NINETEEN

- kuvier -

Tonight, I will finally sleep.

With Enikk having discovered his own bond with one of the Sky People, my instincts have calmed. I worry that he is more likely to run off with the fearful girl than to attempt anything with Sedona.

Tucking the roll of furs under my arm, I walk carefully around the prone bodies to make my way to Sedona. As I reach her, she is stretching her curvy legs out in front of her. She looks up, and it warms me to see her eyes brighten as she takes me in. It is more confirmation that I am not the only one who feels the shift in our interactions since this morning.

Despite the chaos that has ensued with the awakening of the other Sky People, I have not forgotten the feeling of Sedona's plush lips pressed against me. I do not know what it is called that we did today; it must be some mating custom from the sky that she has taught me. But, I do know I wish to press mouths with her every day of my life.

Sedona looks at me expectantly and I wrack my brain for the words in her language to convey what I want. I refuse to go get the curly haired female. It feels less intimate to have my words inspected by another as they are relayed to my mate.

"Can I sleep here?" I finally manage to ask a coherent sentence, piecing together words and phrasing I have learned over time.

Sedona smiles brightly at me, as she does anytime I get something correct in her language. Her eyes scan the cave to find that the other females are either asleep or preoccupied and not focused on us in the least. I am not offended by her worry. My mate appears to be the leader of these females. They look to her often for guidance and I know that leaders must fear what their people think of them. It is a wonder that such a strong female would be the mate of someone like me, the very bottom of my community's hierarchy. I will take whatever I can get from her anyhow.

Regardless, she gives me a nod and answers with a soft, "Of course." This is just a long way of saying ‘yes' in her language, and so I unfurl my furs on the other side of her, putting myself between the opening of the cave and her.

Although this move is a bit unnecessary, as it seems Enikk would be the first person to respond in an attack. He has not moved from his spot at the fire, facing the entrance, since the females began spreading out to go to sleep. Now that he has a mate bond of his own, it seems that he has taken over my nightly vigil.

As I settle next to Sedona, our eyes lock. I feel the same as I did earlier, before we pressed mouths. It is the feeling of free falling, as if I have been tossed from the highest peak of the Blood Mountains. It is a rush greater than that of the most exhilarating hunt.

The feeling is heady and addictive.

I cannot help myself and I reach out one large, clawed hand, moving it gently towards her face. I give her plenty of time to pull away. Unlike Enikk, I recognize how easily frightened our females are. I never want Sedona to look at me with fear again. Not now that she has come to know me.

With a soft touch, I skim the lines of her face. I flutter over her lips, tracing the outline of her smile and toying with her bottom lip. It is one of my favorite features on her body, and I always find myself fixated on it. My fingers stop their gentle exploration, smoothing back a loose curl before I let my hand fall.

Sedona lifts her hand to my face, hesitant at first, but encouraged by my calm acceptance. When her fingers make contact with my fur, I cannot help the rumbling in my chest.

She bites her lip and I am enraptured. Before I can give it much thought, I lean forward, brushing my lips over hers. Remembering the way her tongue had moved in my mouth earlier, I swipe my tongue against her lips, seeking access. She gives a soft, whimpering gasp that allows me to explore her sweet mouth further.

Our mouths move in rhythm until she pulls away to catch her breath. It is good that she has stopped us. We are not alone, but a few more seconds of her lips on me and I would have pushed past a place of no return.

I do not want this moment to end, but when my mate gives the smallest little yawn, I know that it is time for sleep. I shift closer, using my body heat to add to her comfort. Spurred by the way she is letting me touch her without shame, I pull her close, tucking her against my arm. I hesitate for only a moment before letting my tail slide up her leg to rub soft circles on her thigh. She contentedly lays back, unbothered.

Settling on my side, I run my hand in gentle strokes up and down her arm, warming her more. With the influx of females, she has less furs than she did prior. I do not like it, but I know that I cannot let the other females freeze just to shower my mate in warmth. Well, I would, but she would not let me if I tried.

Within moments, her breathing evens out, and in her sleep she clutches me closer around the waist. A potent sense of possession unfurls in my chest. This female was meant for me. I know this with every fiber of my being.