6. Guruk
6
Guruk
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, blanketing the landscape in a golden light, I walked alongside Sammy and Inara toward the village. The path was lined with autumn wildflowers, but I hardly noticed their colors. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the rogue who dared trespass on my land, my duty to protect the alicorn, but most of all…Sammy.
I had traded my morning shirt for my usual vest, enjoying the sunshine on my exposed chest—and the glances of admiration I'd caught from my little human. A moment had passed between us in that kitchen, an unspoken desire neither of us named, but felt all the same. I sensed it in the way she looked at me as I caged her in, my arms bracketing her curvy figure. With her back to the counter, it would have been the work of a heartbeat to hoist her onto its smooth surface and press her body to mine. Her lips would be soft, yielding, and a moan might have slipped past. I could imagine the glorious feel of her beneath my touch, and I had to clench my hands into fists in the present.
Groaning at the fantasy, I broke the silence between us without meaning to.
"Guruk?" the center of my desires called two paces ahead. Sammy had knelt to examine the flowers, but now rose to stare at me. "Everything okay?"
"Yes," I said with far too much gravel roughening my voice. "Great."
Her round brown eyes narrowed in my direction. "You sure?"
Inara whinnied her suspicions in solidarity with the human.
I cleared my throat and strode past as if nothing bothered me. "Yes, just daydreaming." It wasn't a lie. With her traveling here from another world and trying to get home, I couldn't expect a happily-ever-after. The connection we shared had been so instant and felt so right, I allowed myself to forget our differences temporarily. But the reality was that we could never be more than a fantasy.
"Oh, it's a perfect day for that." Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Sammy spun in a circle. "The flowers, the sunshine, the company," she looked from Inara to me, "it's all like a dream."
"The best dream," I agreed, searching over every inch of her face to commit it to memory.
A pink hue adorned her cheeks, matching the under layers of her hair. She hummed in response.
We resumed our stroll, walking in step with each other. The itch to reach out and take her hand in mine was palpable but I resisted the temptation. Giving in now would only lead to heartbreak later.
As the village came into view, the cobblestone streets bustled with activity. Inara neighed at me toward the grazing fields that encompassed the left perimeter. The area was well-guarded, serving as both park for the villagers and food for the animals. "Yes, my friend," I took her snout with infinite care between my hands, "but we may be awhile. Stay here until we return." Her horn glowed with her assent and she gently licked my palm before bounding into the fields.
"Will she be okay on her own?" Sammy asked, her eyes widening as she watched Inara trod along the grass.
I smiled, my little human's concern for the alicorn warming my heart. "She will. No one would dare try to harm her here."
Once assured of Inara's safety, Sammy and I continued onward. We took the main road leading towards the town square, where a fountain gurgled at the center.
"Oh my gosh," Sammy cried, pointing at the fountain, "is that a narwhal?" With a curious tilt of her head, she inspected the statue from all sides. "No, wait, is it a mermaid?"
I laughed good-natured at her curiosity. "We call it a ‘tusknara'."
"Hmm," she said, studying me and the fountain in turn. "It does have tusks like you."
"Indeed," I placed my palm at the small of her back, unable to resist the chance to touch her, "but come, I'll tell you more about our sacred animals as we go."
Guiding her through the square, I spoke with her about the importance of the sacred beasts to our world and how they kept the magic thriving. Sammy had a ton of questions, which I did my best to answer, while keeping pace to the council meeting place and Highlighting various points of interest as we went.
"Over there is the bookstore and thrift shop run by my friend Thad." I waved to a brick building adorned with intricate carvings—a sunshine yellow dragon coiled around the doorframe and wise snow owls perched on the window ledges. Above the door, a hand-painted sign swung in the wind, bearing the shop's name, "The Dragon's Hoard," in elegant, swirling script. Ivy climbed the brick walls, adding a touch of nature, while artful flower boxes brimming with red and orange blooms adorned the sills.
Sammy's eyes lit up with that inviting golden brown light. "Oh! We have to go in."
"Well, Thad might have a book that could help you." I offered the excuse for this side quest, but in truth, I would deny her nothing.
We peeked inside, spotting the shelves filled with dusty tomes and curious trinkets. As we stepped through the heavy wooden door, an inviting scent enveloped us—like aged paper mixed with hints of spice and the faint aroma of burning embers.
Thad stood behind a grand oak counter, his crimson scales glinting in the light from the windowpanes. He was engrossed in a thick, ancient book, his rectangular glasses perched on his snout and his eyes narrowed in concentration. As the bell above the door chimed, he looked up, a smirk spreading across his maw. "Ah, my favorite visitor! Come in, come in!"
"How are you, Thad?" I cupped his shoulder in greeting. "Any new treasures?"
The gleam in his sharp gaze spoke of his finds. "Always, my friend." He inclined his head at Sammy. "But tell me, who is this sparkling gem?"
A part of me bristled at the compliment to my human, but I held my jealousy in check. Thaddeus Thornscale was a creature of the ancient world and my friend for many years. Often too serious for his own good, if he could exchange easy pleasantries with us, rather than his usual surliness, I'd make do.
