by Y. M. Roger
Kilgar felt his beast smugly harrumph and begin to groom again. Which made Kilgar all the more irritated at it – and just what, exactly, did he have to prove? Was it his fault that those females always threw themselves at …
It matters not. OUR female has returned.
Just as Kilgar was about to continue ranting in his head at his overly calm – and did not that just serve to infuriate him more? – beast, his olfactory was accosted with her wonderfully stimulating peppers that went straight to his groin.
And, no matter the tension between him and his beast, Kilgar felt a collective sigh course throughout his body as the door latch was released and her bright, searching eyes peered at him from a very trepidatious face. And, without her gaze ever leaving his face, Mysstree slightly fumbled but managed to set the pitcher back on the table.
Kilgar felt himself actually try to smile at her, and, once again, the female’s entire body smiled back at him – although this time she was definitely more stiff, more distant and the smile did not quite reach those shimmering eyes as she notably folded her hands to keep from reaching toward the bed.
And Kilgar found himself wholly disappointed in that fact – so disappointed that something actually panged him deep inside. A pang he had not felt since leaving Tristanin …
Why do you even care if she does not smile? You said she was hairy. Oh, and tombul. What difference does it make if …
Kilgar huffed at his confusing beast and even more confusing feelings – he was actually beginning to wonder if his injuries had not encompassed more than just his hearing. He watched out the corner of his eye as she poured some of the water into a curved tumbler.
Kahrolasi beautiful scent. Need to touch her again.
And Kilgar found himself wondering exactly what those unique hands would feel like against his skin, how he might actually like the feel of those little claws digging into his back, and his eyes fell to her curvaceous torso again.
Especially those ample breasts.
Did they have the same soft coating of hair as her arms? And what would that feel like against his face? Rubbing on his hard body? And was it all that powder-white color? Even down to her …
Oh, Makers! PLEASE find out! For both of us!
Kilgar blinked himself back to reality as his beast rumbled lustfully yet almost silently this time, but he noticed a deep blush crawling up Mysstree’s cheeks. Once again, it was evident that this female could definitely hear his beast.
And her ensuing bashful smile moved something inside of him – because this time, the sparkle returned to her eyes.
Which stiffened his manhood even further.
Gods! What in the realm of godsfall was the matter …
His beast restlessly clawed and pawed in a needy fashion.
You are thirsty, remember? They brought us water.
What? Oh, yeah, a drink would definitely be good right now, although Kilgar would have preferred a fermenti or something stronger. But he began to whisper for the water anyway …
Yes! Bring them closer.
At first, Kilgar saw Mysstree step forward to lean in toward his face to hear him as she had earlier, but then she froze mid-step and drew back, her smile fading again to a forced façade.
Our apologies, Captain Marid. Give us a moment. I am sure we can come up with another way to communicate without us approaching you. Hmmmm. …
And, as those captivating eyes lost their brightness only for it to be replaced with contemplation mixed with fear – one of her daintily clawed fingers silently tapping on those full inviting lips, Kilgar felt his anger rise above the calm her presence had initially introduced.
The intriguing female – Oh? Intriguing is it now? Followed by another silent rumble – was afraid to get close to him now, all because his kahrolasi beast had growled at her earlier!
Not at them, ahmouk. At you! This time more of a true growl.
And Kilgar saw her swallow hard and back up another step until her back was to the wall.
Again.
As her words from the screen scrolled across his mind again.
“Oh, Miannmarr, they hate us!”
Kilgar closed his eyes tightly – the need to have this female – this Mysstree – comfortable around him – to have her near him – riding him hard because … why?
Did it matter?
No! It kahrolasi did not!
Her peppers filled him again, and the need grew. Yes, he probably had injured more than just his hearing – of that much he was now certain given the increasing jumble of feelings coursing through him, but, for now,
It. Did. Not. Matter!
And, in the darkness and ever-growing desire and, yes, burning desire inside of him, Kilgar found the strength to do something he had not ever done to anyone or anything: he pleaded with his beast for it to be silent.
“Please, …”
Mysstree stepped forward to hear what the captain had to say, but then she froze, remembering his growling at them last time for such indiscretion. Stepping back while trying to keep a cheerful smile on her face, she spoke as calmly as she could to Kilgar – not that the screen even showed emotion. But Mysstree knew that, being the seasoned fighter and soldier that he was, the captain would be able to detect it in her expressions and actions.
“Our apologies, Captain Marid. Give us a moment. I am sure we can come up with another way to communicate without us approaching you,” she tapped a finger on her lip, a habit she had fallen into during her many classes at the university. Not having to take notes in class (because she could not see to do so!), it was one of those actions she had begun unconsciously as she and Miannmarr conversed silently.
Suddenly, with Miannmarr startled inside of her, they both heard the demercriere growl much louder, and, without a second thought, Mysstree backed another step away from the bed – the action bumping her back against the wall.
