“Who were you protecting from Dawson?” I had to speak slowly to keep my words clear. “Me? Or you?”
He blinked, frowned. “That’s not… I’m… You’re young and you’re not … not…” He looked around the den, seeking a word, having more trouble with them than I did.
I had no idea how many winters I’d survived. It had to be within a close count to his own, however. It didn’t seem important. Demik didn’t think my age a problem. It was something else. Him and his timelines, everything in a certain order. The rest of it must be the word he was looking for and could not locate in the softly glowing air around him.
It was challenge enough coming up with my own words. Now I asked Earth Mother for his as well, watching him, easing away until the backs of my legs touched the bed and Demik took another step. What did he seek? What did he need?
I offered my hand, much the way Mej had given me his—friendship, trust, love…
With two more steps Demik rested his in mine, watching our hands, his mouth still open, still searching. He slipped his hand around to the back of mine and drew it to his lips. He kissed my fingertips, one by one, eyes slowly closing, movements even slower. One, two, three, then let his dry lips rest against my little finger. He was trembling—so subtle I couldn’t see it, yet felt the quiver in his lips and hand, the way his hot breath shuddered over my skin, making me tremble as well.
I looked up quickly. “Demik?”
He blinked and released my hand. Finally he met my eyes.
“I’ve been with a mate before. I don’t know who, or when.” I had to swallow, wrestling with all the words. I touched his jaw with two fingers, stroking to his lips. “I know I love you. I remember … sunlight and rivers and joy and … love.”
Again, he kissed my fingers, then bowed his head beside mine while I slid my hand around, into his hair, drawing him even closer. Any moment he would pull away again, determined to keep me safe from … something.
He stayed. He kissed my neck, at last tasting my skin with a lingering tongue. I tipped my chin back, pulling him in more, breaths short, yet relaxing again at the same time. He had to mean it now. Had to stay and let me stay. Right?
I opened my mouth to ask, to make sure. His lips found mine and that was more important—more proof than words.
I pressed a hand to his chest through the tunic, down to his belt, which momentarily tripped me up, then to his trousers. I’d barely made contact, fingers wrapping around through the buckskin, when Demik responded by almost throwing me onto the low bed.
He knocked the breath from me, making it difficult to laugh, yet I did while I moved both hands to help him, slowing for kisses. I unbuckled his belt, which smashed to woven mats below, then had to stop helping as he pulled the shift off over my head. For an instant he moved back, yanking away my last coverings, casting the shift and his own tunic aside. He returned, mouth to mine, while I gripped his face in both hands.
There was a cord in his trousers, plus the boots he’d worn into Dawson City, both of which he struggled over. He tried to keep the kiss while he fumbled with the cord, swore as he stood upright, and I was laughing even more for the thrill of his new rush.
It took him half a minute to get the boots off. I loved watching his body, his muscles bunch and shift in the soft, hot light, feeling perfect with him now, not having to fight for words or fear him being unhappy or dashing off. Demik, however, grew more agitated as he struggled.
I waited, reveling in the smooth caribou pelt against my naked back and in seeing his muscles flex as he hurried. My attention shifted when he dragged down his trousers and underpants. I squirmed to hold him, get my hand around him, but Demik climbed over me, mouth covering mine, and I clutched his face instead. Biting his lips, then closing my teeth around his tongue when he thrust it to meet mine, I caressed his face and chest, trying to reach farther while he moved over me.
Demik moved, gone as quick as he’d arrived, leaving my mouth wet and burning, sliding down my body so he could lick my nipples. Lying on my back, small breasts smoothed out against my chest. Demik found plenty to fondle with hand and tongue, then submerged a nipple in his mouth, sucking until I wished he could get something from me. I soaked in this idea with the feel of him like a warm bath, deliciously comfortable in the way he touched me and my own naked skin—certainly more than I had adjusted to the feel of clothes against my long body.
Heat of him rubbing down my leg while he lowered himself against me left a wet trail from his own arousal. It gave me fresh shivers—knowing how he felt.
