by Ruby Dixon
Her eyes cross and she peers at the stripe. “Why are you painting me?”
“It’s custom when we celebrate. We show our joy with color.”
The sad look enters her eyes again. “Then maybe you should save your paint for someone else.”
“Nonsense.” I dab a bit on her chin, and then make two colorful streaks on her delicate cheekbones. She’s silent as I do, watching me. I want to say flirty things to her, to bring a smile to her small face, but she just looks so forlorn that any jokes I make will seem foolish. I finish with her face, study my art, and then dab my finger into the paint pot again and begin to draw lines on the delicate cords of her neck. Her skin feels so soft under my touch that it makes my cock ache instantly. “You bring me joy. Does that not count?”
Instead of the eye-roll I expect, she just looks even sadder. “You should give up on me, Aehako. Spend your attentions on a girl where you might go somewhere with her.”
“Go…somewhere?” This is another baffling human phrase. We have the words, but the way these humans use them does not make sense.
Kira just sighs and tries to look away.
I catch her chin before she can. “I found out what a kiss is,” I tell her, pleased with myself. This will distract Kira and bring the sadness from her eyes. I expect her to flinch away, to pull back and chide me for flirting with her again.
Instead, her gaze goes to my mouth. Her lips part slightly and she leans in. “Oh?”
I know an invitation when I see one. I lean in and brush my mouth against hers. I’m uncertain about the details of kissing but I’m sure I can figure it out. If it’s anything like licking a cunt, I’ll just watch for her cues.
Kira’s lips are soft and pliant, and my mind automatically imagines them on my skin. My cock feels like rock inside my breeches. She presses her small lips to mine, and I pause, uncertain where to take this. Vektal always looks as if he’s devouring his woman.
But then Kira’s tongue brushes against the seam of my mouth, and I part to let her in. She’s taking the lead on the kiss and I’m fascinated – and aroused. Her hands curl in the front of my tunic and I pull her against me, feeling how fragile the human is compared to my stocky, muscular body. She has no horns, no plated ridges to protect her soft parts, and her vulnerability frightens me.
Then her tongue touches mine and I forget all about her fragility. Lust roars through me, and I tentatively flick my tongue against hers. She tastes like the fermented tea, a sweeter, more delicious version. And her tongue is smooth and slick, unlike mine that has the textured ridges that all sa-khui do. She realizes this and a soft sound of surprise passes from her mouth.
But she doesn’t pull away. Her hand goes to my cheek and she caresses my jaw, and we continue to kiss. My mouth slants over hers, and I tongue her back, mimicking the motions she began with. When she doesn’t stop, I continue, my flicks stronger and bolder, questing. Over and over, I fuck her with my tongue. This, I realize, is what the appeal is to humans. This is a tease with mouths, a promise of what a mating will be like. It feels incredibly deviant.
It also feels amazing.
I can’t stop kissing her. I see why humans are so addicted to this.
She pulls away after a moment, and looks up at me. There’s dazed lust in her eyes, too, and her hands are clinging to me.
“Come,” I murmur, leaning in and flicking my tongue over her lips again. “The others are busy celebrating. My cave will be empty. We’ll have time to be alone.” And I’m eager to explore her human body and find out what she likes.
She blinks rapidly, and then shakes her head. “No, not yet. I…” Her voice trails off and her eyes become glazed. Her hand moves to the silvery shell that juts from one ear.
Then, a look of horror crosses her face.
PART TWO
KIRA
They’re coming back.
A small part of me had always hoped that we’d never see their spaceship again. That they’d forget all about the cargo they dumped here and let us live out the rest of our lives here in peace with Vektal’s people. We’d settle in, make the best of a strange situation, and eventually forget all about our initial kidnappers.
Wishful thinking, I guess.
