Chapter 6

Rojtar

Despite the fact the second moon is still visible in the sky and the sun has barely risen, news of Abby and Carter’s arrival has been the latest topic of conversation in the village. Although it has mostly been about Abby and the possibility that she could be the keeshla of one of the warriors. I fully understand now, Benham’s previous irritation with those of us who spoke of nothing but the human females and our constant distraction from hunting and sparring.

Every time one of the younger warriors mentions Abby’s name, an irrational spike of anger—and perhaps jealousy—bubbles up from my gut. We have not even touched, yet somehow I already think of her as mine. It was a realization I came to during the night when sleep would not come. All I could do as the moons traveled across the sky was picture her in my mind.

My fingers grip my sparring staff hard to soothe myself from the need to touch her and see if my mating marks appear. Once again, the soft female voice whispers in the far recesses of my head that Abby is my fated mate. I can only assume it has been Deeka speaking to me. The rushing sound of air is the only warning I get before Jodah’s sparring staff strikes my side.I groan in pain and drop my own staff to clutch my injury.

“You are not focused,” he scolds. “The pain would be far greater if it had been your head I aimed for.”

With an aching soreness, I slowly straighten, but my hand remains covering the deeply throbbing spot where he struck. “My mind is elsewhere.”

Jodah plants the end of his stick in the ground and leans on it. “The new female.” It is not a question.

“Yes.” There is no point in denying it. My sparring partner is a few seasons older than me and mated. He must understand the hold these human females have over us. “I cannot stop thinking about her. Zander and Zydon both spoke of the tug they felt for their mates. Before I met Abby, there has been no other female—human or Tavikhi—I have been drawn to. She is different.”

“You think she could be your keeshla , then?” Jodah’s eyes widen.

“I do not know. The only thing I am completely certain of is no Tavikhi female is my fated mate.”

“Sage said your female is not exactly friendly.”

“A voice I believe belonging to Deeka has told me that someone has hurt Abby. It is why she has hardened her heart. She does this to protect herself.”

Jodah nods solemnly. “If what you say is true, then it is up to you to show her that you are more than capable—and worthy—of protecting her heart.”

“I do not imagine it will be an easy task.”

He approaches and clasps my shoulder. “Winning the heart of a female is never easy. But it is worth every effort.”

With those words, he turns and strides away from the training arena, leaving me to think. Jodah is right, though. I see what all the mated pairs of our village have. It is perfect and pure and something I have always wanted for myself. So I will do whatever it is I have to do to show Abby that she does not need to keep protecting her heart. I am more than up to the task.

“Rojtar.”

I glance to the top of the incline that overlooks the sparring area and spot London. She waves down at me, and I make my way toward her.

“Yes, Shefira?”

“One of the guards at the gate said Abby and Carter just left to head back to the settlement for their things. I thought you might want to know.”

I cross my fist over my chest. “Thank you for the news, Shefira. If you do not object, I would like to make sure the female and kit arrive safely. There is a dishonorable and untrustworthy male who may wish to harm them.”

“Go. I’m sure there’s someone else we can send out hunting in your place,” London assures me.

“I will be sure to make up for it the next time.”

She nods. “I don’t doubt you will.”

I fist my chest a second time and make a quick stop at my tent for my sword before rushing out of the village in search of Abby. It takes far longer than it should have for me to catch up with them. Like the previous turn, it is their voices I hear before I actually see them. The two walk side-by-side, the kit nearly matching her in height. It may not be long before he towers over her.

“I still don’t know why we had to leave so early,” Carter complains. “The sun is barely up.”

She sighs. “Please stop. Besides, the sooner we get to the settlement to grab our things, the sooner we can head back to the Tavikhi village. You should be happy about that.”

He grumbles, but does not speak up again. Having learned my lesson from the previous turn, I call out and make my presence known. I do not want to be accused of spying on them.

“It is a lovely day for a walk, is it not?”

The two of them whirl, and I raise my hands in surrender. Carter grins and waves. Abby, on the other hand, glares and pivots back in their original direction and continues on her path. I catch up with the kit who remains behind. Together we walk after his sister.

“I’m sorry Abby’s being rude.”

