Beni watched in awe as he dug his hind paws into the dirt, talons digging in to prevent the male from crawling any farther as he anchored them. He dodged when Eloio threw a fist back in a desperate attempt to knock the larger Mintar free from him. Faltz retaliated by bringing his elbow down against the back of the male’s head.
Bakin drew in a sharp breath at her side. “In one piece, Faltz. Rut me.”
Beni huffed and glared up at him. “You should have thought of that before you opened your big mouth then, huh?” Wrinkling her nose at him, she leaned forward and shouted. “He can recover from a concussion—knock his ass out! Or choke him out of if you need to. A little minor oxygen deprivation isn’t going to hurt anyone.”
Taking another bite of meat, she paused mid-chew, aware of eyes fastened on her. Her mouth full, she gave them all a quizzical look. “What?”
The attention left her as the crowd let out a roar. She looked back at Faltz and grinned. Drawing back his head, Faltz tilted his horns down at an angle so that the edge of one horn pressed against Eloio’s jugular. His deep, hard voice rang out as the crowd dropped into an anticipatory silence.
“Yield and forfeit your right!” he roared.
Eloio shifted a fraction, his muscles tensing before they finally went lax and he dropped his head in defeat, sparing a glance into the crowd in her direction.
“I yield and forfeit all rights to courting!” he called out.
Beni threw up her arms and shrieked with joy. She felt Bakin’s fingers graze as he tempted to grab ahold of her, and heard his startled shout, but she didn’t let that stop her as she darted through the crowd, pushing her way through until she was able to throw herself at her male just as he backed off of Eloio’s withers. He was still half-crouched, and grunted in surprise as her body collided with his, but she didn’t care.
Wrapping her legs around him, Beni leaned forward and captured his mouth with hers, her tongue spearing between his lips and dragging his own out to play until she had him growling and moaning beneath her lips.
Pulling back, she grinned at him, and he stared down at her.
He licked his lips, and she wondered if he was about to say something romantic about the feat he’d accomplished in her honor. For her! Beni understood now all too well why women among the humans and Mintars enjoyed it. It wasn’t a romantic sonnet, which was still far more preferable, but it was a physical testament to just how much a male would do to honor his female—“You were into Bakin’s spiced meat,” he said. “Do you have any left?”
She wrinkled her nose at him in surprise. “Seriously? That’s what you are going with?” she demanded.
Faltz chuckled as Beni dropped her arms and shoved the sack of meat at him with an impatient roll of her eyes. Slowly, and with relish, he pulled out a chunk of meat as he eyed her. Pressing it to his lips, he ran his tongue along it before popping it into his mouth. His groan of appreciation followed—loudly. She pressed her lips together to stem the tide of laughter at just how over the top he was being. Playful Faltz was definitely new, but she approved. He glanced down at her with a satisfied smirk.
His attention broke away from her as he turned his head, his lips flattening as he raised a brow. Beni turned her head and scowled, prepared to give a piece of her mind to whoever was interrupting their moment. Her scowl slipped into a sheepish grin as Bakin pushed through the crowd of revelers to their side. Now that the fight was over, it hadn’t taken long for the arena markers to be moved and for the Mintars and humans to surge into the space. Music created from long, three-stringed instruments, flutes, drums, and numerous percussion instruments sang around them in a pulsating beat. Bakin snorted as he dodged a couple who seemed to be locked in a passionate embrace.
Beni’s eyebrows went up at that. The human woman in question was already almost half-naked and climbing the male eagerly.
“Uh, Faltz… Is public sex a thing among your species?” she whispered.
The male at her side glanced over and chuckled quietly. “Mintars celebrate sex. We do not hide it away behind closed doors.”
“Uh-huh… So why the seclusion then?”
“The seclusion is mostly to avoid interruption,” Faltz clarified with a small smile. “It makes some humans uncomfortable at first when they arrive. Would you prefer to leave the festivities?”
Beni shook her head. “No, it is not my first time witnessing public sex. In fact, it’s pretty tame compared to what I’ve been around in the past—which is not an endorsement, just so you’re aware. Some people are a bit more imaginative than I prefer when it comes to what stimulates their desires,” she said, laughing. “I am just surprised.”
He dipped his head down to trail his tongue along her neck. “Do you wish to honor the moon goddess in celebration of flesh?”
Goosebumps broke out over skin, and she shivered at the lust that surged through her. Leaning into his embrace, she purred, “Maybe before the night is out, I will be inspired. Though I think the public sex may take a little getting used to.”
He chuckled, his hands smoothing down her arms affectionately as Bakin gave him a disgruntled look.
“Eloio can barely stand straight without assistance. Did you have to strike him so hard,” Bakin grumbled as he joined him. “You do realize that he is not going to be any good to me in training for several days while I wait for him to recover.” Beni winced as the male turned his attention toward her. His peeved expression did not improve any as he glared down at her. “And you—if you were my mate, you would not get away with such reckless behavior. It is dangerous to rush out in such a manner. Humans are small, and you are smaller than some. You could have been injured.”
