Fragile.
Without a word, she handed me the object she had been scrubbing her flesh with, soap suds saturating it. With ease I was able to clear all of the paints from her back in a few strokes. She shivered at my touch.
It was strangely appealing how soft and supple her pinkish flesh felt under my hands. I’d never felt anything like it before. Humans appeared to come in many different colors, as the leaders I had worked with were much darker than Mallory. We still didn’t know whether it was genetics that caused such differences or environment.
I turned my thoughts back towards the beautiful woman in front of me, and how inviting she looked.
After a few lingering moments, I nudged her arm with the object to return it to her.
She took it with some hesitation, fingers lingering as they brushed against mine. Her cheeks were flushed with color, eyes lidded with barely concealed desire.
I gave her a small smile before putting some distance between us.
She was not ready nor would I push the issue. We had the rest of our lives for her to gain comfort in my presence and learn pleasure in my embrace.
“Wait,” she called out, moving in my direction.
I frowned at the tone in her voice. “Is something wrong?”
“Don’t go too far. I might be eaten by something,” she murmured teasingly, cheeks still pinkened from our interactions.
I didn’t bother to inform her that depending on the season and the time of day that there were creatures that resided nearby that drank from these waters that very well could try to consume her. And likely succeed.
We resided in the trees for a reason.
She didn’t need to know about that just yet. It wouldn’t do to scare her off already.
I gave her a smile instead of instilling worry into her. “I wouldn’t allow it, aashra.”
Chapter Six
Mallory
“I was wondering, would we be going back to the human settlement any time soon?” I inquired as I wrung out my hair, thankful to finally have some clothing on.
He was making me nervous, in a delicious kind of way. But it was still too soon for any kind of sexual interaction right now.
“What are you in need of?” Alek’dar asked as he spread his wings to allow them to sun dry. I still couldn’t get over how pretty they were, or how soft they felt.
“Well, I’m going to need to stock up on some things that I didn’t have a chance to purchase before you came for me. And I need to mail a letter to my sister,” I informed him, thinking of the letter that was still in my bag. I’d meant to send it off sooner but I lost the courage when it came to going through with it. I was still worried she was going to be angry with me.
And rightfully so.
He gave me a thoughtful look before nodding briefly. “I suppose that would be fine. I will take you there in a few days.”
“Thank you.”
I had been wondering how the Striss women dealt with monthlies; if they had them at all. I was going to need something that I had easier access to when I ran out of supplies. And not just for that but bathing materials, clothing, etc. After a moment of silence passed between us, I continued, “Um. before we go to the settlement, do you think maybe we could see your mom or sister? I was wanting to ask them about some things… female things.”
“That would be fine.”
“I really appreciate it, Alek’dar.”
“We can go now to see them unless there is anything else you were wanting to do today?” He asked, his brow quirked. It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen him eyeing the way the shirt had clung to me like a second skin when I slipped it on after we were done bathing.
I flushed, shaking my head. “No, no. Now is fine.”
I was kind of embarrassed, but after yesterday I figured it would be fine. After all, they saw me bare-chested for several hours. Hell, they didn’t wear tops either.
Instead of dwelling on it, I gathered my things and packed them into my bag. Alek’dar held out a hand, and I easily stepped into his embrace, feeling my blood rushing to my face.
I think I was going to end up with a permanent blush one of these days.
Or die from embarrassment.
It didn’t take long to fly to their home, but, then again, nothing did when we flew everywhere. I found myself envious of Alek’dar and his people. They had it made not having to walk everywhere.
Thinking about their wings had me wondering if they were born with them or not because I wasn’t sure how that was going to work with my human anatomy. Though from what I could tell, visibly anyway, they were compatible and comparable to humans in all the ways that mattered.
Pushing aside all thoughts of babies and the future, I stepped out of his arms and walked into the dwelling, Alek’dar right behind me.
“Maata.” Alek’dar murmured, and Rinna glanced in our direction. A small smile broke out on her face as she came to greet us.
“Putra. Sutaa.” I wasn’t entirely certain what they were saying because it didn’t translate so I just nodded back at Rinna when she tilted her head in my direction. Maybe the translator was faulty?
“Good afternoon, Rinna,” I greeted.
“Likewise.”
“What brings you by this morning, Alek’dar?” Rinna inquired with a smile.
“Mallory was wishing to visit you and In’ka.”
“Your sister should be back shortly. She and your brother went to the-”
“Maata! We’re back,” In’ka called out, right before landing behind us, the male landing shortly after she did.
Rinna stepped past us to welcome In’ka. “Ah, there they are. Alek’dar and Mallory are here.”
In’ka spied us through the entrance, and I gave her a small wave, eyes flashing towards the male figure beside her. They all walked inside, though the guy whom I’d not made acquaintances with stopped abruptly upon spotting me.
“Mallory, this is my brother Qui’da,” Alek’dar introduced.
“Nice to meet you, Qui’da.”
