36. The Stream
THIRTY-SIX
THE STREAM
Lukys
I am slow as I lead her deeper in the forest, hearing the stream long before coming upon it. I try not to focus on her shallow breaths, her smell, or the way she carefully moves as I clear the way to the water. But it is difficult and I fail spectacularly. I am aware of everything about my Elena.
Today was difficult for her, and for me as well.
I am unused to so many humans, or even nagas, together in one place.
There were no peaceful moments, only ruckus.
I had to remain vigilant amongst the tents, spaceships, and soldiers.
The soldiers followed us wherever we went, their weapons often pointed at me.
I did not have to tell Elena to remain by my side, she never left it.
Elena was unaware of much of it, clouded by worry for her sister, for who she did not find. Instead people peppered her with questions, and me as well, asking all manner of things.
I understand why Darolus does not let his female go where he cannot. Humans… Humans are something else.
We follow the stream until I find a place deep enough for there to be fish. Ferns sprout in every direction, hiding much of the water from view—from anyone’s view. I clear several of the plants and gather them to use as kindling later.
I wipe the dirt off my hands and face Elena. “Wait here while I am in the water.”
She is not looking at me. Instead, she is staring at the water as she chews on her lower lip. Her eyes are hooded. Peering at me briefly, she nervously glances away.
I straighten, my prick hardening and my knot enlarging with seed. It pushes against my tail. Does she need me?
“Do you mind…”
“Mind?” I prompt. She needs to eat but I will mate her first if she needs…
She nervously rubs her hands together. “Do you mind if I bathe?”
“Bathe? Bathe.” I narrow my gaze and look at the water, assessing it for danger.
“I really need to. I hate being dirty and my legs are covered in your…” I look back at her as she glances everywhere except at me.
“Can you give me a little privacy while you fish downstream? That’s what I’m trying to say.
” Her cheeks are bright red when she finally lifts her gaze to mine.
“I would feel more comfortable if you would.”
“Female.” I cough. “I have been inside you. This morning, in fact. I will be inside you again after you are fed…” I shake my head. “I wissssh to leave this place and take you back to my nest.”
She winces. “Don’t make this more awkward than it already is. I’m just going to wash my body and take care of some bodily needs. And we can’t leave yet.”
I grasp her shoulders and pull her to me. “If you are getting into the water naked, I am going to watch.” I would watch even if she were not naked.
She crosses her arms, sighing. “Do you have to?”
“I am going to watch.”
She throws up her hands and drops them. “You can’t be at my side all the time.”
“I can.”
“Lukys, I’m not going to let you watch me go to the bathroom! Now go downstream and fish while you give me some privacy. I’ll sing so you can hear me. Go!” She waves me off.
Oddly charmed by her vehemence and fluster, I give in. “I will grant you some space but sing for me, you will.”
Her shoulders sink. “Yeah?”
“Yessss.” I turn away, and with my net in hand, follow the shore to where the water is deep. I keep to the heavy ferns as the water bends, putting me at a position where Elena is just out of sight. I do not think she will run from me. I am not worried about that.
I hide my tail within the brush and spread my net into the water.
Suddenly, I hear a soft tune. I forget about the fish as her tempo builds, as she gains courage with each passing word. Words about longing and love fill my ears and I am lulled by the melody.
She says her sister is a singer… The humans we have encountered, some of them seem to know Elena’s sister and even revered her for her voice. I did not understand until now.
She did not say she could sing as well
She finishes the melody and then begins to hum loudly. I place my hand on my chest when I realize I am purring, my skin vibrating under my palm.
I tug my net out of the stream, paying little attention to the flailing fish within. Wrapping them up, I throw them over my shoulder as I return to Elena.
Spying her naked form bent over in the middle of the steam, I freeze. Staring at her small, human body and the swells of her breasts and behind, my prick thickens, pushing against my tail.
Pausing mid-swipe of her hand between her legs, she splashes her body with water. When she sees me, she bends forward and throws her arms over her chest. “You said you were going to give me privacy!”
I hiss, moving in her direction. “That was until I caught your dinner.”
