“Are all Tavikhi males like you?”
I cock my head. “I do not understand your question.”
She flails her hand around. “You’re so…sweet and…nice. Don’t you ever get upset or angry?”
Based on Piper’s tone, it is evident thatshefeels those things.
“Of course I do. Were you not the one who pointed out my annoyance at Evren and Rojtar?”
“That’s different,” she says. “Anyone would have got aggravated at their teasing. Don’t you ever just get angry at the world where you want nothing to do but scream out your rage?”
“I did when the Krijese killed my baba and nene.” The anger that flowed through my body had nearly destroyed me. “But even anger did not bring them back.”
Piper’s shoulders sag and she sighs. “You’re right. Getting angry doesn’t change things.”
I cradle her jaw. “No, it does not, but that does not mean we cannot still feel those emotions. Perhaps it would be better to purge the anger, rather than hold it inside or pretend it does not exist. Thank you for that reminder.”
My mate stares at up me with her deep brown eyes. I almost swear I can see my soul light reflected back at me.
“I pretend my anger doesn’t exist sometimes,” Piper admits. “Mostly because, these days, I’m always angry.”
I swallow the urge to ask what it is that angers her, because I suspect she is not ready to tell me. My patience is an overflowing well when it comes to mykeeshla. I will wait until she trusts me enough.
An overwhelming need to mouth touch with her fills me, but, instead, I press my lips to her brow. Piper’s eyes close and she leans into me.
Several beats pass before she finally opens them. “We should probably get going again.”
“Yes, we have much distance to travel.”
Once again, we head toward the hills at a slower pace than I would go if I were alone. But I am now given the opportunity to do what I would not normally and that is enjoy my surroundings and the simple company of the female at my side.
I understand why a walk with my mate would be considered a date. We are alone together, learning about each other. There is the happiness of knowing that I belong to Piper as much as she belongs to me.
“What are some of the other things on this list you created?” The journey will give me time to think of how to accomplish her tasks.
She startles as though not expecting me to speak.
“Oh, um, let me see.” She glances quickly over to me. “I’d like to learn how to make pottery. Like bowls or plates. Cups. Maybe even a vase I can fill with water and a bunch of flowers I can put in my tent for something pretty to look at.”
“We have a few elders who are skilled in this kind of task. None of the kits have shown much interest in learning so I am sure they would be pleased to have someone to teach.”
Piper’s eye widen and glow. “Really?”
“I cannot speak for them, but when I return to the village, I will be more than happy to ask. Alesha or her mate may be willing.”
She squeals and claps her hands. I delight in her happiness. “That’s incredible. I can’t wait.”
“There are two things we are attempting to remove from your list. What else?” It is my hope they are all as simple and easy as the first two.
“I want to learn how to swim.”
“You do not know how?” Swimming is taught to the kits as early as possible since the river runs so close to our village.
Piper shakes her head. “There wasn’t any place to learn in the bottom tier except the river, but it was a cesspool of bacteria and who knows what else. I know people who risked getting sick, but I wasn’t taking that chance.”
We have nearly reached the base of the hills. The walk from here will be more strenuous as we ascend.
“Luckily our rivers are clean and mostly calm. If this is a skill you wish to learn, we will need to begin soon. Otherwise, it will be the next warm season before we will be able to mark that off your list as accomplished.”
