20. Thivoll

20

Thivoll

I wish I had done more than surface level research on humans, but how was I to know I would ever meet one?

There are countless species out in the universe and the odds I would meet any of them, let alone be attracted to one, were astronomical. Better information would have made trying to figure out why Ree's face keeps turning red much easier.

I hope it isn't related to some sort of medical condition, though I would assume if she worked in medicine they would have dealt with it.

Then I remember with a shot of panic that their technology is incredibly primitive.

It makes me speak before thinking.

"Are you healthy?"

"Well, yes. I think so?"

The redness from her face dissipates, but now there are odd wrinkles on her forehead. I once again have no way to know what the expression means. But there's no time for that now.

She's far too distracting.

I want to know everything about her as fast as possible.

"We should move now," I tell her again, then gently reposition her so she can clasp herself to me again.

The somewhat uncomfortable grip she had on my mane on the way up was a small cost for how lovely her embrace felt.

Manticorid anatomy would never allow a female to wrap her legs around me and it sent a thrill through me when she held on to me with such a firm double grip.

The same heady feeling rushes through me again and coupled with the ever-present scent I'm fairly certain must be arousal, I can feel myself swelling against the confines of my sheathe just thinking about it.

Confident I'll stay confined, I let myself enjoy the sensation and the heat of her core against my fur on the climb down.

Part of me wishes I could have climbed slower, but the other part of me that's firmly in charge knows I need to get her to safety as soon as I can.

I have to whip my tail out and wave it around to keep my balance on two feet. My species wasn't really designed to walk like this, let alone have a delightful little passenger pulling by balance forward.

It's a struggle to keep my body from doing that even without a burden.

Ree is still clutching herself tight to me after we stop descending, little shivers running through her letting me know she's afraid of the height. I would be too if I lacked my claws and strength.

Humans have no natural defenses, according to reports. It makes a frisson of anxiety run through my limbs, followed by a surge of protectiveness.

I will just have to be what evolution failed to provide her.

I pat her rear gently.

"We are down now, small one," I tell her, putting a comforting purr in my voice.

She scrambles off of me.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" she says in a rush, her face red again. "I was treating you like a giant teddy bear ."

I move closer to her and pat her rear again to calm her. "No need to be sorry, though I don't know what a teddy bear is."

I hope it isn't a bad thing.

She clears her throat, looking down at my hand on her rear, likely happy I have helped ease her. "Oh. it's something soft and cuddly. Meant to be held to help someone feel better. Safer."

I am glad she already knows one of my most important roles in her life now that I've found her.

"Then I'm your teddy bear ," I say, feeling elated that I make her feel safe.

When she bares her teeth at me again I have to remind myself that she isn't contradicting herself.

"Climb on my back," I urge her, stepping to the side and pitching forward onto all fours. "We can find a better tree for me to teddy bear in."

She lets out a quiet version of her lovely trill and then uses my outstretched elbow to climb up, tightening her legs in readiness for me to move.

She starts vocalizing, stops, clears her throat and starts again. "Could we find water? I haven't had any for a long time."

I'm instantly annoyed with myself that I hadn't already accounted for her needs and taken her straight to a water source. She probably would also like to wash off the remnants of the noxious gas.

"Yes, I'll take you to a stream I can hear close by."

Running with Ree is quickly becoming my favorite activity.

I keep my ears swiveling for threats and make sure I leave no trail, but otherwise I simply enjoy the feel of her. The tug of her hands on my mane.

The little sounds she makes when I jump over logs or dodge around trees.

I had been content simply to evade hunters, but I might need to leave her safely in a tree and systematically kill every single one of them I can find. Until I rid this entire planet of hunters and do whatever is needed to take over their space elevator, Ree will be in danger.

Yes. They will all have to die.

I can feel the venom dripping from my whipping tail in anticipation, even as the discomfort rises from embracing such violent thoughts.