Page 83 of The Hunter

Tas paused at the entrance of the structure to lean his spear against the wall before stepping inside. Garahk did the same, and the rest of their group again followed his example, Telok with far less reluctance than before. All his companions but Cole and Lacey had to duck to fit through the wide but low entrance.

The woven grass shutters on the structure’s windows were propped open, allowing golden evening light to pour into the spacious interior. Long, thin strips of silk adorned the ceiling, creating a colorful pattern. Wood supports ran from the walls and up along the ceiling to converge at the high point in the center, through which a glimmer of daylight could be seen. The floor was covered by furs, mats, and large cushions, loosely arranged in curved rows. Directly across from the entrance was a dais with three more cushions atop it.

Stopping in front of the dais, Tas turned toward the others and waved at the furnishings. “Please sit, my friends, and take ease. The council will arrive soon.”

The thornskulls spread out, finding comfortable places to ease down. Ayali stared at one of the cushions, which looked tiny beneath her. She extended a foreleg, reaching for another cushion, but Ess and Zesh scrambled into action before she could grab it, shoving several cushions together and waving for her to sit.

“Thank you,” she said with a chitter before settling down and folding her legs at her sides.

After exchanging a glare with one another, Ess and Zesh seated themselves on either side of Ayali.

Lacey chuckled quietly.

With a shake of her head, Ohn strode past Ayali and the males to take a spot nearer to the dais.

“Damn.” Cole turned in place with his face tilted toward the ceiling, studying the structure. “That’s some good craftsmanship.”

Lacey smiled as she took off her pack. “Getting ideas to upgrade the lounge?”

“Oh, I’m thinking a lot bigger than that. But it’s not like I need another project to add to my list.”

“You are a shaper?” Tas asked.

“Yup. Mostly woodworking, some carpentry. That kind of stuff. Really impressed with what you guys have here.” Cole walked to the wall and reached up, running his fingers over a spot where one of the beams met it. “There were so many fancy tools and materials back on Earth, but half the stuff we made with them was shit compared to what vrix have built here.”

Garahk stretched his forelegs out in front of him and braced his lower palms upon them. “Cole has helped to shape Kaldarak into something new. Mine have learned much from him.”

Lacey selected a cushion, set her bag on the floor, and sat, crossing her legs.

Telok lowered himself on the one beside hers, staring at the gap between them. After a moment’s consideration, he decided that he did not care for that empty space, so he grabbed Lacey’s cushion and dragged her closer. She gasped, hands and legs flailing as she wobbled.

Telok banded his arm around her waist to steady her. “I said I would not let you fall.”

Tipping her head back, she looked up at him with a pinched brow. “A little warning would have been nice.”

“Ah. So you want me to say”—he dipped his head toward her, voice falling into a low rumble—“I am going to take you.”

Pink bloomed on her cheeks as her eyes rounded. She quickly looked away, but not before Telok glimpsed the smile she was trying to hide from him.

“And after all that time you kept pushing me away…” she muttered.

Trying to keep distance between them had been a foolish waste of moon cycles. His efforts had been for nothing; his failure had been fated from the beginning. Their threads had always been tangled together, had always been meant to be bound. And he was closer than ever to succumbing to his instincts and taking what he wanted.

Yet he clenched his jaw regardless, fighting back the consuming fire flaring in his pelvis and the heat crackling beneath his hide, trying to ignore the warmth of Lacey’s body against his and her enticing scent filling the air. Losing battle or not, this was neither the time nor the place to give in.

Telok curled his fingers around her, drawing her snugly against him. He inhaled in more of her fragrance, flooding his senses with sunshine, sweetness, and the maddening scent that belonged wholly to her.

“Nyleea,” Tas said with a trill.

Thankful for the distraction, Telok shook off the red haze creeping into his vision and glanced over his shoulder.

Nes’Kahn Shir had arrived, accompanied by two male winddancers. One of the males had a black hide and fur with eyes as a red as the markings on his hindquarters, and the other had a pale gray hide with graying black fur, his blue and green markings faded with age.

Shir nodded to her mate as she and her companions strode across the room to the dais. Stepping up with Shir at their center, they faced the others.

She dipped her head low and spread her arms, palms turned up. “As you welcomed us into your camp, we welcome you to Tovuunshai with peace and hope for a lasting friendship.”

“Be welcome,” the other two said in unison, mimicking Shir’s gesture.