I followed, sitting up, but couldn’t even get my hand to his waist as Demik pushed me back. He curved a hand under my knee and lifted. I let him move me, gratified he would take charge, even more eager to see what he would do.
He licked down my belly until he had his face between my legs. Here, he reached even more with his tongue, tasting, inhaling me, while I moaned and opened my legs, forgetting all about trying to get my hand on him.
Demik shivered and, in a flash, pulled himself over me. I reached again, unable even to see his body fully, much less feel him everywhere. Demik left me no time. He fairly jumped on me, knees between my legs, merging himself with me in a rush of heat and power that took my breath for the second time.
Pain came with the shock of him: a dreadful bite, a moment of suffocating intensity that made me wonder if I’d been wrong. I opened my mouth for a cry of pain, stifled to a sharp gasp—not wanting to scare him after I’d hardly been able to keep him. Had I never welcomed a mate after all?
No … only the first push, suddenness and my body catching up. Then he moved past that bite, filled me, stretching me, and the pain was nearly gone. No more than slight discomfort gave way to the delight of our union, even pleasure now finding me. Then it was good. Too full, too sudden, yet so euphoric none of that mattered. What I needed wasn’t less, it was more. More contact, more time, and … bliss…
“Ah—” Demik gave a cry stifled against my skin. He bit my neck and thrust several times, then held himself in, gasping. Soon, he relaxed, leaving his body heavy on mine.
I waited, trying to raise my hips against him, quivering, silently begging for more movement and contact.
He caught his breath, kissing my neck instead of biting, his lips soft, heavy but loose. He shifted weight off me, turning to his side, drawing himself out with another shock as he did it.
Horrified to lose him, I reached much too late to hold on, finding no chance to stop him.
“Demik—” Now I could hold him in my hand, hot and dripping, his shaft no longer rigid enough to penetrate anything. I sucked in a breath through my mouth, shutting my eyes as I felt the liquid follow him.
“Are you all right?” He must have thought I sounded upset.
“Perfect.” The first time I’d lied to him. First lie of my life. This life. It hurt my throat, made me bite my own tongue. Yet, how far short of perfect was I, really?
I kissed his mouth, changing my mind in that instant. It wasn’t a lie.
Demik wrapped muscular arms around me, stroking my braided hair and hot skin. I snuggled against his chest, listening to his breaths ease to normal, still longing for him, yet smiling, ready to wait.
Chapter 19
A dog barked. I shivered, knowing a quick prickle of fear. Voices and steps approached. Demik’s arms tightened around me. Tense? No … he sighed and stretched. Morning? Or night?
The den was faintly lit in lavender of the twilight outside that might have been lingering after the sun had finally set, or already starting before sunrise. The dusky light stretched so far, it was hard to tell from inside without lying awake and watching for a change in the glow.
My own body, and Demik’s peacefulness beside me, indicated it was a dusk sort of light, not dawn.
Steps drawing closer. Dogs settled. Laughing, hushed voices.
Mej and Komu were returning from their night in Dawson City.
I smiled, sighed, glad to think we were toget
her again—soon all to be safe in the den.
Cold, I curled down, finding coverings around me beyond Demik’s naked skin. He’d pulled a blanket over us for sleep, though we lay on top of the sleeping skins.
Demik kissed my eyelids in the dark, then my forehead, nose, lips. I hadn’t been sure about keeping skin on at first—so awkward and naked. Now I loved it. I would stay in skin forever—give up my nose, my brush, my senses—for this closeness with Demik. Although I shouldn’t have to choose. He would be my mate in all forms.
Mej and Komu’s voices changed to arguing in undertones. There was a lilt to them: tipping their syllables off balance.
Demik eased out of bed to pull back furs and blankets. I tried to sit up as well, still half asleep, but didn’t have to. Demik wrapped his arms around me, under knees and shoulders, then lifted to set me back and cover me. I kissed his cheek.
