by M. J. Haag
The chilly temperature hit me like a fist, and I came up gasping and squealing. Drav’s warm arms immediately wrapped around me, and I clung to the only source of heat.
“Did you hurt yourself?” he asked, concern clipping his words.
“Yes! This is f-fucking cold!” I attempted to wipe water from my face as I wrapped my legs around his waist. He held me close and rubbed my back as I shook.
“Why would anyone bathe in this?”
His lips skimmed my neck in a very pleasant way. Yet, as much as he’d interested me outside of the water, the temperature had helped cool that.
“I’m not trying to play hard to get or anything, but if I stay in this water too long, I might end up with hypothermia. Can you show me how to wash so we can get out?”
His immediate alarm assured me he understood. Keeping his hold on me, he swam to the other side then started crushing leaves again. His body heat made the water barely tolerable, so I continued to cling to him while he washed my hair for me. When it came time to rinse, I hesitated, not wanting to submerge again. However, it didn’t feel as shocking the second time, which worried me.
Hating to give up my only source of warmth, I moved out of his arms enough to remove my underwear and finished washing in a hurry.
“Drav,” a voice called.
I froze and stared at Drav with wide, panicked eyes. The water lapped at my collarbones, covering me. But I couldn’t stay in the water much longer. With an arm looped around Drav’s neck for support, I turned to look at the opposite bank.
Molev stood there with my shirt pressed to his nose.
“Oh, c-come on,” I stuttered. However, I got over my annoyance rather quickly when I saw he held a clean shirt in his other hand.
“I’m d-done,” I said to Drav.
He crossed the pool of water with me wrapped around him.
“Mya would like you to turn around. Looking at her without clothes makes her uncomfortable,” Drav said before I could.
I pressed a quick kiss to his jaw in appreciation while Molev turned around without complaint. Drav lifted me out of the water and set me on the bank. The warmer air made the shivering worse and without Drav’s hand, I wouldn’t have been able to stand. His gaze swept over me, and I didn’t miss the irony of what he’d just said to Molev. Drav’s gaze no longer made me uncomfortable, though. Besides, I looked my fill, too. The water had done nothing to wither his desire for me.
Ignoring his heated expression, I gestured at the clean shirt in Molev’s hand.
“Can I wear that?”
The man said something in their language.
“He brought it for you,” Drav said.
“Thank you,” I said, plucking the shirt from his fingers.
Molev began talking again, his tone conversational, unlike when I’d heard him at the tree.
“Can you tell me what he’s saying?” I asked Drav just before I tugged the shirt on over my wet skin. The soft, dry material fell to my knees, giving me enough cover that I tossed my wet underwear to my pile of dirty clothes.
Drav made no move to dress or hide what the water hadn’t cooled.
“He heard what happened at the meal and came to congratulate me,” he said, translating. “He also wanted to see you without clothes.”
“Not happening,” I muttered, gathering up my things.
Molev turned around and waved at the dirty garments while speaking.
“Leave them,” Drav said. “Grio and Limar will wash them.”
I dropped the pile again. If someone else wanted to wash my stuff, fine by me. I just wanted to get warm.
“Please tell me you have blankets hidden around here somewhere.”
“We do,” Drav said. “May I carry you back?”
“Please.”
He had me up in his arms, but thankfully didn’t run. The wind on my wet hair would have made my chill worse. Molev fell into step beside Drav. While they walked, they talked. Mostly Molev asked questions that Drav answered with descriptions of the surface. However, when he said no animals existed above, I had to correct him.
“They exist. They just ran off when the earthquakes happened. I’m not sure where they went. Actually, we did see that normal dog, remember?” I said, looking up at Drav. “And it isn’t just my world, it’s our world. Yours and mine. The crystal showed me that you had all come from the surface, too. Your own people trapped you down here and took your memories. If you came up to the surface and let my people get to know you, I think you’d like it up there.”
Molev grunted but said nothing. At the base of the tree, he waved us off and I closed my eyes. Tucking my face against Drav, I waited for the breeze to stop.
“We’re here, Mya.”
I opened my eyes and looked around in surprise. The burl had my bag but looked nothing like it had previously. Numerous crystal lanterns lay scattered about the room, giving everything a pretty, soft glow. And everything included a mound of cloth stacked on the bed.
“What is that?” I asked.
“The material we use to make our clothes. It’s all we have that is close to blankets.”
“You don’t use blankets?”
“No.”
Damn.
“Let me know who I need to thank for bringing them here.”
“Probably Kerr. While we were traveling, he noticed you became cold easily.”
I owed Kerr big time. Without waiting for an invitation, I walked over to the bed and burrowed in under half the pieces, using the bottom half as a cushion. Still shivering, I looked up at Drav and lifted the covers.
“You joining me?”
He smiled and climbed in next to me. His body heat, and his hands gently rubbing my arms, helped warm me. In the soft light, we stared at each other. I wanted him to kiss me again. A lot. And that troubled me.
“I thought you’d be all over me after I gave you permission,” I said.
“I want to, but you look sad. I don’t want you to take your permission away.”
