32. Eliat Stone
Another day passes, and then it’s the morning that Melisa is supposed to leave. She and I sit together at one of the larger stone tables in Hammerhead Hall, eating the food I helped prepare. Abi and Paoli are here as well, as are Iryth and Sama. They sit across from Melisa and I while Abi strokes Sama’s head.
“He’s so… big,” Abi says.
Iryth feeds Sama on her breast as she smiles at Abi. She’s the only Enduar currently sitting with us, and I appreciate her knowledge.
“He is nearly six months old—it’s normal for him to be so large. Fear not for your small body if you are mated to one of our men,” she says with a laugh.
Sama punches out his fist, and Paoli picks up the crystal toy that tumbled to the ground. When the silent girl with a hollow face hands it back to Iryth, the Enduar woman glances at Abi.
“This means thank you,” Abi says as she puts a flat hand on her lips and moves it forward and slightly down.
Iryth repeats the action, and then asks, “And how would you say it in the human tongue?”
Then the Enduar adjusts Sama’s head as he grunts and punches another strong fist. Their conversation is interrupted when Arlet joins us and sits next to Iryth. Then she puts her finger inside Sama’s hand.
“Buenos dias, mi amorcito,?1” she coos at the enormous blue babe.
I smile, thinking about the conversations she and I have had about children. Thoughts of having my own family surface, especially after the cards that Liana showed me. There must’ve been a dream I had last night… Most of the pictures are obscured, but I swear, if I focus, blurry images of a baby flicker behind my eyes.
I crave that life the more time I spend in Teo’s arms.
Iryth turns back to Melisa and me, but her eyes stop on the raven-haired beauty next to me, who has put on the red dress she wore when we first arrived.
“We are grateful for you, you know. To choose to leave and return to the giants is something we respect deeply.” Iryth’s accent is stronger than her mate’s, but it is warm and rich with kindness.
Melisa stares at Iryth, visibly uncomfortable. “Thank you,” she says. Her shyness is unlike the front she’s put up previously.
I wrap my arm around her shoulders and squeeze. “You are very courageous.”
“Ra’Sa will take care of you,” Arlet says with a smile. My brows furrow as I think of the Enduar once called Salo. At first, Teo told me that he had reverted to his full Enduar name. And now… I glance up at Melisa, knowing that she gave him such a nickname.
From what I can tell, she is pleased with its use, though she flirts with every Enduar the same amount. Everyone in the cave adores her.
It isn’t until I hear purposeful steps behind me that we turn and see Thorne, Teo, and Ra’Sa.
I blink at just how good the elves’ glamour is.
He looks completely human.
A very tall human, to be sure, but his blue skin is now a rich, umber brown, like the fading golden light that filters through the trees just before sunset. His tail has been hidden in the loose pants cinched around his hips. His long hair is now black, and it hangs in a thick braid.
I frown at such length.
“That’s too long. No male would have gone so long without having to cut his hair for tree lice,” I say, swinging my legs over the bench.
He narrows his eyes at me. He’s never been particularly friendly or open, particularly since his brother died, but he’s looking at me like a forest fowl glares at a fox prowling in the bushes, preparing to steal her eggs.
“I am sorry. You need to cut it off,” I clarify, and he growls.
“Absolutely not,” he replies simply. Firmly.
Melisa stands at my side. “Come now, I think you’d look handsome with short hair.”
His blazing eyes land on her.
She smiles and flutters her long, curly lashes at him.
Without another word, he grabs a knife from his waistband, takes his long black rope braid in his hand, and slices off the strands at the base. A blunt sheath of black hair falls to his chin, but it doesn’t look unpleasant. It adds to the general ruggedness of his appearance.
Everyone around me stills as they stare at the braid hanging limply in his hand. My throat tightens, and a sad silence tracks the movements with deep intensity. Then the black hair fades back to silver.
While I know that hair has great significance, I don’t understand the emotion. I make a note to speak to Teo about it later.
“Once again, I’m sorry, Ra’Sa,” I say after a moment.
He straightens his back. “I am already conspicuous because of my height. You were right—it is best to blend in.”
“You should place your hair in your home, friend,” my mate says, appearing at my side.
Ra’Sa nods and leaves the hall, but Melisa tracks his movements far longer than a casual interest would dictate.
“Men are so easy to bend,” she says after a few moments.
I look at her. “You’ll behave as the two of you travel together?”
