“What a cutie, and thank you. I’m a little nervous about fitting in, if I’m being honest.” I wring my hands at my waist.
“That’s completely understandable. Why don’t we walk and we can talk more?”
“Sounds good.” I follow Maeve outside and we head off.
“I was nervous when I first got here, too, but for far different reasons than you, I’m sure,” she says. “If you and Katem had mated a couple years ago, it would be someone else entirely giving you this tour. Back then, I rarely left my tent unless I had to.”
Maeve glances over at me and grins. It’s not a full, complete curling of her mouth, but it’s soft. Gentle.
“What changed? If you don’t mind me asking, that is?”
“Benham,” she says without hesitation. “Well, my sisters, too, but it was mostly my mate. Before fate chose us for each other, I was always scared. Even for a while after, truthfully.”
She pauses as if remembering those times.
“My life back on Earth was awful. Not that I couldn’t already tell, but London mentioned you’re from the bottom tier like us, so you probably have a good idea what I mean when I say that. For me, it was more than just being from the bottom tier, though. I had emotional baggage I brought with me.” Maeve huffs. “A lot of emotional baggage. Things I never wanted to share with anyone. That’s how terrible it was.”
Again, she pauses and I’m not sure if she’s centering herself or waiting for me to share my own issues. Since I’m not at the point where I wish to open up to anyone, I remain silent.
“This is where we store everything that isn’t weapons or food.” She points at the large tent we’re walking by. “There are chests full of furs, extra coverings for both adults and children, as well as a supplies to erect a few more tents. It’s also where Kyler and Sage store all their herbs, medicines, and various plants. Before Remi, Zara, Sage, and I found our mates, we all lived in there together.”
Those must be the sisters she’s referring to. Sage is the only one I’ve actually spoken at length with, but Katem briefly introduced me to all the human females at the evening meals I’ve spent here over the last week.
“I bet that was a lot of fun.” The lull that hung there felt like it needed to be filled with…something.
Maeve laughs. “It was the first time I ever felt like I belonged somewhere. That tent was the place where I think my life truly began.”
A kernel of envy—and a burst of anger—erupts in my gut. Her life began on Tavikh. It’s where mine will end.
Tavikhi and humans alike wind through the village, mostly females and children since the majority of the males are either out hunting, scouting, or down in the training arena where Katem is. The sun is bright in the lavender sky, warming the air that still holds a slight hint of the night’s coolness that hasn’t quite burnt off yet. It’s a sign that winter will be here before too long.
“You look lost in thought,” Maeve says.
I blink and focus on her. “Just enjoying the pretty day and the feel of the sun on my face.”
She nods. “The sun is a thing I never take for granted anymore. I embrace every turn that it shines and appreciate its presence.”
“Back on Earth I forgot what it even looked and felt like.”
“You’re not alone.”
From the way she’s staring at me, I don’t think she’s talking just about the sun anymore. I smile a little sadly.
Maeve—along with Graham—and I continue our tour through the village. She points out the weapons stores, the tanning tent where a few people sit outside of and skin animals—which makes me turn away—and the food stores, where we can help ourselves.
“There’s the healers’ tent. You’ll almost always find either Sage or Kyler in there throughout the day if you’re ever in need of a healer. Between the two of them, they can treat most any ailment.”
I study Maeve. Am I reading too much into her words or is this the spiel everyone gets during their tour? Did Sage tell her I’m sick? It’s not clear. She doesn’t look at me with pity, like she knows I’m dying so maybe it’s the basic information all new residents receive.
“Hopefully, I won’t need their services.”
“Don’t be afraid to go see them even for something as simple as a headache. They have this amazing powder that does wonders to get rid of it. Tastes like garbage, but it works great.” Maeve chuckles.
“I’ll consider it, thanks.”
We continue on toward the river and head a little down stream. There’s a small outcropping of the bushes I’ve learned are called nenuphar that hides a section of water.
“This is where we bathe when the weather, and water, are still warm enough to do so.” She points out. “After a few unmated Tavikhi’s got an unexpected show one day, we humans started putting a sock, or other clothing item, on the bush when we’re here, so everyone knows to give us privacy.”
