In no time, I’ve made it through the field and into the forest beyond. It’s not hard to locate the trail that leads toward the Tavikhi village. Enough feet have made the trek, even a child could find their way. I let my gaze wander and take in my surroundings as if they were brand new and I hadn’t just seen them all yesterday.
Like I’d told Katem, I love all the foliage within the forest. How could a person not? The trees are so fascinating with their pitch black trunks and branches, not to mention the bright purple leaves. They’re so different from the few remaining trees on Earth. Between them and all the varied flowering bushes, it’s a rainbow of color that’s pleasing to my eyes.
Beneath my foot, a branch snaps and the echo of the noise it makes is overly loud compared to the rest of the forest sounds. Still, my steps don’t falter. I’m a woman on a mission.
Chapter 3
Katem
“Daveel says you met a female during the previous turn.” Evren tosses the dead dreri over his shoulder.
We have barely made it past the village border, so perhaps this is a sign of a good turn of hunting.
“Daveel talks too much.” I should have known he would tell the others about Piper.
“Is it true?” Rojtar asks as we set off to continue our hunt.
Neither of them will let the topic go, so I might as well tell them. “She was one of the humans that arrived on the same ship as Iris. I spotted her walking during my scouting shift and, because she was alone, I did not think it safe for her to continue. I escorted her for the remainder of her voyage and then made sure she returned safely to the human settlement.”
“Did you ask her if you could touch her?” Evren asks with far too much excitement. “To see if perhaps she is yourkeeshla?”
I shake my head in disbelief. “You have heard the shefira tell all the unmated males not to ask any female that. It will cause them to become uncomfortable in our presence.”
Rojtar and Evren both nod. Like they had forgotten the fact. Which is not surprising, since they are both mated. Why would they need to be reminded not to ask a female if they are allowed to touch them when they have no desire to do so? They have already found theirkeeshlas.
“Will you go to the settlement to ask her if she would like to go on another date?” Evren adjusts his hold on the dreri.
“We did not have afirstdate.” I point out.
“Did the two of you not go walking together with no specific destination in mind?” This comes from Rojtar.
I narrow my gaze. “Yes.”
He nods as if I gave the correct answer. “Then you had a date already. The human females have said that is what one can consist of. A male and female agree to go for a walk and learn about each other. So, if you did these things, then you and your female did a date.”
Is this true? Yes, I did learn a few things about her, but surely what we did the previous turn does not qualify, does it? Regardless, I do not have any intention of seeking her out for more walks. As much as I wish for akeeshla, I am not sure I will be able to survive being disappointed again when the female turns out to be the mate of yet another male that is not me.
“So?” Rojtar presses. “Will you head for the human settlement in search of this female?”
“No.”
The two males share a confused look, and it is Evren who speaks first. “No? Why not?”
I ignore his question because I do not seek their pity. “We will not be able to bring any additional kills back to the village if you do not cease making so much noise.”
My pace quickens so I may widen the distance between the two of them and myself. Evren and Rojtar continue whispering amongst themselves, but I tune out their chatter. Instead, I focus on the forest surrounding us and look out for any sign of prey.
We barely travel much farther when a flash of color draws my attention. I throw up my arm to signal I have spotted something. Carefully, I creep forward, not making a sound on the padded ground beneath my feet. Evren and Rojtar follow closely, both of them silent as well. The flash of movement grows closer and whatever is traveling through the forest makes no effort to do so quietly. I dart behind a tree and draw an arrow from the satchel at my back. I nock it along my bowstring and take careful aim at the space where the creature will hopefully appear next.
Except what steps out from behind a distant bush is not a four-legged beast, but rather a beautiful two-legged female who is, once again, walking alone.
I slowly loosen the tension on my bow and step out from my hiding spot into full view of Piper, who startles and jerks her hand up to her chest.
“Katem, you scared me.” Her breathless voice is like a caress over my flesh.
“Did I not explain to you how dangerous it is to be walking through the trees without a weapon or an escort?” I stalk toward her, but she holds her ground.
“You might have mentioned something to that affect, but as you can see, I’m perfectly intact.” Piper sweeps her hands down the length of her upper body.
