30. Amma

Chapter 30

Amma

A mma crossed her legs and leaned forward. She had never really thought about marriage because it wasn't something her family did. They had occasional relationships, but when it came to having daughters, everyone always went through a donor and used a contract. Things would get complicated if a man thought he had parental rights after the deed was done.

"I never wanted a wedding. To me they are just an unnecessary step most people take because they think it's what is expected of them. Why do they need to stand before family and friends and declare their undying love? Most unions end in three to four years in an angry battle over resources and children."

"Human mates do not stay together?" Suni's ears flicked.

"That is a whole can of worms that we do not have time to get into." Amma bit the inside of her cheek as she thought. Anything she said would make the human species look like an ugly stepchild. "Let's just say that there are many different types of unions on Earth, and many don't last."

"I do not like the sound of your world. Warriors attack a home full of females. Males don't stay around to take care of their mates and calves. I am glad you are no longer there."

"I am too." Amma was getting used to the two suns and moons and the exotic food. She never wanted to return to Earth, unless it was to bring more of her cousins over to the better side of life. Suni glanced over her shoulder, and she turned to see the brothers returning. She called out to them, "Hey guys." They were still unable to speak, but were starting to find ways to communicate. When they got to the village, she would meditate and speak to them. Maybe she'd find out why they were having trouble finding their voices. "What's for dinner?"

Jabari held up a skinned animal resembling a sheep. In his hands, it looked a lot smaller than the one Suni had caught before, but it would still feed them all. They squatted by the fire, and Jabari built a rack to place the meat Kofi was cutting into smaller pieces. She watched them work and wondered about their lives before the witches got ahold of them. They worked well as a team and seemed to have even tempers, characteristics they would need if they mated with one of her family members.

The silence was comfortable as they enjoyed their food and the warmth the fire provided. Once the suns had both set, Kofi took the first watch and Suni and Amma cuddled on their pallet. She quickly fell asleep.

Are you up?

She's up, look at her eyes.

Are you sure?

"Two weeks." Amma opened her eyes and glared at the squirrel brothers. They sat next to her head with stuffed cheeks and round bellies. She wondered where they had gone off to and if they had followed her and Suni all the way from Jo's village. "I had a peaceful two weeks when you didn't wake me up. Where have you been?"

Exploring. Mike answered. I like this new world. We never have to be on the ground to find food.

And there are others almost like us. Sam's tail wagged.

"Sam, did you meet a female?" Amma turned in Suni's arms so she could see the squirrels better. Sam's coat was looking extra shiny.

Maybe. Sam answered. She is coming into heat soon and I will have to catch her.

"With that round belly?" Amma poked at him.

I am still fast. Sam growled.

"Mike, did you find someone too?"

I am not looking. Mike said. Maybe one day in the far future.

"Are you sure you won't want kits of your own?" Amma asked.

"Mmm," Suni pulled her against him and whispered in her ear. "Am I going to be awakened every morning with the sound of my mate talking to herself?"

"Well, if you could hear Mike and Sam, you would be happy it's only me you have to worry about." Amma looked over her shoulder at her mate. "They like to wake me up with demands."

"Where have they been?" Suni asked.

"Exploring and finding females." Amma chuckled at his raised eyebrows. "What? Males are males, no matter what species they are. Sam found one and I'm sure he will be the proud papa of little kits soon."

He laid a hand on her stomach. "And maybe one day soon you will grow large with calf."

"Suni, I love you, but if you dare call me ‘large' when I'm pregnant, I will shrink your cock." Amma wiggled against his hardening cock. "But I can always unshrink it later."

"I would rather you not. You enjoy what it does at its full size for you far too much." Suni kissed her cheek. "We should get up now. I want to reach home before the last sun is high in the sky."

"If you say so." Amma sat up and stretched as she looked around the small camp. The brothers were already awake, unless they hadn't slept again, and were cooking the porridge-like breakfast they had every morning. While she loved it, she was really looking forward to having something like bacon and eggs. "I'll go get cleaned up and meet you back here for first meal."

Suni caught her around her waist before she could stand and pulled her onto his chest. "Or we could run away, back to that little cave where we had so much fun."

She flipped over to face him. "You talk a big game, but I doubt you really mean that. You have been missing your family as much as I have been missing mine. We can always lock ourselves away in our home."

