Chapter 21

Jodah

Long after Sage had fallen asleep, rage had burned through my body at the thought of some worthless male hurting her. It nearly overshadowed our beautiful mating. My heart is so full but also aches that she thought I would judge her harshly for defending herself. Once again, my keeshlahas proven she is a fighter. Not only for others when she fought so hard to keep Sorin and me alive, but also for herself. It does not matter that guilt drove her. She still battled against it.

Sage continues to sleep. After her nightmare, she remained peacefully wrapped within my arms the rest of the night as though she trusted me to protect her. A warm glow had emanated from her. Almost like she was surrounded by sunlight. Her body burned with heat, but she did not appear affected by it. Neither had I. Her breathing remained soft and shallow.

Sounds of the village rising for the day filter in through my tent. Voices are present, but I cannot make out any of the words. I can smell the central fire and the morning meal.I need to go to the training arena, and Sage needs to eat to keep her strength, but I do not want to wake my mate. She needs to rest more, just as I told her last night. And the moment she awakens she will want to return to the healer's tent to check on Sorin. I suspect Kala and he will be leaving soon, which will cause Sage sorrow. Her heart is tender.

She shifts in my arms and her leg brushes against my cock that has been hard since I had woken. I bite back the groan, not wanting to disturb her. Memories return of the two of us. Of our mating. Of the way my keeshlafelt beneath me. How her cunt gripped me when I entered her. The sweet sounds she made echo in my ears and her scent still lingers in the air just beneath the odor of the burning fiku wood in the fire pit that needs stoked. My mating marks tingle and there is a slight pinch near my hip where the marks remain broken.

Sage's breathing changes and I glance down. Her eyes flutter before slowly opening. Even in the pale light, it is obvious her cheeks change color. I do not believe this color signifies attraction although they are the same shade.

"Good morning, keeshla."

"Good morning."

"Did you get enough rest?" If it were up to me she would get more.

"I did, thank you."

As much as I would like to linger in our furs, Sage needs to eat. "Would you like to wash up and dress while I get us both the morning meal?"

Just then her stomach makes a growling noise and she laughs softly. "That sounds great. Afterward, I really need to go check on Sorin."

Because I cannot help myself, I bend and mouth touch with her. "I will bring us food and then we will go to the healer's tent."

She nods and I stand. Her gaze follows me and she openly stares at my nakedness until I have pulled on the leg coverings, which is more difficult than usual because Sage's studying of me has hardened my cock. I add two more pieces of wood to the fire to help warm the tent and then I exit to head to the central fire. I am nearly there when I pause. All the tribespeople are gathered around, but they stare at something close by.

I spot a small group of armed warriors, including Benham and Zydon. To my surprise, Kala is also among them. They form a curved line that has Zander at its center. Several paces behind the warriors are the shefira and her tribe sisters. They are nearly close enough to each other to touch. Remi has a tight grip on her sparring staff and her sword hangs from the belt at her waist.

Standing in front of our shefir is another male, but not one of our tribe.

I wish I had brought my staff as well.

The other male's flesh blends in with the cold dust that blankets the ground, only broken up by the small piece of hide the color of the fiku wood that circles his hips. Unlike the Tavikhi and the Krijese, he does not possess any hair and his eyes are the color of themanerrat berry. Although I only saw one of their tribe members once when I was a young kit, I recognize the male to be Njeri. What is he doing so far from his village?

I close the distance until I stand beside Kala. Zander's anger is evident.

"Go back to your tribe leader and tell him that the human females are not available for trade." The shefir's grip on his sword hilt at his waist tightens.

Trade? That is why the Njeri is here? To offer an exchange of some kind for the females?

"The former shefir made an agreement with Terim. All things were open to trade. It does not matter that you had nothing we wanted until now. Are you now going back on your word?"

"Djentar would never agree to trade living beings. I do not go back on the agreement, but the humans are not part of it," Zander's tone is sharp.

The Njeri does not take his eyes off the shefir. "The Tavikhi are not a people of honor then."

"We have enough honor to not trade in flesh. I will not continue to negotiate with you. My word is final. Return to your village and do not come back."

For several tense moments, the Njeri remains where he stands, his gaze focused on Zander and completely ignoring the other warriors despite them being armed. "You will regret this decision."

The other male turns his back on the shefir and walks toward the village entrance appearing unfazed by all the armed warriors behind him. None of my tribe brothers let down their guard until the Njeri is no longer in sight.

"I do not believe you have seen the last of him," Kala breaks the silence, and everyone turns his way. "The Njeri are not known for forgiving what they feel are slights. King Armik and our people have had many battles with their people when he would not agree to trade with them."

"The Krijese is most likely correct," Benham adds.