“I won’t. I’m just…I don’t know where this is going to go,” I said. “Not right now, this moment, but in the long run. My people are afraid of you guys now. Of you, the hellhounds, and the infected. People in fear do stupid things. They don’t think. And that scares me as much as it scares you. But not enough to hide away forever.”
I sighed and snuggled in against his chest.
“I don’t want to stay down here,” I said, softly. “I want to go back to the surface with you. Both our kinds belong up there. But, what if my people see you and try hurting you again? I don’t want you hurt. And I don’t want you hurting any of them. We’re not like you. When you rip off our heads, that’s it. That’s the end.”
I pulled back and looked into his eyes as I said what was really on my mind.
“That ache you feel? I feel it, too. More each day. And I think that ache is going to cause us both problems.”
“We will face any problems together,” he said. “I will keep you safe.”
He pressed his lips to mine, a gentle kiss, then tucked me more securely against his bare chest.
“Rest, Mya. We will talk more when you wake.”
Snuggling close, I closed my eyes and let his warmth lull me. I wasn’t quite asleep when he whispered,“Do I still have permission to touch you?”
“Yes,” I said softly.
His hand crept under my shirt, and he lay his palm against my breast. It felt hot compared to my skin and oh so good.
“Thank you for asking.”
“Thank you for saying yes.”
* * * *
I woke with a headache and groaned. The murmur of masculine voices nearby quieted.
“Are you hungry?” Drav asked.
When I lifted my head, I saw he’d dressed. He and Molev stood on the far side of the room next to my bag.
“No, I’m okay. What’s going on?” I asked, feeling oddly exposed. I tugged the covers more securely around my waist as I sat up. It was weird knowing the
y’d been having a conversation in here while I still slept.
“Molev has suggested that we go to Lacus.”
“What’s Lacus, and why do we need to go?”
“It is like an ocean but not so big. We don’t need to go. He thought you might enjoy seeing it.”
“A lake?”
“Yes,” Drav said with a smile.
“Where is it?”
“Outside of the city. Only one rest away if I carry you.”
Outside of the city meant hellhound lands. But it also meant we would be that much closer to the surface tunnels. With the men being told to return, we might run into some who had news about up top. I hoped the bombings had stopped.
It wasn’t only the thought of news that had me considering. A trip anywhere would mean more alone time with Drav. After giving him permission to touch me, I really wanted more time together.
“What would we be doing at this lake?”
“Noodling,” Drav said with a smile, making my heart thump just a little harder because he’d remembered.
Molev glanced at Drav with confusion, and I snorted.
“Molev also said that by the time we return from the lake, the rest of the men should be back with information. If we went, you would not be bothered by the new men, and I can teach you how we fish.”
I’d already decided it was a good idea, but knowing it would get me away from the sniffing, stares, and attempts to see what lay beneath my clothes sealed the deal.
“It would be just me and you?” I asked, just to be sure.
“Yes.”
“Wouldn’t that be too dangerous?”
“I will keep you safe, Mya. We will only travel the lit caverns.”
I nodded.
“Okay. Well, I need my clothes.” I looked at my bag sitting near their feet. Drav picked it up and handed it to me. However, neither of them seemed ready to leave once I had new clothes out. I looked at them expectantly and arched a brow.
Drav grunted.
“Do you wish for us to turn around?”
“Yes.”
Molev did without hesitation, but Drav moved a little bit slower. Poor guy. I told him he had permission then made him turn away. I’d need to explain that permission only worked when we were alone.
After changing in record time, I told them it was okay to look again then shouldered my bag.
“Leave that, Mya,” Drav said gently. “We need to travel light, and we will find food on the way.”
“Oh.” It made sense since Drav had to carry me. But, I hesitated to just leave the bag in his doorless hut. I didn’t want anything to happen to it while we were away. It had my phone, my life line to contacting Ryan when we got back to the surface.
“Mya?”
“I’m being silly, but will my bag be safe here?” Drav had said stealing was forbidden, but I needed their word.
“Yes, it is safe. No one will use our room.”
“Okay.” Setting the bag on the bed, I went to him. “Let’s go noodling.”
Thirteen
Drav ran tirelessly through the lit cavern. Instead of focusing on my niggling headache, I studied him. The strong line of his jaw. His proud nose. The curve of his lower lip. I couldn’t ignore the pulse of desire that shot through me at the thought of having him to myself for the next couple of days. Suppressing a grin, I began to play with the hair at the back of his neck.
He glanced down at me, then my boobs, then back up again. Having fun, I reached a little higher and trailed a finger along the edge of his opposite ear. His speed decreased.
“Don’t slow down,” I said. “I want to get to our resting spot so we can kiss some more.”
Wind lashed at me as he sprinted, and I laughed.
It didn’t seem to take too long before he stopped.
“We will rest here,” he said firmly.
The bright light of the cavern seemed to make my head thump a little worse, but I determinedly ignored it as Drav eased me to my feet.
“Was this the place you had in mind or are you improvising because you want a kiss?”
