Our lips are almost on top of each other when two women enter the room chatting. I immediately stand up and take several steps back.
“Here is the wonderful woman who saved our little Loony. Blessed be the Winds! My name is Tanny and this is Lorry. We brought you some clothes for the party tonight. Azarr says you were smaller than us, but not that you have more breasts. Let's see what fits. Lorry brought an outfit to touch up and we picked up several styles for you to choose the one you feel most comfortable in. Nixx, can you leave us while we help her get ready, please?”
“I stay!” I answer with an uncompromising voice. “You only have to use the screen.”
All the cave rooms are equipped with several screens, to hide the openings for the light or to close a room when its occupants do not wish to be disturbed. Something I should have done so as not to be interrupted as I was about to give her her first kiss.
I sit facing the window and turn my back to the women. Tanny and Lorry have spread out several outfits on the wide bed and describe them to Sarah.
“For your lower body, we have selected a sarouel, which is a loose-fitting pant open on the sides, tightened at the ankles, and will not bother your hips that are wider than ours. We brought you three different colors so you can choose what you like best. The top is a little trickier. We took bigger tunics because we don't have a chest as . . . uh . . . developed as yours. As you can see, our tunics are composed of a front part that is tied at the top and the bottom with the laces that you see there and that you pass behind your neck and at the waist. For the back, it's an optional part that covers the back between our wings if we want. Since you don't have wings, I don't know what you want to do.‘’
Sarah chooses a blue sarouel and a top of the same color and goes behind the screen they have set up in a corner of the room to change. The very clingy clothes she was wearing when she arrived in our world are stained with blood and scratched in several places.
I hear the sound of crumpled clothes being removed. New images flash through my mind as I try to imagine what she will look like when she is completely naked. I could already see some general differences during the bath in the lake.
Our women have less marked curves than humans, their hips and breasts are hardly visible and their waist is less thin. They are also taller and more muscular.
My imagination is running wild as I see the remnants of her damaged clothes pass over the screen.
“Lokk, any news on Azarr's decision to override the Elders' block and support us?”I ask Lokk to think about something else.
“All I know is that to those who protested his decision, Azarr advanced the Clan's Debt of Honor, which ended the debate. And Sarah, how are her injuries?”
“For now, with the soothing balm that was applied to her and with the pain-relieving infusion she drank, she is better. She changes for the evening with the help of two women from the South Bastion.”
“She showed great courage to save the little girl,”says Lokk.“She impressed me!”
“Yes, she surprised me too. She has more hidden resources than you might think.”
I am distracted from my mental conversation with Lokk when Sarah emerges from behind the screen, fully dressed in traditional garb.
If her lack of wings is rather disorienting, she shines in this outfit, her fiery hair standing out, especially on the bright blue garment. As for her eyes, they shine of a thousand fires.
My gaze lingers on her alabaster skin, visible on her legs, shoulders, and arms, despite the bandages. A wave of heat runs through my body and my throat clenches. While my attraction to her grows relentlessly, a part of me is still not ready to admit this special bond. Because by accepting it, I am committing not only myself but the future of the Western Bastion as well. If she dies, I will quickly follow her and the Bastion may end up in the hands of someone like Kryll. I can't accept that.
Why did the Winds give me such a different Life Partner?
While this question and all its implications run through my mind, I am also aware that these differences make her unique. She is unique.
Annoyed by this duality that inhabits me, I leave the room without a word or a backward glance and join Lokk who is already with Zull and Azarr.
Sarah
I can't stop thinking about that missed kiss. Because I'm not kidding myself, Nixx almost kissed me. It was almost worth it to be hurt, my goodness. This guy is a hottie like no other in his life.
I stretch slowly. What a pity I don't have the portable analyzer. The balm that was applied to my cuts has a really strong anesthetic power. The pain is now very diffuse and largely bearable. I am anxious to check its disinfectant properties.