“Do not get your tail in a twist,” Faltz said. “He will recover within a few short days… He will be fine. As for my mate…”
Beni gaped as he frowned down at her. Wait… he was taking Bakin’s side?
“Bakin is correct. You should not have rushed out like that. The entire point of leaving you with him was so that you would be cared for and protected until I retrieved you. You are unfamiliar with Mintars, and in a festive mood it is easy for excited males to overlook a small human female near them. You will apologize to Bakin for causing him undue worry.”
She stared up at him. He had to be joking. She wasn’t the least bit sorry. Perhaps it was a little reckless in that light, but she had no inclination to apologize like an unruly child.
As she failed to do as you instructed, Faltz frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “Now, Beni.”
He was serious.
Heaving a resigned sigh—because she clearly wasn’t going to get out of it without a fight that would not only embarrass both of them, but would likely not work all the same—Beni directed what she considered an appropriately apologetic look toward Bakin.
“I am sorry. I didn’t realize in my eagerness to get to Faltz’s side that I was acting in a way that could possibly be dangerous, or that would inconvenience you as my protector,” she said sweetly.
Bakin narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously, as if doubting the sincerity of her apology. Smart male. Faltz was also giving her the stink eye, not the least bit fooled. But she already figured that it wouldn’t fool them. That was the best they would get if they insisted on dragging an apology out of her. She raised her eyebrows at both males. Faltz grunted, and Bakin made a small, irritated click in the back of his throat.
“I will be sure to remember to look for an obedient mate,” he mumbled.
Beni hoped that he met his match in whatever woman he managed to find. In some ways, he reminded her of Tabby, her friend so reluctant to even spend time in the company of men because she preferred to not be hampered by what she considered “male ego.” Tabby would do the job nicely, though her friend was comfortable in her father’s house with her cats for company. Beni was certain that she would never talk her friend into leaving her comfortable home for the Blood Plains.
Why was she even considering such a thing, anyw
ay? Beni was leaving the plains soon, and needed her friend if she had any hope of carrying out her plans. Tabby would find it far easier distributing material and assigning runners for the secret library. Beni had no patience for such details.
“I sincerely hope you find the perfect female,” she agreed.
Bakin snorted in amusement and shook his head at her. “I shall not assume that whatever you consider to be the perfect female for me to be all that flattering.” He made a face. “In fact, I believe that even attempting to imagine what you would dream up for me will likely be fuel for nightmares for the upcoming days.”
“Very funny,” she retorted around a giggle.
Faltz frowned and pulled her away. “Enough flirting with my female. Do you not have a fallen warrior to fuss over and soothe his bruised ego?”
“I prefer not to punish myself,” Bakin said with a grin. “Besides, it seems that he is being adequately soothed by an admiring audience.”
Beni glanced around the male to peer at where Eloio rested. Sure enough, there was more than one female crowded around him. Some had bowls of food and another had a cup. He smiled for all the females and gratefully accepted their offerings. One female in particular leaned in close, and she forced back a smile at the way Visha teased him. Beni suspected that there was something there between them.
Keeping her observation to herself, she snorted with amusement. “Yes, he sure looks like he’s suffering.”
Faltz agreed with a low chuckle. “Come. The sun will set soon. Let us acquire food and drink before the rest of the clan arrives. I think I would enjoy finding a comfortable place to observe the celebration.”
She allowed herself to be swept along until they arrived at tables set up and laden with food. She spied sprouts cooked in a thick sauce, roasted potatoes of different kinds and some unfamiliar tubers, a variety of meat, and even breads and a dough that was boiled in honey. It almost burned her tongue as it was scooped out of the vat of hot honey and handed to her. She had no problem eating dessert first. Beni moaned at the flavor, and gave Faltz a curious glance.
“Do Mintars grow wheat?”
He shook his head as he settled on a patch of grass. They reclined against a large flat-faced rock that had been warmed by the sun. “We trade for it, and a few other goods. The plains are not good for such crops. The village near our territory is open to trades with our kind once a month at a designated spot outside of the sanctuary walls.”
She shoveled some of the tangy food into her mouth, enjoying the fusion of flavors as she considered his statement. “So, you do have some trade.”
“Some,” he agreed. “Just for certain goods. They do not offer much that we can trade for, but sometimes a male returns with something small to surprise his mate with. We do not dare take the human females. It causes problems, and the village refuses to trade with us. Males are very protective of our females, and would not take it well if humans attempted to remove their mates from them, no matter how well-intentioned those of the village may consider their actions. We would rather not cut off the trade connections that provide some additional comforts for the humans among us.”
He hesitated a second before admitting, “My sire took great pleasure in providing small gifts for my dam. I remember the way her face lit up whenever he returned from trading, but that was long ago.”
“What happened to them?” she whispered.
“They died. Because of me. I was still young, and insisted that my dam and I accompany my father along the river to a trading outpost. We knew that we should not accompany him, but I was tired of staying near the village. It was an adventure for me, and my parents were enjoying it as well, having some private time outside of the business atmosphere of the village.”
“It sounds wonderful,” she said.
