Chapter 14
Keelie
What the actual fuck?
Leaning back in my chair, I yell at the cheery blue sky peeking through the canopy above me. “For fuck’s sake, Wayne! I swear, when I die, I’m kicking you in the dick for this!”
Twin snorts jerk my attention back to the infuriating males cooking me dead deer for breakfast. The scent of venison cooking over the fire is making my mouth water, but I need more than just protein with my coffee.
Rolling the concept of their lengthy lifespans around in my mind, I head over to my cook tent and start making biscuits. There has to be something I’m missing.
“What aren’t y’all telling me?”
Ahstahl shoots Aercek a poignant look, and triumph fills me. I knew there had to be something else. Aercek bares his teeth at Ahstahl, and I snicker at the silent byplay between them.
Aercek’s rumbling voice answers me. “Remember how we told you that our gods created the aima tenetur to stop the violence between their children?” At my definitive nod, he goes on, “The result of the blended species was an extended lifespan and a reduced birth rate. Our ancestors did far too much damage to the planet for it to sustain a large population. There are three males for every female in our society. The sex disparity is the repercussion of their divine meddling, and to compensate for that, our gods gifted us with aptet.”
Greasing the inside of the Dutch oven before putting the biscuits in, I almost don’t ask, but at this point, what do I have to lose? “What is uhptet?”
Speaking slowly, making his enunciation clear, Aercek replies. “Aptet, loosely translated, means ‘adapt’ and is an enzyme my species secretes that does just that— it adapts a non-Dewlvrkgnari mate to be sexually as well as lifespan compatible with my species.”
Yep, definitely time for a break from learning new things about my… mates. I haven’t had near enough coffee for this shit. “Okay, that’s enough for now. I don’t wanna hear anything else life-altering for the rest of the morning.”
Ahstahl appears beside me and takes the Dutch oven from my hands with a kind smile and swaps it for a fresh cup of hot coffee.
“Of course, little one.” He goes back to the fire and situates the black pot in the coals, moving them aside with his bare hands, and I just watch in awe.
Aercek wordlessly nods his agreement and finishes quartering the deer, snacking on pieces of raw meat here and there.
To my surprise, a small white bottle falls in my lap as Aercek’s tail withdraws.
Looking down, I see it’s the container of ibuprofen I was surreptitiously searching for earlier.
Apparently, nothing gets past the two of them.
Before I know it, the biscuits are done, my venison is cooked to perfection, and I’m back in my chair with a plate of food on my lap.
My mouth is watering from the delicious smells coming off my plate, so I don’t hesitate.
Breaking open a fluffy biscuit, I put a piece of venison in it, and take a huge bite, groaning in pleasure when the flavors hit my tongue.
Aercek and Ahstahl are back at the base of their tree, eating the organ meat I politely declined, along with strips of seared meat. They eschewed the biscuits.
After we finish breakfast, I enter my tent to get dressed for the day, and that’s when something hits me.
My coffee was never cold or empty. Between the two of them, they made sure it was taken care of.
Pulling my jeans up over the ample curve of my butt, warmth suffuses me, and a reluctant smile pulls at my lips.
AHSTAHL
Cleaning up the remnants of the morning meal, happiness wells. Keelie allowed us to provide for her and listened to Aercek’s explanation without telling us to leave.
It’s far better than I’d hoped for.
Aercek is disposing of what’s left of the deer carcass far enough away from camp that predators won’t bother our mate.
The sound of a zipper announces Keelie’s exit from her tent.
Pouring the water out of the washtub, I put the utensils in it to dry before turning to face her, stopping in my tracks the instant I see her.
She’s pulled her hair back from her face, but it’s not her physical beauty that catches my attention.
It’s the attire she’s chosen. Her top covering is a long-sleeved shirt—the same color as my scales, with little silvery-gray designs all over it.
Keelie attired herself in our colors.
To have one’s mate adorn herself in your colors is a sign of deep respect and utter devotion.
That she did so unconsciously shows that she really is the one for us.
Keelie pauses on the rug just outside of her tent and dons her boots after dumping them out to ensure they’re free of creeping creatures.
Straightening, she beams a smile at me when she realizes I’ve cleaned up the communal mess from our meal.
“Ahstahl, you didn’t have to clean all of that yourself.
I told you it wouldn’t take me but a couple of minutes to change clothes. ”
“I’m happy to be of assistance and helpful, my anima.”
Her face flushes with color, and I find myself utterly charmed and captivated by her. “Well, let me brush my teeth, and then I’ll be ready to face the day.”