Plague of Mybyncia

by C. G. Coppola

  “What?” I frown. “What’re you afraid of?”

  Reid shakes his head; his face tight with sorrow, fear and guilt.

  “He was only trying to goad you,” I glance back over my shoulder. A long minute passes as he focuses on the ground. I inch closer. “Are you okay? Reid?”

  Finally he looks up. “Am I enough for you?”

  “Enough?”

  He only nods once, wanting to say more, but keeps quiet. Anxiously awaiting my answer, all the worry pours out of him, all the fear and heartbreak and suddenly, I understand. He wants to know—am I going to do to him what Ansley did? My entire core aches as I want to cry for Reid, for what he went through, what he felt. He must’ve been devastated—how could I ever do that to him?

  “Ansley was an idiot.”

  “She was… manipulated.”

  “No—an idiot. How she could…” I shake my head, the words burning in my throat. I can’t even bring myself to say it, what she did to him, how she hurt and humiliated him. Someone like Reid doesn’t deserve that. He’s so good and wonderful—he deserves only the best. I’m not sure if that’s me, but I have to comfort him; I have to console him and remind him that I won’t ever do that. It’s impossible. Walking closer, I take his hand, squeezing it. “Ansley made her decision… and I’ve made mine.”

  Reid’s chest expands as he brings my palm to his mouth and gently kisses it. His eyes close and my heart swells, my blood racing as I watch him cradle my hand to his face. “You mean so much to me…” he presses his lips along my palm again, making me tremble, “So much. Tell me how to make you happy. I only want to make you happy.”

  “Y-you do.”

  “Tell me what you want. Anything.”

  I focus on his lips. It’s the only thing I always want—the thing I consistently crave, especially when he stands this close. My request comes out a whisper. “Kiss me.”

  His eyes open, dropping to my mouth. His chest expands again, his breathing coming in labored breaths and slowly he leans in, his hands cradling my face. Softly, his lips brush against mine, my entire body rocked with the gentle heat of his touch. He kisses me sweet and slowly, like it’s the first time, like he’s trying to capture every precious second. I’m melting, pure liquid in his strong arms as he holds me to him, paralyzing me with his mouth.

  He pulls back and I’m short of breath, my heart about to explode with fever. He looks between my eyes, then back to my mouth. Still holding my face, he dives in again, capturing my lips with his. But this time, he walks me back until I hit something hard. A tree. He has me up against one, kissing me urgently but sweetly as I drown in a heated dizziness. His hands slink down to my neck, my skin scorching with his touch.

  I open my mouth and his tongue slides in, stroking and caressing mine, lighting me on fire. My knees weaken, my blood boiling as we continue the slow, tortuous dance from yesterday. I’m getting to the same point—the same out of control, unable-to-stop myself place. I want him. I need him. Now. And with the way he’s holding me, like he needs it too—I’m about to combust. His hands drop to my hips, his hot lips quickly moving to my neck.

  “Make love to me…” my words slip out.

  Reid stops and pulls back. His dark eyes flicker between mine, reading their request. A moment of indecision crosses his lips and suddenly a tremor of fear runs through me.

  “What?”

  “You sure?”

  I nod, but after another silent moment, I bite my lip. “If you don’t want—”

  “I do,” he leans in, “Jesus, more than anything,” a lump rolls down his throat as he presses his forehead against mine. “I’ve wanted you again since Harrizel. I’ve wanted it every day… you have no idea how…” he shuts his eyes, playing through some internal argument. A beat and he opens them again, gazing at me, “I wasn’t sure how long I needed, how long I’d have to wait before…” he shakes his head, “but I can’t wait anymore.”

  “If you need more time—”

  “Fallon,” he breathes, his powerful eyes holding mine. “I don’t need more time. I need…” he gulps, suddenly dropping to his knees in front of me. Hooking his fingers into my panties, he peels them down my legs and already shaking, I step out of them. Standing again, he runs his hands along my backside and swiftly lifts me up, pinning me against the tree. “Wrap your legs around me.”

