Page 37 of Saving the Sautiitions

“There is a new arrival, Priestess. Someone seeking refuge. He’ll need to be approved by you to stay here.”

“A new arrival?” I turn to Seuke, confusion written on my face. Surely the ancestors or spirits would have warned me of this before it happened. Why was I not aware of something this major? “We haven’t had new arrivals on this planet in years.”

“Yes, Priestess. That is why you are needed. How do you want to proceed?” The guard fidgets, clearly wanting to leave.

I huff and straighten my spine, dropping my arms to my sides. “Let’s go meet him then. I’ll decide his fate when I’ve gotten to see his intentions. Lead the way, Guard.”

The guard bows and swiftly turns, leading us to the main cave. Seuke is close on my heels, my ever-present personal warrior. Having him with me always calms my soul and reminds me I’m never alone. Without him, I may have broken down and run off long ago.

Seuke was one of the first friends I truly made growing up and was the first and only lover I ever took. When Mother grew ill, Seuke offered himself as my warrior, and I accepted his bond, grateful to be tied to him. He’s been a balm to my aching heart my entire life and is now connected to me on a level no one else will be.

As we walk along the cave halls, I can feel Seuke’s strength and love radiate down the bond. He can feel the unease thrumming through me. This is an extremely unusual thing and has not happened in so long that I’m not entirely sure how to handle this, but I must. I am responsible for all those who live in these caves, so I must be wise and careful about who I let live with us.

When we reach the main cave, I walk to the center as the crowds part for us. I eye the guards standing at the entrance and raise an eyebrow. “Well, who is this new arrival?”

Chapter 24

Xenshay

It took hours to row that tiny ass boat across the lake while I cursed Criido and Vahru and the village the entire way. I hope they fall apart or get eaten by something. I didn’t deserve this punishment. I only wanted what was best for my people. Wanted us to stay pure, to keep our planet our own. Is that really so bad?

By the time I reached another shore, it was well into the night, but the lights of a nearby city guided me to where I needed to go. I walked for hours and reached it as the sun rose in the sky. Using the money I had stolen from Vahru and others on my secret trips to town, I bought a ticket.

Wanting to get as far from that planet as possible, I chose to travel to the farthest planet I could. I knew it would be a long journey, but I wanted to live on a planet that wouldn’t remind me of the hell I left behind. So I chose Gemyasiri Jangwa, a planet so hot that you can’t even walk on the surface during the day.

Surprisingly, the transport ship was able to reach my new destination in a matter of 2 days. It wasn’t a pleasant ride, and I was unceremoniously dumped on the surface and left for dead as the sun was rising. The heat that came along with the sun was unbearable, and I stumbled around in search of a cave entrance.

I stumbled into one by accident, falling down into the ground and landing in a heap as I panted for breath. I nearly wept at the feel of the cool air against my face. The fear that I wouldn’t find a cave in time and would burn up on the surface had almost become overbearing. Wouldn’t that just be my luck, travel all this way to start a new life, only to burn to death?

Something poked me, and when I looked up, I found two guards standing over me, weapons at the ready. I explained that I was seeking sanctuary, a new place to call home, and they locked me up.

So here I sit, waiting for something to happen, for someone to come talk to me. I’m not sure what’s going on just yet, but I was told that I would have to speak with the priestess about my stay, if I could even stay at all. Apparently, they aren’t too welcoming of outsiders here. I suppose I shouldn’t be too offended, seeing as how it’s what I wanted our village to be.

The only problem is, I used all my money to get here, so if they decide to kick me out, I have nowhere left to go. I’ll just have to be extremely convincing, really work the good guy act. I’ll have to do better than I did to trick Willa, even. This could be the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do, even tougher than rowing across that endless lake.

The curtain in front of me opens, and the guard sneers at me. “On your feet. The priestess is coming to meet you and decide your fate.”

I stand, glancing down at my dirty clothes, and cringe. “I don’t suppose you could get me a change of clothes first? This is no way to meet a priestess.”

The guard steps into the room, poking me in the back with a stick. “Get moving. The priestess isn’t concerned with your wardrobe.”

I huff and stumble out of the cave. Another guard stands there waiting, and he rolls his eyes at the sight of me. I grit my teeth and follow them down the hallways. If I want to make this work, I have to play nice, so no fighting back when I’m mistreated. I try to keep my shoulders high, my jaw relaxed, so I look at least a little friendly.

I suppose I should focus on the positives. They didn’t tie me up, didn’t leave me for dead on the surface, or kill me when I stumbled in. They haven’t fed me either and I’m starving, but I can handle that. I’m alive, and I plan to keep it that way for as long as possible.

We come around a corner and step into a giant cave. I look around in awe as I take in the balconies above, other cave openings, flowers, and, of course, the strange blue glowing rocks that seem to light every cave around here. It’s absolutely beautiful and filled with people.

I’m not sure what type of people they are, but they’re all attractive enough to be gods or goddesses, despite their oddly bright pink skin and four arms. It’s their silver eyes that freak me out the most. They’re so piercing and unnerving.

I’m prodded with the stick again and stumble forward, glaring back at the guard who shoved me. When I turn around, my eyes lifting directly in front of me, I stop. My spine stiffens as my body goes completely rigid. My eyes widen as the breath is stolen from my body at the sight of her.

Everything changes in an instant, and all I want is to worship her in every possible way. She is everything I need in my life, everything I never knew I wanted. I will give her everything I have and everything I am if she’ll only let me.

“I am Tavionna, High Priestess of the Ngozii people. What has brought you to us, Xenshay?”

Her voice is like a balm to my soul, and I barely manage to stutter in a breath as I crumble to my knees. I fall forward, my arms outstretched above my head as I bow as low as possible to my goddess. My heart nearly bursts in my chest, the sound of it pounding loud in my ears as I struggle to breathe. I bite my tongue as I try to hold back all the idiotically sweet things I want to say to her, and fight to get my brain back on track, but it feels near impossible.

It seems that I have found my soul-bonded mate.

The End.

For now.

---