He swallowed. “It was. Unfortunately, one night a storm fell upon us while we were sleeping, and the Thunder River raged. It swelled, bringing a great beast, its long snout filled with teeth snapping as it rose from the river. When the water swept our shelter away, it grabbed at me first until my mother pulled me away from its clutches. I remember the pain of its teeth tearing through my scales. My mother attempted to escape it as she carried me to the riverbank. She might have survived had she not been so encumbered. She barely got me onto the beach before the creature rose from the water again and pulled her away. My grief overwhelmed me, even more so when my father raced into the water after her. I spent hours staring into the river, but neither emerged from the waters.”
Beni pressed a hand to her mouth, and she imagined a child crying out for his parents along the edge of the river. She raised a hand and ran her fingertips over a faded scar. “Oh, Blessed Ones,” she choked. “How did you get home?”
“I followed the river down to the junction and followed the landmarks. A band of hunters found me and returned home with me. They turned me over to my uncle, and we took solace in each other’s company as we dealt with our grief. My scars remind me of my failing, even as they tell everyone how undeserving I am of family.”
“I don’t think they say that,” she whispered. “I suspect they speak of your survival even as any wound you have acquired in a struggle might. They tell your story. If someone can’t see beyond them to the strong male who carries them, then they are not deserving of you.”
He glanced at her, his expression stoic and perhaps somewhat skeptical. “Do you truly believe that?”
“I do,” she said. “You’re so courageous. I see now that’s a fine trait you’ve always possessed and a quality your parents undoubtedly shared. They would be proud of the male that you are, I believe.”
He nodded quietly, and she let the matter drop as he turned away, his thoughts turning inward.
Beni settled against Faltz as the sun dipped below the horizon, making the moon glow brilliantly in the heavens. On the plains, everything was so much more vivid than in the Citadel. Ethereal songs rose in homage to the glory of their goddess Notura. Once the rock cooled, Beni was surprised when Faltz broke free from his reflection and welcomed her to snuggle between his front paws. One paw dropped over her lap, the talons wrapping around the side of her leg.
From there, she watched as Ederk led the clan in prayers. Sacrifices of oil, mead, meat, and portions of the feast were offered with fragrant herbs and resins into the altar fire as his thin voice rose in praise of the glorious ruler of the night.
When the dancers began to weave around the fire, males and females both, more than a few humans among them, they moved together with arms raised to the melodic wail of the music.
Curled against Faltz, Beni felt a contentment she never could have imagined as she allowed the music to fill her. It was soon accompanied by the groans and moans of pleasure that rose from those hidden by the night. When Faltz leaned down to brush his lips against her cheek, she turned eagerly in his embrace.
Chapter 21
Faltz watched Beni as she crawled out of the bed. No matter how much he tried to persuade her, after the third bout of rutting she had laughingly protested that she couldn’t possibly linger in bed any longer. If he were being honest with himself, he would have to admit that her passions ran high, more so than he had expected.
Sliding out of bed after her, Faltz leaned down to drop a kiss on the top of her head as she seated herself in front of the table. She shot him a smile and picked up her quill while he continued to the fire pit to stoke the coals and build up the fire afresh. Within no time he had tea prepared, and slid a brightly painted cup in front of Beni. She glanced over at it in surprise before bestowing a sweet smile upon him as she picked it up.
“Thank you. This is really sweet.”
He shrugged, disconcerted by the warmth of her words. It was not often that anyone thanked him. He was not sure what to feel about it. Instead, he grunted out the first thing that came to his mind.
“Are you hungry?”
Her brown eyes filled with warmth. “Some food would be great.”
Noddi
ng, he turned away even as he cursed himself for being so awkward around her. In the eyes of his people, they were mated. He had no reason to feel so disconcerted, even less so knowing that soon she would be gone, and any blunders he made would be forgotten, along with him.
He scowled down at the cutting board upon which he had piled an assortment of vegetables and the leftover meat kept warm in a covered pot. He intended to sauté them in goat butter over the fire, but now his mind was filled with irritation at the very idea of being separated from her, and their time together eventually forgotten with the passage of annums. For that matter, he did not wish to forget her.
Turning his head, he looked over at her, his eyes following the curve of her jaw, the way her lips flattened in concentration, and the adorable knot of her brow as she focused on her writing. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth as she seemed to work through something in her mind before writing in her flowing human script once again. His gaze caressed her rounded cheek, kissed by the pink of spring flowers over a deep golden honey hue. The riot of dark curls stuck out in every direction, and he smiled as she reached back and gathered them into one hand before twisting them into a knot held in place with a stick rescued from the firewood.
As if feeling his eyes on her, Beni glanced over at him once more, her delicate eyebrows rising as the corners of her lips lifted.
Faltz abruptly turned his head away, certain that he was making a fool of himself. They only had two days in the village together before they would begin their northward journey to the human sanctuary village. He could not moon over her like a lovestruck male in his first season.
Turning his attention back to their meal, he took his knife to the ingredients and began to chop them. He had nearly demolished the entire pile into even smaller chunks than he had intended when Beni’s laughter floated over to him.
“I do believe that you’ve shown it that you are in charge,” she teased. “Are there enough remnants left for us to eat?”
Librarian and the Beast: A Mintar Romance Page 13