Zander glances toward where the Njeri disappeared and faces all of us. "Increase the patrols around the outside of the village. Set up several more scouts to monitor from the trees."

With this new possible threat, I am now more determined than ever to return to training so I am ready to protect not only my tribespeople, but my mate. Slowly the village returns to life and everyone goes back to eating. The mated females rush to their mates and step into their arms. I need to get back to Sage. Quickly, I gather two vessels of kokrra, sweeten them with shurup nectar, and go back to my tent.

Sage is dressed and seated on a fur. "Is everything all right? You were gone for a while."

I lower myself next to her and pass her one of the vessels. "One of the Njeri was within the village speaking to Zander."

"Oh man, I'm kind of disappointed I missed him. I admit I'm curious what the other tribes on this planet look like."

A protective wave surges. "He was not here for a good reason."

Sage tilts her head and the furry lines over her eyes shift. "What did he want then?"

I debate giving her the truth, because I do not want her to fear anything, but my keeshlais strong. "When I was a kit and Zander's baba was Shefir, he and the leader of the Njeri created a trade agreement. It would appear that we had nothing they wanted in all this time so they did not ask. But now…we do. They want to trade for the human females."

Her eyes widen. "I'm sorry, what? Are you serious? Obviously Zander didn't agree, did he?"

"The shefir would never agree to trade any of the females." I am surprised she would ask.

"I didn't think so. I'm not sure why I even asked." Sage sets down her vessel of food. "What did the Njeri say when Zander said no?"

"He did not take it well."

"Should we be worried?"

Again, I do not want to keep the truth from her. "I am unsure. It is possible."

Sage remains silent and merely pushes her kokrra around in the vessel without eating. I reach over and lay my hand on her cheek. She lifts her gaze to meet mine.

"I will not let anything happen to you. On my honor, I will keep you safe."

She covers my hand with hers and leans into my touch. "I know you will. I only want you to be careful. It wasn't that long ago that I nearly lost you."

"You will not lose me."

Neither of us speak again for several beats of my heart until I coax her to finish her meal. "I do not want you falling ill."

Sage nods and goes back to eating, but does so slowly. Once our vessels are empty, I take hers. "Come. I know you are anxious to check on Sorin."

I help her to her feet and she picks up her discarded dhembe fur and wraps it around her shoulders. Together, we leave the tent and make a brief stop at the central fire to drop off the vessels. Most of the tribespeople have dispersed back to their dwellings, but a few linger to clean up. The shefir has gone as well. I take Sage's hand and we walk to the healer's tent.

Sorin is up and walking with his baba. They are the only ones present. The kit glances over at us and what I have determined is a smile splits his mouth. He heads in our direction. My mate releases her hold on me and meets him halfway.

"Healer Sage, I am glad you are here. I have barely coughed since last evening."

She strokes his dark floks—what the Krijese call their hair—that are tied back off his face. Sorrow crosses hers. I know she not only worries about him but does not feel he is well enough to leave yet. "That makes me happy to hear. I'm glad the medicine is working."

Kala approaches. "Your healer has said he will send some of it with us to our village when we leave tomorrow."

My mate makes a small noise but cuts it off. It is clear she will not change the Krijese's mind.

"Please take care of him," she says instead.

"Of course." Kala nods and draws Sorin to his side.

Sage's mouth curls up, but I have come to recognize what are her genuine smiles and this is not one. "Since you're in good hands with your father, I'll let you continue with your walking. I just wanted to check on you. I'm so glad you're feeling better. I'll make sure to come see you again before you leave."

The kit moves forward and to my shock wraps his arms around her waist. I would not have believed the Krijese to show this type of affection. "Thank you for helping me get well."

She returns his embrace and rests her cheek on his floks. Tears are in her eyes, but they do not spill over. "You're welcome. I'll miss you."

Sorin releases her and stares up. "Perhaps you can come visit our village when the cold season is gone."

"I'd like that," Sage tells him.

"Come, let us continue our walk," Kala prompts and Sorin returns to his side.

As there is nothing more for my mate to do, I wrap my tail around her waist as the two Krijese turn away and resume their trek within the healer's tent. She watches for another moment before she moves toward the door. We go outside and she loops her arm around mine like she always does when we walk together. I can feel her small body shake and she sniffs many times.

"Would you like to go back to your tent?" I do not want to presume she wishes to return to mine.

She shakes her head. "Will you take me back to yours?"

"Whatever my mate wishes."

When we get inside, she tugs me down to the furs. She sits across my upper legs and buries her face against my chest while her tears spill. I hold her close and give her as much comfort as I am able. A powerful emotion swells within my chest and a remembered sensation glides over my skin. I felt this when Deeka came to me while I was injured and just as I knew then, I know now exactly what it is.

It is love.