Elodie clasps my hand again. This time, I do not react outwardly, but my hearts race and my cock twitches. How can such a simple touch cause that great a reaction?
“You must be trying to change that if he was with you when you found me. And you let him join Sorin and the others.”
“The turn we discovered you was the first I had ever let him come with me.” I am ashamed to admit the fact. “I also promised to teach him what little I know of tracking. He is nearly grown and has no skills with which to protect himself or our tribe members. I have done him a great disservice.”
Elodie squeezes my hand and I feel it throughout my entire body. “You’re making up for it now. That’s what really matters. Between what you teach him and what the other children do, he’ll become quickly adept at whatever you all throw at him. He’s a smart kid.”
Courage rises up inside me. I turn my hand over so our palms touch and thread my fingers through Elodie’s. She glances up at me and gives me a soft smile.
“You have generously listened to both Gannen and I talk of our lives. I would offer you the same courtesy. Will you share with me what your life has been like, either on Earth or here on Tavikh?”
She huffs out a harsh breath. “My life has been nothing but running. Except I have no idea if I’ve always been running away from something or toward it.”
“If you had to pick one direction, what would you say?”
There is a long pause while Elodie thinks. “If I was forced to make a guess, I’d go with toward something. Maybe because each new destination has felt as empty as the last. I’ve gotten so tired of running.”
“Has Tavikh made you feel empty?”
“Until recently, yes. Now, I’m not so sure.”
I do not let Elodie’s words mean anything deeper. “The humans here have spoken of Earth and the way it is divided. Were you part of the people who had nothing or the ones who had everything but no desire to share?”
She laughs, but it is a bitter sound. “That’s one way to describe the upper and bottom tiers, I suppose. To answer your question, I was a member of the upper tier. Yes, I had it all. I was still miserable.”
“Now you are here.”
Elodie inclines her head once. “Now I’m here.”
Over the cycles, I have learned patience. Waiting to hear if she has more to share is a challenge, but I do not want to push her. I worry she will shut down entirely if I do. So, I wait. Finally I am rewarded.
“The funny part is, I went from having everything to having nothing thinking I’d be happier. Or, at the very least, less miserable.” She blows out a harsh breath. “The truth is, I’ve been just as sad and lonely and miserable. I had no real friends either on Earth or in the human settlement. Back there, everyone was fake. They only acted like my friend because they wanted something from me. Here, everyone is doing their best to survive. They don’t have time to make friends. There’s no senseof community. We’re all as isolated from each other on Tavikh as we were on Earth.”
“It is different in this village though. In mine as well.”
“I’ve only been in this place for three days and I can already tell ,” she says. “Do you know more people have greeted me the times I’ve sat outside the healer’s tent than in the entire three years I’ve spent in the settlement?”
This does not surprise me. No people have been more welcoming than those who live in the Tavikhi village. When our tribe first moved up into the hills, tensions between the Krijese and our previous enemies were high. We all agreed to leave each other in peace. So long as no one broke that agreement, we would have continued co-existing peacefully. It was Healer Sage saving Sorin’s life which changed everything.
“The Tavikhi are kind and generous people.”
Elodie laughs softly. “It’s a bit unnerving at times, I’ll admit. More than once I’ve pinched myself to make sure I’m not in some weird fever dream. I’m a little ashamed during certain moments when I wonder if it’s nothing more than an act. It’s what I’m used to. The fake kindness hiding ulterior motives.”
My hearts hurt for the kind of life this female appears to have endured. “You have no need to worry about that with the Tavikhi. If they are able to forgive the Krijese for our previous acts of violence against them, and welcome us in peace, they will do the same for you. If you allow them, they will happily welcome you as their newest tribe sister.”
Elodie’s eyes fill with tears once more. “I’ve always wanted siblings. My entire life I’ve been so alone, even when I wassurrounded by a crowd of people. It would be so lovely to become part of a community. Part of a family.”
“You can have that here.” I have seen it happen.Slowly, a smile spread across her face. “I think you’re right.”
“My kit and I are honored to be your friends, but know as well that we would be even more so to be considered family.”
To my surprise, Elodie leans over and brushes a small and swift kiss over my cheek. She tilts her head and rests it against my shoulder. “Thank you. That means more to me than you could ever know.”
Heat flares in every single place where she is pressed against me. Aside from the occasional arm grasp from Kala, no one except Gannen ever touches me. They certainly have never held my hand or laid their head on me. It has been many cycles since I have felt the softness of a female’s skin.
Shame burns deep in my gut. Would Elodie curse me if she knew the things I have done in the past? Would she fear me and believe I would be capable of hurting her? Perhaps it is best I find out now. Before either Gannen or I grow a deeper affection for her.
“Before you decide if you could welcome us as not only friends, but as part of your family, you should hear the truth.” I swallow down my urge to call back my words.
