TWENTY-SEVEN

- sedona -

Soft kisses trail over my face, planting on my forehead, my nose, each cheek, and then lingering on my lips. Each touch sends a shiver down my spine, igniting a familiar heat deep within me that quickly chases away the sleep.

When my eyes open, Kuvier is looming over me, encompassing my entire view.

"Good morning, my Sedona," he mumbles against my lips, his voice husky with want.

I knew I wanted him before, even before our fun time in the snow. But, after last night, I feel like someone lit a fire under my desire. If we didn't have a potential audience, I would have gone all the way with him last night. As it was, what we did do…the tail …god was it something magical.

A small smile tugs at my lips. "Good morning."

He attaches his mouth to mine again and I fall into the kiss.

"If I could leave my mouth against yours for the rest of my days, I would have nothing to complain of," he murmurs against my lips.

"You like kissing then?" He takes my bottom lip between his teeth, nipping at the flesh, before trailing pecks down my neck. Fire ignites in me and I squirm under him.

"Is this what this custom is called? Kissing?" I nod wordlessly, my head falling to the side as his ministrations find their way to the slope of my collarbone. "Then yes, kissing pleases me."

His hands move gently over my body, his touch both tender and searing. I feel his desire for me through every touch, a primal need that matches my own. For a moment, it's just the two of us, lost in the intimacy of the morning.

But before things can go any further, a rustling sound interrupts us. I turn my head slightly, peering around the pile of supplies around us. Nearby, Renata stirs, her eyes blinking open as she yawns and stretches. Some of the other women are waking up as well, their movements and quiet conversations filling the cave with life.

Kuvier and I exchange a knowing glance, a mixture of frustration and amusement flickering between us. He leans down to press a lingering kiss on my lips before reluctantly pulling away and rolling off of me.

We separate without any other words and begin packing our things for travel. Well, Kuvier does. As I've come to expect, he wants to do it all for me. I choose not to fuss with him about it, especially because I plan to walk on my own two feet for the whole day. Might as well give him some wins before then.

I decide instead to go ahead and start breakfast. Shared meals have become almost exclusively my job. The others will sometimes help me with chopping and prepping, but for the most part, it's a role I slid into easily and one that I like.

As I approach the fire, I can't help but notice the dark cloud that is Enikk hanging over the cave. He sits leaned against a far wall, glaring ahead. He's gotten increasingly agitated since the boys announced that we were returning to their village. I feel like it has something to do with the lack of progress he's making on the Amari front.

She's been a bit fickle with him. One minute going with him to gather vifer reeds, or walking alongside him while we travel, and then the next she'll ignore him completely. I don't push her on it, it's her right to decide how much she's willing to give and take. But, I do feel a little bad for the guy.

I consider trying to pull him into conversation, but his posture is tense and his expression dark. He scowls mostly into the distance, occasionally casting disappointed and frustrated looks towards Amari, who seems to be avoiding him and his gaze once again.

Deep in thought, I continue with the breakfast preparations, focusing on slicing some dried meat and placing it on the heated stone near the fire. We're back to dried meat from the rations in the cave, and whatever Kuvier and Enikk had left. Kuvier and Enikk want to save the frozen raw meat for refilling the cache and giving to the clan. Kuvier said that they didn't want to show up without food since that was what they'd been sent out to do originally.

He's still really weird about his clan, freezing up whenever I try to ask him what it's like for him there. Both he and Enikk get weird with us when we ask and it's making some of the women a little tense. I trust Kuvier completely, whether that's a good thing or not, I don't know. But, regardless, I'm not worried that I'm walking into anything unsafe; I am concerned by the stress on his face whenever I mention it.

I'm bent over the fire, stirring meat around the cooking stone, when I feel something brush over my ass and see Kuvier staring at my backside, his tail trailing over the curve of it. Giggling, I swat it away, straightening. He pulls me against him, kissing the top of my head.

"You seem lost in your mind," he comments, peering down at me. I consider talking to him about the clan, but don't feel like worrying him over it.

"Yeah, I was thinking that Enikk seems really off this morning," I murmur quietly, glancing over at where he stands still alone, lost in his thoughts.

Kuvier nods, his brow furrowing in concern. "He has similar worries as I do," he admits reluctantly, his gaze flickering towards Enikk. "Among our people, the bond between khesis is sacred, if proven."

"What do you mean by proven?" Kuvier blanches but answers the question after a beat.

"Typically, a Lieq male and female both feel the pull of the bond," he explains in a soft voice, massaging the knots in my shoulder. "They will be so driven by desire that they complete the bond immediately."

"How do they complete the bond?" I have a feeling I know, and my ears grow hot in expectation of his answer.

"They lie together in the furs." He rubs a hand along the length of my body and I shiver under his caresses. "And then the male will mark his female with a bite." He leans forward and tenderly bites at his favorite spot on my neck. Goosebumps erupt along my skin.

"Is that what you want to do to me?" I should be disturbed and put off. Instead, I sound breathless and needy.

"When you accept me into your furs, I will mark you with my teeth and my scent and none will question what belongs to me." His words are a statement, a promise, and a prediction.

I consider that for a moment. "Is the lack of marks why you guys are so worried?"

"Without the mark, some males may see it as an opportunity to stake a claim. It is especially difficult for Enikk because his mate does not grow warm and wet around him, and others will be able to tell."