“Improvising.” That was the last word he said before his lips claimed mine.
The heat of his kiss burned away thoughts of headaches, bombings, missing family, and hellhounds. Nothing else existed but me and the man whose hands smoothed down the curve of my back to cup my butt. I let him explore, reveling in the feel of his firm touch. All his caresses sent sparks of fire into my already heated blood.
His lips left mine, and he looked down at me.
“Wherever you go, I will follow and keep you safe. Whatever you need, I will provide it for you. I am yours Mya, in every lifetime.”
He said the words with such burning intensity, my insides melted further. How could someone so different come to mean so much to me? I didn’t know.
“And I’m yours,” I said, heart pounding.
I loved the way he kissed me and touched me and knew he felt the same. Yet, everything was so new to him, and he probably had no idea what he liked. Eager to learn more about him, I slipped my hands under his shirt and slid my palms up the flat plains of his stomach. He made a small sound, a mix of exhale and pained groan.
“Do you want me to stop?” I asked.
“No. You have my permission to touch me how you like.”
I grinned and slid my hands up further, my fingertips brushing his flat nipples. They pebbled under my touch, and his fingers twitched on my back. Circling the softer skin, I watched his expression. His gaze grew hungrier, and he claimed my lips for another searing kiss that made my toes curl.
Pushing his shirt up, I waited for him to break the kiss then moved my attention to his broad chest. He slid his hands from my back to my hips, and he gripped me firmly as I pressed my lips against his sternum. The smooth feel of his skin and his racing pulse notched my need for him higher.
He arched into me, pressing the bulge of his erection near my bellybutton. His size brought a moment of worry.
“You won’t take more than I’m ready to give, right?”
“I will take nothing you do not give freely.”
Reassured, I traced the indent between his pectorals with my tongue. A hiss escaped him when I veered to the right and circled around his nipple.
“You still okay?” I whispered against his skin.
“Yes.” The rough word grated with need, his breathing ragged.
“If I do something you don’t like, let me know, and I’ll stop.”
“I like everything you do,” he said.
While I kissed my way to the left side, I slid my hands lower to the waist of his pants. His breathing stopped.
“Keep breathing, Drav,” I whispered just before I lightly nipped his nipple and grasped his erection.
His groan echoed in the cavern, and he pressed firmly into my hand. The urgency in which he tipped my head back and kissed me hard, stole my air and fed my hunger.
He arched against me again, a demand and a plea. Wrapping my hand around him, as much as his pants would allow, I firmly stroked him. After thousands of years alone, that single touch undid him. With a cry, he stiffened and held me to him. I could feel him pulsing under my palm.
His fingers threaded through my hair, and he kissed me deeply until I was breathless.
“Magic did not die in your world because you still live,” he whispered against my hair.
* * * *
I had never been to the ocean but was familiar with big lakes. Oklahoma had a lot of them. However, the sight before me proved more stunning than anything I’d seen before. No waves or wind disturbed the still surface. Not even a bubble. Small patches of crystals on the vast ceiling above the water and those underneath the surface illuminated the body from both sides, making the liquid a glowing crystal-blue. It appeared unnatural, but beautiful, with the rock formations and vegetation surrounding the lake reflecting back on its surface.
Drav led us into the surrounding trees, much smaller than those in their city but
not like the orchard trees, either. These had large grey leaves that draped over a silver trunk with no branches. A brown ivy with tiny leaves grew up the trunks, completely covering the tree. Between the thick vines that dropped down amid the large leaves of the trees, I caught glimpses of round, yellow globes that looked like some type of fruit.
As pretty as everything was, I had a hard time staying focused on our surroundings instead of Drav’s firm ass ahead of me. After his happy ending during our explosive little make out session, I’d insisted we rest like we were supposed to. However, I had actually fallen asleep instead of just giving him enough time to recoup. When I’d woken, it had been to him already carrying me to our final destination. I’d decided to play it cool and wait, but after hours of fantasizing what we might end up doing once we’d reached the lake, I’d had to ask to walk when I’d caught myself eyeing his chorded neck.
Now, I was only waiting for him to point out where we were bedding down for our stay.
Drav stopped walking, and my hope surged until he pulled some of the fallen ivy from the ground.
“What is the word for this?” he asked.
“Looks kinda like ivy to me.”
“We need to collect some for the fish.”
I wrinkled my nose but pitched in to gather what he needed. When Drav declared that we had enough, we moved closer to the lake’s edge where he sat down and indicated for me to join him.
“So what are we doing?”
“We will build a net.”
Drav stuck two thick sticks in the ground before us. Then, he reached into a small pouch from his belt and pulled out a wooden tool pointed on one end with a small shaped hole near the top. He set it next to me and pulled out a second one.
“We will use the tools to make nets. Here.”
Drav grabbed the ivy and began to wrap it around the tool he had set next to me. After watching him for a bit, I picked it up and followed suit. Once they were wrapped, Drav demonstrated what to do next. It was a lot of the same work over and over. While he labored with a practiced ease and patience, I grew bored and kept thinking back to our prior rest.