“There is no reason to apologize. I do not take offense.”

Carter gapes. “Really? I mean, she’s been pretty bitchy.”

The word does not translate, but I am doubtful it is complimentary. “You should not speak of your sister so.”

His cheeks darken and he ducks his head. “Sorry.”

My gaze remains fixed on the figure ahead of us. I cannot help but admire what a fine form Abby has. Her waist nips in and then curves out along the swell of her hips. She is tailless, which only draws my attention to her plump backside and the fact it is bare. There is a twinge of guilt that I am having such thoughts about her while walking beside her young brother. Especially since my cock twitches and I have a need to adjust myself behind my leg coverings.

“You also should not have caused Abby to worry by sneaking away.” I cast Carter a side glance. “A worthy male does not hide his intentions or run away from problems.”

“I really didn’t mean to make her worry,” he says. “I just didn’t know what else to do. Lewis threatened her when we got back, and she wouldn’t listen to me.”

The banked rage comes rumbling to the forefront at the mention of that male. If it would not cause strained relations between the humans and Tavikhi, I would beat him within a single breath of his life. Then Abby would no longer need to fear him and whatever threats he dealt her.

I glance at her again and note that the distance between us has grown greater. My pace quickens. Carter grows breathless beside me trying to keep up.

“Are you in such a great hurry to return to the human settlement?” I call out to Abby.

She continues walking without slowing down or answering. I vow before the day is over that I will get her to speak to me. Even if it is in anger. I do not like the silence she gives.

“If it’s any consolation, she usually doesn’t stay mad at me for longer than a day,” Carter notes. “Give her a little time and her temper should cool.”

Perhaps.

At last, the settlement is visible through a break in the trees. The sun has risen higher in the sky and shines brightly down on the bari field that lies between the forest and the place where the humans reside. This is the spot where the ships that bring the humans to Tavikh land. The center of the field is bare, and indentions have been left in the ground. Three ships have arrived on our planet since the initial one. Which one of them held Abby and Carter?

“How long have you and your sister been on Tavikh?”

“About a year, I think. Maybe less. Maybe more. Time is different here than it is on Earth.”

It is? This is not something I knew but find fascinating. I have only heard a few stories from Evren who heard them from Jodah about what life had been like on Terra. One of them being that the humans are divided by what material things they possess. Those who have much and those who do not, and those who have much do not share with those who do not. It would appear that humans are a selfish species.

Abby has already opened the gate and disappeared through it. Carter steps over the threshold and I follow. Like every time I have been here, people stare. I have never understood why. It is not as though I am a stranger to them. It is as though I am the enemy. It should not hurt that often it feels as though Abby looks at me the same way, but it does.

“Our tent is this way.” Carter directs.

I trail him through the entire settlement until we reach a small dwelling at the far back wall. It sits beneath one of the few trees that stands within the borders. A small fire pit lies in front of each dwellings. I had forgotten how disconnected each unit is from the next. There is no central gathering place where the humans meet to discuss settlement business. They do not exist harmoniously with one another.

Abby has disappeared inside and the sound of her moving around within spills from the opening.

“I will wait out here.”

Carter nods and enters as well. Their hushed voices reach my ears, but I cannot make out the words. It is perhaps for the best. I am sure she has harsh things to say to the kit. Most likely about me.

“You just couldn’t mind your own fucking business, could you?” Lewis stands nearby with a sneer on his lips. His face is a similar shade to Abby’s hair and at his sides, his fists are clenched.

Without a response, I rest my hand on my sword hilt and the male’s gaze is drawn to it. The bright color leaves his cheeks, but he holds his ground. Hatred spews from his eyes and he darts a glance at the tent behind me.

“That cunt thinks she’s too good for me, but she’ll spread her legs for some alien?” Lewis spits on the dirt.

“Do not speak of the female like that again.” He should heed my warning.

He scoffs. “Or what?”

Four slow steps bring me face-to-face with him. I take great satisfaction in the fact he must tilt his head back to maintain eye contact with me. He shrinks back a fraction, but must find a bit of courage, because he straightens to his full height, which still leaves me staring down at him. I lean close because I do not want him to mistake my meaning.

“Or I will kill you.”