I feel my whole face heat up at that last comment but don't address it. My mind is focused on this whole marking thing. Part of me blazes at the thought, but the other part feels fear.

A mark like that would be permanent, it would make this change in my life a forever thing, and it's hard to know if that is what I want. It's a primal gesture of claiming and ownership, something I'm not entirely sure I'm ready for, despite the undeniable pull I feel towards him. I've only been on this planet for maybe a month at most after all.

But, as I absorb his words, the gravity of our situation dawns on me. This world, with its unfamiliar customs and expectations, demands more from us human women than I initially understood. It's not just about survival, it's about navigating relationships and traditions.

"That's…a lot of pressure," I murmur softly, my gaze drifting towards where Amari sits, wrapping up her furs, still lost in her own thoughts.

"Pressure?" He cocks his head in confusion.

"Um, weight. A lot to deal with that would be my fault if things go wrong."

Kuvier pulls my gaze to meet his, frowning deeply. "I did not tell you of this to force you to make a decision you are not ready for."

"Still, I would rather you not have to worry about it. I am just not ready yet."

"And so we will wait until you are." He brushes his lips over mine. "I have waited thirty-three seasons for this joy that you so freely give me. I will wait a never ending amount of seasons if that is what you need me to do."

"Alright you two, break up the lovey dovey fest. I want brekkie," Meghan announces, breaking through our conversation with ease, as she plops down on the dirt ground near the fire. I snigger and somewhat reluctantly pull away from Kuvier. He gives my hips one last squeeze before letting me go and moving towards Enikk.

For the next little while, I pass out food and eat myself. Enikk and Kuvier both stop in for helpings, but scarf their servings down before quickly returning to whispering with their heads pressed together. As everyone mills around, eating and preparing, I make my way to Amari.

"Hey, you okay?" I prod gently, glancing sideways at her. She's sitting off to the side, quiet and watching.

Amari nods, though her eyes flicker nervously towards Enikk before returning to the task of arranging her things in her knapsack. "Yeah, just...does Enikk seem off lately? Like, really off?"

I sigh softly, understanding her concern. "Yeah, I noticed too. He's worried about the village, about what might happen when we get there."

"Why? Isn't it his home?" She looks up at me with wide, young eyes. At twenty, she's pretty like a doll, with a look of innocence that makes you want to protect her.

I explain quietly, mindful of Enikk's proximity. "Kuvier told me that he's concerned about how others might view his bond with you."

She grimaces at the reminder. "That's not my responsibility."

"I know, and I know you don't love the whole mate thing. I'm just explaining why he's acting weird." I hand her the serving of food I set aside for her and she takes it gratefully.

"I don't get why he's making it such a big deal. He just met me."

"True, but it goes pretty deep for them." She picks at her food while listening to me. "We don't feel what they feel quite as much, but apparently, for them, it's like a strong ass biological drive. And it's really important in their culture."

I pause and consider my next words carefully, but I feel that she needs to know. Even if it might give her additional anxiety she doesn't need.

"Kuvier told me that people might not respect their ‘claims' over us. Meaning that other randos might try to, like, steal us or something because they don't feel like our dudes are worthy or whatever."

She reels back at that, glancing between me and Enikk's direction. "What the hell?"

"Yeah, there's a mark and shit that's supposed to tell others that we are spoken for." I gesture between us. "Neither of us have fully completed the process, so it means that other people can challenge Kuvier and Enikk for our hands, basically."

"Like, hands in marriage?" she exclaims, alarmed.

"Sorta, just without the paper and priest." The joke falls flat in the face of her horror.

"So, basically, my options are let Enikk claim me in marriage, or get shoved off onto some other goat dude that I know even less?" I grimace at the wording.

"Well, when you put it that way…"

"There doesn't really feel like another way to put it." She groans and rakes her hands through her wild hair. "Look, I get that this is easier for you. You and Kuvier, like, love each other already, or whatever, but this is a nightmare for me."

I open my mouth to correct her about the love part, but I can't seem to form the words. Instead what comes out is, "I'm sorry. This is sucky."

"Yeah," she huffs roughly, "no kidding."

We sit in silence for a moment, and I think about how to approach what I need to say next.

"I, uh, I know this isn't ideal," I begin hesitantly, "but of all the people to have forced on you, Enikk isn't all that bad."

Amari levels me with a fierce glower. I hold up my hands in defense. I know what I'm saying sounds terrible, but for her sake, I need her to hear it. She might think Enikk sucks, but I have a feeling she'd feel worse with someone less sweet and understanding.

"I'm just saying, whoever puts up a fight for us could be worse. And old." Her expression crumples as she realizes how big of a possibility that is. "I'm putting my eggs in Kuvier's basket, and I know that it isn't the same for you, but I think you should put yours in Enikk's. Even if it's just in a friendship way."

Amari's brow furrows in a mix of frustration and resignation. It's a long moment before she speaks again.

"I get it, I do. This is a different world, a different culture, and I'm going to have to adjust. Especially if Samra can't get us out of here." Her voice is tinged with uncertainty as she continues, "But this is everything I didn't want anymore."

"Do what's best for you. Regardless of what that choice is, I'll support you." I tell her, placing a reassuring hand on her arm.

Amari's gaze is distant as she considers my words. We sit in silence for a while after that, until everyone is ready and packed. The time to go arrives, and we quickly set off for our second day of travel.