  My heart races, my blood boiling as I do what he says. Eye to eye, our brows touch as I watch another lump roll down his throat. His chest expands and after a quick maneuver, I feel him between my legs. He looks into my eyes and in this heated, heavy moment, I’m lost to him.

  “Ready?”

  I nod and, ever so slowly, he slides inside me, filling my body in the most glorious way. His mouth drops open, a silent groan of pleasure rippling across his handsome face. He places one hand on the tree behind me and holding me with his other, he begins to rock his hips against mine.

  “Reid…” I bite my lip, already drowned in this fire, my entire body thriving and glowing as he buries himself deep within me. Gripping him, I try not to cry out with everything I’m feeling, every spike of swelling deliciousness that sweeps up my body as he moves inside me.

  Reid pants against my neck, trying to keep quiet but a soft groan escapes. Something takes over in him and he starts moving faster, thrusting harder as he pins me with his hips. He needs this—he’s needed this… and so have I. Suddenly, I’m unable to see or feel anything other than him. I’m lost to the world outside of Reid; his body moving inside mine is the only reality left. He groans again and I’m rising higher and higher, his heavy panting fueling every nerve of my body. I’m nearly there, at the peak of everything beautiful and real, about to topple over into the glorious valley below.

  “Fuck…” he croaks.

  I grip his hair, my mouth dropping open in a silent scream. With the way he’s moving, thrusting inside me like his life depended on it, I can’t help it. I close my eyes and come apart, shattering into a million tiny pieces of white glowing wonderment.

  It’s all spectacle, all blinding fireworks and for a moment, I’m not sure I survived. But as I’m coming down and drifting back to my energized skin, I open my eyes to find Reid’s strained mouth hanging open. And suddenly, he pulls out of me, placing me on my feet. His body convulses as he spills between us, his labored breaths still coming hard. I watch wide-eyed at his release, somehow even more turned on and unable to look away.

  Once he’s done, and his body has stilled from all the aftershocks, he looks up, focusing on me. I’m paralyzed, lost in his gaze and it takes the tree behind me to keep from falling. Closing the distance between us, Reid sweeps me up, squeezing me into a tight hug. His entire body is one solid mass of muscle, and it’s wrapped around me like a vise. I can’t breathe—not from his hold, but from what it does to me. Reid is gripping me like a life line, like he’s afraid to go, like he wants this to last forever.

  “Baby?” I whisper.

  Still clutching me, he nuzzles into my neck, inhaling. “You have no idea…” he whispers, “no idea what you mean to me...”

  My heart races, my need to know pushing me to ask. “What?”

  “The world,” his voice is soft. “Everything,” he pulls back and with a deep inhale, he gazes at me. A lump rolls down his throat as his eyes flicker between mine. “You are the second chance I prayed for, Fallon. It was you.”

  I want to cry with joy, with gratitude for him, for being able to call him mine. I did nothing to deserve this wonderful man but he’s here, giving himself to me, choosing me. Unbidden, a small tear rolls down my cheek. He brushes his thumb over it, planting a gentle kiss in its place.

  “I mean it,” he says. “You’re it.”

  “You’re it,” I smile, my voice shaky with elation, “…for me. When you told me you couldn’t… that you had a fiancé…” I gulp, trying to find my words and suddenly, they come gushing out of me, a waterfall of emotions I wasn’t prepared for. “I didn’t know what to do.
You were promised to some other girl, and it was…” my chest tightens, “devastating. You picked her and I didn’t know what to do…”

  He frowns, watching as the words I never meant to use come tumbling out.

  “I wasn’t sure what would happen. How could you leave some girl you already loved? And for me?” I sniffle, stepping back. “Who am I? You didn’t even know me and you were planning a life with her. I still don’t understand why you—”

  “Fallon,” Reid cuts me off, wiping another tear from my cheek, “there was never any choice.”

  “What?” I sniffle again.

  He holds my face in his hands, his eyes flickering between mine, making sure I understand. “There was never any choice,” he inhales, his voice softening. “It was always you.”

