Elodie raises her head and looks up at me. “What do you mean?”
I glance around the fire. Most of the people have already left, but several still linger. If she chooses to reject my friendship and instead hate me, at least someone is nearby who can make sure she returns to the healer’s tent safely.
“Gannen and I have shared what the Krijese used to be like. How we were bred for battle. We knew nothing but hatred and war. All of the warlords have killed, including Kala and myself. We fought many times against the Tavikhi. No record exists for when our tribes became enemies. It began with our ancestors and continued until the few of us left King Armik’s rule and formed our own village.”
Elodie nods. “None of that information makes me change my mind about being your friend, Ortak.”
“That is not the end of it, though.” Those are the least of my sins. “Krijese not only attacked the Tavikhi village, but also the human settlement.”
“I’ve lived there for three years. I’m well aware of the fact. I’ve actually lived through more than one Krijese attack during my time on Tavikh,” she says. “Those of us back at the settlement have frequently been told the Krijese are no longer a threat. Many of the humans don’t believe it, but I’m not one of them. You’ve never given me a reason to doubt.”
“We took many females prisoner.” None survived.
“I know,” Elodie almost whispers.
“We attempted to breed with each one, whether they wished for it or not. They did not.”
She breathes out. “I know that too.”
“King Armik commanded me to do this.” My voice grows more harsh. “I started to obey, but when I looked into the first female’s eyes and saw her pain—her terror—I could not go through with it. Our king punished me severely for my disobedience. Another Krijese took my place. Some nights, I still hear her screams.”
Beside me, Elodie shudders. A warm droplet of liquid falls onto my arm. I glance down to find tears spilling down her cheeks.
“If you have no wish to be near me or my kit again, I will not blame you. What I nearly did is unforgivable.”
She draws in a stuttering breath. “I can’t begin to understand what the life of a Krijese was like under the rule of an evil being like your king. Really, I’m not sure I want to, because the horror of it is not something I can imagine. Since you and Gannen found me in that hole, you have been nothing but kind. It isn’t fair of me to judge a version of you from the past. All I can do is judge the version you’ve shown me, and this version is one I would call a friend.”
I do not deserve this female. “Thank you for your trust. I vow, here and now, to do all I can to live up to your expectations. On whatever honor I possess, I will not disappoint you.”
Chapter 10
Elodie
Yesterday was exhausting. Not only physically, but emotionally as well. Hearing Ortak talk about what his life had been like was awful. It didn’t take a genius to recognize the immense remorse he felt for participating in such a heinous act.
I’d like to think I’d be able to forgive him if hehadgone through with abusing that woman, but truthfully, I’m not sure I could. Even given the circumstances of how he’d been raised. How they’d all been raised. I’m filled with gratitude though in how he is bringing up Gannen. It’s the same with how Kala and Iris are doing with Sorin.
Before they all returned to the Krijese village, I spent time with them. Ortak and Gannen joined us. I did my best to ignore the way Iris studied me and my interactions with the male and his son. They’re my friends, and I treated them as such. Yet every glance Iris sent my way was questioning. Like there was more to my relationship with Ortak. Or there could be t more. As much as I enjoyed their company and was grateful to get to know thembetter, I was glad when they all returned home. The scrutiny had been getting to me.
“Knock, knock,” Sage announces when she walks through the doorway of the healer’s tent.
Giddiness swarms me at what she holds in her hands. “They’re done?”
She grins like a mad woman and brings the pair of crutches to me. “They are. Why don’t you try them out?”
I swing my legs over the edge of the platform and make grabby hands. Sage passes them both over, and I position one on either side of me. I slide my butt off the bed, lodge the padded surface under my armpits, and stand upright. My leg’s a bit wobbly, but I quickly steady myself.
“How’s the fit? Are they the right height?”
My grip tightens on the hand bars about level with my hips. “Feels like it.”
Sage gestures. “Give it a go. See how they hold up.”
Carefully, I take my first hop. Then a second. Followed by a third, until I’ve made an entire lap around the healer’s tent. “Oh my god, they’re perfect.”
She claps. “Excellent. Your freedom awaits. Just don’t tire yourself out.”
“Now that I’m mobile, there’s no stopping me.” I laugh maniacally.
