Sweat beaded at Nova’s forehead. Her chest heaved from fighting this giant. And for a mont, a hush fell over the jungle. Amber eyes were locked with hers.
"Yield," Nova commanded, her voice strong and not like she might wheeze and fall over at any second.
Veyra tried to move, searching for a way out of this.
"Yield!" Nova repeated, pressing the blade into her skin more, not enough to cut her but to remind her of the weapon that could easily slice skin.
All tension in Veyra’s body sapped out. Any anger that had been directed at Nova from the beginning instantly fell away.
"I yield." A grin spread across Veyra’s lips, and the crowd exploded in an uproar. They chanted Nova’s na, and she was pretty certain Atia was the one who started that up.
She looked around, surprise flashing across her features at the change in atmosphere and the way Veyra was now looking at her. Nova backed away, sheathing First Mark by her waist, her limbs trembling from the exertion.
"She really is Yohuali’s mate!" Whispers began spreading along the tribesn about Nova.
"She is so tiny-"
"Yet so mighty!" Another finished.
"She made Veyra, yield. Amazing!"
Honestly, it was pure luck. She wasn’t sure what they were all going on about. This was just as surprising to her as it was to them really.
"Bring it in."
Huh?
Before she knew what was happening, the angry feline from before, the giant of all won who could have probably broken her bones as easily as snapping a twig, tugged her into a giant bear hug. Nova was smothered in sweat and warmth and... any defiance, or lasting tension stripped away from her. It was... strange.
"Welco to the family," Veyra whispered into her ear. She pulled back, hands on Nova’s shoulders as she looked down at the little mouse. "I’m Veyra, Yohuali’s cousin. It’s a given that I test your skills... It was clear Zanari had already fallen for your cutie patootie charms and couldn’t fight you."
Nova’s mouth visibly dropped at the terms coming out of this woman’s mouth. Wait... Cousin? Nova didn’t even look a second longer to look for the familial similarities. The size of her should have given it away really.
"Why do you look so surprised, little shrimp? You’ve been training with the best warriors of the Oncari for months. You had to pick up a little skill... Whiiiich..." He leaned closer and dropped his voice barely above a whisper. "Is still on a whole different level, especially with Yoa by your side."
That was true... But still... It took athletes years usually...
Yet, these circumstances were different.
Wait... what did he call ?! Little... "LITTLE SHRIMP?!" Nova spun around, glaring at Atia who had just landed gracefully from a branch.
Atia chuckled, blocking Nova’s fist but it was playful with no weight to it, especially after her little confrontation with Veyra. "And... You thought I’d win?" Nova gave him an incredulous look. "Against Veyra?!" She gestured at the woman and back at herself.
Veyra laughed and rested her arm over Nova’s shoulders and hooked her neck into a playful headlock, her bulging bicep a worrying sight as her throat beca restricted. "Oh I can tell we’re going to get on well. Sorry about all the bruises... Had to test ya in front of the tribe, and see what Yoa’s girls really made of." She winked and released her. "And boy you can scrap."
Nova inhaled deeply, clearing her throat a little and nodded with a smile. "Thanks."
"It’s all thanks to , obviously-"
"Shut it. It’s probably Aiyana. Say where is she?" Veyra asked, looking for her in the crowd.
"Chief Tamuari is with her," Atia replied as he rubbed the back of his neck, concern flickering across his golden-green eyes as looked away.
"Yana is strong," Nova murmured, aning only for Atia to hear, offering words of comfort. She did not know or understand everything, but Atia rarely showed concern.
"That she is," Veyra added in a softer tone, seeming to sense her boisterous behaviour didn’t quite fit the sudden shift in atmosphere. That didn’t deter her though, or the flock of won that were now coming towards them.
Atia sighed, and leapt into a tree, ignoring the protests of the ladies. Nova’s eyebrows rose, rembering that Atia was technically single and a good-looking guy, and one that was a high ranking warrior who seed to co and go as he pleased from the Oncari tribe.
None of that mattered right now, though, as Veyra steered Nova away from them and straight into Zanari’s path. She’d reappeared looking relieved, a smile brightening her features. "I never doubted my son’s mate for a second. You look well-beaten. Today showed that size does not matter."
