“Aye.”
We leave the fire and slowly cut our way through the village. I am not used to the number of people who wander about. Not only are there Tavikhi, but humans as well. And not only the mates of the Tavikhi warriors, but entirely human families with kits.
“The leaders of the human settlement know any of their people are welcome to leave there and join our tribe,” Zander told us recently. “Iris was the last to come, but prior to that there were a number of family units who joined. Most have been here more than three cold seasons.”
None of the humans we pass glance at Gannen or me in fear, but they do not smile or greet us either. Perhaps in time they will. When they are used to our presence.
The river finally appears and Gannen runs the rest of the way. He stops at a bench and waits for us.
“We have only now arrived and he has already asked to swim with the other kits after the next turn’s midday meal.”
Elodie glances at me. “It’s good that they’re including him. I assume he knows how?”
I nod. “Aye. That is one thing I made sure to teach him when he was younger. I did not want to risk his safety while he did nothing more than bathe. A simple task such as that should not be the cause of his death.”
“You said yes, right?”
“I told him I would speak with you.”
Elodie startles. “With me? Why?”
“Kala and I will be going hunting with Benham and Jodah. We are leaving right after the morning meal and will not return until much later. Gannen is a strong swimmer, but I do not like him being in the water without someone I trust nearby.”
Elodie stops so I do as well. “Are you asking me to watch him?”
I cannot judge her tone. “If you are agreeable.”
“Of course I’m agreeable.” She lays her hand on my arm. “Thank you for trusting me with your son.”
Without thought, I cradle her jaw and caress her skin with my thumb. “There is no one else I trust more.”
As if suddenly remembering where we are and that my kit waits nearby, Elodie moves back. My arm falls to my side.
She clears her throat. “Gannen’s waiting for us.”
I glance at him and he watches us intently and with a hope I do not have the right to give him. “We do not want to keep him waiting then.”
We move to where he stands and Elodie takes a seat on the bench. He’s at her side and passes her the fruit. I remain on my feet. She takes a few bites and laughs as the juice drips down her chin. For half a moment, I picture licking it off with my tongue.
“Back on Earth,” she tells Gannen. “We ate a fruit called a peach that tastes exactly like this. I used to cut mine up and put the pieces over vanilla ice cream.”
“What is ice cream?” he asks.
“It’s this really cold, creamy treat. I don’t know if there are any equivalent ingredients here, but if we’re really lucky, when the cold season returns, we can try and use the cold dust to make some.” There’s a sparkle of excitement in Elodie’s eyes when she says this.
“What does it taste like?”
She hums. “I don’t really know how to describe the flavor. I’ve never eaten anything like it on Tavikh. It’s a solid, yet soft, sweet cream, like shurup nectar, but yet, totally different.”
“I put shurup nectar in my kokkra,” Gannen tells her.
“Me too.” Elodie glances up at me. “What about you? Do you like to sweeten your kokkra as well?”
“It is not to my taste.”
“You won’t say that about ice cream when I ask you to try it.” She grins.
“I do not typically like sweet, but for you I will try this ice cream.”