But when the birdlike tones of the Little Green Men filter in through my translator earpiece, my entire body tenses with a wash of memories. Of being pulled from my apartment in the dead of night and waking up on an examining table. Of the horrific first encounter with the aliens, and their frustration with me when I couldn’t understand them. Of being held down while they forced – painfully – the translator into my ear. Of weeks spent terrified in the hold, reeking of filth. Of being afraid to make the slightest sound.
Weather conditions on the planet are not ideal. Equipment retrieval will be delayed.
That’s the only thing that comes through, but that’s all I need to hear. They’re coming back to pick things up.
And I still have a translator in my ear.
My breath rasps in terrified pants, and I cling to Aehako’s arms.
“What is it?” He touches my chin. “Kira?”
They’re going to find me. They’re going to find me and because the translator won’t come out of my ear, they’re going to take me back with them. Oh God. I swallow back a sob.
“Surely the thought of visiting my cave is not so terrible as that?” His voice is teasing and sweet, and anchors me back to this place. I cling to his arms, gripping him tight.
I can’t tell anyone about this. The others will panic. My mind is whirling. If they’re coming after the translator earpiece, maybe I shouldn’t be at the caves.
My thoughts are so far away that when he leans in to kiss me again, I automatically draw away from him.
His expression darkens. “Is it me, then? Do you not want my attentions?”
“I…it’s just…complicated.” I shake my head at him. “I think I’m going to go sit by the fire, all right?”
Maybe if I’m surrounded by all the others, their happy voices will drown out the fear surging through me.
AEHAKO
Something’s wrong. I watch as Kira gets up and woodenly approaches the central fire pit. She has a wan smile on her face for the others. And even though she sits with them, I sense her thoughts are not in the cave, or with anyone in particular. She is distant, staring into the fire, and the troubled crease has returned to her brow.
Perhaps it is me after all. Perhaps my attempts to court her unsettle her. Frustrated, I get to my feet and return the paint to Farli. The celebration no longer holds any joy for me. I watch Kira for a few moments more, and even though she smiles and talks to the others, it is clear to me that she is distracted and unhappy.
Never before have I been turned down by a woman I have approached. I’ve shared furs with both women my age, and both were eager for my attentions until they found their own mates. My own mother refers to me as a charmer. Yet this one small human with the sad eyes cannot wait to get away from me.
Troubled, I hand Farli my skin of sah-sah and head off to my furs. I’ve moved back in with my mother and father and my brothers since there is so little room in the caves. I don’t mind – it’s not as if I have a mate, though I’d gladly find a quiet spot and share pleasure with Kira.
When I get to my furs, though, they’re already occupied. Asha is there, and curls a finger at me, urging me forward. This is not what I needed tonight. Weary, I scrub my face with my hand, smearing the paint Farli worked so hard on. “Why are you here, Asha?”
“Everyone is at the celebration,” she says, breathless. Her hand strokes over my bed. “Come and join me. I’ve missed you.”
I shake my head. “Go find your mate, Asha. I want no company tonight.” It’s a lie, of course – if Kira showed up in the next moment, I’d gladly take her into my furs. But Asha has a mate, and I’m repulsed by her careless attitude toward him.
“I don’t want him,” she says, pouting. “I want you.”
�
��I don’t want you,” I say as gently as possible. Asha is an old friend, for all that she is determined to make me miserable now. “Our khuis will never unite, Asha. Stop seeking the past.”
She stands up and straightens her leather dress, glaring at me. “That human won’t have you either, Aehako. Best take your pleasure where you can.”
I ignore her as she leaves. I hate that she’s right.
• • •
The next morning, I watch Kira as I sit down in the central cavern and work on my carving. I am making a toy for Esha, who is getting to an age where she is into all her mother’s herbs and needs something to distract her. When Farli was little, I made her bone rings, linked through careful carving, and she enjoyed the rattling sound. I will do the same for Esha. I take one of the long dvisti thigh bones and start working on it. Making a rattling chain for a kit involves a lot of hollowing, and it allows me to sit quietly and watch the humans in the cavern.
