Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

The walk back to his treehouse was a delight, the lovers taking their time and enjoying the longer route even as the sun sank lower in the sky. There was no need to worry. Margot was with Braxxos, and nothing in the world could make her feel safer.

Interestingly, she noted a much greater number of animals that were visible on this particular hike. Normally, they hid from sight out of pure instinct even when the beast was not on display. But today something was different in the air. Different enough to make them curious.

"You see them, I assume," she asked, nodding but not pointing to a fairly large, horned capybara-looking animal.

"Yes, of course. But there is nothing to fear. That is a Hikkax. An herbivore. The horns are merely a defensive trait."

"I still wouldn't want to be stuck by one."

"And that reaction is precisely why they have them. They avoid conflict at all cost, hiding out and staying clear of confrontation despite their deadly horns. But, should push come to shove, they can be fierce, especially in defense of their offspring."

"Don't piss off Mama Bear."

"What is a Mama Bear ?"

She chuckled. "It's an animal you should pretty much steer clear of even when they don't have babies around. But if they do? Oh man, watch out. They've been known to be pretty relentless. So much so that they've become a well-known expression."

"I see. Mama Bear is a fiercely protective mother. I think the Hikkax would approve. Perhaps I will create my own version for this world. Don't piss off a Mama Hikkax or you'll regret it."

"Doesn't roll off the tongue quite the same, but I'll still give it a thumbs up."

"Why would your thumb be up?"

"It's an Earth thing. Just one more I need to teach you."

"I am happy to learn."

"I'll say," she said with a happy grin, slapping his rock-solid ass. "And eager to please, I'd add."

"What can I say? You inspire me."

"I like the sound of that. Margot the Muse. Works for me."

"And for me," he replied, pausing their walk to pull her in for a kiss before continuing on their way.

It was kind of perfect, this moment of tranquil grace, the two of them alone in the woods without a care in the world. And when they returned to the treehouse, their treehouse, the magic continued.

Braxxos followed his love into their home and pulled up the ladder. He then crossed to his little storage compartment, looking at Margot with a hint of nervous expectation.

"I have something I wish to give you. Please, come over here."

She obliged, sidling up to him, enjoying the warmth radiating from his body. Her Infala tugged hard, both of them jerking from the reaction.

"Is that normal?"

"With you, nothing is normal. But yes, to a degree. Infala bonding can be quite intense, and if the bond is particularly strong, mates can feel one another across great distances."

"That's so romantic. I mean, probably crazy distracting at times, but romantic all the same. Now, what was it you wanted?"

He opened the compartment. It was the one in which he kept his shiny things. The few valuable bits and bobs he'd tucked away over the years. He reached to the back, knocking a few items aside as he retrieved a small ornate box. It was inlay, she realized, and worth a fortune by the look of it.

Stones and wood and metal, all intermingled to fashion a beautiful design. It was a castle in the distance, surrounded by vast lands and colorful vegetation. How they managed to achieve such a wide mix of colors was beside her. A master craftsman had clearly built this, and it must have taken them ages. But how did a mountain man come to possess something of its kind?

She decided this wasn't the time to ask. There would be plenty of time later, and right now he wanted to give her something. Who was she to interrupt his flow?

He opened the box, pushing aside a few items that had stones of such size and brilliance they had to be costume jewelry. But he eschewed those pieces, instead pulling out a delicate pendant on a silver chain. It was some sort of sigil or crest, again made with incredibly fine detailed workmanship. She realized it was the same design as was on his larger tech pendant. But what did it mean?

Braxxos reached behind her head, clasping it in place, the pendant resting comfortably on her neck.

Margot lifted it from her skin, turning it over in her hand. "Thank you. It's beautiful."

"My grandmother's," he noted. "She died shortly after I was born, so I didn't really know her, but all who did loved her dearly. My mother gave that to me as a boy. And now it is yours."

"It's a family heirloom. I couldn't."

"You are my mate, and I would share everything with you."

He picked up the fallen items, putting them back in their place, but when he touched the odd tech sigil pendant something strange happened. It didn't turn red this time. Not entirely. Now there was gold as well.

