14. Aizor

Chapter 14

As I kissed Van-eesa, desire pounded through me.

I couldn't get the memory of her taste off my tongue. She'd responded sweetly to my fingers and after, when I licked off her juices, I nearly came all over again.

My main cock responded to her kiss, thrusting my loincloth up into the air. My mate was softening to me. Perhaps she was reconsidering her wish to return to wherever she'd come from?

When she wrapped her arms around me, spearing her fingers through my hair, my body caught flame. I was hers and hers alone, and I wanted to shout it out to the world. Make sure everyone knew she was mine.

I thrust my tongue inside her mouth, finding her tiny pink one, and a groan erupted from inside me. While Voolon shuffled her paws nearby and dropped her head to graze, I lowered my mate to the spiky grass and climbed over her, caging her upper body with my arms.

I deepened my kiss, angling her head to reach every bit of her mouth.

And when I cupped one of her breasts that was infinitely softer than the firm texture I'd found with a Zuldrux female, l almost exploded against the front of my loincloth.

Then my mate smacked my shoulder, her hit no harder than a youngling flailing its tiny fist.

I lifted my head, and she released a string of words I didn't need an explanation of. Her scowl gave it away. Lifting myself off her, I sighed and tugged her up as well.

She stepped away from me and huffed.

It was going to take more persuasion to convince my mate we were meant to be together. At least I was patient.

She stomped back and forth in front of me. I admired her beauty that was vastly different from my own people's norms yet gorgeous all the same.

A crack of a stick in the woods to my left made my smile drop and my body go on alert. I spun with my sword lifting, scanning the woods but not seeing any movement. However, the forest stretched for many varns, and the Celedar Clan made their home there. Nevarn was a crafty traedor, and it would be unwise to show him anything but a strong front.

I snarled in case anyone might be near enough to hear.

Van-eesa froze, her wide-eyed gaze following mine to the woods. She sidled over to stand behind me, her palms pressed against my back. I chuffed; grateful she sought me for protection if nothing else.

After listening and hearing nothing for a long while, I lowered my spear, though I kept a tight grip on the hilt.

"Come," I said, waving to the island housing our higher crystal gods. "We'll cross."

Her gaze followed mine, but her posture didn't loosen. I suspected her world was much different than mine, making her justly frightened. She'd soon learn I'd protect her always.

While keeping an eye on the woods and my hearing acute, I took her hand and led her to Voolon, making sure the beast had enough grass to graze on while we were gone. Voolon would graze and wait for us to return; I didn't expect we'd be on the island for long.

Van-eesa asked something softly, still shooting sharp looks toward the woods.

I patted her arm. "Remain close, mate. I'll guard you from all harm. When we return to our clan, I'll arm you with weapons. You're completely defenseless unless you remain near me, and I have to hunt on occasion and handle duties for my clan. I want you to feel secure at all times."

She frowned up at me, gnawing on one of her blunted claws shaded bright blue. I'd wondered about them but hadn't yet had the chance to ask. Were they another sign that she belonged to the Indigan Clan?

I led her to the edge of the shore, approached the bribard bone mounted on a pole, and lifted it. Long ago, so far in my clan's past that no one knew when, it had been hollowed out and hung here for any of us to use. The island was neutral territory, as was the shore on this part of the lake. Anyone who dared fight here was quickly chastised by the gods. And no one would dare do more than behave with utmost reverence while they remained on the island. It was the central home of our gods, and the fates help anyone who broke the sanctuary of this solemn place.

I pressed one end of the bone to my lips and blew through it, creating a low, mournful sound that echoed across the water and within my bones. The first time I was allowed to use the bone to call a caipareel was one of my proudest moments. I was ten at the time, and that time stood out vivid in my mind.

Bubbles erupted in the water halfway between where we stood and the island.

"Eeep," Van-eesa said, backing away.

I took her hand and squeezed it. "Look, my pretty mate. Our caipareel has heard the call and comes."

She looked from me to the water, her mouth spreading wide. When she bared her teeth, I did so too. Perhaps this was a gesture her people used to welcome creatures such as the caipareel.

"Fook eff," I bellowed in case her saying applied to this moment as well.

She snorted and her eyes watered.

I placed my sword in the sheath running down my spine where I could still pull it quickly if needed and turned her my way, cupping her face. I leaned close, studying her eyes that continued to water. Her face was flushed as well.

"Are you sick?" Stark, cold fear shot through me, and I swallowed hard. "If your eyes keep watering, I'll take you to the healer when we return home. He'll cure you." I suspected my fragile mate could be easily harmed. Look at how pale her skin was, not the rich blue of my people. And thin, so easily torn. I pinched a bit of it up off her arm, shaking my head.

I no longer worried she was defective, but my concern that her body was not made to survive our harsh world persisted.

Another thing to ask the gods about. Perhaps they could outfit her with some kind of shield that would prevent her from sustaining life-threatening injuries.

The caipareel approached beneath the water, pushing waves toward us. They crashed against my legs, and I grinned. There wasn't anything better than riding within a caipareel—except the feel of my mate riding my fingers.

When the caipareel erupted from beneath the water and towered over us, a bulbous mass of clear crystal exoskeleton and deep purple innards, I gave it a deep bow.

Van-eesa cried out and collapsed at my feet.