by Hope Hart
“So you were raised as Calix’s son.”
He nods, and I stroke my finger over one of his pecs as I consider everything he’s told me.
Tagiz may think he owes Calix everything, but I see the guy for who he is. A master manipulator who only cares about himself and who he believes Tagiz should be.
He took a scared orphan and raised him to believe he only had one option in life. He raised him with the belief he was in debt to Calix because he saved him from being slaughtered on the battlefield.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
“Do you think any of the other warriors in this camp would have killed you that day?”
He’s silent for a long moment. “No. Honor is everything in this tribe, and there is no honor in killing a child.”
“But you didn’t know that at the time.”
“No. In my tribe, we fought for everything.”
“So you automatically felt beholden to Calix for saving your life.”
He tenses. “He did save my life. He didn’t need to take me as his own, Zoey.”
“I know. But do you think Rakiz’s dad truly would’ve let you leave his tribe with nothing but some food and a sword?”
“No. But I didn’t know that then.”
“Exactly.”
“What are you saying?”
I choose my words carefully. As much as I’m beginning to loathe Calix, he’s still Tagiz’s father.
“I’m saying maybe you feel like you need to live up to the idea of what Calix wants you to be simply because you feel like you owe him for taking you in as a child. But any decent person would’ve done the exact same thing.”
He considers this. “You raise good points, but it changes nothing. I am my father’s only son. The son he chose. Without him and my mother, I would have been another camp orphan, perhaps given to parents who would not have overseen my training. Parents who would not have ensured I would be a strong warrior.”
I nod as I pretend to let it go. But I’m not letting anything go. I don’t doubt Calix loves his son. How could he not? But by offering that scared, lonely seven-year-old a choice in exchange for being raised by him, he made it clear the home he offered came with strings. Do as Calix said, live the life he wanted him to lead, and Tagiz would have a home.
Tagiz kisses my forehead. Then my cheek. Then he gently brushes my lips with his before working his way down my neck, making me squirm in need as his warm breath tickles the shell of my ear.
I shiver against him, and he lets out a low laugh as I arch, my hands reaching for him in an attempt to drag him closer.
He takes both my wrists in one hand, holding them between us.
“My turn,” he murmurs. He leans down, and his lips are hungry, demanding more as his tongue conquers my mouth. I attempt to lift my hands again, ridiculously turned on as he squeezes my wrists gently, making it clear he’s the one in charge.
His eyes are dark as he slowly pulls away, and I lick my lips. He lets out a rough curse before immediately taking my mouth again.
Suddenly, he’s pushing back the furs, his gaze once again drinking in my naked body.
My cheeks burn, and he continues kissing his way down, stopping to nuzzle at my breasts, his tongue flicking each nipple until they’re both hard and aching, desperate for more.
“Tagiz,” I groan, and he licks at my lower belly, right above my pubic bone, then blows cool air over my skin.
My thighs clench.
His hand finally releases my wrists, and I fist the furs beneath me as he moves his attention further south.
His hand cups me like he owns me, a low growl leaving his throat as his fingers slide through my wetness, making me beg.
“Tagiz, please.”
“You rushed me last night, little healer. I was like an untried warrior as I got lost in the wonders of your body. Now I get to explore you properly.”
I groan as he pinches my clit. “Explore me later.”
He laughs. And then he’s settling between my thighs, inhaling the scent of me as my cheeks burn. He pushes my thighs further apart, and his tongue plunges into me, making me cry out at the sudden pleasure.
I rock into him, and his hands come up, holding my hips. He makes it clear he’s in control and I’m just along for the ride.
And God, it’s sexy.
His tongue rolls in firm circles along my clit, and my eyes slide shut as he pushes one large finger inside me.
“Open your eyes,” he murmurs against me. “See who makes you feel like this, little healer.”
I crack open my eyes, and he rewards me with more licking, more sucking, as another finger joins the first, and he angles them until he’s flicking my G-spot.
My breath catches in my throat, and I let out long moan as he uses the edge of his teeth on my clit, plunging his fingers into me at the same time.
I choke on my gasp.
He spreads my thighs even wider as he moves up my body, his jaw tight. I can feel him, hard and throbbing against my stomach, and I’m instantly desperate for him to be inside me again.
He moves up one of my legs until it’s almost over his shoulder, and I cry out as he slides straight into me, not stopping until his balls are pressed up against me. He feels so big, filling me up until I don’t know where I end and he begins.
He doesn’t hesitate, instantly rocking into me, his pubic bone hitting my clit with each thrust. He’s almost too big in this position, my hips angled up to allow him to hit spots inside me that haven’t been hit before. But I’m so turned on, and his fingers pinch my nipple as he grinds into my clit. I begin to shake.
“Oh God…”
He laughs again, but it’s clear from his tight jaw that he’s barely holding on to his control.
I want to see him lose it.
I meet his thrusts, and he grinds down harder, almost in retaliation. He fists my hair, and the slight pain is enough to throw me over the edge as he rams into my G-spot, slamming into my clit at the same time.