His eyes glanced at my outstretched hand, his mouth curling in disgust. Without a word, he turned around and strode back out the way he came before taking to the skies.
In’ka and Rinna shared a look between them.
“Not so nice then?” I surmised aloud.
“He… he was not in agreement with this arrangement.” In’ka’s revelation wasn’t all that surprising. Alek’dar’s reaction was though. A low growl erupted from his throat as he glanced towards his sister.
I couldn’t help but take a step back, a chill brushing over me.
“In’ka…”
“Alek she deserves to know,” Rinna interjected, coming to stand between her children. “It isn’t as if he is the only one.”
“It was not her place,” he growled.
“And when were you going to tell her?” Rinna demanded.
I sighed, murmuring, “He didn’t really have to. I kind of assumed it came with the territory.”
My words did nothing to calm my husband. If anything it seemed to ruffle his feathers even more if the physical reaction of his wings were anything to go by.
“Was there a reason why you both came by today?” In’ka finally asked, trying to change the subject.
Jumping on it like the lifeboat that it was, I nodded enthusiastically, moving to her side. “Yes, actually.” Flushing slightly, I continued, “I was wondering… do you all have monthlies?”
“Monthlies?” She asked with a confused look on her face. Alek’dar and his mother were still speaking in the background, though the language was one my translator didn’t recognize. Instead of worrying about what they might be discussing about me, I focused on In’ka in front of me.
Maybe they called it something else? I wasn’t entirely sure, but I definitely hoped so because if they didn’t have a period, I wasn’t sure how the whole traveling back and forth would work. “Yes, um… like when you bleed from… down there?”
She shook her head,
much to my horror. “Oh. No, no. We don’t do anything of the like.”
I sighed, “Well, there goes that idea.”
She held up a finger, interjecting, “But from what I understand the Vrun do.”
“Vrun?” I asked in confusion.
“They’re our neighbors. Cave-dwellers,” Rinna piped in, her conversation with Alek’dar apparently finished. She came to stand near In’ka and me, crossing her arms.
Alek’dar looked a little worse for wear, muttering to himself a few feet away.
“Oh! So there’s another species of intelligent life on the planet?”
In’ka snorted. “Of course. There’s actually another besides the Vrun called the Amphods. Our flock doesn’t deal with them as much since they live further away.”
I was completely shocked and full of wonder at this new information. This was the first I heard of this. “Where do they live?”
Alek’dar finally contributed to the conversation coming to stand beside me. “On the other side of the continent. They are water people.”
“Water people?” I repeated, nose scrunched.
“Yes. Some, if not most, live in the sea.”
“Oh! Well, that’s interesting.” I wondered how they lived on both land and sea. And what both of the different species might look like.
Alek’dar shrugged. “I suppose.”
“We were never educated on the other two species. We just knew about the Striss. Huh. I wonder if the council knows?” I mused.
“It is possible they do not, as the Vrun do not like your species at all. I am uncertain of the Amphod.”
That was kind of disappointing, but, then again, while Humankind had made leaps and bounds in certain things, we were still very ignorant. I mean, we used to think we were the only intelligent lifeforms in the universe.
Chapter Seven
Mallory
I was going to have to have another talk with Alek’dar about how cold it was getting. It hadn’t been more than a week or so since I was taken for the harati, and it was getting way colder than the human settlement ever did. Just how deep in the mountains were we?
Honestly, I’m not sure how the Striss were able to go without clothing, but I was chilled to the bone. Thank God he was like a living furnace because I was sure without him I would freeze to death in my sleep.
Hell, I’d taken to wearing more clothing overnight than I had to back at the human colony—back at my old home.
Either one of three things was going to happen. I was going to have to pick up some heavy-duty snow survival gear from the colony, make something out of what I had here…. Or maybe I could convince him to see if the Vrun had something. He did say that they tended to trade with them freely. Maybe they might have something there.
After learning about the other intelligent species on the planet, I was eager for any information he would give me. He didn’t really want me to say anything to the Council, and I didn’t blame him. History didn’t shine bright when it came to Humankind.
Maybe I’d slip something in a letter to Stephanie though, I mused internally.
“Having fun, are we?”
At the sudden feminine voice behind me, I whirled around, heart in my throat.
I felt a little better when I realized it was just In’ka, my sister-in-law. “Hey there.”
“What are you doing over here?” She asked, coming to stand beside me.
“I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself, honestly,” I informed her with a shrug.
I went back to watching as several Striss males erected one of many large open tents. Alek’dar had been out of sight for the last thirty minutes or so. I couldn’t really tell how long it had been, honestly.
This morning he woke me pretty early, telling me that he had things that needed to be taken care of. Something about a festival from what I overheard. I would have to ask Alek’dar more about it when I saw him later.
It kind of bothered me that he didn’t tell me anything about it, but I was trying to be understanding. After all, he was busy trying to make sure it all went smoothly. He was the chief after all. He had the responsibility of keeping the entire flock safe and in prime condition resting on his shoulders.
