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Cora is enthralled with the natural beauty of Zeva, and I can't help but swell with pride at her enjoyment. She stops to admire each new blossom, her delight palpable in the way she smiles when we come across a particularly beautiful flower.
As we continue down the trail, we pause to watch a flock of birds take flight. Their multicolored feathers dancing in the sunlight as they swoop across a cloudless sky. It's a moment of true serenity I haven't experienced since my last time here.
We reach a clearing of trees heavy with ripe fruit. Cora's eyes light up at the sight of the sweet treats before us. We spend the next hour picking and tasting the various fruits, filling the sack I carry until it can hold no more.
"I think this yellow one is my favorite." Cora chomps into the succulent globe, juices dripping down her chin as she savors the tart flesh.
"Mine too." I reach out and brush my thumb across her chin, wiping away the sticky juice.
Cora grins up at me. My sivot languidly shifts within every cell of my being, captivated by the female destined to be our mate. I lean in and press my lips to hers, tasting the sweetness of the fruit on her tongue. Her hands slide up my chest as she deepens our kiss, a low moan escaping her throat.
I ease away, taking a moment to savor the sight of Cora with her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. "Come on." I take Cora's hand and lead her deeper into the forest. "We're almost there."
"Where are we going, Navik?" Cora happily chirps, staying close on my heels. "Why do I have the feeling you've got a secret agenda?"
"You'll see when we get there." I grin to myself, not wanting to give away the destination.
Following down the trail to the base of the mountain, we round the bend to the sound of rushing water. "We're here." I stop in my tracks and push aside the foliage to reveal the crown jewel of my favorite trail.
Cora sucks in a sharp breath, her eyes wide as she takes in the breathtaking waterfall that cascades down a sheer cliff face into a shimmering lake, its crystal-clear waters sparkling in the sunlight like fine-cut, crystaline gemstones.
"Navik, it's beautiful," Cora whispers, her eyes filling with tears as she gazes upon the sight. "I've never seen anything like it."
"Come, let's have our mid-day meal here," I suggest, guiding her over to a flat rock on the shoreline.
Cora leans her head way back, shielding her eyes from the sun to peer up at the top of the falls. "This is a different mountain than where you live."
"Yes. We skirted the base of mine. This one is adjacent to me."
"Is the water safe to swim?" Cora removes the clunky boots Qhix gave her and dips her toes in the water.
"As long as you watch out for the squidlin," I casually toss out. "They have really sharp teeth."
Cora gasps and pulls her feet back to tuck her legs close to her body. "No shit?"
The rumble of laughter percolates up my throat despite my best attempts to suppress it. I take a seat next to Cora and remove my own boots, plunging my feet into the cool water. Her shocked expression sparks a burst of laughter I can't contain. I toss my head back and let it go, my amusement echoing through the valley.
"There's no such thing as squidlin, is there, Navik?" Cora crosses her arms over her chest, pinning me with an indignant glare.
"There is, but not on Zeva." I give her shoulder a little nudge, still chuckling as I add, "I was just playing with you."
"Who would have thought the notorious space marauder is a jokester?"
"There is more to me than my scandalous reputation, starfire." I hand her a folded cloth of dried hetta strips.
She studies my face a moment before taking what I offer. "Much more than I ever expected."
We sit in comfortable silence, eating our meal of dried meat and fruits we gathered along the trail. Bathed in a gentle breeze, I glance over at Cora, taking in the way the sunlight dances on her skin, illuminating her features. She catches my gaze and smiles, stripping me of my defenses, leaving me vulnerable and captivated by her presence.
"What do you say we go for a swim," Cora winks, "since there aren't any creatures with sharp teeth swimming around."
"I hoped you would want to."
Cora grins, stripping off the makeshift dress she draped around her body. "It's too beautiful not to."
"The only thing too beautiful is you." The words slip out on a slow exhale.
Cora clears her throat as her face flushes with heat. "Keep talking like that, space pirate, and I'm gonna think you like me."
