36. Bambi
BAMBI
Bikar carries me down the ramp, lifting a wing to shade the intense light of the dual suns. It takes a minute or two for my vision to acclimate to natural lighting after being on the Scythe for so long. Leaning up, I whisper in his ear. “Bikar, shouldn’t you put me down and hide your wings?”
Growling, he hefts me closer to his chest. “No. You may not have accepted our bond, but you have not rejected it either. That means the other males present must know you are not available for their attentions. As for my wings… it is best that all know what we are in order to successfully integrate into the society they have built.”
Okay, I have to admit that makes sense.
When we get to the end of the ramp, we walk into a shit show.
Heather is poking someone who must be the infamous Bhastas in the chest with her pointy nail, simultaneously cussing him out in a combination of English and Italian.
For his part, Bhastas is… standing… sitting… I’m not sure what a being without legs does exactly, but he’s allowing her to berate him for… something.
Patting Bikar on the chest gets his attention. “Uhm… I need to go get Heather before she’s the one that starts something she can’t take back and gets us kicked off this rock.”
Deep chuckles rumble out of his chest. “That might be wise. Although, might I add, everything she is doing is considered a form of flirting for his species.”
“Oh, shit.”
“Indeed. Best you fetch her.” Stopping next to where his brothers stand talking to one of the ugliest males I’ve ever seen, Bikar leans down and sets me on my feet, ensuring I’m steady before releasing me.
Absently, I note that Myev and Lurtza are crying as they cling to the giant male Slavic is talking to, but I’ll have to figure out what that’s about later.
Right now, I have to save my bestie from herself.
Speed-walking the short distance over to Heather, I offer Bhastas an awkward wave. “Er… hello. I’m Bambi, and if she didn’t introduce herself before… all of this.”
Waving at both of them, I catch the Jega male’s mouth twitch before he can hide it. “This is my dear friend, Heather De Santos. Heather Feather, we talked about this. Bhastas is an individual and cannot be held responsible for the actions of others belonging to his species.”
“Mi ha detto che gli appartenevo. Non appartengo a nessuno se non a me stessa! Bastardo!”
Spinning on her red-soled pump, she stomps off muttering in Italian all the way up the shuttle ramp, disappearing from view. Heather only yells in Italian when she’s completely lost her temper, so I have no idea what the hell happened.
Bikar and I aren’t that late to this little shindig.
Suddenly, I’m left alone with a male I don’t know that belongs to a species I have no fond memories of, and I’m not sure what I should do.
Walking off like Heather seems super rude, and I don’t know if this guy holds a position of power or not.
It would really suck if Heather and I offended someone that might influence our ability to live here.
Unease slithers up my spine, so I look over at Bikar, making sure he can see me and that I’m safe. His gaze is firmly locked on me, and he shoots a playful wink. Muscles I didn’t know were locked up tight relax.
I’m fine. This is fine. Bikar won’t let anything happen to me.
Scales rustling against one another make me whip my head back around, and I realize Bhastas has moved several feet away, giving me space from the overwhelming bulk of his armor-plated body.
How did he know…?
He must see the question on my face because he offers me an explanation in a deep, soft-spoken voice. “Your pheromones are broadcasting your discomfort.”
“Oh. Well. Thank you for your kindness.”
He inclines his head before looking over my head to where Heather disappeared. His face is full of… hope.
Looking over my shoulder, I check to see if she’s come back, but the top of the ramp remains empty. Turning back around to apologize again for Heather’s behavior, I’m shocked to see that Bhastas is gone.
How the fuck did he disappear that fast and without making any noise?
This building is huge, but he’s nowhere to be seen.
Shaking my head, I walk back over to where Bikar and the others are. As I approach, Bikar lifts a wing, allowing me to slip under it and his arm. Tucking me securely against his side, he nuzzles the top of my head with his cheek in a blatant display of possessiveness.
Several of his brothers notice and snicker at his expense. Normally, a display like that would irritate me, but it’s Bikar… and he’s not trying to control me. He just wants everyone else to know that I’m not single.
Ruarc elbows Einar and leans over, muttering a caustic comment about Bikar’s display. Kallen, bless her patient soul, offers me an apologetic look and shrugs her shoulders. She knows how her mate is.
Looking around, I realize that not everyone’s here.
I guess Ruby and Rowan stayed on the Zenith.
Both of them are noticeably absent.
Gwen’s back is pressed against her mate’s front, and his tail is wrapped around her at least twice, the blade end pointed towards the Ruks we don’t know.
Murgul chuffs while rolling his eyes at Bikar’s possessive display.
In response, Bikar playfully cuffs him across the back of the head with his other wingclaw.
Murgul snarls at Bikar, baring impressively large, sharp teeth. Fluidly tucking Gwen to his other side, he unfurls his deadly tail and promptly tries—unsuccessfully—to trip Bikar with it.
Snarling, Slavic spins on his heel, shooting our little group an impressive glare. “Cut it out, you frackers; we are trying to make a positive first impression, and thus far, we are NOT DOING SO.”
Sheesh, I didn’t realize how much Ruby diverts his temper.
Adopting an innocent expression, Bikar leans over and stage whispers to Murgul. “Why is he yelling at us? We did not do anything.”
Has that vein in Slavic’s forehead always been so big?