“Lukys.” She straightens as I enter the stream. “I’m unused to… this…”
But she does not stop me when I toss the fishnet ashore and pull her arms off her chest. She does not stop me when I look down at her. My nostrils flare as my appendage pushes out from my tail. “You are cleaning away my scent.” I squeeze her arms where I grip them. “I would have you stop. Now.”
“I want to be clean… for you. But mostly for me.”
I squint. “For me?”
“I like being clean, but I also don’t want to be dirty if we have sex again. Dirty sex doesn’t appeal to me.”
I tug her into my chest. “Oh, we are definitely going to have ssssex again. My Elena. Dirty or otherwise.” I press her body to mine, coiling my tail up her back. “I know you are still aroused. Bathing cannot hide that from me.”
She tries to pull away but I do not let her. “Stop saying things that make me blush.”
“If I do not know what does… how can I stop?” Cupping the back of her neck, I kiss her.
Her lips melt under mine, softening into clouds that accept my dominance. Moving my mouth over hers, I have enjoyed the kisses we have shared but there have not been enough. In fact, my mouth has touched her too little.
I lick her tongue, probing it with the fork in mine and sliding it along hers. She moans into me, and I undulate my upper tail against her body, spreading her legs and curving my top half backward so she may slide down along me and sit on my shaft.
Lowering until I am partially lying down in the stream, my back in the water, she finds her footing in the silt beneath us and arches her butt, gliding it over my knot. She straddles me, running her hands down my arms and up my chest.
“I feel insatiable with you,” she huffs while I groan, her butt sliding across my prick again.
“Do not tell me things I could use against you.”
She clasps my cock, poising it upward directly beneath her slit. As she lowers herself, I realize she means to mount me. Suddenly tense, I sit upright.
Seed spills from my tip to splash her opening just as it lowers onto me. Inside her at her whim, she works her way down to my knot.
“Elena,” I rasp, squeezing her thighs.
My head falls back as the pressure of her body drops down onto mine. She releases a small whimper, and I lift my pelvis to sway us to the mossy shoreline, pushing deeper inside her. Lying back on the mossy knoll, we manage to remain together until she straddles me anew on semi-dry ground.
She shifts her hips from side to side. “Is this okay?”
“Yessss.” I do not know what else to say. “You are perfect.” I slide my hands up her legs, catching the water running down her soft skin.
She catches my eyes. “I’m going to ride you.”
“Yessss.” It seems to be the only word I remember.
Yessss.
Then, she works her body over me until I am drained of all my seed and she is gasping in exhaustion. Afterwards, she bathes again while I pet her body with my tailtip and watch, lounging on the shore.
Later that evening, she is settled by the fire within our camp. Using a pan that Greg gave her, I heat the fish I have caught and serve it to her.
I watch her eat with vigor. “I did not realize how hungry you were.” I should have realized, especially with the extra physical activity I have been putting her through. “I will not make that mistake again.”
“It’s fine.” She wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’m usually not so ravenous. I don’t even like fish that much, but I can’t stop eating it.”
She does not like the fish?
She smiles at me and it lights the entirety of her face, putting me at ease. Her smiles are still rare but there are more of them now.
I settle on the ground next to her and brush my fingers through her hair. Her smile slowly fades.
“You are beautiful, my Elena.”
She looks at me, her smile returning, and I slide my tail behind her, circling her.
“You’re not so bad looking yourself.”
I arch my brow. “I am glad you think so. You have a lovely voice.”
She grumbles and sits back. “Thank you.”
Her smile fades into a yawn.
“Come here.” I draw her against my chest. She relaxes, moving her legs closer to my tail. Threading my tailtip around her feet, I tighten my hold when she nuzzles her cheek against my shoulder.
“Thank you for the food, Lukys. Thank you for everything.”
I nod as she yawns again. Tomorrow, I will feed her better. I will make sure she is strong enough to be with me and survive out here while she continues her search. She will not want to leave until she gets inside. So, I will attempt to win the humans’ favor.
She needs me.
And I need her. I have never been needed so badly before and it has given me purpose. A purpose I am afraid to live without.
Her breathing slows, and I shift to watch as she drifts into slumber.
She trusts me to protect her.
I will not break her trust again.