Chapter Eleven
M enut landed softly, and Perry felt the grass beneath his feet. The suns shone high and bright in the sky and Perry closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of them on his skin. Sighing, he spun around, arms out wide, ignoring the soft chuckle Menut gave. Lowering his head, he opened his eyes and wiggled his fingers at Menut. Menut took a hand in his and pulled him along, though the waist high grass that parted as they walked through it. The river lay ahead, and fish Menut had assured Perry he would like. Like your tuna, Menut had told him when he’d asked what it tasted like.
“How do you know what my food tastes like?”
“We have had some brought here, and I was curious enough to try.”
“And it tasted similar to what you have here?”
“Some, yes. Others, no. And others would be poisonous to us and the same for you. I will teach you what you can and cannot eat here, so nothing harms you.” Menut turned, palmed Perry’s cheek. “It would hurt me deeply if something were to happen to you.”
Perry gave him a soft sigh, then tilted his head up when Menut kissed him. “I promise to be careful.”
Menut tugged him through the grass, and Perry catalogued where everything was. He especially paid attention to all the nasty shit that would harm him. He didn’t want to escape Menut then be killed by something innocent looking that was actually deadly, like the flowers Menut pointed out. They looked like roses, but as Menut lifted a hand above them, he saw tendrils shoot out to grab him.
Smiling, he kept his hand out of reach, then pointed to an animal carcass on the floor. It was wrapped up in the tendrils and was slowly being digested. Perry gagged and turned away, breathing through his mouth. “Like your Venus fly trap but larger.”
Perry had nodded and, with a final glance at the flowers, followed Menut over to the river. Once there, he stood on the bank watching what he thought looked like fish swim through the crystal clear water. “Are they edible?”
Menut looked where Perry pointed and nodded. “Yes. I will catch some and we will have it later.”
A breeze flowed over Perry, lifting the shirt he wore. Where Menut had found it, Perry wasn’t sure, but he liked being covered. As for his jacket, that had all but disappeared. Menut wore his jean-like trousers but wore no top, and Perry stared at his chest, remembering how it felt under his hands. Soft, warm, strong.
Pushing those thoughts away, Perry watched Menut crouch at the edge of the river and point to something. Perry crouched next to him and saw something long swim through the water. When a head lifted out, Perry stared into black eyes, his breath catching at the sight. “I believe you would call her a mermaid.”
“Kinda, I guess, but not the ones depicted in our folklore. Well, before we found out the truth.”
Standing, Menut traced Perry’s lips with a finger, then took Perry’s hand and walked along the river’s edge towards some fields ahead. “Where are we going?”
“This is a field that grows a food similar to your grain. You can harvest it, then grind it down to make… flour? I believe that is what you call it.”
“Oh I see. Wheat.”
Menut smiled, squeezed Perry’s hand. “Yes. I will gather some and we can take it back. And I will catch some fish. I need to show you where I grow my…” Menut slowed, frowned. “Vegetables. They grow in the ground.”
“Root vegetables. Like potatoes and carrots.”
“Yes.”
Perry followed Menut, lifting his face to the larger sun and smiling. It was a lovely day, warm with a slight breeze and walking through the fields, listening to the sound of the river, had Perry sighing. It was nice here. Calm and peaceful. Under normal circumstances, he could probably live here, but these weren’t normal circumstances, and this wasn’t home. And there were actual things that went bump in the night.
Menut continued to show Perry the land he called home, and Perry felt his heart ache. Menut assumed Perry would stay with him, and Perry didn’t change that assumption. Menut had to let his guard down so Perry could find a way to escape. He knew it would hurt, too, because the longer he stayed with Menut, the more he wanted to remain, but he couldn’t. He had a life, a family, a job back on his world.
Following Menut, he watched the way his wings settled on his back, the movement of his muscles, and clenched his teeth together when his body responded. Never before had he had such a reaction to anyone. It concerned him how Menut only had to look at him, touch him, and Perry fell under his spell. The sight of Menut, the scent of him, had Perry aching for his touch. And worse, Menut appeared to know, like just then when he slowed and tugged Perry closer, cupping Perry’s face in his hands and kissing him deeply, their tongues touching, sliding together. Menut’s red eyes swirled and Perry closed his own because he knew he’d fall under Menut’s spell.
“Come.”
Menut tugged him forward and Perry walked into the forest, the temperature dropping as he walked under the branches that provided shade from the suns. A whole new world opened up before him. He hadn’t noticed it when he’d been fleeing the date from hell, but now he could see and hear the life around him. Strange buzzing sounds that were similar to Perry’s world, but different, too. Things Perry considered insects glowing in the dark, flying haphazardly through the air.
Menut pointed things out to him, fungi, insects, strange plants that glowed, or emitted sound, or moved toward them as they passed. Menut told him what he had to avoid, what could harm him, what he could eat. There was a strange hanging fruit that felt almost furry in his hand, but when he ate it, the sweetest flavors coated his tongue and made him moan.
