“Katem,” Piper calls out again.
Finally, I stop and whirl to face her.
She nearly collides with me, but braces herself before that happens.
“There was no need to follow me.”
Hurt flickers across her face. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I am well.”
Piper huffs. “You don’t have to pretend with me. It’s obvious you’re aggravated with your friends, which is understandable. Nobody wants to get put on the spot like that. I’m sorry.”
I wave her off. “You are not to blame.”
She nods. “I know, but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel bad for their teasing. Especially since it was in regards to me.”
“I thank you for your apology—however unnecessary.”
“Maybe we could begin again since I feel like we sort of got off on the wrong foot?” She outstretches her arm. “Hi, I’m Piper.”
I stare at the hand that is far too close—yet not close enough. Fear rises up within me. An even greater emotion is present.
Longing.
Piper lowers her arm and her shoulders sag, defeated. Before she is able to drop it the entire way, I catch her fingers with mine and clasp them gently. A burning sensation spirals up my arm and along both my sides as dark, swirling lines appear on my flesh. The heat traveling through my body travels directly to the center of my chest, and a light flares to life, shining brightly for all of Tavikh to see before fading to a warm glow.
My soul light.
I stare at the mating marks that grow darker with each passing beat of my heart, then shift my gaze to meet Piper’s eyes that have widened in wonder.
“What just happened?” she whispers and her voice is a soft caress over my heated skin.
I glance upward.I am sorry for doubting you.
“After all this time, Deeka has blessed me with akeeshla.” I cannot stop staring at Piper in awe. This is why I was sent to scout the previous turn instead of being sent out with Jodah and Zedam to hunt. This is how she sensed my presence when no one else should have been able to. It was the goddess who placed this female in my path.
“What’s akeeshla?”
I glance to where our hands are still clasped together and rub my finger over hers. She has one more than I do, but all five of Piper’s are perfectly formed. Just like the rest of her.
“You are mykeeshla. My fated mate. The one female that is meant for me. Deeka has brought us together.”
Chapter 4
Piper
The joy shining from Katem is nearly blinding. He has to be mistaken. Confused. There’s no such thing as fated mates. And if there is, surely whatever gods or goddesses are in charge of those decisions wouldn’t do something so cruel to either of us. Would they?
I stare at the lines that appeared out of nowhere on his body and watch as their progress slows. They’re a purplish color, but turn faintly darker—more black—with every passing second. Who knows how dark they’ll end up. Until Katem had clasped my hand, his skin was a solid lavender with a textured pattern along his shoulders, upper chest, and arms. Now, though, his flesh resembles that of his friends with its similar, but different dark lines splashed across it. Didn’t Rojtar say he and Evren were both mated? To humans?
“Piper?” Katem says my name so gently that I blink and lift my gaze to meet his. “I know it is difficult to understand, but my words are true. These marks only appear on a Tavikhi when hetouches the female who is his fated mate. My soul light also shines, but only for you.”
“Soul light?”
Katem takes my hand and places it in the center of his chest. Warmth emanates from the spot. No, not warmth. Heat. As if behind the rigid bones is a burning flame. I stare up at him and for a brief moment, I could swear I see a light reflecting back at me within the vertical pupils that are so alien and yet…not.
“When you look into my eyes, can you see a bright light? Even if only a flicker?” The hopefulness in Katem’s voice makes my heart ache.