To go from an undeniable sound of lust to one of threat makes no logical sense, Beauty. Miannmarr padded nervously inside of her. Perhaps the alluring demercriere suffered a brain injury during their battle. It could explain such abrupt mood changes unless …
Unless they are simply unstable as a being altogether, Mysstree finished mentally, but not before she noted the adjective her Miannmarr had placed in front of the beast’s identification: alluring.
How funny.
Miannmarr never acknowledged another altre as anything but ‘nice’ or ‘quaint’ or, more recently, ‘not meaning harm.’
She sighed – would be just her luck for the Makers to have chosen a kichigai mate for her – and glanced at her last words on the screen and then quickly back at Kilgar, who had shut his eyes tightly. Mysstree noticed the tightening of the tendons in his neck as well as the slight protrusion of some of the veins in his over-whelmingly handsome face, and her heart sank as her mind raced: they really do hate us, Miannmarr. As soon as he is able to get around tomorrow we will …
“Please …”
Kilgar’s word whispered through the air and deep into Mysstree’s being – stopping all thought processes as her entire being focused on the over-whelmingly attractive face in front of them – the only face she would ever truly see.
He opened his magnificent eyes and looked over at her again – a longing there she had not noticed before.
Take off the VTS device and hold it for him to speak.
Now, why had she not thought of that earlier? They could have, perhaps, avoided so obviously annoying them had she …
I was too distracted by his demercriere’s over-whelming presence, Beauty. I apologize.
Mysstree smiled inwardly at her obviously besotted altre as she accepted her Miannmarr’s apology, carefully extricating the device from her ear and cheek as she did so. Taking a deep breath, she reached a trembling hand toward Kilgar’s face – trying to get close enough for
him to whisper into the device without getting too close to provoke them.
The huge predator remained silent as she tried to steady her hand so as not to interfere with the device’s transmission.
The captain swallowed hard as he took an extremely deep breath, his facial muscles relaxing noticeably as he closed and then opened his eyes again.
My beast…[breath]… I …[breath]…We do not.
There was a very long pause as if the gorgeous yet dangerous captain were looking for some correct word.
Some proper way to say something.
Mysstree found herself drawn closer to him as she took a very unsure step toward the bed – even knowing that they did not particularly care for her and Miannmarr, she still felt so enamored by him and his presence, so captivated by simply seeing him, that she allowed herself that one step.
And was that a spark of interest that appeared in his eye? Mysstree glanced hopefully back up at the screen as he began to speak again.
We do not mean to frighten…[breath]…just on edge being pinned down…[breath]…[breath]…You can get closer.
A devastatingly handsome and – not that Mysstree would know the true definition of the word given her inexperienced status, but it sure seemed to fit – seductive smile lit his face, and Mysstree felt her entire body relax and smile as Miannmarr rubbed comfortingly against her from within.
May we have some water?
They can have anything they want, my Beauty. His demercriere calls to me in ways that I do not think my body yet understands. I am attempting to analyze …
Mysstree giggled at her infatuated altre as she nodded at Kilgar and withdrew her hand to re-position the VTS on her own head, and proceeded to fulfill the Captain’s request – it seemed Mysstree would need to do the thinking for them both for a little while.
Smiling to herself at that thought, Mysstree concentrated diligently on being graceful in her actions and not clumsy as she had a tendency to be without the gift of sight.
She did not want to antagonize their apparently calm mate – okay, potential mate – any more than they already had. Afterall, Captain Marid was a very important someone in these provinces, and rejection could mean they would have to move North …
I told you, Beautiful, such occurrences are only in the wild. There is no record ever of a Bohrean nestlinger refused mating that resulted in a death or even in an ostricization of any kind.
Mystree tried to keep smiling as she stopped pouring, sensing by sound the cup was already full enough to allow Captain Marid a drink without spilling, but she reminded her altre that such record would only have existed had there been a rejection.
There was always a first time for everything … and they and Captain Marid had certainly not gotten off on a good note from the beginning.
Not. At. All.
Miannmarr just shook her white-fur-coated head in disbelief at her cognate – as always, when her Mysstree got something in her head … well, she really got something in her head.
Kilgar watched Mysstree’s trembling hand reach toward him – once again silently cursing his beast to the realm of godsfall for spooking her so. Until her shrinking proximity introduced some fascinating variations in her overall glazed peppers that had become so familiar and almost necessary for him – a hint of toasted nuts and then the cinnamon candy he enjoyed so much as a child but, wait, now the aromatic wood Tazirr carried for use as counter-measures in trying to evade a track. Was it Fenute? Yes …
When it became obvious that the female’s hand was as close as she was willing to chance at this juncture, Kilgar took a very deep breath to inhale her wonderful potpourri of spice – his eyes closing gently as he allowed her fragrances to permeate throughout.
Oh, yes, he had certainly suffered brain damage in the conflict – this was not the way his body reacted to anything.
Or anyone.
Ever.
But Kilgar decided he would worry about that later – his mind, body, and beast were all enjoying this female far too much to care about their mental instability at the moment.
