“Together,” he trilled softly as a wave of happiness rolled through him.
She paused, a flash of what could be confusion or uncertainty crossed her face but, after a moment, she relaxed and smiled.
“I admit I’m not entirely sure if I want a… uh, mate. You seem to feel it strongly, but I don’t know when or if I’ll feel it. That said, I would really like to keep you around while we figure things out. Having you here is… well, nice,” she admitted.
Happiness bloomed within him as a smile stretched over his face. It was no declaration of love, no vow to never part, but he could not expect from her what would normally progress much quicker with a female of his own species should the mating bond stir between them the way he and Nerida were experiencing. He knew very well that she felt it keenly, had scented her need more than once, but she had to accept their mating and him in her own time and by her own ways. That she admitted that she wanted him around was an important first step.
“I will remain for as long as you want me here,” he promised.
Her lips quirked, and something in her seemed to ease. Her cheeks colored in the fashion that he found equally charming and fascinating, and she turned and picked up the bowl, handing it back to him. He was relieved to find that his hands did not tremble so much this time, and he held it unassisted. Although it had cooled considerably, the smell was still as intoxicating as it had been earlier. He happily gulped it down before handing the bowl back to her. She set it on the table and twisted her fingers together as she glanced around helplessly.
A rueful laugh left her. “I’m afraid I’m not very good at entertaining.”
He grinned easily, tail twitching, fin flaring flirtatiously. “I am easily entertained.” Her face flushed, her eyes drawn to his tail. He fanned it again. The color was dismal in his current condition, but that it attracted his female’s eye was a very good sign. He nodded to her reader. “What were you reading?”
Her face immediately lit up and she plucked up the reader. “It is a book from the mainland. There is a writer there, a noble, but she’s rather scandalous. I never miss a publication. It’s not available long before the censors take it down, but she sends out alerts to her loyal fanbase,” she said with a conspiratorial grin. “Her books are filled with romance and danger. They don’t consider them ‘real literature,’ and they get taken down because she often writes about things going on in our society, the wrongs that were done when we lost touch with our homeworld. It’s considered to be inciting rebellion.”
“I would very much like to hear it, if you don’t mind reading to me,” he replied, charmed by her enthusiasm.
Nerida’s eyebrows winged up in surprise. “Really? You want to hear a romance novel?”
“Why not? It should be educational as well immensely entertaining.”
She chuckled and turned her device back on. “I suppose it is because most men I’ve known wouldn’t be willing to admit to any interest in hearing a romance story.”
“What would you say if I told you that perhaps I am a very romantic male who wishes to learn how to best woo his female?” he offered in reply.
Another laugh escaped her. “Then I would say that you might be on the right track there and are a very smart male.”
His own laughter joined hers. “It is the truth. Although I do admit that it would be nice to hear a story that is new. My people have classic literature from our homeworld, but it seems that we ceased to create once we left our dying world. If you would not mind reading to me, I would greatly enjoy it.”
Her smile turned indulgent, and she shifted happily in her seat. “If you insist, then I would be delighted, but I’ve got to go back to the beginning.” She cleared her throat as she angled the reader so he could see the words too, although he could not decipher the writing, and she eased closer to the bed, bringing her clean, sweet scent with her. Her voice sank into him, warming him from the inside as she read.
“The day that our colony shuttles landed on Terra II, we had no idea what future we would face. The skies were dark, and the rain fell in sheets around us, but we didn’t despair. There was a sense of excitement among all of us who had come to carve out new futures for ourselves in this strange land. This new world represented freedom, life and hope…”
Indeed, it did. For his people too.
Chapter 16
Nerida laughed as Ji’wa stubbornly tugged out the basket from where it was stored. Other goods had long been piled on top it at some point when the boat had first been stocked, and the woven basket with its thick handle was good and stuck.
“Give it up,” she giggled. “It’s sweet that you want to go on a picnic, but it might be a better idea to just continue on to the city. Besides, we share every meal together, so I don’t think where we take our next one makes that much of a difference.”
The male snorted. “We have been traveling for days, and this island is made for these picnics of your books. I will get this stubborn thing out, and then we will pack some food from the cooling unit that I will prepare for you on the beach. It will be very romantic and show my female what an adoring male she has in her company,” he said with a sly smile as he gave the basket another tug.
Nerida rolled her eyes but let him have it. Over the last week, they had read through several books, sitting for hours during the hottest part of the day and late in the evening, and Ji’wa had become enamored with what he called “human courting rituals.” Almost as much as Nerida had become enamored with his sweet, pleasant nature. He didn’t attempt to puff himself up or act standoffish and “manly.” Nor did he attempt to take control of her or the boat. He was a true companion, and they worked easily together side by side.
He wrestled the basket free and immediately disappeared into the cooling room, no doubt to load it.
“Do you need any help?” she called in.
“No. Stay there. This is all to be a surprise for you,” he replied.
“I can still pretend to be surprised if it means that much,” she said, laughing.
Ji’wa poked his head around the corner with a chastising look. “It is not the same. Now stay here out of trouble,” he teased.