She looks at me. “Me? I have no idea what you mean.”
I smirk. “I wouldn’t touch him if I were you; you’d eat him alive.”
She bites her lip. “No. I won’t touch him—he’d never let me anyway. Good men don’t want someone like me.”
Frowning, I take her by the hand. “First, you must be delirious. Of course they would.”
She avoids my gaze and gives me a noncommittal hmm.
I squeeze her hand. “Second, do you have everything you need?”
She blinks as if exiting a daydream. “I—I think so.”
I reach into my pocket with my other hand and pull out the red beryl I took from the scrying grotto. Pulling back her fingers, I place it in her palm. “I know you don’t feel the songs as strongly yet, as you still don’t have your Fuegorra, but this will help you. Sing to it—think of us. Come back soon.”
For the first time, I see fear flicker in her eyes. There is a worry there that she hasn’t seen before.
“I—“ she trails off. I squeeze her hand tighter. “Eneko is going to be furious.”
“You’ll come home with Ra’Sa. And I’ll take you down to the caves to perform the dual′moraan. You’ll come home and have a family,” I say as if I were invoking the ear of every god in the universe. She would be a fool to think a good man wouldn’t want her. She’s brave, beautiful, and kind.
Her eyes glisten. I touch my hand to her forehead, begin to murmur the words of safety that I know. She has no Fuegorra to speak to, but she has a friendship that cracks open a window to her deepest soul.
She presses her forehead to me as I see her cry for the first time.
“You know, you don’t have to go,” I say as Iryth and Arlet come to join the hug.
She shakes her head. “You have your family—I have…” she trails off. “I have my things.”
Her answer is strange and guarded, but I hug her anyway.
Iryth’s warmth radiates around our circle. “You are brave, Meli. We thank you for what you are willing to do.”
Melisa looks up at her, and then her eyes drop to the baby tied to Iryth’s chest, squirming as Abi and Paoli wrap their arms around Melisa and squeeze. “You all are too good to be true.”
Arlet smiles. “You get used to it.”
Looking at the redhead, I say, “You adjusted better than most.”
She smiles and squeezes my shoulder as she pulls back. When we turn around, Mother Liana waits for us.
The time has come. I grab Melisa’s hand, and I pull her along with the wise women. Simple conversation is made as we walk up to the tunnels.
When we reach the gate leading out of Enduvida, Liana also offers Melisa a few words of encouragement while we wait for the men to return.
When the very human-looking Ra’Salore walks back up, Melisa tenses.
“These are speaking stones, I have prepared as many as you could take,” Liana says, holding out a pouch. “Try to only send the most important information.”
Ra’Salore takes the bag and stuffs it into his pack. They won’t take any glacialmaras because of the risk of discovery.
As we say one last goodbye, my heart hangs heavy. I savor Melisa’s wide eyes as she looks back at me.
The giant golden doors shut tight just as Teo’s large hand slips into mine. I suck in a breath and look up at him.
“You look like you could use a drink,” he says.
I let out a long breath and nod. I don’t drink often, but I think this moment calls for it.
He pulls me along, past the golden carvings and faint pump and press of metal in the distance. It is calming and familiar.
When we reach the palace, he grabs something from one of the tables in the royal library. Saying goodbye to Melisa still hangs heavily on my heart as we continue walking in utter silence.
It isn’t until I see the faint glow of spongy fungi that I freeze. The royal bathing pools. Their familiar, muggy warmth assaults me as the air around me goes cold.
“Wait,” I say just as Teo uncorks the bottle to my left.
“Tomorrow, we will leave in those crystal suits. You, my queen, have insisted on coming. Hell, you even made your own damned suit,” he starts, gesturing to the other side of the cavern. I see them, laid out carefully on the other side of the cavern. “I have just finished trying them with Thorne and Vann, and there were no problems. You need to practice, too, but I thought you would appreciate some privacy.”
I purse my lips, still hardly breathing as I pick up the clothing-shaped crystal.
“Mi amor?2, you wanted to come. Tomorrow, we will be diving underwater for who knows how long—ideally less than three days. I won’t take you if you don’t feel ready. There is still time to back out.”
The thought of water all around me, with just the thickness of the enchanted crystal keeping it out of my mouth and lungs, makes my chest tighten.
Strong arms draw me in, and a tail wraps around my hips, pushing our bodies flush. The instantaneous calming effect is almost unnerving. My heartbeat slows, and my breath comes back.
