Chapter 3

Orsu

Julie had remained tense from the moment she laid on my chest. Did she fear me? I would never harm this soft female. Her very scent nearly drove me wild as I searched the forest for her. There was something special about her. I would protect her with my dying breath, and it pained me to think she might be afraid of me.

"I know. It's not you. It's just hard for me to fall asleep sometimes." She let out a frustrated sigh and added, "I struggle to shut my mind off."

Shut her mind off? Did she not simply lay her head down and clear her mind for sleep? I supposed not. If she could, she would.

"Tell me your thoughts. Perhaps talking about them will help." Julie needed her rest and I was happy to do whatever I could to help.

"Well…," her voice trailed off and she stayed silent for a long moment. Did she not want my help?

"Most of my concerns are silly."

So she was worried about something. Of course she was worried. She was on a new planet filled with animals that had just tried to kill her.

"I wish to hear your silly concerns," I encouraged in an even tone so Julie would know I wasn't teasing her. I truly wanted to help.

She let out a resigned sigh. "Alright. I am worried that a bug will bite me in my sleep. Do you have a lot of bugs that bite on this planet?"

"We have a few, but thankfully not many," I admitted.

"Are they poisonous? Like, do they make you sick?

I shook my head. I'd never heard of a bug making someone sick before.

"No, many of them bite to latch onto our leg coverings or shoes as a means for quick travel."

"Ok, that's good to know." Julie seemed pleased with that answer.

"What other thoughts are keeping you awake?"

Julie was quiet for another long moment and I wondered if she had decided not to tell me any more of her worries when she at last admitted, "I was wondering if we'd run into the hyen- ugnars again tomorrow?"

"That is not a silly worry, but no the ugnars are nocturnal creatures. They do not come out during the day. Most of the predators here are nocturnal. It is only the jagwas and a few others that we have to worry about in the daytime."

"Do you think we'll run into some jagwa's tomorrow?"

"We might, but it's not likely. I built my den here because it's far away from the jagwa's hunting grounds."

"What happens if we do?" There was trepidation in her voice that told me Julie was very worried about this possibility. I wouldn't let harm come to her. In time, she would know this to be true.

"Then I will protect you just as I did tonight."

"What if you die?"

"If I die then you must run, because I would have done so providing an escape for you."

Julie shivered in my arms and I wasn"t sure if that had been the right thing to say, but it was the truth.

"You do not need to worry about that, though. I have faced many beasts and I have walked this trail many times. I will get you back to your people, I can promise you that."

"Okay." I felt Julie's body relax against me for the first time, and it was an amazing feeling. Her warmth seeped into my bones as if she were branding me from the inside out.

I had never felt more victorious in all my days than I did in this moment. I had eased Julie's worries. I wanted more of this feeling. I wondered if there was any other wisdom I could give Julie to help her sleep.

"What were you picturing in your mind when you tried to fall asleep?"

"I was thinking about the wild beasts that tried to kill us," she sighed.

I bit back a laugh. It was no wonder Julie couldn't sleep. "I do not think that is a good way to fall asleep. Can you picture something calmer?"

"I don't know," she sounded doubtful. "My mind tends to wander toward more dark topics."

"You like to cook, yes? Tell me about that. What are your favorite memories of cooking?"

"Alright," she said apprehensively. "I enjoyed making tamales with my mom and abuela growing up. The kitchen would smell of corn and spices and we all laughed together as we made the dough and prepared the meat mixture."

"That sounds like a very happy memory. Why don't you think about that while you try to sleep?"

"I could try that," Julie conceded.

"Is there anything else you wish to talk about?" I liked the sound of her voice. I could listen to her speak all day and all night.

"No. I think I'm ready to try to sleep now. Good night, Orsu."

"Good night, Julie."

All was silent after that. Julie relaxed against me and before long she was asleep.

It took me much longer to find my slumber. After I was cast out of my dekes and later told I could never take a mate, I'd thought I wouldn't get to feel the soft warmth of a female against me. And now here I was with the most beautiful female I'd ever seen laying atop me like a dream come true.

I wasn't sure if I'd ever get to feel this soft warmth again. So I cherished the moment for as long as I could and thanked the goddess for this night even if I'd never have another like it.

With thoughts of Julie's tan skin against my blue skin and with the feeling of her short black hair tickling my chest, I finally fell asleep.