  My heart sings and suddenly, Reid picks me up in another tight embrace, holding me to him. He presses our bodies together and I’m melting, pure liquid in his strong arms. After another long moment, he places me down again, still squeezing us tight, “always you…”

  “What’re you guys doing?” Pratt asks.

  “Nothing,” I wipe my eyes quickly as Reid jets back from me. “Just taking a break.”

  “Where’s uh...” he clears his throat, looking over Pratt’s shoulder, “Mae?”

  “Talking to Vix, I think,” she glances back, following his focus. “Sampson asked that I find you. Wanted to make sure you and Walker weren’t off fighting somewhere.”

  “No. Not tonight.”

  “Okay…” she glances at me, a frown forming. “You sure you’re okay?”

  I nod, wiping my eyes dry again. “Great.”

  “Okay…” her mouth turns into a mischievous smile as Reid threads his fingers in mine. “Well… I guess I’ll leave you to… whatever you’re doing…” she snickers to herself, walking back toward the lit clearing ahead.

  Once she’s gone, Reid turns to me. Cradling my face in his hands once more, he leans in and captures my lips with his. The kiss is soft and slow and burns me from the inside out, leaving me absolutely breathless. Just as my heart starts racing again, he drops to his knees in front of me and reaches for my panties that he discarded around the tree. “Let’s get these back on you before anyone else comes knocking.”

  “If you insist,” I step into them.

  “I don’t,” he kisses my knees, sending goose bumps over my skin. He slides the fabric back up my legs and once they’re in place, he brushes his lips against my cheek. I close my eyes, absorbing the feeling, thanking the universe for this. For him.

  “Come on,” he whispers, threading his fingers with mine. “We should find the others.”

  “Why?”

  “Because,” he laughs, “if we don’t leave now, I won’t be able to.”

  “Okay,” I open my eyes. “Let’s stay here forever.”

  His smile weakens, as if he’s actually contemplating the idea. Would we be able to forget everything else, everyone else and just stay here? Together? Is that possible? Reid looks like he wants to ask if I’m serious because… maybe he is. Maybe there’s no point going forward when we’ve found the perfect spot.

  “We will,” he leans in and kisses my forehead. “I promise.” Tightening his fingers around mine, he finally withdraws. “Come on.”

  Reluctantly I follow, gazing at Reid as he leads me from the tree. My chest swells, a deep ache growing inside me as I watch him, watch our hands clutching one another. It’s hard to breathe as I realize what I did once before, back on Harrizel. This man… I’m in love with this man. Unconditionally, overemotionally… he really is it for me. Imagining life without Reid… it’s impossible. It’s a choking fear to think any sort of future could exist without him. I guess I was afraid to really acknowledge this, not since Harrizel, when we got our memories back. When he told me he couldn’t. Because even though I didn’t admit it then—to him or myself—it crippled me. He’s too much not to have and until now, I wouldn’t allow myself to really believe it. That it could end up this way—us together. Him actually choosing me. But it happened.

  Reid chose me.

  “Where have you two been?” Able raises a playful brow as we approach the small circle of Rogues near one of the bone lamp posts.

  Reid brings our entwined fingers up to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. Grinning from ear to ear, he glances back to me and all I can do is blush.

  “Ah…” Jace laughs, looking to the other Rogues. “Told you so. Good for you,” he cups Reid’s shoulder, “that should shut Walker up for a while.”

  “Speaking of the devil,” Reid’s face hardens as he glances around, “where is he?”

  “Off with Zeed and Perry somewhere,” Tucker says. “Left after you and Fallon did.”

  “Guess we’re not as good company,” Able shrugs with a sigh. “Boss—you alright, man? Sorry Walker was being such a dick earlier.”

  “Assholes are assholes,” Reid shrugs, gripping my hand tighter. “So, what’s the plan for the rest of the night?”

  “Not much of a plan,” Able glances to where Sampson, Clarence and Vix are standing. “Sampson wants us to start heading back soon. Especially before,” he gestures to Jace next to him, “someone starts up with the ladies.”

  “What’re you talking about?” Jace crosses his arms. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

  “Yeah,” Able scoffs. “For now. Doesn’t mean you won’t disappear for twenty minutes.”

