Chapter Four
Timalah
I smile up at Miles, my chest fluttering at the beautiful sight he makes.
My Dorshkah looks so achingly soft in my lap, his hands resting on my shoulders.
The light comes in through the window behind him, making his usual golden hair even more golden, like something supernatural.
His brown eyes are so bright, his smile carefree.
He leans down and kisses my lips. For only a moment I’m surprised before I’m kissing him right back, the press of our lips against each other so soft it makes my heart clench.
My hands slide up his spine, his skin hot under my touch.
I’ve wanted this for so long and now I finally have him. It feels like a dream come true.
“Timalah,” he whispers in my ear, the sound making me shiver.
I kiss along the underside of his chin, his breathy noises making my cock hard. My mouth moves across his throat. His fingers dig into my shoulders, holding on tight as I lick across his skin and the taste lights a fire in my belly.
“Timalah,” he says again, this time his voice is more determined, a bit louder. I wonder what it’ll take to make him lose his cool, to make him cry out because he just can’t help himself.
“Timalah!”
I blink my eyes open, a pained groan leaving my lips the moment I try to move. Everything is out of focus, too bright. I lick my lips as I try to figure out where I am.
“Hey, don’t try to move,” Miles says gently, his hands touching my chest and pushing me back against the bed. I don’t fight him, trusting him to know what’s going on, knowing instinctively Miles knows what’s best.
I swallow thickly, grimacing at how dry my mouth is.
I finally focus on the sight in front of me, finding Miles’ worried face.
My hand reaches up, cupping his cheek and he leans into it.
He looks so tired and my chest clenches, wanting to kiss that worry away, wanting to be the one to take care of him instead of the other way around.
“What’s wrong, Dorshkah?”
That smile I love so much forms on his lips. “You’re worried about me? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been about you?”
I try to shrug but pain lances through my shoulder, through my chest, and down my arm. I hiss through clenched teeth. That’s when memories hit me full force. I should be dead. The denstree struck me through my shoulder.
My breathing grows labored and I clench my eyes so tightly I see dots. My hands become fists and my heart pumps almost painfully inside my chest. My shoulder throbs, reminding me that there should be venom sliding through my veins and I look down, trying to find the wound.
“Timalah, calm down,” Miles says, his voice coming into focus. My swimming vision fades as I look up at his face. “Breathe. You’re okay.”
I nod my head, breathing just the same as he does until my heart is back under control. I look around at my surroundings, surprised to find myself in Miles’ apothecary. My left hand comes up to my shoulder, touching the bandages there. I try not to wince as the simple touch makes me ache.
“Are you sure this isn’t the afterlife?”
Miles’ face breaks out into a wide smile. “Why? You really think of me as an angel?”
I tilt my head. “I don’t know what an angel is. But if it’s someone beautiful who puts up with me and brings me back from the brink of death, then yes, you are an angel.”
Miles shakes his head at me, his eyes looking brighter than before.
He leans over to pick something up from the side table, bringing a straw to my lips.
I drink greedily, my eyes never leaving his as the water hits my tongue.
It’s cool and refreshing, like the first cool rain after a dry spell.
My heart races in my chest, but this time for a very different reason.
Miles is here, taking care of me just as someone takes care of their matron.
Does he have any idea? That he’s treating me like the one whom he loves? Could he love me?
I swallow every last drop of the cool water he offers me. With my belly now full and my throat no longer dry, my eyelids grow heavy once more.
Miles stands, towering over me for once. His face is so soft as he takes me in. His hand comes up, gently caressing my cheek and I can’t help but wonder if I’m already dreaming. Miles has never touched me like this before, never crossed that thin line into something more affectionate than a friend.
“Sleep now,” he says gently. “I’ll be right here to watch over you. For once, let me be the one to take care of you.”
My eyes close without my permission. “Okay, Dorshkah.” My hand comes up, gripping his wrist, forever grateful that his implant doesn’t quite understand every single one of our words, allowing me to openly call him an endearment without him knowing.
Without opening my eyes I turn my head and kiss the middle of his palm. It’s a silent thank you for everything he’s doing and everything he’s done for me. “I’ll be right here,” I say through a wide yawn, smiling when Miles snorts.
