Page 20 of Nyanine's Divide

I won’t continue to let the universe raise my hopes and dash them over and over again. My life is fine as it is; I have purpose, I’m helping people, and I’m perfectly fine alone where no harmcan come to me or others. If no one cares about you, no one will be upset when you finally leave this world, too.

Chapter 14

Kosiiba

As night rolls around, and we continue our rounds, the new crew coming to take over soon so we can rest, I circle toward Kari and Vahru’s cabin. The others voices fade into the distance, and I continue until I know I’m out of earshot and eyesight. Once I know I’m clear, I turn and circle around the outside of the village to the new housing section.

It takes longer than my heart would desire as the brush is tall, the trees thicker, and every step can so easily create noise to draw attention of anyone and anything. However, I’ve been out here more than anyone, I see well in the dark, and I’ve prepared for this.

The others in my party may think they’re stealthier than me, better than me, more prepared or capable, because they have a few years or more on me as a hunter. I don’t think any of themhave trained as hard as I have, have worked for this like I have. I’ve pushed myself to be as silent as the night, even with the fallen and dried leaves on the ground to make more crunching noises than a namirii at dinner. They simply underestimate me because I allow them to. I don’t show all my tricks, I keep it to myself.

I doubt they even know that I can throw knives like I can, but I showed Kari, taught her, and it was great fun. She has no judgment, just the will to learn, as I do. She’s the only one I feel comfortable sharing my secrets with anymore, she’s the only one who trusts me completely as well and doesn’t see me as young and incapable. I may just barely be a man in our society, but I’m a man nonetheless, and I’ve trained hard to be the best I can be.

As I round the last tree to find the clearing of the new housing, my eyes slowly scan the area, looking for anyone who might be awake. I take a few steps around when I spot who I’m searching for standing between two houses, her gaze focused on the sky above. In this clearing, you get a great view of the sister planet, the moons—if they’re out—and the stars all around. But that beauty doesn’t even compare to hers.

I settle against the tree for a moment, leaning on it for strength, as I see a smile shine from her face, her eyes wide in wonder. She giggles, a tiny sound that makes the hairs on my arms raise as my ears ring, my mind scrambling to memorize that forever. When she’s healed and ready, I’ll make her so happy she’ll giggle like that every day.

The Guardian’s words flicker in my mind, echoing in my ears, and I know that I must wait. I will heed their warning and focus on the task at hand, protecting Captain Kari and Vahru, but I also need this moment. I need to see her, hear her, and maybe even speak to her, give her the same courtesy that I was given—the knowledge that we’ll be together when the time is right, but for now, we’ll grow on our own with hope.

I think she could use a little hope right now. After all she’s been through, she could use all the hope and light she could get. If I can offer her even a sliver to get her by until I can shower her with it, then I will. She deserves more, but the situation, the danger, my priorities, don’t allow for more.

I slowly step forward, inching quietly around the house until I’m close enough to step into the light and reveal myself. However, I can’t seem to move as she smiles once more, a gasp of awe escaping her, and her hands clasp above her chest. My eyes lift to the skies to catch the tail end of a shooting star, which I now know may simply be a ship, but it’s beautiful to witness nonetheless. She acts as if she’s never seen the night sky before, and I can’t help but wonder just how awful her life really was.

What horrors did she have to go through? Was she taken at an older age or born into it? How much did she endure or was it simply witnessed? No matter; whatever she’s been through, I’ll do everything I can to make sure that she gets the support she needs, whether from me or someone else, she’ll have all she needs to thrive and see the best life has to offer.

As she calms, I carefully step into her line of sight, in the moonlight, and pause there. Her gaze lowers, a gasp escaping her as her hand lifts to press to her chest, and I nod slowly, giving her a contained, tight-lipped smile. Her black eyes shine in the darkness, giving them an otherworldly appearance that I adore, they twinkle in this light like the night sky. Her gray cheeks darken as she swallows, and I hold my hands up in a placating gesture to calm her.

“I’m not here to hurt you, little one. I won’t touch you, I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Kosiiba. I’m Captain Kari’s oathbound guard, and I think you know who else I am to you specifically.” My eyes dart to her hand over her heart, and she looks down before looking up at me, a tiny nod tipping her chin.

I smile a little wider and drop my hands to my sides. “I know this is overwhelming for you, and I’m sorry to upset you, but I want you to know that you’re safe here. You have the time you need to heal and begin to find life for yourself before we court.”

“I don’t understand,” she whispers softly, both hands clutched in front of her chest. Her white dress sways around her ankles in the gentle breeze, her black hair following suit, and I get a hint of her soothing scent. I sigh and debate how best to explain this.

“With the danger to the captain, the village, our world, I have duties that will keep me from you for now. My priority at the present time is Captain Kari’s safety. I know that sounds like I don’t care for you, but that’s not true. However, I’ve been assured by higher powers that we will get our chance to be together after Captain Kari has resolved the issues. In this time when I am unable to be here for you as I’d like to be, you have the time you need and deserve to heal from your traumas, to find yourself, learn to live in joy. Even with my priorities, I will still be here to keep you safe should you need me.

“Our time together will come when things are settled here and Kari is safe. When that time comes, I assure you that I will do everything I can to make sure that you feel safe, loved, and cared for. No one else will hurt you ever again. Not if I can help it.”

Her eyes water, a tear slipping free to drip from her cheek. My fingers twitch to reach out and dry it for her, to pull her in and reassure her with my touch that all will be well, but I can’t invade her space that way. It goes against my promise. She needs time, we both do, to prioritize ourselves for a bit, and that’s okay.

“Don’t be scared, my sweet little mate. All will be well in the future, I promise you that. I have it on good authority.” I smile at her sweetly, my brows scrunched in sympathy, showing her just how much I hate seeing her pain.

“Akivii. My name is Akivii, but Willa calls me Ki.” She sniffles and wipes her face with one hand, the other gripping tightagainst her stomach. I’m not sure if she’s scared or panicked, but I’m beginning to wonder if this was the right thing to do at all.

“Ki, like a key to my heart. I like that.”

She blushes an even darker gray, her gaze dropping to the ground as she huffs slightly, uncertainty written all over her. She hugs herself tighter, and I step back, causing her head to jerk up.

“I should go, leave you be, but I’ll always be around, Ki. I promise. You need me, just call. Otherwise, I want you to get better. Find things that bring you joy and comfort, and when I’m able to court you properly, I want to learn all about those things, okay? We’ll build a good life where you’re safe, I promise. Until then, stay brave, little one.”

I step backwards until I reach the shadows of the forest, her hand rising as if to reach out for me. My heart aches, and I stay hidden within the trees, watching, as she cries before staring at the stars and making a single wish.

“I wish for all that Kosiiba believes we can be to come true. Please. Let me have safety and comfort for once. Please.”

Her tears slow but never stop, and she eventually sighs, going into her cabin and disappearing from sight. It’s then that I turn deeper into the forest, saying my own prayer.

“Guardians, please help to make Akivii’s wish come true. She deserves only the best. Even if I’m not the one to make her dreams come true, please, make sure she has the safety and comfort of a good life.”

My steps are silent as I walk back to Kari’s and slump into a deck chair, my eyes closing after catching a single twinkle in the trees as I quickly drift off to sleep with my heart full of hope.

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