  “Only need ten,” he winks, scanning the nearby girls as he tugs on his chin, considering. A small group of barely covered tribe girls pass, long dark hair flowing down their slender backs. They smile at Jace, giggling as they leave.

  “Really?” Able grunts. “I’ve been here for two weeks and they’re looking at you?”

  “Got to know how to put it out there, Commander.”

  “I put it out there,” he mumbles, crossing his arms with a sulk.

  Jace throws his arm over Able’s shoulder with a laugh, “we’ll work on it when we get back. Cool?”

  Able nods as the three Dofinikes approach, Sampson looking between us. “I hope everyone has enjoyed themselves, and maybe, had enough celebration for the night?”

  “Oh… I don’t know,” Jace grins, spying the group of girls a few feet behind the Fychu. “I could still manage another ten minutes.”

  “Perhaps you can save it for the next celebration. It’s very late and we must be up early tomorrow. As Tucker has his own home now, we will be spending the night there. Tucker,” Sampson turns to him, “you did outstanding today. Truly.”

  “Indeed,” Clarence nods in agreement. “Not a doubt in my mind, son.”

  “Thanks.”

  “So,” Sampson looks around, “let’s grab Pratt and Mae and get some sleep. It’s been a long day and we have an even longer one awaiting us tomorrow.”

  “We leaving early?” Able asks.

  “First thing.”

  “Well,” he looks around with a sad nod. “Guess it’s time I finally left this place.”

  “Yeah, but we’ll be back here in no time. There’s uh…” Jace glances around, pausing on the same cluster of tribesgirls, “definite reason to return.”

  “Way to focus on the important things, Commander.”

  “It’s what I do,” he winks. “It’s what I do.”

  ***

  “All ready?” Clarence asks.

  We’re on the forest ground again, surrounded by half of Zinnollo’s population. Located within the thick trunks and surrounded by the low hanging, tear-drop leaves, we’re close to the same place the Zingfinolds captured us two days ago. We’re all in our earth clothes except for Able, who never had the opportunity to get his post-Vermix invasion. They’ll probably be gone forever, or until we return to Harrizel. Even so, the Vermix probably would’ve torched all the remains. But at least his Zingfinold apparel isn’t as bad as Pratt or Mae’s.

  They’re still wearing the traditional Zingfinold tribal wear. What’s it going to be like without them? The
re will be a huge lack of estrogen. I can deal with that—it’s not like I’m not used to it. But I’m going to miss them. I’ll have Ariana and the queen of course, and I know we’ll be back here soon but still… I feel weird leaving Pratt and Mae behind.

  “Everyone who should be going, at least,” Sampson clarifies and doing a final sweep over me and the Rogues, he nods. “Looks like it.”

  “Fychu,” the king offers a slight nod before turning his focus on the Rouge Leader. “Brother Tucker. We wait you return.”

  “Many thanks for your hospitality,” Sampson offers a return bow, the bag of Nazuals strung to his chest. “We trust in your protection and guidance over our friends,” he gestures to Pratt and Mae, Walker and Perry.

  “They be watched over.”

  “Very good.”

  “How long you be gone?”

  Sampson takes a breath, considering, “Not terribly long. I would estimate maybe a few days. A week at the most.”

  “A whole week?” Mae frowns, glancing nervously to Pratt.

  “We’ll be back as soon as we can,” Clarence assures them both with a wink. He heads toward Sampson, Vix and the Rogues, motioning for the rest of us to gather for departure but I jet past him quickly, stopping in front of Pratt. I can’t leave without saying something. But what’s appropriate at a time like this?

  “Hey kid,” I elbow her side. “Try not to miss me too much.”

  “Try not to miss me. And uh…” she shrugs, kicking the ground, “tell Ariana I say hi, okay?”

  “You got it,” I turn to Mae who dons a worrisome frown. Placing my hands on her shoulders, I keep my voice soft and reassuring like my words. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll be back soon and Walker will watch over you.”

  “Sure will,” he winks. “You got nothing to worry about.”