And I know it’s just the beginning.
Katem lowers himself gently onto me, and his weight is a comforting pressure. Neither of us move until our breathing returns to normal. He raises himself up and stares down at me. “I did not hurt you too much, did I?”
“Only at first, but then it was all pleasure.”
Some of the tension eases out of him and he carefully rolls to his back, bringing me with him.
“Did you know there was one last task on my list you helped me check off?” I trace Katem’s mating marks that line his chest. The same ones I want to have tattooed down my arm.
“There was?”
“Uh huh.”
He turns on his side and props his head up on his hand to stare down at me when I let the silence stretch. “And what is this task you completed?”
I smile up at him and lean in for a kiss. “Fall in love.”
Katem’s soul light flares so brightly in his eyes I’m sure it’s reflecting back at him through mine. “You love me?”
“With everything I am. From now through eternity, both here and in the lands of the goddess.”
He rolls us so I’m on my back and he covers me with his body. “I have loved you from the moment I saw you smile as you smelled the bloom of the nenuphar bush during that first walknear where I was scouting. My love for you has grown with every turn that has passed and will continue to grow long after we have traveled to Deeka’s lands. This is my vow to you.”
Katem’s words bring tears to my eyes. “I told you that I’d long given up my belief in a higher power, but I could almost swear that when I was dying, I felt your goddess’s touch.”
“Then I will give thanks to her, because I have been blessed even more greatly when she guided you back to me.”
I reach up and stroke his face. “I love you, Katem.”
“My heart belongs to you as well,keeshla.”
He lowers his head and kisses me. Passion flares once more and soon all thoughts of the goddess are pushed from my mind and replaced with the pleasure my husband—my love—gives me.
Epilogue
Zalik
The forest is quiet, which often signals danger. Except, the silence that lies heavy in the air this time feels different. It is almost as if even the trees sense a change is coming and they are holding their breath…waiting.
My bow is at the ready in case my instincts are wrong and there is great danger ahead. Somewhere nearby Katem and Daveel hunt as well, but I broke off from them a short time ago with the knowledge that we will meet up again soon.
With silent steps, I tread across the forest floor, avoiding any twigs or branches that might snap and disturb the creatures I search. I pause and breathe in, attempting to scent any prey nearby. There is an odor I take in, but it is not familiar to me. It is…light and clean. But there is another note. It is feminine, but so faint as to be almost non-existent.
My search continues, because this is most likely one of the last few turns where our hunt might yield many kills. The cold season is arriving soon and once it does, the creatures of Tavikhwill be few and far between as they hide and wait out the cold dust that falls and covers the ground for several moon cycles.
From off to one side of me, there is a rustling sound. I freeze and listen carefully. It comes again, but with it is a small sound. Carefully, I make my way that direction, my footsteps light and silent. The rustling comes again, this time much closer. Ahead of me are several nenuphar bushes and along the ground are the fallen petals that will regrow when the warm season returns. Nothing else is visible. No leburin or ketri scurry along the forest floor. No injured mellenje lies on the path, its wings flapping, but not providing flight. There is nothing. Yet, the sound comes again.
I narrow my gaze and cock my head. It is coming from within the bushes. I stow my bow and withdraw my sword. My approach is slow. Cautious. Is this a new trap for an unsuspecting Tavihki hunter to lure them to their death?
When I reach the nearest bush, I push aside the branches. Within, there is a bright color that does not belong. I move around the other side and that is when the object within the bush becomes fully visible.
“By the goddess.”
I quickly pivot in place, scanning the area for any signs of another being. There is nothing. No hints of color. No other scents except for those belonging to the small subject wrapped in a blanket and secured within the nenuphar bush.
Only a single heartbeat passes before I sheath my sword and quickly draw out the bundle from its hiding place. Staring up at me with bright eyes and a serious, intent look is a human kit.A tiny, human kit.“What are you doing out here all alone, little one?”
The kit’s only response is a gurgling sound. The same one I heard earlier that brought me to it. It does not cry or make any other noise. My fingers caress the soft flesh of its cheek and downward along its jaw. My gaze follows and catches on a shiny object. Attached to it is a dirty and wrinkled piece of material tucked partially beneath the fur that is securely wrapped around the kit. I tug it out and blink at the letters crafted on it.