One in particular always has my attention. Kira is seated near the banked fire this morning. That she is not in her cave tells me she is looking for someone. That she does not approach me stings, but I’m curious to see who she is waiting for. She looks tired, circles under her eyes, and the colorful, playful streaks I painted on her face last night are gone. Two other humans sit with her, chatting, but she is distant.
When Vektal and Georgie enter the cavern, though, she grows alert. Ah. So she is waiting for the chief. I strain my ears, curious to see what she will say.
She greets Vektal and Georgie easily enough, and then she launches into her plan. “I would like to take a trip to the elders’ cave.”
“The ship?” Georgie asks, curious. “Really? Why?”
Kira looks uncomfortable as she responds. Her body shifts and she touches the silvery shell in her ear. “I’d like to see if I can get this removed. If I can, I’ll need to get the language from the computer there. And I’ve been thinking.” She gestures at the cave. “Look around us. This cave isn’t a natural formation. The doors are too smooth, the ceilings too perfect. I think that when Vektal’s people landed here, they must have found a way to do stone cutting of some kind. I’d like to see if we can do so again. Maybe we can cannibalize parts from the ship and make new cutters. We’ll need more room for everyone.”
Vektal rubs his chin. “It is a good idea.”
“I’ll just need one person as a guide,” she continues on quickly. “Just send me out with one of the hunters and I’m sure I can find my way back once someone shows me the way–”
I’m standing before she can even finish her sentence, my protective instincts getting the better of me. I stride over to where she’s speaking with the chief. Her plan is a mad one. The humans do not know anything about this place. They are not familiar with the snows, the creatures, the dangers. Kira would never make it back if left on her own. I won’t let that happen. “I will take Kira to the elders’ cave.”
She looks over at me in surprise, but I notice she doesn’t protest. She simply firms her little human mouth and then looks at Vektal.
This worries me. She wants to leave so badly she is willing to endure my flirtations? She is indeed troubled by something.
“You should take more,” Vektal instructs. “Other humans need the language as well.”
Kira’s expression grows even more troubled. “Oh, but if it’s a fruitless mission, I don’t wish to waste the time of others. Really, it’s all right.”
“We can keep the group small,” I compromise. “Perhaps three hunters and three humans?”
Vektal nods. “When will you set out?”
I look to Kira.
She looks frustrated. “I would like to go as soon as possible.”
“Tomorrow, then. First light. I’ll ask around and see which hunters wish to go.”
“We have to take two humans?” Kira looks unhappy.
“What’s the matter?” Georgie asks.
Kira gives a quick shake of her head and puts a false smile on her face. “I just hate to waste everyone’s time.”
That’s not it. She’s hiding something, but what it is, I am not sure.
I intend to pry it out of her, though.
• • •
After being pressured, Kira agrees to bring the two humans called Harlow and Claire with us. Harlow is the one with the orange mane and the speckles covering her skin. I remember her because of her unusual coloring. Claire I remember nothing of save that she is extremely quiet. That, and she is apparently sharing furs with Bek whenever she gets a chance.
Bek, of course, immediately volunteers to join us with our traveling party. No doubt he will see this as time to spend with his human lover away from the overcrowding of the cave.
I don’t blame him; it’s why I shadow Kira. In addition to protecting her, I secretly hold out hope that one of my flirty barbs will hit the mark and she will melt in my arms.
I’m less pleased that three other hunters are volunteering to go with us. They do not care that our party is supposed to be small, only that they might get the opportunity to spend some exclusive time with the unattached human women.
“After all,” Harrec says. “Is that not how Raahosh resonated to his woman? He kept her away until she gave in.” He nods at the women preparing their packs nearby. “I would not mind having time alone with one of the women. Perhaps I can convince their khuis that I am ready for a mate.”
I frown at his words. “This is not about mating the females.”