"I like the way you think." Suni sat up and she admired the sensation of his abdominal muscles against her stomach. "I think I need a kiss."

"You always want a kiss." She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her level. "And I'm always happy to give you one."

"You love it too." Suni captured her lips and left her breathless before pulling away. "If you do not want me to carry you back to that cave, you should get off my lap."

Amma wiggled and laughed when Suni groaned. "Fine," She said. She climbed off his lap and leaned down to give him a loud, juicy kiss on his lips. "See you in a second. Watch the boys. I don't want them running to your village alone and getting shot. Mike and Sam, stay with Suni."

We will. Sam answered. Until the female goes into heat .

"You may want to learn her name," Amma chuckled. "That may go a long way to winning her heart."

Oh . Sam's tail drooped.

"You have time." Amma bent to pat him on the head. "Just ask before you chase her."

"To hear the other side of that conversation would be interesting." Suni said. He stood and stretched, and Amma had a hard time tearing her eyes away from his masculinity. He grinned at her. "Keep looking at me like that, my mate, and we will never make it home."

"The look I'm giving you is a promise of what is to come." Amma took a step back when he moved forward. " Later . I want to see my cousin Mia and meet her daughter for the first time. It's always fun to meet little witches. They do the funniest things before they learn to control their magic."

"She is a very energetic calf."

"Good morning, Jabari and Kofi," Amma called to the brothers. "Thank you for making first meal. It's greatly appreciated." She quickly finished her business and returned to the fire. "What is the porridge mixed with today?"

"I think they used aki berries." Suni handed her a bowl. "I find them a little too sweet for my taste, but it fills the belly."

"Okay." Amma took the bowl. "You will have to make me your favorite first meal. You are always a little critical every time someone else makes something."

"I will make you many first meals." Suni said. He upended his bowl and finished it in three gulps. "Many."

"You know, you could enjoy your food more." Amma said. She took smaller sips from her bowl. It was tasty, like always, and had a bit of a kick from the leaves. She wondered if she would ever not want that spicy kick with her meals. "Can these leaves be fried?"

"Yes, there is a female in the village who cooks them like that."

"I wonder what they would taste like chopped up and sprinkled over grubs."

Suni's head tilted. "I never thought to do that."

"It's something we can try together."

Once everyone finished eating, they cleaned up until there was no trace of their having camped there. The group started toward the Lnuuk. Amma spent the time mentally rehearsing what she would say to her new mother-in-law. She didn't want to come across as not good enough for her son. It hadn't been more than two hours, Earth time, when they arrived at the edge of the forest and Amma got her first look at her new home. Unlike Ru's village, everything looked permanent. Buildings had high brick-like walls, and a stone pathway led through them. They were halfway across the valley when a group of warriors rushed from the gate. Oumi was in the lead.

Suni stepped in front of her, but kept his hands away from his weapon. His father was the first to reach them and stood next to his son. Amma placed a hand on Suni's lower back. She hoped they would be allowed entrance and given a welcome along with the brothers.

"Chief Kellan," Oumi said. "My son returns with a mate, a human mate who also happens to be a witch."

"A witch?" Kellan asked. "How is it that my best warriors are out mating with witches when we have not seen one in generations?"

"Hi," Amma said as she came out from behind Suni. If this was going to be her home, she wanted to show she wasn't scared of them. "My name is Amma, and Mia is my cousin."

Kellan's eyes landed on her, and she forced herself to be still while she studied him. He was taller than most of the warriors present, except Suni and another male who looked suspiciously like Han. That warrior carried a massive hammer on his back and a smirk played on his lips. Amma would bet her left hand that he was trouble. The chief, on the other hand, had a calmness to him that Amma knew was false. She knew there was no way warriors would follow a male who didn't have a killer instinct. Strapped to his back was a sword almost as long as he was tall, and Amma doubted she could lift it even with two hands and some magic.

When the silence was on the verge of becoming uncomfortable, Kellan nodded. "It is nice to meet one of Mia's family. She has been a blessing, and speaks highly of her family back on Earth. Can I ask how you came to be here, and who the warriors behind you are?"