I come so hard I see stars, and I can’t even talk as he continues to thrust, immediately sending me back into nirvana.
He lets out a long, low growl, stilling as he empties himself into me. He buries his head in my neck, and I bring up my hands, clutching at him, reveling in the weight of his body on top of mine. He’s careful not to crush me, and after a long moment, he rolls over until I’m sprawled on top of his chest.
“Wow” is all I can say.
His hand cups my butt possessively, and we lie silently, dozing for a while. Then he groans.
“I must go,” he murmurs. “I have a meeting with Rakiz at sundown.”
With a sigh, I watch him pull on his pants.
I feel more rested than I have in weeks, and I realize for the first time in longer than I can remember that I didn’t dream.
I’m still exhausted, but obviously the key to a good nap is being wrapped in Tagiz’s arms.
I snort at that, and Tagiz glances at me. I feel suddenly awkward.
“What are we, Tagiz?”
He reaches for his shirt, and as he pulls it on, my gaze gets stuck on his chest. I drag my attention up to his face, noting the hesitant way he glances at me.
Nothing has changed, I realize. Even after seeing how we are together, he’s still going to go along with his father’s plans and spend the rest of his life with a woman he considers just a friend.
“Can we discuss this later? I’m sorry, Zoey, but I must go.”
I nod, my mind racing as he leans over and presses a kiss to my forehead.
I’ve been an idiot. But enough is enough. I have plenty to focus on here, amongst the Dokhalls, the ship, and the new human women. If Tagiz doesn’t consider what we have to be worth pissing off his dad, then there’s nothing I can do or say to make him think differently.
Chapter Eight
Zoey
I survey the karja as he finishes eating the last of his breakfast.
I’m g
etting a little worried he’s going to end up too domesticated. According to Rakiz, karja are occasionally tamed by Braxian warriors. Once they choose to take food from their hands, they’re loyal to them for the rest of their days.
“I’m sorry I took you from your home,” I murmur to the fur ball as he sniffs at my shoes.
“Today you’re going back to the wild. Where you belong.”
The little karja ignores me, obviously unimpressed. He seems to know something is up though. Usually, he prances in place when I show him the makeshift leash Tagiz made for him. Today, he turns and buries his head beneath the soft furs of his bed.
Like everyone on this planet, the karja healed remarkably fast. He’s also growing at an incredible rate. No longer is he the size of a Jack Russell. Instead, he reminds me of my neighbor’s border collie.
“If you don’t get back to your real home soon, you’re going to forget all about it.”
I pull the furs off him and attach the leash to his collar. I hated to put it on him, but even I could see the necessity of it, considering how many kids live in this camp.
“Okay, buddy.” I try to keep my voice perky and excited, but my heart aches. I’ll miss my slobbery alarm.
I walk the karja out of my kradi and toward the forest where I found him. Tagiz offered to meet me to help me say goodbye, and even though we’re in a weird place right now, I took him up on that offer.
It’s been eight days since I fell asleep in his arms. Tagiz has been away hunting for six of them, and we haven’t had a chance to talk.
As far as I’m aware, nothing has changed. Tagiz still feels it’s his duty to mate with who his father has chosen for him. And whenever I think about it, fury burns in my belly. Fury at both Tagiz’s father for making his son feel so indebted to him and at Tagiz for not being willing to tell his father to fuck off.
I’m trying to give him space and time, but truthfully, I’m sick of the long nights staring at the roof of my kradi. I’m tired of wondering if Tagiz will ever choose me. And I’m scared the things I feel for him will soon be replaced with resentment.
My mother would expect more from me. She raised me to know my worth, to not end up living a life similar to hers. I believe, deep in my heart, Tagiz could be the one for me. But that doesn’t mean I’ll wait forever.
He angles his head when we approach, as if surprised to see us. It’s not long after sunrise, and the camp is beginning to wake. I wanted to do this early, though, so I could say goodbye to the little fur ball in private.
Tagiz leans against the camp wall, looking relaxed. But I can see the tension in his shoulders and in the lines around his eyes.
“Zoey?”
I jolt, realizing I’m staring at Tagiz with a frown on my face. The karja makes a show of baring his teeth at Tagiz with a growl, then gives a full-body shake and pulls me forward until he can sniff at Tagiz’s boots.
Tagiz leans down and runs his hand over the fur ball’s fluffy ears.
No, Zoey. Stop thinking about how those hands felt on your body.
“Okay,” I mutter. “Let’s get this over with.”
Tagiz nods, his eyes sympathetic. He falls into step with me, and we’re both silent as we head toward the spot where I found the karja.
“Have you spent much time in the Seinex Forest?” I ask, and Tagiz glances at me.
“Yes. I was posted there with Hewex. We hunted Voildi and dismantled their traps.”
“What’s it like?”
Moni speaks of the Seinex Forest with something like reverence. There are things that grow there that are unable to be found anywhere else.
“It is…interesting. You won’t remember, but we rode through the forest when we brought you back to camp.” His mouth twists at the memory. “The trees look different from these ones.” He nods to the forest that stretches out in front of us. “They’re bone white, with few leaves. Things happen in that forest that cannot be explained. It’s a dangerous place.” He glances at my face and smiles. “And you want to go.”
