Mating Rituals

by Tina Gayle

  The table set. She claimed her seat and spread her dinner-cloth over her lap, then responded. “Where is she?”

  He sat opposite her. “It seems Stihl caught up with her on her way to Central City. She’s staying with him now.” He took the plate she handed to him. “They’re headed out to the Trisar Mine.” He couldn’t hold back the grin at his daughter’s cleverness. “Makes me wonder how she arranged it.”

  Marohka had also assured him she’d take care of the problem at the mine. His daughter wouldn’t let him down. He filled his plate from the dishes on the table.

  Kaysay picked up her fork and paused before eating. “Vin, you can’t expect her to still run your company. She’s a girl. No, she’s a woman. Her place is with her mate, not doing a job for you.”

  “Why?” Vin caught her hand and kissed it. “You’ve been working for me for years designing jewelry. You’ve been able to do both. Why can’t she?”

  Kaysay smiled at his praise. “But most people, in fact even Marohka, don’t see it as a job. They think of it more as a hobby, something I do to pass the time. In my daughter’s eyes, I care for the house, cater to your every wish, and change my grandchildren’s nappies. It’s not the kind of life she wants.”

  “That’s not true.” His wife and daughter, so much alike in both beauty and temperament, didn’t give each other enough credit. “Marohka thinks you’re very talented. Whenever she unearths a stone of high quality, she always suggests you design the setting for it.”

  “All right, but give her a little space.” Kaysay laid her hand on his arm. “She’s on an adventure of discovery to see what she’s been missing. Stihl has to be her number one priority. Even if you don’t want to, you have to set her free.”

  Kaysay shook her head and whispered, “I’m losing her too.”

  Hurt swam in the depths of her eyes. His Kaysay would never know how much pain he’d suffer by letting Stihl claim his baby girl, or that it was part of the reason he’d decided to sell the company.

  Without Marohka, his world would change. Maybe not in a day, or even a year, but her grit supported the backbone of their company, was the glue which held it all together. He’d never be able to run the business without her help. Still, he longed for Marohka to find true happiness. That’s why he’d let Stihl claim her as his mate.

  “She’s . . . the last one to leave.”

  When she placed her hand on his cheek, Vin knew Kaysay shared his feelings of loss. “I know. Now, they’re all truly gone.”

  He tugged her close and kissed her lips. After an iton, he released her, but Kaysay held on and deepened the kiss. Need filled the empty space of Marohka’s leaving. The tingle of sexual desire forced him to tighten his arms.

  He released her lips, and she groaned in protest. “Maybe we should go out tonight. I have something I want to tell you.” His eyebrows lifted to suggest other things.

  “You heard from the Council of Elders?”

  “No, they haven’t decided on the appointment yet.”

  “Then what is it?” Kaysay squeezed his shoulders and climbed onto his lap. Her mind probed his.

  Vin surveyed her loving face and slid his hands around her waist. He could never keep a secret from his wife for long. “I’ve decided if the university appointment comes through, I’m selling my father’s company.” He waited.

  Her face flashed her emotions from shock to disbelief then to joy. “That’s wonderful.”

  Her arms circled his neck. For a moment, Vin hugged her close before he covered her lips with his. This woman still set him on fire, no matter the number of years they’d been together. She knew his faults and loved him anyway. The pictures of failure he’d envisioned in the past faded from his mind. Other scenes flashed instead.

  Kaysay shifted back with a wicked grin. “What if I don’t want to wait?”

  “A little tussle in the middle of the day.” Vin lifted his wife off his lap and stood. “Might be just what we need.”

  When his hands touched her again, a blaze of sexual heat sizzled through his brain, followed by a flash of terror. Her hands landed on his chest.

  Unprepared, he flew through the air and hit the wall. With him sprawled across the floor, she quickly straddled his waist. He tried to control her actions. Not by capturing her hands, which raced across his chest and tore at the fabric of his shirt—No, her mind was the prize he sought to conquer.

  Pictures of Kaysay in bed alone, of meals with her sitting by herself, sped through his head. Loneliness, a dark, evil figure, stepped up next to her. The demon, ready to pounce, held her under its spell.

  “Kaysay, just because I’m changing jobs doesn’t mean you’ll spend more time alone. It should give us more time together.”

  The dark figure flickered. Vin grabbed her and, using a quick maneuver learned from years of similar encounters, rolled her to the floor. They landed beneath the table. She squirmed and fought his touch, igniting his desire. She used all her strength to throw him off and unseat him from his position.

  “You won’t win.” His thoughts overtook hers, sending a very different vision into her head.

  Her mind viewed the changes in the scene, and she moaned. “Vin, I need you.”

  The words resounded in his soul, and he covered her lips with his while he seduced her mind with erotic ideas.

  * * * *

  A small group of campers traveled noisily down the outback trail on their way to the bottom of the canyon before Hank walked over to check Cyd’s mount. The wind whispered through the needles on the trees, kissing Marohka’s cheeks and blowing her multicolored hair around her head.