A few minutes later, he emerged, the basket tucked under one arm with a cloth over the top of it. She looked at it curiously and made to follow him, but he wagged a finger at her. She was relieved to note that the fine webbing was already looking better. He had spent hours submerged in the ocean, following behind the boat when the seas were calm, or swimming in the waters late at night while she was sleeping, and the improvement was showing. He wasn’t entirely healed yet, but she was relieved to see the health returning to his fins and scales.
“No peeking. Stay on the boat until I return for you,” he said. “I do not want the surprise ruined.”
She huffed with feigned impatience, but he merely grinned in response, already aware that her gruffness was all for show. With a gentle flick of his tail against her thigh, he left her quarters with his prize. Nerida was tempted to go on the deck and attempt to see what exactly he was planning but stretched out on the couch instead. She usually made dinner for them, so she couldn’t help but be intrigued by whatever he was doing on the beach, but she could wait.
Within a short time, enticing smells rose in the air, and her mouth salivated. She was tempted more than ever to go out and look, but she distracted herself instead with running another check over her supplies. They would be arriving at the island city in a few days. She was a lot lower than what she had assumed she would be when she had initially set out, but it couldn’t be helped.
Her fingers slid over her necklace through the fabric of her tunic, caressing it through the woven cloth. At least there was an option if her catch didn’t bring enough in. A morose feeling settled over her, but it soon disappeared when Ji’wa returned and stretched out his hand.
Nerida slid the last storage container shut and jumped to her feet to take his hand. A smile creased his cheeks at her obvious enthusiasm. She fro
ze in embarrassment, but it passed when she noted that there was no condescension in that smile. All she saw was pure pleasure at her reaction, so she grinned back and squeezed his fingers with hers.
As Ji’wa drew her out the door, the cool air of the early evening hit her skin as a gentle breeze swept over them. A fire on the sandy beach flickered and danced a short distance from the lowered bridge at the edge of the rocks. Beside the fire, at a safe distance, she could see a blanket stretched out over a mossy embankment and a long tray set out filled with tender morsels of cooked meat and boiled halna, a round, juicy vegetable that grew from the floating kelp beds.
Everything looked so perfect that she couldn’t help but stare in awe. She didn’t even realize that she’d stopped walking until Ji’wa tugged on her hand, his expression softening to an undeniable affection.
“It is nothing, a’sana,” he murmured. “You deserve so much more, but I will give you everything that I can to see happiness and wonder in your eyes again and again.”
He lifted her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips against the pulse at her wrist. Her heart sped up at that simple contact, and warmth fluttered within her. She felt as if she were suffused with a sudden lightness throughout her body. Ji’wa withdrew, his eyes glowing at her with such intensity that her belly tightened with a hot lick of desire. His nostrils flared, and his lips parted. Nerida’s breath shortened, so soft that she could barely feel or hear it, her entire being entirely focused on his mouth.
Would he close the distance between them once more and kiss her?
Did she want him to?
His scent washed over her as another breeze whipped by, and she nearly groaned. Gods, yes, she wanted him to.
She swore she stopped breathing altogether when he drew closer and leaned in. Her eyes instinctively fluttered closed, but she felt the soft brush of his lips at her temple before they trailed down to her cheekbone and then her jaw. Her belly tightened with anticipation, but he stopped moving. Her eyes snapped open to find him poised, his lips inches from hers. One corner of his mouth quirked, and he slowly drew back.
“Come. I would not wish to ruin any appreciation you might have of me as mate material by delaying our meal while it is still hot.”
Nerida smothered a nervous laugh and nodded. Despite being cheated of his kiss, she felt positively giddy as he stepped away and tugged her with him. Her feet sank into the sand the moment they left the rocky slope they had anchored on, and its warmth flowed over her sandals. She knew that she would need to get some suitable winter boots for the deck, but at that moment, she relished the soft caress of the sun-warmed grains sweeping over the top of her feet.
She took care not to kick any sand up onto the fire as they walked by it, but she didn’t need to worry after all. The sand thinned as it gave way to moss-covered rock. The orange moss was dotted with tiny red autumn flowers that sprung up from its surface. When she sat on the blanket, it brought her closer to their faint honeyed scent. Ji’wa settled beside her, amusement on his face as he looked at the flowers.
“This world never ceases to surprise and delight me. The food is satisfying, and there are new smells other than just the familiar brine of the seas. Every day is a new discovery. I never imagined anything so sweet… except perhaps my mate,” he added with a sly look.
Nerida snickered at the observation and turned just enough to pluck one of the tiny flowers. Holding it carefully by its thin stem, she brought it over and brushed it down the length of his ridged nose. His nostrils flared again, and he sighed, the sound musical and full of longing, before he turned his nose against her hand and nuzzled her wrist. She felt the hot sweep of his textured tongue against her wrist, and a shiver overtook her.
“I admit I’m learning new things as well,” she murmured. “I love my family, but I never knew a male could be so gentle and sweet. I can’t believe I was so afraid of you when I first saw you. You killed the pirates with your friend… but there was obviously a good reason, and if I hadn’t given you a chance, I never would have seen you beneath all of that.”
