Eot
Itwist in the saddle, trying to stretch the pain out of my aching back. Between my shift watching over the camp, memories of Halley’s and my kiss and confusion about Keelo, I barely managed to close my eyes last night, and I’m paying for it this afternoon.
It doesn’t feel real, not after all these years of believing Keelo wouldn’t have chosen me as his other half if the Elders Coalition hadn’t forced us to pair.
Maybe that’s why I never stopped to consider the possibility that sharing a mate with Keelo might also mean sharing each other with ourselves.
Of course, that isn’t how traditional Arrok families are formed. But we’re outlaws. And, as Halley said, fek the elders! Fek them for perpetuating the idea that Keelo and I can’t fall in love merely because we’re two halves of the same soul.
In fact, thinking about Keelo has me realizing how ridiculous it is that every Arrok pair isn’t in love with their other half. Nobody knows me better than Keelo. We breath the same air. We sometimes even share the same thoughts. The same beating heart.
That has me imagining what it might feel like to kiss Keelo as Halley kissed me—a thought that sends my cock to half mast, and I’ve got to keep the excess length of my bimor’s reins draped over the saddle pommel to ensure no youngling’s eyes see what’s not for them.
Akh! This business of finding mates is as confusing and frustrating as it is exciting. Maybe this is the reason why others let the Elders Coalition make these choices for them—so that they don’t have to suffer through all of this painful not knowing.
Not knowing if Keelo really desires me.
Not knowing if everything between the three of us is going to work out.
Of course, our situation is made even more complicated by Rin’s presence.
While she’s awake, I’m left with very few options.
Even conversation stalls. Without Keelo’s help, I struggle to think of things to say that might impress Halley.
And Keelo makes no effort to speak to either of us.
When he does talk, it’s quietly to Rin, their own private conversation about…
I don’t know. I can’t hear their hushed voices from this distance.
Halley is also restless, constantly glancing back at me and chewing on her bottom lip with her blunt teeth. And the sight of her lip between her teeth sends my cock the rest of the way, hard and leaking and begging for attention.
Hurriedly, I grope through several saddlebags, hunting for more fabric. A release of pheromones now wouldn’t do anyone good. In the end, I shred one cuff off my breeches into a narrow strip and tie that around my neck. Then, to make them even, I tear off the other cuff for Keelo.
Contrary to Halley’s prediction, once we climbed out of the ravine yesterday afternoon, sunlight burned most of the dried trikon fluid from Keelo’s skin, leaving behind red patches that look painful, even a day later, but which will heal quickly once we’re back at the ship.
Keelo doesn’t appear to notice them, staring ahead and only occasionally consulting the datapad to ensure we’re traveling in the right direction. I’ve never met anyone more stubborn than him. While he takes my fabric offering, tying it around his neck, he says nothing in response.
By no flicker of emotion across his face can I guess whether he’s covering his scent glands for Halley’s sake or for mine—or for us both.
A moment later, my bimor slows to her natural pace, and I return to my place at the end of the procession.
Of course Keelo claimed the fastest for himself.