  Positioned next to her mount, she gazed across the wide expanse of land at the crystal-clear sky, which acted like a backdrop to the multicolored strata of rock. The canyon, with its tall walls etched by an eternity of time, glittered in the sunlight. Breathtaking beauty sparkled around her, disturbed only by the men’s conversation.

  “On each alba-ox is a med-pack for emergencies. This time of year is always a little dangerous—mating season, you know.” Hank, the six leg-length yeti, grinned.

  “You boys, of course, won’t have any trouble, seeing as you were raised out here,” Hank continued, “but you never know. The alba-oxen are restless and been acting up a bit for the last couple of zitons. There’s probably a lady in need in the area.”

  “Is the trail good?” Cyd stored their bags on the extra alba-ox.

  “Steady. With no rain, there haven’t been any washouts.” Hank added, “If the weather holds, you should make it to the mining camp before dark.”

  Marohka ignored the men and examined the rest of the outpost. On the edge of civilization, these buildings marked the start of the wilderness area of Lustralia. Few people knew the joy of viewing the outback from the cliff trail. Most considered the adventure a high-risk sport.

  The trail, which was only accessible by the huge four-legged alba-oxen who possessed the ability to free fall or semi-fly to the bottom of the canyon, could be dangerous. If the animal stepped off the weathered path, the rider’s chances of making it down safely were iffy.

  “Also, thanks for taking this delivery.” Hank’s voice floated on the wind. “It’ll save me a trip.”

  “No problem,” Cyd answered. “Can you give me the cabin code?”

  The dangerous part of the trails excited most travelers. What they really disliked were the alba-oxen. Hairy and smelly, they weren’t elegant or beautiful creatures. Domesticated for the task of transporting travelers across the outback, they provided a much-needed service.

  Marohka, on the other hand, liked the stinky beasts because they carried her away from the city. Once out in the wild country, the choker hold of responsibility loosened its hold on her throat, and she could finally breathe. She released a long sigh and strolled to the railing. Rock, gravel, and dust crunched beneath her feet.

  In the distance, large deep caverns marked the landscape like wrinkles on an old man’s face. Character and histo
ry lay in each line, each one telling its own story. Marohka longed for the peace she’d find on the trail.

  “Marohka, are you ready to go?” Stihl’s voice hit her from behind.

  Turning, she caught sight of him strolling in her direction. For the last ziton, she’d been struggling not to notice his sexy form. Cranky and difficult, he’d done nothing but bark orders and rush both Cyd and herself. Even if he was upset because she’d fallen asleep on the couch after his massage, it wasn’t an excuse for being so grumpy. She hadn’t done it on purpose.

  “I’m ready,” Marohka said.

  His powerful legs closed the distance between them, and her mind replayed the scene of him lying on the bed beneath her hands. The vision reminded Marohka of why she’d been avoiding him. Every time he stepped near her, images of his naked body, strong and warm and oh-so inviting, flashed in her head. She ached to touch him to see if the same silky skin lay just beneath the cloth of his shirt. A man, so heavenly to caress, seemed beyond the realm of possibilities.

  “Marohka?”

  Stihl repeated her name. She shook her head and realized with shock that she’d been staring at his chest and hadn’t answered his questions. “Yes?”

  “If you’re ready, I’ll help you into your saddle.” Stihl’s hand circled her arm, and he led her to her mount. “Cyd will lead the way with the extra alba-oxen following him. Then you’ll go, and I’ll bring up the rear. Hopefully, we’ll make good time and be at the mining camp in a few zitons.”

  Stopping next to her alba-ox, Stihl lowered his voice and added, “After the trip, I’ll pay you back for your earlier massage by rubbing any sore muscles you might have.”

  Not a request, but a promise, determination lit his eyes. His patience tested to its limits, his intentions of having her in the near future was evident in his attitude.

  Unwilling to show how intimidated she was by his remark, Marohka laid her hand on his shoulder and placed her foot in his cupped hands. “Seems only fair. Then I’ll be able to relax and get a good night’s sleep.”

  His muscles bunched, and he lifted her into the saddle. He guided her foot into the stirrup, and his hand slid around her ankle. “Sleep isn’t exactly what I had in mind.”

  Heat traveled up Marohka’s leg and settled in the pit of her stomach. “After the trip, it’ll be all you have energy for.” Marohka gathered up the reins.

  “I wouldn’t bet on it.” Stihl’s eyes twinkled with a challenge before he turned and walked to his own mount.

  She’d managed to avoid him for a while, but the chances of her continuing to delay him, weren’t very high. By Lustralia’s laws, they were married, which gave him every right to bond.

  How much time did she have?

  * * * *

  In line behind Cyd a ziton later, Marohka rode her alba-ox along the path, eating the dust rising from the trail.

  Her thoughts kept returning to the massage she’d given Stihl. A mere touch from him created a hunger inside her that called to her basic needs.

