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That is the same question I’ve been asking myself. “I don’t know. I guess it means maybe we’re not just friends.”
Ortak studies me long enough that I get twitchy. Finally, he says something. “Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
I smack my forehead against his chest and try to hold back my laughter. My shoulders shake with it. When I get my amusement under control I lift my head. “It is the best thing. At least, I hope it is. I want it to be.”
“I want it to be as well.”
Relief floods me. “What do we do about this new development?”
“What do you wish to do?”
“You know.” I poke Ortak lightly in the shoulder. “It’s rude to answer a question with another question.”
“Before you, I have never been friends with a female. I have never kissed a female either. All of this is new to me, so I am trusting you to guide me in the direction you wish to go.”
I sag against him. “You’re right, I’m sorry. This is all sort of new to me as well. I mean, the way relationships work on this planet are way different than how they work on Earth. I’m trying to navigate in uncharted territory.”
“Perhaps we can navigate it together.”
“I’d like that.”
Slowly, Ortak leans down and kisses me again, doing nothing more than grazing my mouth with his. “You should rest, and we will speak again when I return from hunting. Enjoy your time with Gannen while I am gone.”
I lay my forehead on his chest again and nod, breathing in his scent. “Please be careful tomorrow.”
“I will.”
We stand like that for another minute, but finally separate. Ortak bends down for my crutches and waits until I’ve got a solid grip on them before he steps away to put space between us. I want to kiss him again, but instead, I enter my tent and release a deep sigh. The sound of his retreating footsteps fades.
I manage to get myself ready for bed in near record time and crawl into my pile of furs. How in the world I’m going to sleep now I don’t know. I have to try though, otherwise tomorrow is going to be awful. I’ll be tired and cranky and I don’t want to spend my first day alone with Gannen feeling that way. Surprisingly, my eyes actually grow heavy and I feel myself slowly start to drift off.
Someone slapping my door flap jerks me out of a sound sleep.
“Elodie? Are you awake? It is Gannen.”
My brain is all muddy, but I think I can manage a coherent sentence. “I’m awake.” Barely. “You can come in.”
The door flap swings open and he pokes his head in. “You are still in your furs.”
Excellent observation. “Because it is still morning.”
“Gogo and Kala have been gone for some time now. We shared our morning meal with Sorin and Talek,” he says, finally coming all the way inside. “You missed it.”
“I’m aware.” Slowly, I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes. When I open them, Gannen is sitting right in front of me, his knees almost touching my shin. I didn’t even hear him move.
He cocks his head. “Do you always sleep this late?”
I laugh. “If I can help it, yes.”
“But you are missing the best part of the turn.”
“I assure you, I am not.” I ruffle his floks. “Do me a favor since you’re here, will you? Will you bring over the basin of water and the cloth so I can wash my face.”
Gannen jumps to his feet and seconds later, he’s back with the basin balanced between his hands. He sets it on the ground next to me and hands over the small piece of leather. Then, he takes his seat again and watches me like I’m the most fascinating thing he’s ever witnessed. Considering he’s probably never seen a woman’s morning routine, it doesn’t surprise me.
Mine used to be much more elaborate than it is now. I’d spend so long in the shower the skin on my fingers wrinkled. I’d clean my face, moisturize it, rub on all these expensive anti-aging serums and eye wrinkle cream. My in-home makeup artist would then get to work making me beautiful and artificial. When he’d finish, I’d spray myself with designer perfume before putting on high-end, brand-name clothes a personal shopper picked out for me. I hated every aspect of it.
Finally, I finish and hang the damp cloth over the edge of the basin. Before I can ask, Gannen picks it up and puts it back where it belongs.
