I arrange the wedge and then slowly lower her down to it. She does not look me in the eyes.
The fur that had been covering her has fallen to her waist, exposing the thin piece of fabric that hides her chest mounds from my view. I cannot tear my gaze away. Beneath my leg coverings, my cock twitches. Elodie glances down. Her face changes color and she yanks the fur up, clutching it beneath her arms. I jerk my gaze away.
