“Like, beyond the—whatever you call that thing again.” I jerk my chin forward. “Do you ever imagine what you might find if you started walking and didn’t stop?”
Behind me, he’s silent, until he’s not.
“At times. But what if what I find changes me? What if it is something so terrible that I become someone different?”
What an interesting way to look at it. “Except, what if it’s amazing and because you didn’t go for it, you missed out on something incredible? Life changing, but for the better?”
Katem wraps his arms around me. Not tightly like I’m trapped, but in a way that comforts me like I didn’t know I needed.
“I have a village full of brothers and sisters and now, a beautiful mate. My life has already changed for the better, and I did not have to travel anywhere for it to happen.”
Chapter 7
Katem
I do not know Piper well enough to judge her moods quite yet. Her question does make me curious though. Is this journey she speaks of something she wishes for? Does she want to travel beyond the ujera? Is there something she seeks and hopes to find out there? Since I am not sure she is ready to confide in me her secrets, I do not press her for these answers.
“Before we return, perhaps we should discuss our mating?”
Piper does not go rigid, but she is not as relaxed in my embrace as she had been only a moment ago. Finally, she nods. “You’re probably right.”
“I do not say this because I wish for you to pity me, but I have prayed to Deeka nightly since the first humans became mates to my people. It has been many, lonely seasons as I wait and wait. I had nearly given up hope of being deemed worthy. Then, I met you. Even before we touched and my mating marks appeared, you did not leave my mind. Knowing you are mine and I am yours is the most wondrous thing to happen. I am proud to beyour mate, and I wish to spend all my time with you that I do not spend hunting or scouting. I do not want to be lonely any longer.”
Piper must need to think on my words, so I remain quiet as she does. Humans do not mate as Tavikhi do, so she must adjust to things, which I understand.
“I’ve been lonely for a while as well,” she says. “Although, I haven’t really ever given much thought to a husband—a mate. I always told myself I didn’t want one, because it was easier than the fear of being rejected. I was the one who controlled whether or not I had a mate. Maybe there was a reason for that. I don’t know.”
As Piper speaks, her body loosens and she rests fully against me once more.
“Would you consider moving to our village and sharing a tent with me?” Since her back remains to me, I cannot see her face, but I sense her hesitation. “I am not asking you to share my furs until you are ready. But knowing that I can return home and you will be there gives me so much peace and joy.”
When Piper still does not reply, I continue. “If you have no wish to leave the human settlement, then I would live with you there.”
At last, she swivels partway around to face me. Her eyes are wide. “You would do that? Move to the settlement?”
“If that is where you wish to make our home, then, yes.” Piper is my mate. Where she goes is where I go.
She shakes her head. “The fact you would live in the human settlement where no other Tavikhi are just because it’s what Imight want means more than you can imagine. But, no, I don’t want to stay there. It doesn’t feel like home.”
My heart swells with joy.
“But I’m also not sure I’m ready to move to the Tavikhi village.” My heart sinks, which is obvious to Piper, because she lays a hand on my chest. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I’ve…I’ve got some private, personal things going on that I want to stay private. At least for a little bit longer. I worry things will change if I live there.”
“And you wish these things to stay private from me, as well?” I knew she had secrets she was not ready to share, but hearing her confirm it hurts. My baba always used to say burdens were best shared.
“I’m sorry, Katem. I know it sounds selfish.”
I stroke my fingers along her jaw. “There is no need to be sorry. When you are ready to speak on these private things, I will be here and ready to listen. You are no longer alone, mykeeshla. You do not have to bear the weight of things by yourself.”
“Thank you.” Piper pulls her bottom lip in and just the blunt edges of her teeth are visible. “Could I…?”
Her cheeks are a bright pink and she does not meet my eyes. With a finger under her chin, I raise her head. “Could you what?”
“Kiss you?”
My mate wishes to mouth touch with me? I shift at the sudden tightness of my leg coverings as my cock hardens farther. It has been semi-hard since Piper settled her curved backside against me.
“I would be honored.”
