Ka'Cit's Haven - Page 203

Since that day when the gator-guards had left, she’d been watching the skies for their return. But they hadn’t.

Just in case though, she’d finalized her registration with Geblit.

When she looked up again, Ka’Cit was dumping the hay into Morpheus’ enclosure while ducking out of the way so the animal didn’t chew his hair again.

Then he looked her way once more.

Nia set down the dish she’d been drying. She’d totally forgotten she’d been in the middle of doing the dishes anyway, and she headed out the door toward him.

Ka’Cit walked toward her before racing up to her and swooping her up into his arms.

A giggle burst from her lips as he cradled her into his arms.

“Honestly, you make me feel so small!”

“You are small, ta’ii.” He caught her lips in his for a sweet kiss.

As Nia sobered and he put her on her feet, she glanced up to meet his eyes.

“Ta’ii doesn’t mean ‘friend,’ does it?”

She swore his color changed to a darker shade.

Ka’Cit’s eyes twinkled a little before he shook his head.

“What does it mean?”

He pulled her toward him again. “That’s for me to know.”

Nia giggled and settled into his embrace.

She already knew.

She’d asked Riv a long time ago.

Ta’ii didn’t mean “friend.”

It meant “sweet, flower” in Old Merssi and the thought that he’d been calling her his sweet flower from the first time they met was a thought that warmed her heart.

* * *

12 months later

Nia smoothed the new tunic Ka’Cit had bought her and patted her afro to make sure it was in place.

Ka’Cit gripped her other hand in his and squeezed it almost too tightly.

He was nervous.

So was she.

In front of them was a room full of little children all running around and playing together. There were squeals of laughter and joy filling the space and it was hard not feeling lightheaded and happy.

“Do you think one of them will like us?” Ka’Cit’s voice was a low whisper by her ear and when she looked up at him, she couldn’t help but smile.

He was dressed in his best tunic, his hair was flowing down his shoulders, and he wasn’t wearing his mask.

He cleaned up well and every time she looked at him, she couldn’t believe he was hers.