Chapter 9
FARLI
Mardok’s big body is shaking with rage as I lead him away.
I do not know what caused the fight between him and his tribesmate, but whatever it is, it is clear to me that it has hurt him at a deep level.
He’s silent as he puts on his layers and we go out into the snow once more.
A few of my tribesmates are heading back, and we walk with Georgie and Vektal, who are also quiet.
It seems that the ship has brought no one happiness except perhaps me and Har-loh’s small family, because she will be better soon.
Even Li-lah, who is getting her hearing returned, does not seem excited about the prospect.
It is as if all we have are more doubts and questions, and I do not know if I like it.
We use the pulley to get back down to the bottom of the gorge, and Chahm-pee prances up to me.
He’s clearly been waiting here for my return, and I lavish him with praise and attention as we walk back to the village.
I might as well, since no one else is speaking.
But then the small, neat rows of houses that make up Croatoan come into view, and I see people walking around, pausing to talk.
I see the kits playing in the street, Joden and Pacy chasing a ball as Analay and Kae race after them.
It is normal. Good. The sight of it makes me feel better.
Shorshie turns to me, a bright smile on her face that does not quite meet her eyes. “Would you and Mardok like to join us for dinner tonight? I can make something, and it would be an honor to have you visit my fire.”
I look at my mate, but he is far away, his expression distant.
“Not tonight,” I tell Shorshie. “Perhaps in the morning. I think we would not be good company.”
She gives me an understanding nod and pulls her mate away.
I take Mardok by the arm and lead him toward my small house on the edge of the village.
Chahm-pee prances behind us, nipping at my boots playfully.
He does not understand why the mood is a grave one, only that it is time to play.
I move him to the house that is his stable, put food in his basket and make sure he has fresh water.
I give him a quick scratch and promise to spend more time with him tomorrow.
Tonight, I must be with my mate. With my little dvisti secure for the evening, I head to my house and push aside the privacy screen over the door. “Give me a moment to start a fire,” I tell Mardok, entering and heading to the fire pit.
It is dark inside, but I know my small house by feel alone, and my flint and tinder are where I left them.
I make a spark quickly, dropping it onto a pile of tinder and blowing on it until it is large enough to hold its flame as I feed it dung chips.
As I work, I wonder what he will think of my small house.
It is not brightly lit like his is. My bed is not on a platform, but on the stone floor and is nothing more than a pile of the softest, thickest furs.
I have a small alcove for my toilet, a stone counter for my cooking, and a fire pit.
I have a rack for my weapons, a few stools, and colorful, woven hangings that Tee-fah-ni and Meh-gan have made for me.
It is a small chamber, and very different from his.
And it is important to me that he does not find it… crude.
As I work the fire, he moves around the house, gazing at my things. He moves toward the stone wall and peers at it. “Are these hieroglyphs?”
“I do not know that word.”
“Stone drawings? Language?”
I shrug. “They were here before we came. Some of the walls have pictures, some do not.” They do not interest me much, though a few of the humans are fascinated by them.
“Huh,” he says. “If they’re anything like these pictures, they’re ugly creatures. Four arms and no horns.”
“They are long gone,” I say, and add a teasing note to my voice. “You do not have to worry about them returning to scare you out of your sleep.”
He looks over at me, and a hint of a smile curves his mouth. “Guess not.”
I like that his mood is lightening a bit.
I stoke the fire higher, adding in even more fuel so he will not be cold.
It’s odd to look over and not see his eyes glowing in the darkness.
No khui, I remind myself. Maybe never. And I grow a little sad at the thought.
Just as quickly, I push it aside. If I will only have a few days with Mardok, then I will make the most of them.
I will grieve and feel sorry for myself later, when his ship has disappeared from the sky and I am left empty and alone.
But for now, he is here. I will worry about everything else tomorrow. I pat the stool next to where I crouch. “Come and sit by the fire.”
Mardok approaches, and I notice some of the strain is easing from his face now that we are alone. I am glad. He sits down and unbuckles the front of his suit, then rubs his hands and holds them out to the fire. “It’s getting colder.”
