A tingling sensation courses through the vortex etched on my hand, as if it’s awakening. The marks on my body ignite, sending waves of searing heat through my flesh. With the flickering flames of the tiny campfire cradled in my palm, I press it against my chest, feeling its pulsing heat—I want its warmth despite the pain.
* * *
I shoot up in the bed, my breath coming in quick gasps—it was only a dream.
I stare at my tattoo, the mating sting that Kitaico marked me with. For the first few weeks after my abduction, I used to dream of Grandma every night, the only enduring link to Earth my mind could summon. It was always her tight embraces that made me feel safe, or the aroma of a hot tater tot hot dish, as she poured me a glass of wine in her cozy apartment kitchen.
You know that’s forever, right?
Just like a tattoo, I have a feeling this mark will be difficult to remove. But forever? Maybe Kitaico could tell me how to do it…but would he be upset that I want to know if the mark will disappear? Would I even be able to get my point across?
I scan the cave, looking for my yellow protector, but he’s nowhere to be found.
I seriously doubt there are any hidden spaces I don’t know about in here, but that doesn’t stop me from crawling out of the bed and pulling back the curtain to his storage space.
As I pull back the fabric, I’m greeted with the slightly pungent odor of stores of dried fish, woven mats, a strange purple fruit, and various primitive tools. The space is packed full, and there’s no sign of Kitaico or any secret spaces.
So, the big yellow softie really left me here, even with all his claims of being my protector against the dangers of his world.
My heart thumps in my chest. Even though there’s no imminent threat, it doesn’t mean my brain doesn’t instantly start catastrophizing.
But outside that nearby entry, just beyond its swirling blue waters, lies some scary shit.
Giant scorpion-whale-shark thing? Check. Horned-up exiled aliens that want nothing more than me in heat? Double check. Currents that I doubt I can maneuver well enough to get to the surface? Triple check.
I don’t know what to do, so I sit on the edge of the bed and pull my knees against my chest. How have I become so utterly reliant on a near stranger? Sweat begins to collect at the back of my legs.
The water at the entrance ripples, and I brace myself for what is surely a terrifying sex-crazed alien exile to burst through the pool.
But instead, it’s just Kitaico. He pulls himself up onto the cave ledge using his elbows—his arms full of soft-looking purple puffs. Despite the lack of use of his arms, Kitaico stumbles only slightly as he rises to his feet. The impressive muscles of his core engage as he stands to his full height, towering above me. I let my eyes trail his body as the rivulets of water stream down into the defined vee of his hips.
My arms swing wide around his body, and his yellow skin shifts to a deep blue. I’d like to think I’m only hugging him because I’m relieved, but as my fingers slide down his lats muscles, I know it’s just an excuse to touch him.
“Leeenuh, are you alright?” he asks as he drops the spongy things in his arms. He clasps my chin in his hand and tilts my head up to meet his gaze.
“I’m okay, really.” I relax my jaw and lean back, realizing that I’ve let my anxiety get the better of me. “Where were you?”
“I didn’t think you’d wake up before I returned. I was just collecting torun right outside the door. I would never leave you unprotected—never.”
Kitaico sets his jaw, letting his hands fall from my face to my sides as he pulls me closer.
The warmth coming from his slick skin is surprising, and I can’t help but cuddle myself into him.
I’m lost in the sensation of skin on skin. The second his restrained tentacles begin to wiggle at my sides, I’m snapped from the momentary daze.
I step back, much to Kitaico’s disappointment. The loss of his body heat is jarring.
I shouldn’t give him the wrong idea though, right?
Hell, I don’t want to give my own body any ideas, despite how nice he feels.
And that’s probably for the best because my jump off the bed has agitated my already angry vag. My thighs chafe against the raw skin between my legs when I walk.
“You’re still injured. Don’t move,” he says.
Before I can parse what’s happening, he’s carefully lifting me off the ground and cradling me in his arms.
“I’m perfectly fine to walk—put me down, Kitaico!” I yelp, batting at his chest.
