Focus, Kitaico.
I tread water toward the rocky shoreline, trying to gauge which spot might have the best footholds to get Leeenuh ashore comfortably. I spy a smoother portion, likely refined by the waves over the eons. It will surely be a slippery ascent, but I think I’m less likely to hurt her on that specific portion of rock.
There’s a steep section, about two of me tall, that we’ll have to scale before cresting over the edge and onto dry land. Kitaico of the past would have just jumped up and hoped for the best.
But the days when I would scale the shore’s overhang recklessly, letting my tentacles do most of the work, are gone. I can’t be careless with my mate in my arms. I swim over, making sure her ankles are notched tightly behind my back, and use my arms and my foretentacles to grip and hoist our bodies into the spray crashing against the rocks.
“Hold on tightly, Leeenuh!” I yell.
My foot slips, and I stumble forward, nearly hitting the back of Leeenuh’s head against the rock before one brother snakes around her skull protectively. She doesn’t seem to notice the near miss and I thank the Great Mother I didn’t drop her.
Once I’m steadier, the brothers snake upward, higher than my arms can reach. With a grunt, and no small amount of effort, I pull us both up over the jagged ledge.
When we arrive on solid ground, she moves her legs as though she might get down. I place a hand over her ass, stopping her attempt to dismount.
“Not yet, we’ve got longer to walk, and I would feel better if you let me carry you the rest of the way,” I say nobly.
Her human skin always seems fragile to me, and I don’t want to set her down on the lava rocks. I fear they might tear into her soft little feet.
She rolls her eyes but doesn’t resist.
As I walk closer to the dense jungle forest, vines and leaves in all shades of pink, red, and orange wrap around us as we enter the brush. Leeenuh squints as she tries to take in her surroundings. The light dims as we enter the tree line.
Although revered by our Fi’len cousins, the Andjin have no ceremonial use for the hot springs. But that doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy the warm waters or their supposed healing properties.
I turn left at an ancient stone marker.
“We’re almost there Leeenuh,” I tell the top of her head.
When she looks up, her eyes go wide, and I wonder if she spots she the flying bukkau that reside here. Their muscular bodies and huge maws can be quite the intimidating sight. It sails though the trees, attempting to gather some of the nuite fruit. They’re large and intimidating as they flap their leathery wings overhead.
“Don’t worry Leeenuh, the bukkau don’t find you nearly as tasty as I do.” The words fall from my lips before I can stop myself.
As tasty as I do?
I have always known that I lack subtlety, but this is a new low.
The comment must not bother Leeenuh too much, though, because she chuckles.
Maybe she’s not as put out at the thought of my tongue on her as I thought. My chest burns with the thought of dipping my tongue into her perfect cunt. She could get what she needs from me, and I would love nothing more than to taste her.
My cock swells beneath my wrap, and I flex my ass muscles, trying to get comfortable. I hate wearing anything outside of the capital, especially something as restrictive and itchy as a woven wrap.
I try to focus on something that isn’t Leeenuh, her cunt, the delicious way she smells, or really anything about her at all. Since we’re out of the safety of the nest, I would prefer to keep all the blood near my brain.
The hot springs, although not a popular Andjin destination, aren’t a secret spot. Any Andjin could be there today, and maybe, if our luck is bad, we could run into an exiled male.
But given that the Great Proving is in full swing, they normally stick to the ocean.
I know I am more than capable of protecting Leeenuh from an exile; I am strong, in my prime, and will protect her with my life.
Maybe we’re not so far off from true mates…I wouldn’t die for a stranger, would I?
Leeenuh wrinkles her nose as we approach the water’s edge. They smell interesting compared to the ocean, but nothing I find too offensive.
“I think they smell that way because they’re medicinal. They do have an acquired aroma, though,” I laugh as I set her down on the lip of the pool.
“Ould’t bee urse dan an algae covurd layke, ight?” She chuckles her nonsense words.