“It does get brisk when the suns go down. Do not worry—we will stay warm under the furs.”
Instead of making him smile, he looks unhappy. “Farli…”
“Shhh,” I tell him. “I ask nothing of you but your company while you are here. You cannot stay, and I am not sure I wish to leave.” I shake my head. “It is as it has been made. All we can do is enjoy the time we have.”
His eyes are still sad, but he nods. When I stand, he grabs me by the hips and tugs me into his lap. “If that’s the case, then I’m not letting go of you tonight.”
I chuckle and wrap my arms around his neck, because I do not mind this in the slightest. “Are you hungry? Thirsty?”
“Nope.” Mardok presses a kiss to the bony plates on my shoulder. “I was cold, but I’m warmer with you in my arms.”
“Shall we undress and get under the furs? You will be much warmer with your naked skin pressed against mine.”
He closes his eyes and groans, pressing his forehead to the exact spot he just kissed. “Have mercy on a man.”
“Why? It is practical.”
“And I won’t be able to resist touching you.”
I snort. Is that his only worry? “Why should you resist it? I want to touch you, too.”
He lifts his head. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m using you.”
Using me? With my khui singing a wild, needy song in my chest? With my body aching and feeling hollow a bit more every day because we haven’t mated? I am already slick between my thighs, and my pulse is pounding. If he does not touch me soon, I am going to be the one using him.
The idea has merit.
But since he is reluctant, I get to my feet and stand between his legs.
I undo the ties on my leather tunic and shrug it off my shoulders, leaving my torso bare.
He gazes at my teats, a hungry expression on his face.
I want him to touch me. I feel as if I am dying for it.
And yet he does not reach for what I offer him.
Does he truly think I will hate him if he touches me and then leaves me behind?
I could never hate him. Ever.
So I carefully lift one foot and pull my boot off, then the other.
I toss them aside, my gaze locked with his.
Can he not see how much I want him? How ready I am for him to claim me as his?
I straighten and pull my leggings off next, kicking them aside until I am naked in front of him.
Still he does not reach for me, though his gaze is heated and he flexes his hands as if he is dying to touch me.
Very well, I will continue to take the lead. It is not that he is shy, I know. It is that he thinks touching me might be a mistake he will regret. So I must show him otherwise. I take his hand and guide it to my teat, like I did when we first met. “Will you not touch me?”
The groan that erupts from him is pained.
He jumps to his feet, and before I can ask what is wrong, his mouth is on mine and he’s claiming me.
I moan with pleasure as his tongue drags against my own, and he takes over, kissing me with abandon.
Over and over, his lips swoop over mine, and I am breathless with delight.
His arms go around me, and then my chest is mashed against his crinkly, thick tunic.
“I want to feel your skin,” I whisper between kisses. “Please, Mardok. Let me touch you, too.”
He picks me up in his arms, and I gasp, clinging to his neck.
I did not realize he was so much taller than the males in my tribe until just now.
I normally stand head to head with them, but with Mardok, I reach his chin.
I…like it. It makes me feel small and dainty next to him, almost like a human. The thought makes me giggle.
“What’s so funny?” he asks as he carries me over to my furs.
“I was just thinking you make me feel small in your arms, like a human.”
He makes a face. “You are far more beautiful than any of those.”
I sigh with pleasure. Such a simple compliment, but it makes me feel warm.
Mardok kicks open my furs and gently lays me down in them.
I stretch out, feeling sensual, and am pleased when he begins to strip off his layers.
“Brr. It’s keffing freezing,” he says as he tosses aside his thick suit.
He is wearing nothing but an ultra-thin layer of a strange type of leather that outlines his body.
I can see the shape of his cock and spur even through the fabric.
Fascinated, I reach out to trace my fingers along his length.
He closes his eyes. “You are the most distracting female I have ever met.”
“I know.” I cup my teats with my hands, teasing my hard nipples with my fingers. “It is because I enjoy distracting you so.”
“Gods, I noticed.” He pulls off his last layer of clothing in a hurry, and then he is naked in front of me.