The Stars in Your Skin

CHAPTER 28

The next day Kiri along with Lo'ak and Spider approach him. Kiri is going evening gathering and has roped the other two males into helping her. He agrees to go before the question is stale out of her mouth.

“Thought that would take more convincing.” She jibes.

He only shrugs. As the big brother it was his duty to look after his younger siblings and his mother was probably home by now. They leave on their ikrans.

Naawri guffaws. Ha'ew and she had traveled to one of the more wooded floating mountains in their territory last-minute gathering for dyeing berries. The berries they were after were known for their delicate nature and the vivid color they produced. Ha’ew was not faring so well with the former. Her friend curses when berry juice squirts him in the face. “Wiya! It's not funny Nawri.”

“It totally is.” She drops another handful of berries in her nearly full basket, still laughing at him. He glowers at her but the violet stains splotching his face creates an entirely different effect. She laughs harder.

He folds his arms, pouting at her.

She keeps laughing. “Your face looks like berry soup.”

“Does it?” He plucks a berry from the carrier basket and walks to her menacingly.

Her eyes widen. “Hew no.” She backs away slowly. He squeezes the berry with glee. Violet juice erupts forth landing on her cheek.

“Now we both look like berry soup,” he announces triumphantly.

She scowls at him. “Hew you little–!” He grins before bolting.

She pursues him.

Later they sit on the verdant ground, breathless laughter dying on their lips. 

“My job is done,” he declares.

She reaches in her slingbag. “What do you mean?” She pulls out a soft cloth.

He reaches over and puts a hand on her head. “You've been so miserable lately I made it my purpose to get you to crack a smile.”

She softens at his words. She had no inkling how she could survive this broken heart without him and her family. "You're so sweet Hew.” She hands him the cloth before embracing him.

“I know.”

She rolls her eyes. The sound of ikran wings reaches her keen ears. She releases him and stands, curious. Seconds later she hears familiar voices just before Kiri along with Lo'ak and Spider appear out of the woods.

Ha'ew hands her the cloth.

She wipes her face, tapping a grateful pat on the older male's shoulder. She with Ha'ew aside her approaches them. Kiri beams at her while Lo’ak and Spider banter. She stops when Neteyam strides into the clearing, bow in one hand. Her heartbeat speeds up. The greeting dies on her lips. “Neteyam” she breathes.

The small grin that paints his lips melts her insides. “I see you,” he greets her.

The greeting warms her to the tip of her tail. “I see you," she replies. Her heart both swells and withers at the words. For a moment all she can do is stare at him, captured by the intensity in his gaze.

“Okay,” Kiri says snapping her out of her daze. “Lo'ak Spider and I are going to gather the berries on just beyond that clearing." She points.  "Out of sight.”

“You won't be alone, but we'll just be out of sight.” The suggestive smirk Lo'ak displays makes heat blossom over her cheeks. The younger chortles, following behind Kiri.