Tsaheylu

The Omatikaya People

Ai'ina (Ay-ee-na) and Nouet (No-et)

Everyone has been aged up a little in this to make things a little easier, meaning there will be opportunities for smut and other more adult things in this book.

Neteyam is 18
Ai'ina, Tsireya, Aonung and Kiri are 17
Lo'ak is 16

"Ai'ina, come," Ronal softly beckons me, calling me to her side while she sat with one of the wounded tribes people. The Tsahik was a strong, and powerful woman who lead our clan alongside her mate, Tonowari, and knew many spiritual and herbal remedies to treat our wounded. She had taken me under her wing from a young age to become a healer for the clan when I expressed a devotion for wanting to help people, and has since taught me many things about the people and ourselves.

She had always been like a second mother to me, her being so close to my own that it was difficult for her not to. She loved and protected me much like one of her own, and was teaching me how to be a Tsahik so that one day I could fill her shoes and live up to the same expectation she upheld.

Tsireya, Aonung and I had always grown up like siblings, and now as we were much older it had flourished into a deep bond. Tsireya and I were best friends; we often called eachother sisters as we cared for each other much deeper than we ever could have expressed. And as for Aonung- well... He could be a huge dick. It was clear that as he was maturing he didn't want much to do with either of us, but with some of his antics we weren't particularly phased by it. The only downside was, that I was betrothed to him.

As he was set to be the next Clan Leader, it fell to me to eventually become his mate when we were both old enough and able to make the bond. It was something I had somewhat accepted over the years. Aonung seemed pleased with the idea, and could be weirdly territorial over me. Whereas I wasn't as pleased. I loved him like a brother, and cared about him. But I didn't want to be his mate. We didn't have that bond as far as I was concerned. I don't think we ever could. And as the days were counting down quickly to our 18th birthdays, the pressure was starting to build.

Ronal places her hand apon my shoulder as I sit beside her, taking the injured man's hand tightly in mine. "You know what to do..." She whispers to me, gesturing for me to take the lead in aiding this young man."We must apply a balm to help with the healing process. It'll sting, but will help you feel better soon." I tell him, reaching for the balm I had ready and opening the pot.

I wait for his consent, and start to apply the balm to his open wound, feeling guilty as he writhed in pain beneath me. He had been caught on one of the reef's edges against the tide and had torn the skin over his chest. It was deep and had different mosses and stones trapped in the wound that would make quick work of him if we hadn't disinfected the wound to help it heal quickly.

I put a thick layer over the gash and bandage it up, looking to Ronal for approval. The corners of her lips curl into a smile at my effortless work, and she dips her head in satisfaction. "You have done well," She tells me, then addresses the man. "It won't be long for it to stop burning, and you should be back out there in no time. But until then you shouldn't overdo it. You need to let this heal properly." She orders him. He shakes his head briskly, understanding her command, then leaves when she dismisses him.

"You have learnt well, I have faith that you will not need my guidance for much longer child. You will make a fine Tsahik when the day comes. " I smile at her words, flattered by her compliments, though they were tainted by the realisation that soon I will have to do what I didn't want to and there would be nothing I could do about it.

I had tried to talk both Ronal and my mother out of this arrangement, telling them that I meant no harm in not wanting to be Aonung's wife. But neither of them would listen. To them it was the best and most simple option for the future of the Clan and their minds would not be changed. Tonowari understood my hesitation and diswant for this. He knew that I wanted to mate for love. He cared about me finding that person I wanted to spend my life with, rather than who I'm being told to be with. But he knew that there was little he could do either as his wife was set on the decision.