Chapter Fourteen #2
She shook her head and then shrugged with a sigh.
“There’s nothing I can do about it. You seem very calm about the fact that you’re taking me around other unmated males who will be drawn to my scent, even if I’m odd-looking.”
My jaw clenched at the reminder. I was not calm, but I was vigilant enough to know no one would get close enough for it to matter.
My tail flicked behind me as we slowed and turned towards the opening we had passed on the way to the River Caverns, another warrior heading towards us staring for too long when he spotted Taryn.
The male’s gaze moved along her form before coming to my face, and even though he dipped his head in respect, a low warning rumble built in my chest before I could force it down.
Taryn’s face turned up towards mine, but I stayed focused on the crowd ahead of us, already tempted to turn back. It was the busiest time of day for the Markets, and if I’d have thought about it, I’d have waited to bring her.
Placing my hand against her back with the excuse that I needed to guide her through the crush, I drew in a breath laced with sweet, foreign fruit. The combination of touch and scent steadied me more than it should have.
Voices echoed through the massive chamber carved deep beneath the sands of Morrakan’s surface.
Stalls lined the walls and filled the open floor, leaving paths that meandered and intersected in ever-changing patterns.
Tables covered with tools and goods, stands of various foods, and racks of fabrics and accessories competed for attention from those passing by.
Glowing fungus was cultivated beneath awnings, but lights hung from the cavern ceiling as well to light the booths and paths. It was the brightest place in Korvashan if you didn’t include the surface.
Taryn slowed, eyes wide as she stared around. Her nostrils flared as she took in the scents even if she didn’t realize her new instincts needed reassurance, and her kethra flickered.
“This is… incredible. It’s massive!”
Her voice carried the same quiet awe I had heard when she first saw the River Caverns. It stirred something warm in my chest that I chose to ignore, looking away when her face tipped up to mine again.
“Don’t you have markets on Earth?”
I watched her head shake from the corner of my eye as she went back to looking around. I’d moved us out of the main path so we could browse at her pace, others treating us as nothing more than another obstacle.
“Not like this.”
She stepped closer to a rack of fabric, running her fingers over a bolt of deep blue cloth meant for making Shavariin and Shavari’zorr.
“What is this?”
I wasn’t surprised she was drawn to the special fabric made for omegas.
“Veskri silk.”
“It’s soft.”
She touched another in a shade of green.
“It’s made by a toxic slug that lives in the deep River Caverns.”
Blue eyes that matched the first bolt of fabric turned to mine, one pale brow arched. She tried to keep her curiosity hidden, but I saw it stirring.
“Collecting it must be a crappy job then.”
Startled, I laughed. I had never thought about that, but the slug’s red spines could cripple even the strongest warrior if they didn’t receive treatment quickly.
“True.”
The merchant who owned the stall had come closer and watched with open fascination. It hadn’t been long since the first two Human women had arrived, and after what had happened, Serenya still drew attention anywhere she went.
How long until Humans on Morrakan were no longer unusual? Would we ever reach that point?
“Veskri’ra? Karethai.”
My lip curled at the price he quoted for the fabric. It was likely more than he’d have asked if he hadn’t scented that Taryn was an omega and recognized the insignia on my korrvek.
“Kai,” I denied. “Drevarn.”
The merchant nodded and pointed to a rack of garments with loose wraps and light tunics, and pants made for the heat.
Taryn followed his finger and looked over the options, examining each one. I saw the way she hesitated before pulling one forward, a pale teal wrap that matched her kethra.
I wanted to tell her to move on and look somewhere else because of how well it suited her. I could already imagine her draped in the light fabric, and it did nothing to help the way I was always aroused around her.
I tossed a coin to the merchant before he could give me a price, aware I was overpaying.
She wanted it, even if she hadn’t said so yet, and that was all that mattered.
Taryn noticed the exchange, frowning and trying to tuck the wrap back between the others.
“You don’t have to buy it. I was only looking.”
Reaching past her, I plucked the wrap from the rack and tossed it over my shoulder.
“Yes I do.”
Her eyes narrowed again. She glared at me so often I would have worried more if she didn’t, and that thought made me smile as I urged her towards the next stall.
“Why?”
Because the thought of her wearing it around Korvashan had my shaft throbbing.
Because the idea of ripping it off her made my knot threaten to swell.
Because she was mine to protect and provide for.
I shrugged.
“The color matches your kethra, and you need something comfortable to wear.”
Her lips parted but no words emerged, different emotions flicking across her face. I didn’t need her to examine my motivations any further, so I urged her towards another booth.
“You should choose several options. Vorrada is coming, and I’m usually too busy to come to the Market.”
The soft look in her eyes disappeared, her lips turning down at the corners.
“Vorrada?”
Smirking, I thought of how Kael had said Serenya reacted to the news that she had arrived during the cool season.
“The season of warmth, when the surface is too hot to survive while Vorrashan shines upon it.”
Taryn’s face fell, the little bit of color her flesh held draining away.
“It gets hotter?”
My laugh was enough to remind her of her task to find cooler garments.
Even if she wouldn’t get to wear them often.
We continued deeper into the market. Stares followed us, every alpha we passed looking for too long. The pressure in my chest tightened until my kethra were glowing like open flames and my tail was a danger to anyone within reach. Others gave us a wide berth, but it didn’t ease the tension.
It was instinct, nothing more. Being out in the open meant better chances for something to happen, and the longer we remained in the Market, the more likely that news of Taryn being there would spread. I was responsible for her safety, so it was natural for me to be tense.
But when a young warrior passing us slowed and openly stared at Taryn’s breasts, my restraint snapped. My tail lashed, connecting across his shins.
The warrior flinched and jerked away, dropping his gaze once he realized who he faced. Bravery was rewarded by the Morrak, but challenging a stronger opponent with poor chances of victory was stupid, and stupidity was the currency of death.
Taryn noticed the interaction, concern written across her features. She studied my face before glancing towards the retreating warrior, my growl automatic and unavoidable.
Her eyes jerked back to me, a part of me soothed by her focus. I choked off the rumble filling the area around us, and something in her expression shifted.
Understanding.
Her lips curled, the bottom one disappearing into her mouth as she fought not to smile. My kethra flared brighter in irritation and I had to wrap my fist around my tail to keep it from knocking over the racks around us, but she remained silent, turning back to the task in front of her.