I wave off her explanation. “Truly, it’s fine. I understand.”
London pulls her knees to her chest and, over the top of them, studies me. I try not to squirm under the examination. “I wasn’t sold on the fated mates in the beginning, either.”
Excuse me?
“I was actually the first human mated to a Tavikhi,” she says. “The day our ship landed here, we were attacked by the Krijese. Zander saved my life. and in the process we touched, which triggered his mating marks to appear and his soul light to ignite.”
So this is the shefira I’ve heard people in the settlement talk about. If they’ve ever said her name, I missed it.
“Zander didn’t tell me at first,” London continues. “After helping us to unload the supplies off the ship and repair some of the damage done during the fighting, he and the rest of the tribe left. The next morning, though, he was back.”
I laugh because that sounds like Katem. “They’re persistent like that, aren’t they?”
“You have no idea.” London chuckles as well. “Even after Zander told me what I was to him, I didn’t believe it. There’s no such thing as fated mates, right?”
“Right.”
She grins and I realize her question was rhetorical. My cheeks heat.
“I know it’s hard to come to terms with it. Especially when you’re from a place like bottom-tier Earth where your life is shit and will always be shit. It makes it hard to accept that we can have good—no, great—things like a mate who provides us with riches beyond imagine. Who protects us with their life. Whose only purpose is to make sure we’re taken care of in every way possible until the day we both travel to the lands of the goddess.”
What would that even be like with Katem as that person?Wonderful, a quiet voice whispers.
“How did you know I was from the bottom tier?”
London waves her finger around in my direction. “You have that look in your eyes that I used to have.”
I nod shallowly, but remain quiet because for me, it’s not that easy.
“In the past two years, I’ve seen seven humans and seven Tavikhi become mates, as well as a human and a Krijese. Fate works in strange ways, but I’ve stopped questioning it. Because I’veseenwhat happens when a Tavikhi male finds hiskeeshla. There is nothing more pure than that in this world.”
I narrow my gaze at London. “Are you sure it wasn’t you that Katem meant to send in the first place?”
She laughs. “No. You just got lucky, I guess.”
Maybe I did.
“Thank you for coming all the way out here to let me know.”
“It was my pleasure. Plus, it gave me a chance to not only meet you, but to let you know that whatever you decide is okay. We all hope you’ll join us in the village. You’ll be treated like family thesecond you step foot inside.” London gets to her feet. “If you ever need a person to talk to, send word and I’ll be happy to do so.”
I stand as well since it feels rude not to. “I truly do appreciate it.”
“Of course. You’re one of us now.” She inclines her head and walks off in the direction of the Tavikhi village.
I wait until I can’t see her anymore before I sit back down and think on London’s words. I’ll admit there is a spark between Katem and me. Not just of attraction, either. This is…bigger. More. If I accept this whole fated mate thing, it’s going to place an unfair burden on Katem. One he didn’t ask for. How can I do that to him knowing that the next couple of years are going to be the worst to come? It doesn’t feel right. The selfish part of me also admits I don’t want to be alone when the time comes. Tears spill down my face and drip off my chin.
Not ready to go back into the settlement, I remain within the shade of the trees, staring out at the river and doing nothing more than thinking. I’m learning to enjoy the simplest things like the sound of rushing water and the crackling of leaves made by the tiny feet of the forest critters. I breathe in all the scents of the forest from the different flowering bushes and the damp soil that never quite dries. It’s far better for my lungs than the soot and ash I inhaled for the last fifteen years while working in a poorly ventilated incineration facility.
The sun makes its way across the sky and yet, I remain. At some point, the sound of footsteps approaching reaches me. I focus my gaze in the direction I think it’s coming from and seconds later, he’s there. Katem. My heart skips a beat and then races at the sight of him. A gust of wind sends his hair swirling around him like a cyclone, but he ignores it. His focus is entirely on me. The intensity of his stare hits me right in the center, and Ishudder with uncontrollable desire. One side of his mouth kicks up like he can read my mind.
“Greetings, Piper.” He stops short of me. “Have you been sitting here the entire turn?”
I shrug. “It’s nice out and I’ve been enjoying the fresh air.”
“Have you eaten at all?”
“I’m not that hungry.” One of the many “fun” side effects of being ill.