With a heavy sigh, she rested her elbow on my shoulder leaning on me. My knees nearly buckled under the added weight. Man, were the Striss heavy! Male and female alike.
“I mean, I knew he would be busy with the Festival coming up, but to abandon you all by your lonesome… typical male,” In’ka groused, shaking her head in my peripheral vision. After a moment, she removed her arm and tugged on my hand. “Come on.”
“Hmmm?” I started at the abrupt movement. Confused, I asked, “Where are we going?”
“Do you really want to stand here for who knows how long watching them put together the tents?” She asked with a knowing smile on her face.
I sighed, “Well… not really.”
“Exactly. So come on.”
Still, I was a bit uneasy about leaving. “But what if he comes looking for me?”
She tapped her index finger on her lips before she snapped her fingers and In’ka made the short flight over to the working Striss males.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she grabbed some guy’s attention and gestured at me. He glanced my way then nodded and then she made her way back to me with a pleased look on her face as she neared.
“They’ll let Alek’dar know that you’re with me,” she informed as she set down beside me, folding her wings behind her.
“Okay. I just don’t want him to worry.”
“Aww, that’s cute,” she cooed at me.
I flushed a brilliant scarlett and abruptly changed the subject. “So where are we going?”
“You’ll see. It’ll be fun.”
***
She lied.
Straight up lied to me.
Okay, well, maybe not at first, but it was not as fun as she had made it out to be. Here I was thinking I was going to be spending some quality time with my sister-in-law—getting to know the woman—bonding over shared interests and the like.
And instead I felt like I had just been hazed.
It wasn’t purely her at fault, though.
I should have known better.
Honestly, what was I thinking to trust that friend of hers at her word?
In’ka had dragged me to a structure not far from where Alek’dar had left me, and inside were a bunch of—like always—half-naked Striss women.
As soon as we stepped inside all the conversations ceased as eyes turned to us. After pleasant introductions, In’ka had me helping some of her friends with basket weaving. Thankfully, I had a little bit of experience with it having done it back at the human village. Since my fingers were much smaller, I was able to craft much more intricate designs.
We’d been having a good time, or so I thought. As soon as In’ka turned her back, one of them cozied up to me, getting my guard down before she handed me a cup of ‘suraapaana’ she called it—of what I now knew was stupid of me to take.
The taste kind of reminded me of sweetened human alcohol, but rather than intoxicate me all it did was make me sick to my stomach.
Once In’ka realized what had happened, she snarled something at them in that language I didn’t understand and whisked me outside where I’d upchucked my stomach's contents.
Which wasn’t much to begin with.
Instead of relief, I spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening dry heaving. Between the painful spasms, she was able to fly me home where I lay in bed with her watching over me for the rest of the evening until Alek’dar arrived sometime shortly after dark.
I could hear them speaking in hushed tones in that language, the one I didn’t know, wondering what they were saying, but I was in too much pain to ask them to speak in a language I understood. Even without being able to understand them, I knew he was chewing her out.
She didn’t stay long after he arrived, though I wasn’t surprise
d.
He was in a mood.
“I’m sorry about today,” he finally spoke from his seat beside me.
“No, no. Don’t be,” I murmured weakly. I forced myself up onto my elbows to get a better look at his face. It wasn’t long lasting as the pain came back full force so I just curled back into a ball, murmuring, “I completely understand. You have responsibilities to your people, Alek’dar.”
He shook his head, a growl reverberating in his throat. “Still… I shouldn’t have just taken off like that.”
I could just tell he was beating himself up and it saddened me. “I’ll be fine.”
“You’ve been sick all evening, aashra,” he murmured, taking my outstretched hand in his. His thumb rubbed small gentle circles on the top of it.
I made a mental note to ask him what aashra meant. He’d used it a few times before, but I kept forgetting to ask him what it meant.
Wincing, I murmured, “I know. I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t be. This wasn’t your doing.”
I shook my head, “I should have known better, Alek’dar.”
He pulled away from me, standing abruptly before stalking off, wings flexing in irritation. He didn’t stalk about for long before returning closer to my side.
Growling, his voice almost echoing in our home, “You shouldn’t have to worry about someone wanting to poison you, Mallory.”
I flinched at the volume and swallowed hard. Eyes watery, I sniffled, “I’m sorry.”
His eyes shifted back to me, “No. I am.” He sighed before crouching down next to me on the ground placing a grey palm on my cheek. “Aashra, I apologize.”
I cupped the hand caressing my face. “I know you’re not mad at me.”
“It won’t happen again.” He gently pressed his forehead against mine. “I promise.”
“I’m sure it won’t. I trust you.” Feeling a little mischievous, I murmured cheekily, “If you really want to make it up to me, you could come in here and cuddle me.”
I received a lopsided grin in return. Without another word he did as I asked, pulling me flush against him, his hand rubbing my aching stomach.
The Alien Chief's Bargained Bride Page 4