***
I step out of the shower, a towel slung low on my hips. “Timalah,” Miles gets out, rushing towards me. His eyes look me up and down and I try my best not to preen. “I told you to call me when you were done so I could help you.”
I snort at Miles’ antics. “I didn’t need you to give me a sponge bath. Not unless you really wish to,” I add with a little wink.
Miles crosses his arms over his chest but there’s the tiniest smile on his lips, one he’s trying to hide. “I’m glad to see you’re feeling more like yourself, Tim.”
I reach out with my tail and smack his hip. “Don’t butcher my name.”
He gives me a dramatic roll of his eyes before turning around. I can see the way the tips of his ears are pink, standing stark against his golden hair. “Just hurry up and get dressed. I made you dinner while you were taking the longest shower ever.”
What he doesn’t need to know is my shower was so long because I’d spent the longest time thinking about him while my palm was wrapped around my cock and my tail was pressing against my hole.
I really don’t think that would help his blush in the slightest. Despite the way he’s been showing me affection and giving me gentle touches, I don’t want to make him uncomfortable.
All I wish to do is pull him against me and thank him for everything by kissing him.
But I’m biding my time, waiting for him to give me a sign that he wants this as much as I do.
“I’m on it,” I say before going to the spare bedroom Miles has me set up in.
I put on the cloth pants, finding them so much more comfortable than the jeans Miles had tried to offer me, making sure to roll them down in the back so my tail doesn’t get cramped.
But I do put on one of his shirts. I take a moment just to sniff at the collar, a smile playing on my lips as I take in his scent.
I feel warm all over wearing his clothes as I step into the kitchen, my steps faltering only a moment when I find the table all set.
I sit down, watching Miles with rapt attention as he places a plate in front of me.
My eyes go back to the table, taking in the arrangement of flowers and candles lighting up the table between us.
My heart skips a beat as I wrack my brain for the meaning.
Is there a hidden meaning behind this display?
Is this some sort of human thing? Or is this how humans always share a meal together?
By the slight blush of Miles’ cheeks, I’m guessing I’m missing something.
It’s frustrating, always having that thin layer of misunderstanding between us, highlighting how different we truly are.
But right now, I try to focus solely on Miles’ smile and the warmth he makes me feel in the pit of my belly.
I might not be human but I’ll follow his lead, trusting him to steer me right.
Miles’ table is small, perfect for a one person home. Instead of sitting across from me, he sits directly to my right. He bites his lip nervously, looking down at the food. “I hope this is alright.”
I reach over, touching his wrist gently. “This is perfect. Thank you, Miles.”
Miles gives me a soft smile that warms my belly more than any wine could. That smile is so addicting, all I wanna do is spend the night trying to get him to smile like that again and again.
Unfortunately, that’s not on the agenda for the night as far as I’m aware.
So instead, I dig into the food Miles has prepared for me, moaning around my fork.
The sauce is rich and tomatoey, covering what Miles has called ‘noodles’ with large chunks of meat.
It’s delicious, like nothing I’ve had before.
“This is amazing. You’ll have to teach me how to make this someday.”
Miles looks at me, his eyes more guarded than I’d like. “Why would I teach you? I have to have a reason for you to keep coming over here.”
“Miles,” I say seriously, putting my fork down and turning in my seat. I take a moment to wipe my mouth, making sure I don’t have sauce on my face. “There’s nothing that would keep me from being here as long as you invite me.”
Miles looks down at his plate a long moment before looking up at me. “Then you’ll be here all the time,” he whispers. The air around us grows charged as we gaze into each other’s eyes. Miles looks away first, going back to eating.
“Are you looking forward to the ceremony tomorrow?”
My fork stills as my heart picks up speed.
Tomorrow is Saphorica’s maturous trial. Saphorica is a warrior like myself and as such, his time to find a mate before his people and our ancestors has come.
It is known that his heart beats for Quill.
I assume Quill will be the only one to try for Saphorica’s hand but then again, crazier things have happened.
“I am,” I say carefully. “It’s a great honor when it’s finally your turn. To prove yourself worthy and to find your matron before our people and our ancestors.”