Mej and Komu talked out back. I didn’t pick up substance of their words, too distracted by the sounds.
“What’s wrong?” I whispered to Demik as he climbed back into bed against me—now both of us properly in the nest.
“They’ve been drinking.” He kissed my lips. “Not a lot. They know better. But you can hear it in their voices.”
I nodded against his chest. “Know better?”
“It’s toxic. The humans get away with kegs of it in a night, but whiskey, or even wine, can kill a fox or wolf if he’s not careful. Some have a stomach for it.”
I wasn’t sure if I’d known that or not. It felt new. I’d drunk plenty of birch water in my time, hadn’t I? Maybe that was not the same, not as strong as whiskey?
“Will they be all right?” I whispered. “Why do it?”
“To fit in, play their games. And they like it,” he added with a new bite in his voice. “They’re fine. It’s only … they’ve become more … human these last seasons—ever since the gold strike. First it was the clothes, then cutting their hair…” Demik sighed.
“He won’t hurt himself, will he? Mej? He should be with us. Not poisoning himself.”
“With us? Oh … yes. Your mates. Don’t you think you’re rushing ahead?”
“You both need someone. I need someone.”
He kissed me. “True enough.”
Out back, the other two were still talking, mumbles with returned laughs. The sound of Mej’s voice reminded me of his words earlier.
“Demik?” I returned his kiss. “Would you say no to me if I were with Mej?”
“Of course not.” Demik licked my nose. “I would do anything for you. Mates are in short supply here. Some foxes take two. Although…” Another kiss and he hesitated. “I don’t suppose you like Komu? Mej is … well… He’s not my … favorite personality around here.”
I smiled, loving the openness of his admission, the way he was relaxing with me even as he faltered.
“I’m sorry about that part.” But I was laughing a little.
This made him smile as well. I felt it in his lips, heard it in his voice. “You choose your mates, not me. Not any other male.” After a pause, speaking in whispers, he added, “That’s one of the things I mean about not taking advantage. Not taking you into my den and thinking that makes you mine.”
“I want to be here.”
“With him in particular … just … he’s…” Demik swallowed. “It’s not only that he’s too close to humans. He’s insincere. He didn’t mean what he said to you last—”
“He did. He said so this evening.”
Demik stopped.
“It’s all right.” I nuzzled his chin.
He gave another sigh and stroked my hair. “Is it? I would be proud to be even one part of your world, to share your love with anyone you ask me to as long as that person shows you the love and respect you deserve. Does someone like Mej?”
I wasn’t sure if this was the sort of question that wanted an answer. Anyway, I was listening to the other side of the den. Mej and Komu tripped in the dark as they came inside, cursing one another about leaving something in the way.
Demik was kissing me again, all over my face, hair, hands, neck.
No, then, it hadn’t been a question needing attention.
Should I only be with Demik? Mej had Komu for companionship, even if not a mate. More time? As Demik had suggested, would that answer questions? I wasn’t worried about Mej or the answers or decisions. Earth Mother would show us if we were meant to be together.
Despite the luxury of warm covers, we remained close against one another. Demik was drawing this to my attention as he caressed, one hand on my breasts, making my blood tingle.
Would he offer more this time? Would he stay with me longer? Did he want that now or was he drifting off?
I tried to show him, touching him in return, shifting fully into him. Demik captured my mouth for a long, open, feverish kiss. I stroked down his chest until able to wrap my fingers all the way around his shaft and feel him swell against my hand.
This excited me so much, returning to what now seemed seconds ago when I’d lost him, I curved onto my back, pulling him after, impatiently drawing him between my legs. Demik fumbled after, having to struggle for the position he needed to push into me a second time while I guided him. I let go and held his neck, kissing.
While Mej and Komu yawned and muttered, undressing and climbing into their beds on the other side of the canvas, Demik buried himself in me and rocked his hips in thrusts that now were long, slow, a caress and a song to my body. No bite this time. He still filled me, still a lingering discomfort that passed off with adjusting to him, relaxing under him, responding and gaining a chance to relish the feel of him, from his kisses to his thrusts.
