Chapter 162 - Life Among the Tanti part 8

"Twins?" Valas exclaimed. "Are you certain, my friend?"

I had just told him the good news.

We were in the broad avenue that marked the center of the village, standing near the cooking pits. Tanti men and women packed the boulevard from one side of the village to the other, eating, dancing, playing music. The women had put on their finest garments. There were contests of strength and marksmanship. Tanti children chased one another between the legs of the adults, their laughter and shrill cries punctuating the buzzing air. Though it was late in the afternoon, the wedding celebration was still in full swing. Had been from the very instant the ceremony ended. The frenetic activity made my senses reel, but I was enjoying the festivities nonetheless, the sensual pleasure of all those mortal bodies pressing so close around me, their excitement and all the brightly colored dress.

The trilling of bone flutes and thumping drums played counterpoint to the throbbing hunger in my belly. I would have to hunt tonight, fill myself near to bursting, or risk temptation. 

I nodded distractedly. "Oh, yes. My hearing is quite sensitive. There are two tiny hearts beating in our daughter's belly. I noticed during the ceremony."

"The gods do favor this union then!" Valas laughed. "I had my doubts, but there can be no question now! We are twice blessed, Brother. Have you told the children yet?"

"Not yet. I've barely seen them," I answered, scanning the crowd for the newlyweds.

"Let it wait then. These fools will drop from exhaustion soon enough," Valas replied, a steaming hunk of venison in his hand. He began to unwrap the leaf the animal flesh had been cooked in, stuffing the hot, greasy meat into his mouth. "Come, Thest. Let us go and watch those wanton hussies dance. I think it won't be long before they throw those skirts up over their heads!"

"Beware of jealous ears, my friend," I laughed, nodded to his right.

"Wha--?" He whipped around with a guilty expression, but it was too late. His wife was already stomping toward him, storm clouds gathering on her brow.

"Yorda!"

"I heard that, you horny old dog!"

"I was only making a jest. Right, Thest?"

Yorda's head snapped toward me, her fists sunk into the fat of her hips. I tried to blunt her wrath. "Only a joke, Yorda. You know how tongues wag."

"It's not his tongue I'm worried about!" Yorda growled.

It was obvious the happy couple needed a moment or two of privacy. Yorda was already beating her fists against his chest. I bid the stammering Valas a sympathetic good-bye and pressed through the crowd in search of Ilio and his new bride.

I found them near the boy's new lodge, accepting gifts from cheerful well-wishers. Priss was sitting on a low wooden bench, cradling her stomach, weary but happy. Ilio stood attentively at her side, looking after her needs.

They seemed relieved when I asked to speak to them alone, and we walked a short distance away, Priss limping a little, her feet swollen. Ilio held her by the elbow.

In a quiet alleyway between a couple homes, I embraced them both and told them how happy I was for them.

"I have tidings which I trust you'll both find joyous," I said. I was quivering with excitement. "I have been meaning to tell you all morning, only I have not had the chance."

"What is it, Father?" Ilio asked.

They were stunned. Ilio dropped to his knees to listen to her swollen belly. "It's true!" Ilio gasped after a moment. "It is hard to hear it because their hearts beat almost as one, but there are two babies growing inside your womb, wife!"

Priss's eyes glimmered with tears as she stared down at her stomach. "Oh, Ilio--!" she sobbed. "It is too good to be true! If one of the babies is a girl, let me name it after my sister, Aioa!"

"Of course!"

Priss smiled up at me. "And if a boy, we should name him Tu'Thest, in honor of our deliverer!"

The prefix "tu" meant "small" in the Tanti language. It was their way of naming someone "junior".

The Tanti didn't kiss as modern people do, pressing their mouths together. They would have thought such an act unhygienic. Instead, she threw her arms around me and put her cheek to mine.

"Thank you, Thest!" she murmured in my ear. "This is the most wonderful gift of all!"

Her flesh felt so soft and warm against mine. I could feel the heat of her blood as it coursed just below the surface of her skin. It made the hunger leap inside my belly, but I thrust the monster back inside its cave and rolled a stone in front of it, horrified by my instinctual reaction.

Have you no shame, monster? I berated myself.

I embraced Ilio again and told them they could find me in my lodge if they needed me further today. "I am going to my bed. It has been a long day and I am weary to my bones."

"I understand, Father."

"I will see you—" I almost said "tonight", but of course, I would not have his company tonight. Tonight, he would retire to his new home, and to the care of his new bride. Perhaps he would join me for the hunt, I thought, but I did not put the question to him. I did not want the boy to feel torn between us. I smiled at them awkwardly, then bowed and walked away.