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She makes a face. "Or we could just walk faster."
"Or we could do that." I grin, feeling a little bolder. "But I would rather carry you."
Sam smacks my arm lightly, rolling her eyes at me. I am pleased, though. There is none of the anger and despair in her gaze right now. We have not solved anything, but we are easy with one another. That, if nothing else, feels like progress. With a light heart, I pick up our packs and follow after her.
9
SESSAH
The fruit cave feels unpleasantly hot.
I keep my displeasure to myself, sweating, as I set the packs down safely inside on the ledge. Sam is tired after all of our walking, but the look of delight on her face as she takes in our surroundings makes it worth everything. She closes her eyes, turning her face toward the too-bright, strange light that beams down from above. It is dark outside, and icy, but in here, it feels as if I am standing too close to the fire.
A wet, wet fire, I amend as I touch a damp leaf that hangs overhead. Everything in here feels wet and hot. The islanders say their home was like this, and I cannot imagine it. Already, I want to strip off my loincloth and go swimming in the bright blue pool at the very bottom of the cave.
"This is my favorite place," Sam says, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "I would live here if I could."
I grunt, because I do not want to disagree with her. The humans like the warmth, but I have grown up in the snows. I like a crisp day with the crunch of fresh ice under my feet. I like a big, spacious cave with a high ceiling and cool floors, one that goes deep into the rock and feels protected. The fruit cave is none of these things. The entrance is small and tight, especially for someone my size, and once you squeeze into the interior, the wall of muggy heat envelops you. The cave itself is very tall, but narrow and layered. High up above, the lights flicker overhead and green vines laden with fruit hang down from every surface. There is one big ledge near the entrance, big enough for both myself and Sam to rest comfortably on, but then it continues down in the same narrow, vine-covered layers, to a bathing pool at the very, very bottom. I have heard the humans compare it to something called a beehive, but I do not know of such a thing. I only know that while I appreciate the fruit and the water pool, I would much rather have a home somewhere I do not have to fear rolling off the ledge and into the waters below.
Sam sits on the lip of the ledge, her legs dangling over the side and into the vines. She sighs with pleasure and pulls off her fur cloak, tossing it behind her. She removes another layer of furs, then leans forward to tug off her boots, and I am presented with her leather-covered backside, rounded and tail-less and the most enticing thing I have ever seen.
My khui—which has been singing steadily all day—grows even louder as my cock hardens.
Glancing over her shoulder at me, Sam tosses a boot at her side. "We should talk, Sessah. You can't grab me, okay? If we're going to be friends, you…just can't grab me."
Distracted, I stare at her backside, trying to determine what she is talking about. Does she think I will grab her right now? I want to, more than anything, but I am no fool. If I grab her now, she will never come to my arms. So I think harder. When did I grab…ah. When I protected her. Before Ash-tar arrived. Reluctantly, I drag my gaze away from her enticing backside. "I did not mean to frighten you. I saw the shadow and the need to protect you was overwhelming."
"Protect me? From Ashtar?" She sets her boot down next to her on the stone lip, her brows furrowed.
"From sky-claw," I admit.
"Sky-claw?" Sam blinks at me in surprise. A moment later, realization dawns. "You have Josie and Haeden on the brain, don't you? You don't have to worry about me. Liz says I'm bigger than Josie, so I can't imagine they'd eat me as easily as they ate her."
She says it so easily, as if it is nothing. As if her in danger is not the most terrifying thing I can imagine. "I still worry," I say stubbornly. "And I did not grab you to frighten you."
"I know. I just…I don't like being grabbed." She rubs her arms, shivering.
I take a slow step forward. Sam is like a skittish dvisti colt that refuses to be tamed. I must go slow with her and make no sudden movements. "Tell me what troubles you so, Sam. Why are you afraid? What has made you afraid? Has someone on the beach harmed you in some way?" Just the thought makes my throat close up with tension. "Who do I need to gut with my spear?"