  A quick glimpse at him, and desire ate at her senses. The problem stemmed from her career. If she chose to blend with him, would he allow her to continue to work? Or had he said that just to secure their relationship? Unwilling to risk it, Marohka wondered if she could continue to avoid him. She felt honor bound to uphold the deal she’d made.

  But the option of not making love to him wasn’t feasible either, not after today’s session. She lacked the strength to resist. If he turned up the heat, she’d melt under his charm. Her only hope was to delay their blending.

  The steady rhythm of the alba-ox and the gentle breeze on her face helped her come to terms with the situation. Maybe she could enjoy Stihl and maintain her independence, too.

  No law said she had to blend with him to enjoy his body. Why not take what he offered and simply not give him access to her heart. The task might require a certain amount of determination, but what other choice did she have.

  The rough terrain drew her attention. Steep cliffs, colorful rocks, and budding trees helped to settle her worried mind. A powerful force created such a spectacular landscape, that her problem appeared small and unimportant in relation to such wonders.

  She kept her mount close to the extra alba-oxen. Every so often, she glanced back to make sure Stihl traveled behind her on the path. The narrow trail didn’t allow them to ride side by side. With the roar of the wind and the sound of the alba-oxen’s steps on the rough ground, they couldn’t talk much either.

  The alba-oxen in front of her stumbled over the trail. Its wings opened. After a few little gliding jumps, the animal settled back onto the path. Her steed jerked on the reins and danced through a rough spot on the trail. She tightened her grip. “Cyd, what’s got the animals spooked?”

  “Hank says there might be a female in the area,” Cyd called over his shoulder. “She’s hiding somewhere out here, but I can’t imagine where.”

  She surveyed the shear drops on both sides of the path. A wrong step in either direction meant the canyon floor would be the final destination. A large animal had nowhere to hide on the trail. But if the males were picking up her scent from the wind, the female alba-oxen might be miles away.

  “Marohka, pull back a little from the extra mount. It’ll give your mount a little more room,” Stihl called.

  She wrapped her hands around her reins, and she tugged until her mount returned to its gentle canter. After a few itons, she commented, “I think they’re settling down now. It’s probably just something in the air.”

  Right after the words left her mouth, her alba-ox danced over the trail, took a small hop, and dove off the cliff, throwing her forward. The reins fell from her hands. Frantic to regain her balance, she groped the hair on the animal’s neck. Her heart raced with her fear of falling from the saddle. The alba-ox working to regain its footing and placed a few jerky steps on the rough rocks on the side of the cliff.

  Marohka wiggled in her saddle to maintain her balance. Her mount expanded its wings and pumped the air around them. The full span of the alba-ox’s wings forced her feet to slide free of her stirrups. Wind whipped past her face, tangling her hair and blurring her vision. The rocky cliff sped past her on their steady descent to the floor of the canyon. If she fell off her alba-ox, she wouldn’t survive.

  She clutched for the dangling reins. Her feet slid along rough fur. She managed to stay in her saddle by using the animal’s wings as footholds. The alba-ox thrashed its head back and forth, not liking the tight hold she had on the reins or her feet on its wings. With no other choice, Marohka fought the bucking and bouncing action of the alba-ox to stay in her seat.

  Suddenly, the animal’s wings dipped and veered to the left, just missing a large boulder projecting out of the rock face. She slid from her saddle. Her head connected with the leg of her mount. Darkness fell. Her mind shifted. A new set of pictures sped through her head.

  A dry wind brushed her cheek. The power of victory rushed through her system. The finish line in sight, she smelled the sweet adulation of victory. Elated, she scanned the horizon of her bright new future full of promise and hope.

  A desert filled with white sand stretched out in front of her. An oasis flickered in the distance. Luscious fruit hung from the trees. A pool of crystal-clear water sparkled in the sun. The beautiful haven enticed her forward. Paradise registered in her head, and triumph rang its sweet song in her ears.

  Racing across the sand, she realized time was slipping away. The heat from the sun, the dry blade of the wind on her face, the blankness of her surroundings weighed on her steps slowed her. She couldn’t move, couldn’t reach the goal. Something held her back.

  The cheers, the crowds, the people. Where were they?

  A rock mocked. “You desired your independence. Now you’re all alone to enjoy it.”

  She trudged slowly onto the soft grass of her private sanctuary. Her heart fell. Water sang from a spring, tinkling a melody of welcome to her tired feet. She sank onto the we
t sand, closed her eyes, and wept. Battle won, victory empty.

  “Would you like some tea? I can make it myself.”

  The voice rang through a dark gray haze. Marohka shook her head to clear her thoughts. She opened her eyes and saw a smiling young face. Curly brown hair, a dimple on her right cheek, a cute little girl of about four, maybe five, dressed in a pink lacy pinafore, stood in front of her.

  “Who are you?” Marohka sat on a leather sofa, taking in the place. A warm fire burned in a stone fireplace, sending a woodsy aroma through the room. Rugs graced the floors. A cotton-stuffed doll sat on a rocker grinning. The homey aura relaxed her senses.

  The little girl giggled. “Mommy, don’t tease me.”