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“They will, in time,” I assured her, though inwardly I still harbored my own doubts. An outsider becoming one of us was unheard of. But Kate continued to surprise me at every turn.
We rode in silence for a while, simply appreciating the vast landscape around us. My thoughts kept returning to our heated joining the night before. I still wasn’t sure what to make of it. Surlons did not casually take lovers, at least not outside of marriage. But everything felt different with Kate.
“Are you hungry?” I asked, needing to break the tense silence. “There is a valley ahead with sweet fruit trees. We can water and rest Dakari there.”
“Sounds perfect,” said Kate.
Before long, we reached the valley, a vibrant splash of green vegetation cutting through the dusty desert. Beside a small, clear pond, we dismounted and let Dakari drink while we sat beneath the shade of a wide, leafy tree. I unwrapped the food I’d brought - dried meat, nuts, and our simple grain bread. We ate and drank sparingly, knowing water was scarce here.
As we sat together, I found myself opening up to Kate in ways I rarely did with anyone. I told her about losing both parents when I was a boy, and the deep loneliness that came with being thrust into adulthood too soon. The heavy responsibilities placed on me as sheriff weighed on my spirit at times. Kate listened with empathy, her hand covering mine.
“I lost my parents too young too,” she said softly. “A transport crash. I think that’s partly why I wanted to travel space, to feel closer to them somehow.”
Her words resonated within me. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “The spirits of those we’ve lost remain always with us. In here.” I touched a hand over my heart.
Kate’s eyes glistened with tears. One escaped down her cheek. Without thinking, I reached out to brush it away. My fingers lingered on her soft skin. Our gazes locked, and in that moment, I felt truly seen. Understood. Not just as sheriff, or Surlon, but Kian.
“We should start back,” I said reluctantly, pulling my hand away. “The village will worry if we are gone too long.”
Kate nodded, though her eyes continued searching mine. “Of course.”
We mounted up again and I took one last look around the serene valley. This place felt special now. A new memory tied here with Kate, connecting us in ways I hadn’t expected. I knew then that she was no longer just a stranger or alien to me, but someone real, who knew grief and loneliness just as I did. Someone I wanted to understand better.
As the village came into view ahead, I felt lighter somehow. The twin suns were dipping low, streaking the sky with rosy hues. Kate rode at my side in easy companionship. Today had shifted something between us. A wall dropped, a bridge formed. There was no going back now. She was a part of my world. And I found myself hoping, perhaps one day, I could be part of hers.
* * *
As we approached the village, I saw Vala watching us arrive. She wore a hint of a smile seeing Kate astride the sirocco for the first time. Vala had doubted Kate belonged here at first, but now it seemed she was softening to this strange newcomer.
We dismounted and I showed Kate how to brush Dakari down and check its hooves for stones. She paid close attention and mimicked my actions. I liked seeing her take such care with the animal. Maybe there was hope she could develop some rudimentary psychic bond in time.
“You’re a fast learner,” I told her. “With more practice, you’ll be riding like a Surlon.”
Kate grinned, her golden hair glinting in the sunlight. “Only if you keep teaching me.”
I felt an unexpected rush of warmth at her words. I wanted nothing more than to spend every day showing her the ways of my people, exploring Surlon’s rugged beauty together. Realizing this startled me. I needed to regain my composure and objectivity where Kate was concerned.
“Come on, let’s get some food,” I said gruffly, turning away before she could read my face.
At dinner around the communal fire, I noticed Kate sticking close to Vala now instead of just Alya. They chatted amiably as they ate and Kate even made Vala laugh once or twice. It did my heart good to see Vala accepting Kate into our fold.
As I ate, an idea came to me. “Kate, what would you say to an overnight camping trip soon? There’s so much more of Surlon I could show you beyond the village outskirts.”
Her eyes lit up at the suggestion. “I’d love that! Will we get to see some of those cool canyon areas you told me about?”
“Sure, and some ancient rock formations carved by the winds. We’ll bring bedrolls and supplies on a pack sirocco. Does that sound good?”
“It sounds amazing,” Kate said, flashing that radiant smile that made my pulse quicken. “When were you thinking we’d go?”
“How about in a few days’ time? That’ll give us time to prepare.” I tried to keep my voice casual, as if I hadn’t been imagining this trip since we returned.
Vala spoke up unexpectedly. “A short journey could be good for Kate. We don’t want her getting restless cooped up here.”
I blinked in surprise at Vala’s change of heart, but nodded. “Yes, exactly my thinking.”
We soon finished eating and people began trickling away from the fire to their dwellings for the night. I lingered, not ready to leave Kate’s side yet. We sat gazing up at the dazzling spray of stars in Surlon’s night sky. She shifted closer and her hand found mine, sending a thrill through me. Our fingers entwined.
“Thank you again for today, Kian,” Kate said softly. “I haven’t felt that free and happy since...well, longer than I can remember.”