"I came here through a portal from my world. My family's home was attacked, and we had to flee before we were captured and killed for being born the way we are," Amma answered. "As for the males behind me, they were changed by witches of the High Coven." She took a step forward and held up her hands when every warrior drew their weapons. "They are trustworthy. If you want, you can have Mia read them."

"Suni?" Kellan's eyes snapped to her mate. "What is the meaning of this? You bring danger to our door?"

"They are no longer dangerous." Suni replied. He drew his shoulders back. "I swear on my life that they mean no harm."

"What makes you trust them?"

"Once freed from the hold the evil magic had on them, they helped save a village under attack from the High Coven," Suni answered. "Their names are Jabari and Kofi. We promised them a place to stay where they would be safe."

"You made such a promise without asking me?" Kellan asked angrily.

"They are warriors in need of a haven. They will swear their allegiance to you. I did not want to leave them in a village where people would be less than welcoming," Suni replied.

"I should warn you that at the moment they cannot speak," Amma chimed in. She didn't want the brothers to be cut down because they couldn't respond to questions. "The witches did something to their ability to speak, and I don't have the skills necessary to heal them."

"If they are unable to speak, how are they going to swear their allegiance?" Kellan demanded. "Warriors, is it true you cannot speak?"

Jabari and Kofi nodded.

"I cannot take a nod for an answer if they wish to stay within these walls. I will not endanger my people," Kellan decided, and crossed his arms.

"If I remember correctly, Mia is a diviner, is she not?"

"Yes," the large, hammer-bearing male growled. "What of my mate?"

"Ni'em, you may be my brother, but I will challenge you if you speak to my mate in that tone again," Suni snapped.

"He didn't hurt my feelings." Amma studied the male who was mated to her cousin. He really was massive, even compared to Suni. She wondered what their mother had fed them while they were growing up. "Mia will be able to see their intentions."

"Out of the question. I will not have my mate near these males."

Amma continued, "Ni'em, I can understand your need to protect your family, but Mia has an ability I do not. That is the way our family is. We help each other and others in need." Amma could see the gears in her brother-in-law's head spinning. "The magic flowing through my veins is the same as the magic in Mia's. We are powerful together, and she will not be in danger."

"Enough. Disarm and restrain the warriors." Kellan said. "Take them to the council circle. Ni'em, you and your mate will join us as soon as you can. Suni, go see your dam before coming to see me. I cannot promise these warriors can stay, but I will listen." He turned and strode back to the village with most of the warriors following.

"This better not harm my mate," Ni'em growled. "Or my calf."

"It won't. They won't." Amma turned to the brothers. Four warriors stood around them, looking uncommitted. "I will come and speak to the chief for you both. Will you go peacefully?"

Jabari held onto his last weapon as he stared at her. His ears were pinned back, and his eyes were huge.

"You will be safe. Promise."

Jabari handed over his weapon and submitted to being bound. Kofi followed his brother's lead.

Ni'em shook his head. "I do not like this. My mate is delicate and should not be exposed to these things."

"Are you sure she's delicate?" Amma asked. "The women in my family are strong in both mind and body."

"And yet, none of you will never match a warrior in their prime," Ni'em said. "It does not matter; the chief has spoken. Brother, you do need to visit Dam before she finds you first. She was not happy that you chose to stay away."

"She will forgive me once I introduce her to Amma." Suni's shoulders straightened, and he looked at her with a smile. "Dam is always happy to welcome a new daughter to the family."

"It worked for me, but I was wounded in battle."

"Was that really an excuse?" Suni punched his brother's arm. "You are too thick to really get hurt."

"Tell that to my mate." Ni'em said. He turned to the brothers. "Follow me."

Suni watched and waited for everyone to leave before letting out a breath. "I thought that would go differently."

Amma nodded. "I did too. Is your chief always so intense? I mean, Ru had more reason to be standoffish."

"I think there may be too many changes going on for him. He is really a great chief and cares about everyone."

"Well, hopefully he will find it in his heart to let Jabari and Kofi stay. I know they are going to be an asset."

"Can you see the future?" he teased. "I thought you only talked to animals."

"Call it a woman's intuition."

"I will take your word." He tucked her under his arm and turned toward the village. "Ready to face my dam?"

"She's going to love me. It's you who should be worried."

"I am."