“Oh, my star, how can we continue like this if you are still having difficulty near a few pools of water?”
I push off of him. “I can do it.”
He releases my body and hands me the bottle. “Prove it.”
“Do I need to put on one of the suits?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “Not yet. I’ll settle for you getting in the water first.”
I grab the bottle and take a swig. Wiping the excess mead from my lips, I hand it back, and then clutch at the hem of my tunic. In one swift motion, I pull it over my head. His eyes darken as I push off my pants, leaving nothing more than the silken undergarments around my hips.
There’s a moment of power as I look at him, knowing that my almost nudity continues to entrance him whenever he looks upon me.
I kick away the clothes and step into the water before he has a chance to say anything. I make it to my knees and then mid-thighs before I remember how deep the water is.
You’re in control,I remind myself, and then push further until the fabric clings to my hips. It’s then that the memory of our wedding night resurfaces—it’s not quite ruined, as Teo has shown me what passed between us in these caves time and time again, but it scalds the space behind my eyes.
When the glowing water coats my hands, my memory flickers and repairs itself.
I remember… wonder—delight—in these pools.
I take one of my hands out to see the sparkles moments before I close my eyes and dunk my entire head underwater.
A second later after reemerging, there’s a splash that crashes over me, dislodging me from my footing and pushing me deeper.
Teo’s tail wraps around me, hugging me close to his chest. I slap against his wet leathers, blinking away glowing sparkles. We are so close.
Glued together. My breath escapes me, and the outside world fades.
“I—“
He cuts me off with a gentle muzzle.
“It’s not so bad,” I say, realizing that my breath isn’t as restricted as before. It fills me with pride.
Then his hand trails down my body, cupping my buttocks, as he holds me impossibly closer.
I gasp.
“I’m sorry—forgive the instinct to pull you out of every dangerous situation,” he murmurs.
Sighing, I lean forward to kiss the mating mark on his neck. The rumble that buzzes between us wakes up something I thought I’d never feel in the water again.
The wet tip of his tail trails across my skin—slow, silky, and tantalizing. It isn’t until it brushes down the cleft of my ass that I gasp.
It moves lower.
“What are you doing?” I demand, grabbing the length in my hand.
He looks down at me with half-moon eyes and hooks his thumbs into either side of the silky fabric at my hips. “I’m helping you relax.” Then he pushes it down off of me. I let the undergarment float down around my ankles and then kick it away.
The thick weight of his tail is pleasant. It’s spent hours caressing me, comforting me, and holding me. Its feather-light touch has been delightful, but it isn’t until I have it in my hand that I realize I’ve never really touched it.
Curious, I slowly slide my hand up its suede length. Teo lets out a deep guttural noise in his throat.
It’s his turn to inquire.
“What are you doing?” as he places his hand over mine.
His grip loosens as my hand slides back down, and he shudders as I reach its tip. The tuft of fur at the end is covered in glittering water, and the hairs part to reveal a thick, blunt end.
Nothing like the pointed armor tip he wears. This tail has killed and comforted. All for me. I rub a finger over it, and he watches, unamused.
“See something you like?”
Clinging to the warmth spreading through my veins, I rub my finger through the hair. “Is the hair necessary?” I ask.
He furrows his brow. “What?”
I think of how easily Ra’Sa cut off his braid. I would never ask Teo to do something similar… but some fur on a tail…
I reach for his belt, where I know a knife is. “Do you trust me?” I ask.
He watches me with blatant intensity but nods.
Slowly, I shave the hair from the end. His jaw tightens, and I can see words pressing against his lips, waiting to be spoken. Gathering up my courage and maintaining eye contact, I move the length under the water and brush it between my legs.
“Do Enduares play with their tails when they mate?” I ask.
He is utterly frozen. I rub the now bald end over the sensitive spot at the apex of my thighs and let the frictionless sensation of the water smooth its journey across my skin.
I moan once, enjoying each moment. His hands grip onto my hips bringing me flush against his chest as ragged breaths pump out of him. Then I position the tail at my entrance.
“Do your women even do this?” I ask, breathless.
He doesn’t respond. Slowly, I inch the tip of the tail further in. It’s not as wide as him, but it still sparks sensations that I feel from my scalp to my toes. He watches me, hungry and enraptured, as I move the tail in and out, letting my head fall back.