I nod vigorously. “Moni mentioned a few things we need to restock, and…I just want to check it out. For my own experiments.”
“I’ll take you.”
I chew on my lip at that. If anything, I should be trying to spend less time with Tagiz, since my traitorous heart can’t be trusted not to start fluttering in my chest every time he looks at me.
He seems to be waiting for an answer, so I nod, and he frowns at my response, opening his mouth.
The karja growls.
I glance down at him and realize he’s growling at the forest, pulling on the leash. I kneel down and untie the leash from his collar.
“Whoa—”
Tagiz steps forward, catching me as the karja shoves past me, and I almost fall. The fur ball bolts into the forest, and I pout after him.
“You’re welcome.”
The corners of Tagiz’s eyes are crinkled as he helps me back up to my feet. But we both turn toward the forest at the sounds of more growling.
Oh my God. What if the karja is trying to fight with a bigger, tougher animal?
I sprint after him, ignoring the branches that claw at my face and hair as I run toward the growling. Tagiz curses roughly behind me, following me, and I stop dead as I find the karja growling at a…tree.
“You ever hear about the karja that cried wolf?” I murmur. The karja tilts its head, growling even louder, and Tagiz steps around me.
“Tracks,” he says, inspecting the tree.
That’s when I see it. Someone has brushed past this tree, scraping against the bark. Next to it, on the ground, a rock has been flipped over, the dent still evident in the ground, the rock’s damp side pointing toward the sky.
The karja growls some more. He snaps his teeth at the tree, then looks up at me. I blink at him. He’s even smarter than I thought.
“It’s like he’s trying to tell us something.”
“Karja are intelligent,” Tagiz says as he crouches near the tree, examining some dirt that has been kicked up.
“What do you think?” I ask, and he frowns, his eyes intent on the tracks.
“Something was here. Something that doesn’t smell like Braxians or humans, if the karja’s reaction is any indication.”
I glance back toward camp. “They were watching us.”
He nods. “It’s likely the Dokhalls.”
I kneel and scratch the karja behind the ears. “You’re so smart,” I coo. I lean down and unfasten the leather strap we’ve been using as a collar, and my heart breaks just a little.
“It’s time for you to go and rejoin the world, little guy.”
He places one paw on my knee, snuggling close. I run my finger over his nose, ignoring the way my eyes turn blurry as I get to my feet.
Tagiz is waiting, and he immediately wraps his arm around my shoulders. “You likely saved his life,” he murmurs. “You have a large heart, little healer.”
I attempt a smile, ignoring the tear that slides down my cheek. “Let’s get this over with.”
I refuse to look back as we make our way toward camp. The karja is a wild animal. I took him out of the wild to save his life, but he still belongs in the forest, where he can roam and hunt.
We get about halfway back to the camp before Tagiz sighs. He’s been letting me pretend I’m not crying as I subtly wipe tears off my face, but he stops walking suddenly, turning back toward the forest.
“What are you—oh.”
The karja is following us.
“You can’t come back with us,” I say. “You belong in the wild.”
He ignores that, trotting closer.
Tagiz sighs again. “We will continue walking. He may grow bored as something in the forest draws his attention.”
But he doesn’t grow bored. And eventually, I’m standing at the camp gate, staring down at the karja as it blinks innocently up at me. Tagiz runs his hand over his mouth, and I glower at him.
“This is not funny,” I hiss.
<
br /> He gives in to his grin. “I am not surprised you have tamed yet another male, little healer. I’m only surprised you didn’t see this coming.”
I sigh. “What are we going to do?”
“Karja are usually tamed by patient warriors over many months or years. But this one has clearly decided you are its pack leader.”
I sigh again, surveying the furry creature, who’s giving me a “what are we hanging around here for” look. “I’m not really the leader type,” I advise him.
He gives me a growl, then stalks past me, heading back into camp.
Tagiz’s lips twitch, and I glare at him. He attempts to suppress his smile, finally throwing back his head in laughter.
I did not need to see how beautiful you look when you laugh. No, I did not need to see that at all, thank you very much.
I ignore the way my hands ache with the need to reach for him, but he doesn’t seem to have the same concerns. He drags me close and takes my mouth, his tongue pushing past my lips…and all of my defenses.
I’m almost panting when he pulls away.
“I have had a bad morning,” he murmurs. “Just a few moments with you and my day has turned around. This is the effect you have on everyone who knows you, little healer. Even your little karja is not immune.”
I give in, allowing my body to relax against his as I breathe in the male scent of him. We’re standing at the camp gates, where anyone could see us—including his father—but right now, I can’t bring myself to care.
“Well,” I finally say. “I guess I better give him a name.”
Zoey
I’m eating lunch in one of my favorite places outside, close to Nevada’s tashiv, when I spot Beth walking across the small clearing. I wave at her, and she changes course, plunking down next to me and helping herself to some of my fruit.
“What are you still doing here?” I ask. “Not that it isn’t great to hang out, of course.”