Page 6 of Restoring the Ngozii

Taking a slow breath to compose myself, I answer him carefully. “I believe I have found my soul-bond.”

“That’s great news, right!?”

I huff out a breath, my gaze dropping as the girl disappears, leaving me to question myself once again. “I don’t know. I’m a hunter not a mate. A hunter, a warrior, even, doesn’t know how to love. I live for my people, doing the hard things they can’t. A mate shouldn’t be in the cards for me. I’m too hard for her. She needs someone who can care for her, and I can’t. Not in the way she needs.”

His eyes roam around as he watches Willa closely, but his words are meant for me only. “I can understand those feelings, Terax, but you’re not entirely right, either. You should listen to your heart, it’ll steer you right. You’d be surprised what you’re capable of.”

I meet his gaze, my brows furrowing as I wonder if his words could be true. Could my heart lead me true despite all the death it’s brought to me over the years? Is it at all possible that I’m capable of love without death following closely behind? “You really think I could be a mate worthy of her affections? Even if I look like this, scarred and repulsive? Even if I’ve never known how to be gentle and caring?” I regret the words the moment they leave my mouth. I should never voice such thoughts aloud.

When I risk looking at Jeff, though, he offers a sympathetic smile, as if he understands why I would question myself this way, but he barely knows a thing about me. “I do. I don’t know your past or what you’ve been through, but I do know you well enough to know you’re not just some hardened hunter without a soul. You care for your people, and that includes your mate, whether you accept her bond or not. If you do, trust me when I say that it will guide you in the right direction.”

He watches the people around us carefully while I ponder his words. Is that how soul-bonds work? They help you feel as you should so that you act as you should for your mate? “I hope you’re right, Jeff. Not accepting a bond may very well be a death sentence. There may be no choice for me, but I don’t want to ruin my one chance, either. I want to do right by her.” My words are true, surprising even me. I do want to do right by her, but there’s still the question of whether or not I can.

“And you will. I know you will. Plus, if you ever need help, I’m here, and Vahru would help you, but I think if you listen to your heart and be honest with her, you’ll find that your instincts already know what to do.” Jeff grins up at me before turning to smile at his mate.

Ready to be done with this conversation and the feelings it’s pushing through me, I shake my head and decide it’s time to leave this for another time. “I’ll head back into the village for rounds and check in with the others. Good evening, Lieutenant.”

Shaking myself from the memories that haunt me, that make me think and feel too much, my gaze catches my tiny mate standing in the window, her eyes glued to me. We stare at each other for a long moment, her lips parting as her breath fogs the glass ever so slightly. She’s beautiful, perfection, even if a bit haunted by a past of forced acts, but she’s still too good for me. I’m too broken, too beaten down to ever treat her properly.

My comm pings, and I pull it from the pocket on the new pants Willa made for each of us. Kari is calling for a group meeting over breakfast at the chief’s cabin. That’ll be shortly, no time to waste.

I sigh as I slowly pocket the comm, refusing to look up as I take a breath. My duty is to the village, to the lieutenant, and I won’t falter in my duties. Turning on my heels, I head for the central part of the village without a single glance back. My chest feels as if it rips apart at the seams, but this is for the best, for both of us. She deserves better, so I push on, leaving her to find a true love.

Chapter 4

Kari

“Whatdoyoumeanyou know how to stop her, to fix this?” Vahru’s brows knit together over his eyes, and I can’t help but reach up to smooth it out, hating that look on him. He’s skeptical, and I can’t blame him, but he needs to trust me. As I study his handsome face in the early morning light, I let my love and calm seep through our bond, causing his shoulders to sag slightly as he shakes his head, a grin tipping one corner of his lips up at my distraction.

“I spoke to Tavionna, and she slipped up. I know what we can do to end this entire conflict in a way that makes everyone happy. We need to get everyone together.” Glancing around, I quickly pull the blanket up to cover myself from Kosiiba as I locate my comm. Reaching across my body, I snatch my comm from the nightstand and quickly flip it open to send a group message.

Everyone meet at the chief’s for breakfast, I have great news!

I know how to end this conflict with Tavionna.

“Kari, what do you mean you spoke to her? You’ve been home with me all night.” Vahru grabs my hand, closing the comm after I send the message, and forces me to meet his gaze. My eyes dart to Kosiiba, still standing in the doorway with a very confused look on his face.

“It’s hard to explain. She said I was dream walking. Not sure how, but either way, it gave me just the opportunity I needed to figure this out. I know it’s right, I can feel it. This is exactly what the Guardians wanted, and I can make it happen. Well, we can.”

“We?” Kosiiba pipes up, leaning around Vahru to gawk at me.

“Yeah, we’re all going to have to work together to sort this out. I’ll explain it all once we’re all together so I don’t have to go over this several times. Let’s get dressed and head for the chief’s.”

Kosiiba nods and closes the door behind him as he leaves so we can dress. I quickly jump up and head for the dresser, eager to share my plan with everyone so we can get this sorted out. For the first time in days, I have solid hope that everything will work out as it should, that we’re going to make real progress in moving towards a better universe.

Vahru sighs and follows my lead as I head into the living room. I stare out the large back window at the woods and press my forehead to the glass. Closing my eyes, I take a few calming breaths to prepare myself and go over my plan once more in my head, trying to make sure that I have all the facts straight. When I look up, a little pink Guardian is hovering outside the window, waving. She flutters forward, pressing her hand to the glass, and I press mine against hers as her voice whispers in my mind. “Don’t give up, you’re on the right path, Captain.”

I smile as the Guardian quickly flutters off into the woods, and Vahru steps from the bedroom, tying his hair up into a ponytail. His tail is whipping around behind him in choppy movements, telling me he’s anxious and uncertain about all this. I step over and rest my cheek on his chest, sliding my arms around his middle. When he’s done fixing his silky black hair back from his face, his arms circle me and hold me tight.

Trust me, Vahru. The Guardians approve of this, we’re on the right path.

I do trust you, Princess, it’s not you I worry about, it’s Tavionna. She’s unpredictable, vengeful, and the last thing I want is for her to make a move we didn’t see coming, forcing me to lose you.

Stupid me for not realizing he’d be worrying about something like that. My optimism has me assuming that all will be well, that she’ll accept our help just like that, we’ll solve the problem, and live happily ever after. But life isn’t some fairy tale, and I should be more concerned about random twists or issues along the way.

“I’m sorry, you’re right, I should be more concerned about issues, I don’t mean to dismiss your feelings.” I squeeze him tighter, and he rubs a hand down my sleep-mussed hair, smoothing it and brushing it out with his fingers.

“I shouldn’t dismiss you when you’re so confident. If the Guardians are certain you’re on the right path, then we should move forward. Just don’t go blind to the possibilities that this won’t go as you hope. Keep your guard up, if not for yourself, for me.”

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