“Estela,” he growls as he watches me use his tail for exactly what I need. It’s torture for him, but it’s sweet. He watches with a frustrated awe unmatched by any other emotion.
The next time I thrust him deep, he pushes with me, and the tip curls forward. The acute movement shocks me, and a new type of pressure builds with alarming swiftness.
Stars glow in the cavern as I gasp, and the pressure of his muscles release only to curve right back.
“Teo,” I choke as the wave of pressure passes over me with the swiftness of a building crumbling to the ground.
For a second, I black out completely, only roused by my sweet Enduar, holding me close in the water.
“My love,” he pants.
Love.
“I love you… That was…”
He growls in my ear. “It was beautiful. You are like a puzzle, one that I wish to spend all my time solving. I will keep my tail shaved from this moment forward if it would bring you such sweet release.” He looks down at me, his eyes full of desire. “I only wonder what other marvelous things your sweet body can do.”
My heart continues to race in my chest as I nod, boneless.
Hopeless.
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
“Shh, sweetness.”
I shake my head, swallowing against the pounding of my heart. “No, please. I feel like that was just…”
Slipping my fingers into the waistband of his trousers, I pull them down just enough to graze his cock with the tips of my fingers.
“Don’t ask for me out of obligation,” he growls, even though he grabs his shirt and pulls it off.
I shake my head. “Believe me—I want this.” I guide the head to the pounding between my legs, sighing in relief as he grabs both my wrists and pins them above my head.
My heartbeat thrums through my body as his other hand comes down and circles around my throat.
“You are mine,” he growls, pushing in. I feel so filled. Stretched. Impaled. Cared for, and powerful.
Whole.
The world blossoms with new colors with each stroke. Such beautiful pleasure curls my toes and slides over my skin, until finally, he joins me in the bliss. The hunger fades.
The fear is gone.
“I am ready to go to the ocean with you.”
He squeezes my backside again. “And we will come back here once we return.”
Then he pulls me closer. “Sometimes I wonder if our children will have your beautiful, delicate features or if they will look as I do.”
It’s so unexpected, and yet… not. The more I see just how much love heals both of us and makes everything as it should be, the more I realize that our future continues in one unstoppable round.
What if the power between us fades? Can we plan for the future with two behemoths of missions looming in the distance?
I study my mate’s face.
Later.
He grins down at me. It’s such a beautiful sight, and I feel terribly inadequate. He is perfect, without any scars while my body is imperfect with every scar. Not even just scars from lashings and punishments, but the growing marks around my thighs and breasts.
He interrupts my thought. “Are you ready to practice for tomorrow?”
I take a deep breath and look over at the crystal suits that have been left on the side of the pool. “Yes.”
Together we walk out of the water, still entirely naked. As he brings up my suit, I look for my clothes.
He strokes my skin. “You don’t need them right now. This is just a trial before tomorrow.”
As he helps me slide the flexible, clear material onto my skin, I’m happy to find out that it fits like a glove. But then the sound hits.
It’s high-pitched and slightly unpleasant. Not so much as to be annoying, but I think it will be a problem.
“You get used to it,” he says as he finishes closing the magical clasps.
Then he holds me out and I resist the urge to cover myself. I am fully clothed, and yet fully naked and on display.
He assesses me, pleased, but when I meet his eyes, I see the heat there. I smile weakly at him, and he bends down to get my helmet.
As soon as it is placed firmly on my head, I let out a breath, expecting to feel restricted, but it is not. The sound improves once the ensemble is complete, and I walk stiffly over to the deepest pool.
I step off the edge, sinking down into the glowing water.
As soon as I do, my vision is filled with glimmering particles and the luminescent algae that accumulates at the bottom of the dark pool. I swim down to it, feeling… calm.
I can breathe like normal. I am comfortable.
The water doesn’t invade my suit. It doesn’t even touch my skin.
I let out a laugh, and somehow a bubble passes through the material. Pushing water through my closed hands, I spin in a circle.
It feels good.
Delighted, I kick back up to the top and burst out of the water. My laugh lights up the area, and Teo, who is now sitting on the edge of the pool, grins at me. He reaches out and takes my hand.
“You seem pleased. Was there any discomfort?”
I shake my head, smiling. “No.”
He nods once. “Good. We leave tomorrow.”
My stomach knots up at the thought. A warm pool with pretty, glittering things is one adventure, but the cold dark ocean…
You can do this.