“No? Tell Bek that. He thinks the tiny one with the small voice is his property, for all that they are not properly mated. I’ll stay away from her, though.” He shrugs. “Either one of the others will do for me. The one with the shell in her ear has nice eyes.”
A hot surge of possessiveness blasts through me. “You can go next time,” I lie. “Haeden is coming.” When Harrec starts to protest, I add, “He has to check his traps.” And I storm away, furious that he thinks to approach my Kira.
He just wants a mate – he doesn’t care that Kira’s eyes are sad or that she feels alone. He’s not right for her.
When the other two hunters ask when we are leaving, I give them the same excuse – our party is full. And then I approach Haeden and tell him that I wish for him to join us. My surly friend is not amused.
“You volunteered me?” he asks, sharpening the head of his favorite spear with a stone. “Why?”
“Because you are the only one I trust not to think with your cock when it comes to the human females.” I cross my arms and watch him, trying to keep my voice casual.
He grunts and glances up at me. “You wish to keep them away from the one you picked out, you mean.”
I laugh, because Haeden has always been able to see through me. “Perhaps. But can you blame me?”
The look he gives me is sour. “Which females are going? Is Joh-see?”
“No, she is not.”
“Good.” He stands and blows the bone-dust off of his spear tip. “Then I will go.”
“Did you want her to go? I can speak to Kira…” My voice trails off into a chuckle at the scowl he gives me. “No? Joh-see is harmless.”
“She talks incessantly,” he says in a curt voice, placing a small, leather protective case over the tip of his spear. “Regardless of whether or not I am interested in hearing her words.”
Amusing. “Perhaps if you spoke to her instead of ignoring her, she would realize what an unpleasant fellow you are.”
“And perhaps I should tell Harrec you changed your mind.”
I raise my hands in surrender. “No need to get testy, my friend. Will you join us? We leave in the morning.”
He gives me a quick nod. “But if Joh-see shows up, you are going without me.”
KIRA
As I pack my bag, the translator in my ear makes it impossible not to hear Aehako’s conversation with Haeden. A hot flush covers my cheeks. He’s chasing the other hunters away because he wants to be the one to spend time with me. I’m flattered, e
ven though I tell myself I shouldn’t be. Aehako has no claim on me.
I just…wish he did.
But now the aliens are coming back, and I guess it’s a good thing that I’m alone.
At my side, Harlow makes a face as she tests out one of her snowshoes she’s made. “This one’s splitting, I think. The wood isn’t green enough. Or, um, pink?” She pulls the shoe off and examines it. It’s made from leather straps and the wood from the pink, whippy eyelash trees clustered outside of the caves. “I need a new branch.” She gets to her feet and dusts off her soft leather pants. “You guys want to come with me? We need to make a pair for Claire anyhow.”
I stand, abandoning my pack. The guilty part of me wants to continue to listen in on Aehako’s conversation, but I shouldn’t. “I’ll go with you.” I already have shoes but Claire rarely leaves the cave, so she does not.
“I’ll stay inside,” Claire says in her small voice, and she busily works on repacking her bag. A quick glance around shows Bek hovering nearby. Ah. I shrug on my fur cloak and a pair of mittens, and then get bone-handled knives for myself and Harlow.
We head out of the cave into the snow and walk a bit further down the path, toward the thick copse of the pink, flippy trees. I hear footsteps crunching behind us and know that one of the hunters is shadowing us. They’re always very careful to keep the humans watched – not out of anything negative, but simply because we’re clueless about this world. They don’t want us to get hurt.
Harlow studies the trees. “I wish they had a lot of branches like the trees at home. That would make this so much easier.”
I nod, moving into the ‘forest’ of trees. Some of them have a split branch at the top where it forks outward, but for the most part, the trees are straight up into the air, with just feathery fronds for leaves that jut out of the bark. They do look like one big eyelash covered by a lot of smaller ones. “Let’s just use saplings, then? It’ll be less cutting.”
