Her grin only stretched wider. “You like my barbs. For you, they’re practically foreplay.”
Urkot chittered. “I much like foreplay, female.”
Callie halted abruptly as her hands brushed something soft that gave way to her touch. She recognized the feel—a silk curtain.
“A few more steps,” Urkot said.
She carefully swept aside the cloth, her fingers bumping what was likely a doorframe on one side, before continuing forward. Her bare feet came down on something plush and cushioned. She wiggled her toes atop what she was sure was a fur rug.
“Ready?” he asked.
She nodded, a swell of anticipation building in her chest. Urkot lifted his hands away.
Callie opened her eyes and drew in a sharp breath.
The room was open and spacious, nearly three times as large as her den. There were numerous shelves on the walls displaying rocks and crystals of various sizes, many of which she recognized as the gifts he’d given her that she’d collected in her bowl. All were displayed proudly here, each with its own spot, and there was plenty of space for more.
But the most beautiful piece was a clear, multifaceted crystal hanging from the top of a window that faced the morning sun. The crystal fractured the sunlight into dazzling rainbows, which shimmered around the den as it slowly spun in place, filling the atmosphere with magic and wonder.
“Urkot, this…this is beautiful,” Callie said in awe as she gazed at all the dancing colors.
He trilled behind her, smoothing his rough palms down her arms. “This sight will greet us every suncrest. But you will always outshine it.”
Warmth flooded her.
With Urkot trailing behind her, Callie stepped farther into the room, following those little dancing rainbows until her eyes caught on the domed ceiling, where dozens of little blue crystals had been embedded. In the daylight, they looked lackluster, but she knew the moment the sun went down, their glow would transform the ceiling.
“Urkot…”
“You said you wanted to look at the stars every time you sleep.”
Callie turned her wide eyes toward him. “You remembered that?”
His mandibles rose. “All you need, my heartsthread, I will give.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, blurring her vision. She caught his jaw and pulled him down to press her forehead to his headcrest. His hands settled on her hips, holding her close.
Throat tight with all the overwhelming emotion swirling inside her, she said, “All I need, all I want, is you, myluveen.”
A deep purr rolled through him. “Ah, mynyleea.”
With a smile, she drew away from him and took in the rest of the room.
All the things she’d noticed were missing from her den were here, along with some things she hadn’t realized he’d taken. Her chest of tools was against one wall, beside Urkot’s pack, tools, and spears. Her clothes were hanging from nearby pegs, arranged exactly as she’d had them. There was a table in the center of the den with a single chair and a blue vase atop it filled with a bouquet of colorful flowers. A broad worktable stood on the wall to the right, with cloth-wrapped chunks of clay, severallarge stones, and more tools and atop it. The shelves nearby were full of baskets, pots, and jars that likely held food and other supplies.
And toward the back, near the window with the crystal, was a huge, fluffed silk bed, larger than any bean bag Callie had ever seen. She could only imagine how cozy it was.
This place was a perfect blend of his and hers. A mated pair’s den. Their den.
Our home.
Tears spilled down her cheeks. Turning, Callie threw her arms around Urkot, burying her face against his hard chest. “I love it so much. Thank you. This is the best gift ever.”
He embraced her snugly and nuzzled her hair. “You are the best gift ever, mynyleea.”
“Oh, stop!” Callie sniffled as her tears wet his hide. “You’re making me cry.”
Urkot withdrew and cupped her face, turning it up toward his. His blue eyes brimmed with concern and heartrending tenderness as he wiped her cheeks with his thumbs, mindful of his claws. “Good tears?”