It is how you will always react to her, Kilgar. Open your kahrolasi eyes – you did not injure them!
“My beast” – Kilgar paused, not wanting to incite the mostly quiet oaf – “I” – but then what reason would they have had to growl at her? But he had to tell her that they did not hate them – “We do not” – but if he used the word ‘hate’, Mysstree would know they had seen her words after she left the room … wait! Did Mysstree just take a step toward them without his asking? Yes!
“We do not mean to frighten” -- Kilgar felt his hopes rise as a lost grin tried to find his face – “Just on edge being pinned down” – was he really about to smile? – “You can get closer.”
The smile took over his face as Kilgar’s entire being tensed with anticipation at her nearness – his beast rolling over like a playful yavru inside of him.
“May we have some water?”
Kilgar watched as she nodded her gentle, white-capped head and carefully fit the device back on – her striking chartreuse eyes sparkling once again as her dimples appeared with the true smile that broke across her face. He took in all of her exaggerated motions – she did love to touch everything, did she not? – and she was so very attentive to every little detail of motion.
It is good that they are very tactile, yes? Can you just imagine being handled by them?
But no growl this time – simply the debauched thoughts of a … of a … wait! Was his beast actually lusting after this female?
But before Kilgar could contemplate that thought further, Mystree angled in to allow them a drink, her large breasts leaning toward him as her soft hand rested beside his cheek to help guide the straw to his mouth. Her luscious lips began to move as Kilgar drank, but he could not tear his eyes from her enticing neck and unique face with those dimples and little turned-up nose to even venture a glance at the screen.
And he kahrolasi lost all touch with reality when she reached one of those beautifully clawed hands up to rub his hairline and forehead as he drank.
Mmmmmmm. Ours.
But the demercriere quickly faded into oblivion as Kilgar’s body became tuned to this wonderful female’s every breath – his mind surrendering to a restful sleep that beckoned through the haze of her spices and peppers.
Kilgar surreally felt the straw fall away from his lips as Mysstree’s breath fell softly across his face eliciting a heretofore unknown purring from deep inside of his own chest, and Kilgar had to wonder if this state of ecstasy was what true relaxation – something neither he nor his beast had ever known – or even true comfort were really like.
Yes, Kilgar tried to lament his predicament but found no negative train of thought onto which to grasp – everything was far too positive at the moment. He sighed as he drifted off to sleep – now freely acknowledging the fact that his brain damage was clearly without question.
No, my beloved friend, we are not damaged. We are finally home.
Chapter 29
Rafal burst through the door to the enclosure with Hondo and Guyanni only to find themselves in the center of the aftermath of a great battle – at least that is how it appeared at first impression. The rafters and framework of what used to be the largest glass enclosure in Capital City were mangled, broken and, in many instances, no longer existent – the fractured and mostly shattered glass now coating like drifted snow the ground on which their boots trod. Rafal’s olfactory was assaulted with the distinct stench of burning flesh as his eyes searched urgently for a sign …
For her.
For his shioliah.
Because laced throughout all the bedlam that lay before him and around him was her familiar peppermint scent, but it was spiked heavily with that cinnamon flavor.
The flavor of her anger.
Guyanni’s beast growled loudly as
Rafal’s beast felt Hondo’s wartrige prepare for presentation. All three males simply walking cautiously aghast into the fallout of what could best be described as an unfathomable explosion.
They are no longer here, Rafal – only Runa’s magic lingers on the ashes in the air.
Was that the peppermint aroma – her magic? Rafal took a deep breath as his skin burned all the more mixing with the anger and the sense of loss that threatened to completely break the Crowned Prince apart.
What had happened here?
Runa defended herself – defended Chiyoto. And when they departed, Runa was present.
Defended against whom? Or what? And how in the unholy realm of godsfall did a fully-presented dragoness just simply depart?
Her magic, Rafal. And this disaster does not speak of ‘simply.’
Rafal wanted to explode – he growled loudly as he kicked one of the three bodies charred beyond recognition – the grotesque mix of both cognate and animal enough to make the faint-hearted wretch – Rafal had never seen the likes of such.
And who were they – these bodies that were unidentifiable by any known means? And how in the living godsfall were they and their beasts burned by the same flame … or whatever it was? But his beast was obviously enamored with the dragoness’ abilities to inflict such and was not listening …
Not yet enthroned and yet so kahrolasi powerful, Rafal – it disturbs the very fabric of our absence.
There was no way to identify anything with what was left of the bodies … but, still, he should have been here! Should have prevented this! He could not lose her – not now!
“Chiyo-o-t-o-o-o!” Rafal fell to his knees and her name tore from his chest in anguish. Could she even hear him?
As if in answer to that last thought, within moments, Rafal’s skin went cold – not a tingle, not even a slight burning – there was simply nothing.
Except that which lingered around him – that wonderful cinnamon-spiced peppermint that was now beginning to fade.