"Weird. It didn't do that before," she commented.

The look on his face was one of pure shock. He was utterly gobsmacked.

"What is it? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"No ghost. But this is impossible."

He pulled his shirt off in one fluid motion, staring hard at his runes covering his body.

"How…How can this be?"

Margot didn't have to ask what he was talking about. It was clear as day what had shocked him so. His pigment, tainted and poisoned, was no longer green. In fact, only the faintest hints of the contaminant remained, barely visible to the naked eye.

"What does that mean?"

"It means your blood has done more than just bond us, my love. Things are changing, and in a way that should be impossible."

"Seems a lot of that's been happening today."

Margot stared at him, the expression on his face still frozen in a look of disbelief, confusion, and awe. Whatever this was, he clearly needed a little time to process.

Yeah, I think he might want some alone time .

"Hey, I'm going to go pick us some fruit. Something sweet for my sweet."

He turned to her, regaining his composure, at least a bit. "That is horribly cheesy, my dearest."

"I know. And you know you love it."

"I love you , and you know it."

"Aww, such a sweet, sappy man." She moved close and kissed him hard. "I love you too, you know."

"I do. I can feel it not only in my heart, but in my Infala, and I swear that so long as my heart beats I will always keep you safe."

"So you've said. And believe me, that means the world to me. But this is just a short walk, and it won't be dark for a little while still. You do your thing; I know the way and I'll be back in a jiffy. How about you start making us some dinner? I know you've been enjoying the new spices."

"That I have. And I will do as you wish. When you return, prepare to be in awe of what I have concocted for you."

She smiled bright, her heart pounding with affection. "I can't wait." Margot dropped the ladder and stepped out into the fresh air. "Back in a jiff."

The climb down was brief, and she hauled the ladder back into place as he'd shown her. They were alone, but it was a logical habit to be in. One that had kept her safe before the beast had become hers.

"Okay then. Let's see what we can find."

It was a delightful walk, her mind split between her task and reliving the epic shagging she'd just received for the better part of the afternoon. She felt her nipples harden and her clit tingle just at the thought of it.

Thought I'd be all tapped out by now. I mean, damn. I lost track of orgasms in the high double-digits. And yet, somehow, that guy still just turns me on like I've never felt.

Images flashed through her mind as she walked. His hands on her body. The feeling of his fingers in her hair, grabbing her firmly yet tenderly as he hammered into her. The sensation of his full lips on hers. On her neck. On her breasts. And, of course, between her legs.

"Okay, I really need to focus," she said with a chuckle, realizing she was getting so turned on that she just might need to stop and rub one out on her own if she kept it up. But that was the effect he had on her. He was like that first bite of a delicious pie. The initial mouthful of your favorite comfort food. He was all that and more. And when you had an amazing bite, it was near impossible to stop at just one. You wanted more. And more she would have.

But not now. Now she needed to focus. She was bringing treats home, but she'd do a shit job of it if she kept letting her mind wander. Margot shook it off and continued on her way, spirits high and very much looking forward to what the night would bring.

As for Braxxos, now that his mate was no longer distractingly close by, he found he was able to concentrate, at least somewhat. He could still smell her, her scent lingering in the air and making his heart pound harder. He also felt the tugging in his Infala as she grew farther away in her trek, but aside from that he was at least relatively clear-headed.

"She's going to love this," he muttered happily to himself, surveying his ingredients and mulling over which of the novel seasonings she'd introduced him to would go best with what.

His hands moved slow and smooth, not rushing, taking his time and enjoying every bit of the process. He was going to feed his love, and that brought joy to his heart. Pretty much everything about her did, to be fair.

"Is it really happening? Am I really Infala bonding?" he marveled, still unable to believe his good fortune.

His world was changing. Changing in a way that he'd thought impossible for him. And yet his Infala couldn't lie. It told the unfiltered truth, and the truth was he had gone from cursed outcast to, in his opinion, the luckiest man in the world. She was his, and he was hers. And that meant sharing his world with her.

"Yes, even that," he decided. "She deserves to know. When she gets back, I'll tell her everything."