"I'm Sammy," she said brightly, her hand extended in greeting.
"She's from another world. We think she unintentionally came through the veil." I took her offering palm, before Thad could grasp her forearm, and placed her hand under the crook at my elbow. She gave me a questioning look but didn't comment. "We're going to speak with the council, but any ideas of how this might have happened?"
"Let me think…" Thad stroked the underside of his long snout thoughtfully. "The veil can act as a portal, and I've heard some theorize it could be used to pass between worlds, but I've never known it to be achieved."
"My thoughts too." I rubbed at my temple, trying to make sense of the impossible. "What of the florins?"
He gave a huff that caused puffs of smoke to escape his mouth. "They don't use the veil. But best bring them up to the council." He snapped the fingers of his right claw. "In the interim, I may have a book that can help."
As Thad rounded the counter to a door at the back of the store, Sammy tugged on my shirt sleeve. "Florins?" she asked with a raised brow.
"Another sacred creature." I shrugged, not sure if they could help my little human. "But the council can explain them better."
She crossed her arms over her chest, her hip cocking to one side. "Fine," she said, blowing a piece of hair out of her face. "But I should have told you before, I hate waiting."
Her words did not match her actions as I stroked along her cheek to move the offending hair strand behind her ear. "It'll be all right, Sammy. We're in this together." I couldn't help lingering on the sensitive skin at her neck. Bending down, I whispered, "And sometimes waiting can be fun."
The tips of her ears reddened and her lips pressed together. I trailed the tips of my fingers down her throat, then slid them across her collarbone and around her shoulder. She inhaled, eyes widening as she stared up at me. In the softest of tones, she whispered, "Guruk."
The sound of my name on her lips undid me. I grabbed her around the waist and propped her atop the counter. Leaning over her and forcing her to angle back, I asked with the last of my sanity, "Tell me yes, Sammy."
She glided her hands up my arms and around my neck, then hooked her ankles behind my thighs. "Yes, Guruk."
That was all I needed to hear. I tugged her in close so that not a sliver of space remained between us. Then, my mouth crashed onto hers in a kiss to convey all the passion and desire I couldn't say aloud. My tongue danced with hers while my tusks bracketed her face. Her jasmine and rose scent invaded my senses, spinning my world upside down. And I never wanted to be righted again.
When she moaned and writhed in my arms, I wanted to claim her there and then. Only a loud throat clearing halted my actions. Steadying Sammy on the counter, I straightened, then turned toward the noise and blocked her from Thad's view.
"Apologies for the interruptions," Thad said, casting a sardonic grin that proved his words false. "I've found the book."
"Oh!" Sammy hopped off the desk, adjusting her clothes as she danced around me to stand at my side. "Let me see."
I growled at my friend, but he puffed a smoking laugh through his nose and ignored me. "Of course, little human. I'd be delighted show you."
Over the next five agonizing minutes, Thad talked us through his book Other Realms and indicated sections that might be relevant to Sammy's circumstances. "Now, you take this and read it over," he said when he finally finished. "And let me know if you have any questions."
"I will. Thank you, Thad!" Sammy hugged the book to her chest, her smile lighting up her face with a radiant glow.
A pang of envy struck my gut again, and although I wasn't proud of it, I claimed Sammy's hand and guided her toward the door. "Appreciate it, but we'll be going now."
"Of course." He chuckled, the sound irksome to my ears. The damnable dragon knew me too well, and I had no doubt his amusement was at my expense.
Sweeping her through the door, the bell chimed our exit. "Let me carry that for you," I said, taking the book from her grip and tucking it into my vest's interior pocket. I never let go of her hand. I should have. Internally, I ran through all the reasons I had to let go. But still…I didn't. "Ready?"
Sammy glanced at our joined hands, then up at me. Her answering grin was worth every ounce of aggravation from Thad. "Let's go."
I guided her through the streets, the sights of the village a delight to my little human. She gushed over the minotaur café and bakery with its sugary aroma of baked goods, where villagers gathered to enjoy sweet treats, exchange stories, and share the latest gossip. The tavern and inn with patrons seeking a hearty meal or comfortable bed intrigued her. We watched briefly as the lyon owner tied back his mane as he moved gracefully between tables, serving ale and roasted meats.
We passed the sheriff's station, sturdy and watchful as we moved along the path. Our gargoyle sheriff was perched high above the door, his stone visage surveying the scene with a keen eye, instilling a sense of safety among the townsfolk. We'd stop on our journey home to inform him of the poacher, but first we needed to see the council.
At the edge of the village stood the town hall, a simple stone and wood building, where the council convened to hear concerns and proposals. It also served as a gathering place for events when bad weather kept us indoors and for important meetings where all the villagers assembled.
I knocked on the arched wooden door for entrance. Sammy squeezed my hand. I hadn't let her go since the bookstore. I brought our joined hands to my chest and turned to her. "I'm with you. It'll be okay."
She nodded, moisture gathering in her eyes. "I'm glad you're with me."
Always. My heart cried, but aloud I said, "For as long as you need."