Her words were loud enough that those nearby could hear and nodded along, agreeing. Nova was small, and did not possess the sa skillset or gifted heightened senses, or physiques like everyone else. The entire ordeal did make her feel proud, and perhaps maybe believing it wasn’t all luck, but pure determination to prove herself to the tribe that Yohuali belonged to.
"Now, how about we cook that fish?" Zanari smiled at her warmly. It was so motherly, and lovely, like wrapping her up in cotton wool. Was it ant to be this easy with a mother-in-law?
She wasn’t sure. Chad’s mum didn’t really want anything to do with her, or Chad’s dad for that matter. As long as she was dressed well, and was looked after, she didn’t pay much attention to anything beyond her own reflection, friends and gossip.
"Enjoy!" Veyra called after them, her change in behaviour still outstanding to Nova. Yet she understood it was a necessity and didn’t feel quite so bad for only now turning up and eting Yoa’s parents when she’d been on the island for months now.
If she’d turned up without any prior training... Yeah, she would have been dood. She thought she’d been dood right now. Maybe all that running and fighting and swinging around blades was starting to do her so good after all.
Zanari began leading her away from the crowds and back towards the quieter part of the village until the sudden thrum of energy zapped down the golden ribbon of the Serakai bond. Nova paused before they were about to leave the clearing. The loud chatter hushed.
She could feel him before she could see him.
His presence prickled warmth into her back while he opened up his emotions to her. Pride swelled like a deep root in his chest.
Nova turned, her mark glimring faintly in the darkening forest as Yoa walked through the parting crowd, his eyes locked on her. Nothing else mattered as the world zoned in on them. Nova routinely looked him over for any new injuries. There was nothing but a few grazes that were already nding.
The chatter began again, all eager and excited to see them together. But to them, they were in their own little bubble, their words bouncing off, muffled even like cotton filled their ears and all they could see, all they could hear and feel was each other.
Nova’s breath caught as Yoa finally reached her, the world narrowing until only his tall fra and those molten eyes remained. He stopped just short of her, close enough for the heat of his presence to brush against her skin, yet holding himself with restraint. For a heartbeat neither spoke, their bond carrying everything unspoken—relief, pride, and the aching need to close the distance.
Then they stepped forward in sync. Yoa’s arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her just slightly off the ground as if he never wanted to let her go. Nova buried her face against his chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat grounding her after all the chaos. Her aching muscles and the pain that had been throbbing along her body dulled as she was cocooned by him. Cheers and whistles rose from the crowd, though they lted into background noise.
"You fought well," Yoa murmured into her hair, his voice a low rumble only she could hear.
Her lips quirked into a smile. "You felt all of that?"
"Every mont. I am proud, mi sol." He kissed the crown of her head gently, reverently.
When Nova finally pulled back, she caught sight of Zanari standing nearby, tears brimming in her eyes though her smile was radiant. The mother’s joy was not only for her son’s return, but for the way he no longer hid in shadows. Yoa’s happiness was plain, written openly on his face.
"Yohuali," Zanari whispered as she approached, her voice trembling but filled with warmth. She cupped her son’s cheek, studying him as though she might morize every detail anew. "At last, you let us see you as you are. My heart is full."
Yoa bent his head slightly in respect, but his hand never left Nova’s. Zanari’s gaze softened further at the gesture, as if her son’s openness was sothing she had prayed for and never dared expect to see so soon.
"Co," Zanari urged gently, "ho is waiting."
The jungle was growing increasingly dark as they walked the short distance back to his parents’ ho. But before they could step inside, Raokan erged from within. His massive fra filled the entryway, the flicker of the firelight cutting sharp across his stern features.
For a long, tense mont, he said nothing. His dark eyes narrowed on Yoa, asuring, intimidating in their silence. Finally, he gave a single curt nod, a greeting and acknowledgent rolled into one before brushing past them.
Yeesh, Nova expected sothing a little more heartwarming like with Zanari.
"I’ll fetch more wood," Raokan muttered, though the pile by the firepit was already stacked high. His presence lingered like thunder in the air even as he strode off into the forest, leaving a heavy stillness in his wake.
Nova exhaled slowly, squeezing Yoa’s hand tighter.
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