I wanted to talk, say yes, this was what I needed, tell him I loved him, beg him to keep going. Yet speech took a great deal of concentration. I only held on and kissed until I reached such a peak of pleasure I couldn’t contain it. The rush burst from where he touched inside me, out through my groin and into my bloodstream, sending my nerves rippling and quaking with it. I threw back my head, my cry once more only a gasp as I rolled along.
Demik, either understanding or only burning with a greater arousal from my own, thrust fast and deep. This time I felt him coming inside me. Or it might have been my own imagination, my own pleasure, another layer on top as I understood his clutching and surging forward this time.
We held onto each other, skin damp, light nearly all gone.
Again, I missed Demik when he was no longer joined with my body, empty and cold without him. I clung to him, snuggling in as tight as I could. Demik returned my embrace and soft, fading kisses, until we fell asleep. I could never remember being so happy, so purely at peace with another, so blissful. Although, for me … perhaps that wasn’t saying much.
Chapter 20
Day 3
“There’s the bridge. We can start upriver from here.” Demik paused, watching the young vixen. He’d been thinking of her and what they needed to do. All at once, it crossed his mind to be concerned by what he was pointing out. What if coming back to this spot upset her?
As usual, however, her expression was glowing. She beamed around at the trail, the birds, darting squirrels, sun, river, fireweed and wildflowers as if each was her dearest friend. She held her hand up to a gray jay, or “camp robber,” as if the bird might alight on it. She drew in a deep breath with her face over the flowers before trotting on tiny, graceful feet to the edge of the footbridge with him.
Lips parted, eyes bright, she moved with the lightness of any vixen perfectly at home in skin or fur. Though she’d been relearning her shape for only two days, Demik was dumbstruck by how quickly she had mastered her body. Not to mention his.
And speech? Also remarkable. Her voice was soft, always a bit breathless while she concentrated on forming words, often trying too fast. But her syllables were already clear, musical. He couldn’t wait for her to start talking more as she regained confidence—as well as the habit. She’d hardly said a word since they’d dressed,
her in new store-bought clothes, shared breakfast of salmon and strawberries, and set out to start this exploration up the Aaqann. Demik hoped it was lack of habit, rather than lack of confidence, which kept her silent as they went.
She’d agreed with his idea to walk upriver with hopes of her spotting something familiar, maybe even finding another fox if they were blessed. Then she’d talked about the clothes while he’d helped her dress, and happily greeted hungover comments from Mej—the near-human savage. Not much more.
Now he watched her, wishing she would talk more, gauging her face, seeing if she remembered the river, desperate to make sure she was all right.
She flickered past him like a spark, each motion effortless as raindrops, trotting to the center of the bridge where foxes often stood to fish with nets on long ropes. Just the spot where his sire and niece must have pulled her up. A skinny little silver fox. She should have been terrified, hurt, suspicious. Instead, she’d been … love.
From the first moment she’d gazed into his eyes she’d trusted them. She’d fallen asleep in his lap with no reason to feel he was anything to her—yet she had. Now, ever since she’d changed, put on her skin, that love from her had grown, having started out strong and turned into a tangible force like sunlight shining off her stunningly long hair, or the stars in her eyes as she smiled at him.
She’d been sent. It could not be more obvious. Earth Mother knew they were in trouble. Not only him personally, but the strays, the clan, his people: suffering, slipping away. With no more mates, no more paths, no more good options, the Aaqann River Clan was drawing its last breaths.
Then a beautiful, kind, loving, smiling, giving, joyful spirit stepped from River Brother to wrap her arms around them as would any messenger of the Mother manifest into physical form. Not simply arrived, but arrived and had no name, no people. Also just like any spirit made real from water and earth, fire and air. Arrived, stood, opened her mouth, and said, “I love you.”
Fox’s Dawn: A Foxy Reverse Harem Shifter Romance (Foxes of the Midnight Sun Book 1) Page 9