I reach over and thread my fingers through hers. It is one of the few times I have initiated touching with her, but I could not resist offering her this small comfort. “They did not deserve you.”
“Thank you for saying that. It means a lot, because no, they didn’t.”
After that, we sit in silence, still with Elodie’s hand in mine while we watch the kits spar until they grow too tired to continue. Gannen trudges up the hill with the other three who separate from him after a round of farewells. He collapses into an exhausted heap, forcing himself between us and rests his head on Elodie’s lap.
“Were you watching me, Elodie?” he mumbles, appearing half asleep.
She strokes his floks. “I was. You did an excellent job. I’m very proud of you.”
“I love you.” His words are barely audible and followed by deep, even breathing.
Elodie does not say the words back, but she leans down and presses a kiss to the top of Gannen’s head.
Chapter 16
Elodie
“Can you believe the Krijese are leaving the mountains and joining their tribe with ours?” Riley asks.
She carries Stella, and Astrid carries Niella as we take our daily walk through the village. The two women joined me one day almost three weeks ago and now it’s become routine.
I’m still processing the fact I’ve been living with the Tavikhi for over a month. That it’s been over a month since Ortak and Gannen found me in that hole in the ground.
“At least now your guys don’t have to keep traveling back and forth between the Krijese village and ours every few days to spend time with you,” Astrid points out with a smirk and wags her eyebrows.
I’ve dealt with her teasing every day for weeks and it still makes my face heat. “They’re notmyguys.”
She and Riley share a look. I swear, even the two toddlers give me the side eye.
“Ortak and Gannen have been here as often as three times a week—everyweek—for the past month and stay from before the evening meal until it’s almost too dark for them to safely make it back to their village,” Riley notes. “You and Ortak sit so close together at the top of the hill overlooking the arena you might as well be sitting in his lap. The way you lean into each other when you’re talking is pretty intimate, especially given the fact Ortak rarely takes his eyes off you.”
“Not only that, but every visit, Gannen brings you a small gift,” Astrid adds. “That kid worships you. And his father wants to worship you in far sexier and more naked ways.”
I cover my face, but a small laugh still bubbles up. “Oh my god, stop.”
“You know it’s true,” Riley says.
Fine, yes, everything they’re giving me a hard time about is true. It would be disingenuous of me to deny it. Except not once in all this time has Ortak made a move or suggested the idea of us becoming more than friends. Sure, they’re here almost as often as they are in their own village. And yes, we sit really, really close and are always finding ways to touch each other. That’s it, though. It never goes any farther than that.
Ortak’s never even tried to kiss me, and I know for a fact he knows what it is. Gannen’s told me how often Iris and Kala kiss. Maybe it’s not kissing in the same way that humans kiss, but only because of the way Krijese’s mouths are formed. Still, he hasn’t tried.
“What’s that look on your face?” Astrid asks. “It’s as if you swallowed burim root.”
No way am I telling them I was thinking about Ortak kissing me. Or not, as the case may be. “It’s nothing.”
Thankfully, she leaves it alone as we finish our circuitous route and finally come to a stop outside my tent where we started.
“London said with all the warriors sent to help the Krijese, she guesses they should be here shortly before the evening meal,” Riley tells us. “There are only twenty-nine members of their entire tribe. I’m not sure how much stuff they actually have.”
None of the three of us have ever been to the Krijese’s village to see it for ourselves. My only vision of it has come from Ortak and Gannen describing it, but I’ve never been able to draw a clear mental picture.
“Whatever they might be missing—if anything—my guess is they can get it here,” Astrid says. “They’re our family now and we take care of ours.”
It’s amazing that she truly means it. The two women wave their goodbyes, and I enter my tent to rest for a little while. My endurance has increased drastically with how often I get out and exercise. Hopping around on one foot and crutches is a pain in the ass, but it’s better than being stuck inside. I sit to take off my shoes and grab the data pad from the table beside me.
The Tavikhi remain a primitive tribe, but their Bohnari neighbors have traded a few tech items for their supply of the kanet leaves that grow on this planet. The Bohnari’s reason for needing the plant is super hush hush, but apparently it’s a strong one.
Whatever it is, I’m grateful for it since I can reap some of the benefits of their exchange. Like having access to a data pad so I can read and play games. I’ve even taught a few of them to Gannen and we’ll play against each other during some of his and Ortak’s visits. The little shit is a natural and beats me almost every single time. I love how excited he gets when he does. He’s mastering the art of trash talk as well, which always makes me laugh.