They gathered fruits then returned to the river, where Perry watched Menut hunt and catch fish. When Menut’s bag was full, he picked Perry up and flew into the air. Perry had his arms around Menut’s shoulders, his legs around Menut’s waist, and Menut murmured. “One night we will fly, and I will take you under the moonlight.”
His husky voice made Perry shiver, and he buried his face in Menut’s neck, breathing in his musky scent. When they returned to the cave, Menut put the items away, then stripped Perry naked and made his body sing with pleasure. Perry came hard and fast, his body exploding until he lay on the bed, his skin damp, and his heart racing. Menut smiled, kissed him, then covered him with a blanket and left him to sleep.
Perry lay listening to Menut as he moved around the cave, his body languid in ways only Menut could make him feel. Closing his eyes, Perry visualized the land between here and the portal, planning a route in his head. He knew what to avoid, what could hurt him.
He would have to leave at night. Perry didn’t like the idea of moving through this world alone and in the dark, but it would give him the cover he needed to avoid Menut when he found him gone. He’d have to make some weapons or use what he found. Maybe take the knife as well.
When Menut left or slept, Perry would take what he needed and leave. He didn’t know how long it would take him to reach the portal, but he guessed at least an hour. He couldn’t rely on his memories of before, because he’d been running scared and hadn’t paid any attention. His focus had been surviving whatever it was Grailaine had planned for him. He wasn’t even sure he would be going back the same way. He’d literally run as fast as he could. If it hadn’t been for Menut, he could well have ended up dead, or worse. Alive and at the mercy of Grailaine.
Rubbing his chest, Perry softly sighed. It hurt. The thought of leaving Menut. His chest was tight, his breath catching, but he had to go. Just then, Menut walked into the bedroom and placed a drink next to Perry. “This is like your coffee.”
Perry’s eyes went wide. “Really?” Menut nodded. “Thank you. I have really missed coffee.”
“I found the beans when we were out. Let me know if it is and if you like it, I will make sure to always have it stocked.” Perry sipped the drink and sighed when the bitter taste coated his tongue. “Nice?”
“Perfect.”
Menut kissed Perry’s forehead. “I am glad this makes you happy.” He stroked his fingers down Perry’s cheek, then stood and left. Perry breathed in and held it, his hands clasped around the mug. When he slowly released it, he blinked back tears. His eyes itched and his throat ached, but he wouldn’t cry because leaving was the right thing to do.
When the food was ready, Perry dressed and sat opposite Menut, eating what he’d prepared. “You should let me help.”
Menut shook his head. “I like taking care of you.”
“I know, but I’m here, so I’d like to help too. I can’t stay in bed all day. I’ll get bored. We’re together, so we should work as a team. I know you’ll be better at some things than me, but I can learn.”
Menut placed his fork on his plate. “This means something to you.”
“It does. No one wants to be dependent on another. I know I don’t know much about this world, but you can show me more like you did today. I can hunt and gather food too. I can cook. My mom made sure I knew how to cook and clean and do things like that.”
“I do not have the machines you do.”
“So show me what you do have. Teach me.”
Menut nodded, then smiled, and Perry’s breath caught at how gorgeous this monster was with his straight nose and high cheekbones and strong jawline. “I will begin tomorrow.”
“Thank you.” Perry smiled back at him, his chest feeling like a heavy weight had been placed on it. He’d lied to Menut, and it didn’t sit well with him, but if he was to make it back home, then he had no choice.
When they’d finished eating, Perry helped Menut clean up, then they sat watching the fire in the living area. “What do you do for entertainment?”
Menut tilted his face, a small frown on his face, then he nodded. “I read.” He stood and opened a cupboard, revealing books of different shapes and sizes. He pulled one out and showed it to Perry, but he had no idea what it said. It was in a language he’d never seen before. “I will teach you how to read my language.”
“What’s it about?”
“A…” Menut frowned again. “Romance?”
“About two beings falling in love?”
Menut shook his head, his frown deepening. “No. Two people hunting the bad ones.”
“Oh, an action or adventure novel.”
“Yes. That fits better.” Menut handed to book to Perry, who flipped through the pages. The texture felt different, softer, flatter. He ran his fingers over it, then closed the book.
“What about a TV?”
“I do not like that. It uses up the time for no reason. I have seen humans watching it and did not understand the fascination. Watching tiny humans on a box.” Menut shook his head, his long black hair sliding over his shoulders. “You humans can be strange.”
“I guess we can be when you’re on the outside looking in, but your world is a scary place.”
“We do have species here that would hunt and kill you for no other reason than they can. I will show you the ones to avoid.”
“That would be amazing.” Perry chuckled at the look on Menut’s face. “I mean, I appreciate it because I don’t want to die.”
“I would not want you to die either, my Perry. You are mine.” Menut’s red eyes began to swirl, and Perry knew what was going to happen. As their lips touched, he sighed into their kiss and let Menut carry him back to their bedroom. He would be leaving soon, so he planned to enjoy these moments between them and holding them in his memory.