Ji’wa paused, his breath fanning her skin for a moment before he reluctantly lifted his head. His lips briefly tightened.
“I must confess something—and it is better to say it before we arrive at your city so that you do not become surprised by any of my reactions. I don’t… deal well with other males intruding in what I consider my territory, that includes getting too close to a female I consider mine. It is considered abnormal among my people, as many males share females, but I already know that, with the intensity of my feelings toward you, I will not react well. You may see me as gentle, but that is not how most of my people see me. I am a commander, a proven warrior. I will not hesitate to do what I must, and I will not feel guilty about it. Just as I did not for killing those males who threatened you. I did not jest when I said that I would not let anything, or anyone, harm you. I cannot. I yield to these demands of my instinct proudly.”
Nerida stared at him, her heartbeat echoing in her ears. “I see. And what does that mean for me? Will you be so blinded by jealousy that you would hurt me if I roused that instinct?”
Ji’wa stared at her in shock. “Of course not! My instinct is to protect you only. I would sooner surrender my being to the sea than harm you.”
Her eyebrows snapped up. “Surrender your being to the sea?”
He grimaced and nodded. “My people believe that upon death we return to the sea and our bodies become part of its body. It was very hard on us to be unable to return our dead to the seafoam where they belong.”
“That’s beautiful,” she said. “Wavelanders also release our dead to the sea. We believe that Mother Themis brings us down to the darkest depths where we might join our ancestors. Perhaps our people will continue on with each other in the next world.”
A small smile pulled at the corner of his mouth. “I like to think that our people will find a way to come together, that we might share this world in more than one way, even in our common ends.” He reached out and set his warm hand over hers. “I do not think I would ever like to be separated from you. I cannot fathom returning to such a lonely existence—not even at the end of our lives.”
A sound of wonder escaped her in a sigh, and she glanced over at the food as she swallowed back a lump of emotion.
“This all looks so good,” she rasped.
Ji’wa lifted his hand from hers, and he turned his attention to the food. A look of satisfaction crossed his face, and he plucked a morsel from the tray to bring it to her lips.
“Allow me to care for you,” he murmured.
A warning flashed through her mind that this was all happening too fast, but she ignored it. She wanted to embrace this moment with open arms, and she refused to let worrying over tomorrow ruin it. Nerida opened her mouth and allowed Ji’wa to place the heated meat upon her tongue. She closed her mouth around it and moaned at the blend of flavors. She recognized the spices from her kitchen, but the combination was something that she would never have thought to try. It was exquisite.
A soft, rumbling moan met her ears, and she looked at his face to see his eyes flare with desire and happiness.
“So beautiful,” he whispered. “Never have I felt like I have accomplished more than I have now, knowing that by my hand I have provided for you and brought you happiness and cared for you.”
She smiled around the meat, chewing quickly and swallowing so she could speak. “Are you sure you needed courting guidelines from my romance books? Seems like you’re doing well on your own.”
He grinned and offered her another bite. “It has helped me find a way to blend our cultures, that I might satisfy my needs and also nurture yours. It is a careful balance I might not have found without that tutelage… so I thank you.”
She laughed and accepted the bite. “I will happily reap the rewards of it then.”
“Ah, but all the efforts are for you alone, anyway.”
Nerida flushed with pleasure and shifted
anxiously. She couldn’t help but to wonder where this whole seduction scene was heading. Would they end up stretched out together in her bed as in one of her novels?
As if reading her mind, Ji’wa leaned forward and caressed her lips with his own in the briefest of kisses.
“Do not worry, my Nerida. Enjoy this moment. This is all for you tonight. There will be other days for us to work out our path together. I do not wish for you to feel rushed or pressured.”
Nerida felt a bite of disappointment, but it was overcome with a flood of relief. They could take this slowly. She picked up a morsel to feed him as she gave him a shy smile. There seemed to be a bit of strain around his eyes that she wondered at, but he swept it from her mind with another sweet kiss that stole her breath and continued to kiss her between the bites of food they shared. By the end of their meal, she could no longer remember what had concerned her, though it lurked at the back of her mind that there was something wrong.
Chapter 17
Ji’wa stared out over the water. The slowly growing moon hung over the water, just above the city in the distance. Although it had been many days since he had been forced to sleep out on the deck, he needed to feel the salty air on his skin and clear his mind. The swelling moon seemed to mock him, reminding him that his time was trickling away. He was only happy to note that the lunar cycles of the two moons surrounding the planet seemed slower than what had been calculated as the standard cycle for Sirenx. It bought him at least a little time.
Ripples in the water to his left drew his attention just as Ger’se surfaced. He frowned down at the male.
“I told you to return to the colony.”
“It was in everyone’s best interest that I did not,” the male said slowly, his tail raising languidly from the water as he clung to the side of the boat. “I could not appear without it when the Al’hana made sure to alter the records so that we are together. Besides, I had further information that might have been of use if the situation did not progress in a timely manner… which it undeniably has not.”
Sirein: A Dystopian World Alien Romance Page 14