His admission left me at a loss for words again.“That’s not a problem,” I finally managed to say.“More like the sweetest love confession.”
Karim placed a palm over my heart.“You deserve better than this underground home, and now thanks to King Xaniban and Queen Sue, such an alternative exists.If I kept you here with me forever, what kind of selfish male would that make me?”
I frowned.“What are you saying?”
“You have a choice, Jasmine.If you choose to leave, I will make it happen, even if it breaks me.Anything for you to be happy and thriving.”
I studied his face; so much inner turmoil was evident in his eyes.Tears brimmed in my own.“I cannot be happy without you, Karim.”I put my hand over his heart, mirroring him.“Life is hard and new to me in this world, yes, but as long as I have you by my side, I’ll make it work.”
He shook his head.“You might wither–”
“French marigolds are resilient, remember?”The more I talked, the more confident I became.“Think of the edelweiss–it’s not native to this place, and yet it has taken root here.I want to do the same.I want to help the other humans who choose this kingdom over King Xaniban’s.I want to help improve the gardens’ yield with my knowledge, to show your people our kinds can be allies.I want to build a life here, with you.”I brushed his chin up, the way he did to me so often.“What doyouwant?”
Determination shone in his dark gaze.“I want to wake up every single night with you on my moss.I want to fill this garden with life we’ve planted together.I want to smile and laugh and cry with you as we brave the world together.I want to link my braid to yours and keep you with me until Nature claims my last breath.”
The tears that slid down my cheeks were happy ones.“Well, in that case,” my smile wobbled, “I’ll have to grow my hair much longer.”
An answering smile broke on his face, and he kissed my tears away.
Then his lips sought mine with urgency, and he had me up in his arms and out of the garden in a matter of seconds.
I giggled as soon as my brain caught up with what was happening.“I think I got you a tad more excited than intended.I need a little more recovery time, Karim.”
“Worry not, I’m not taking you to the moss,” he informed me with an enigmatic smile as he carried me down the corridor.“We’ll get there after.”
Our destination turned out to be the bathing chamber, where Karim took us both into the pool straight away.“The water should help with the soreness.”He lowered me down until I could wrap my legs around his waist.“It will also reveal the magic of your hair.”
“Oh?”I slid my hands along the smooth expanse of his chest.I was not letting him go anytime soon.
“Deidre told me before we parted ways earlier.Your hair can change shape and length with water.”He swallowed my bubbling laughter with a kiss.“I wish to know how long we have to wait until we can link our braids.”
“Mmm,” I nipped his bottom lip.“Now that is something I want to find out, too.”
- 33 -
Side to Side
Iwoke up to an empty moss.The warmth of Karim’s hair on my body had been replaced by the familiar green blanket, and the crystals on the walls were set to dark mode.
I rolled onto my back with a dreamy sigh.The moss felt lush against my naked skin, but not as much as Karim’s skin against mine when we’d spooned.
No wonder I had fallen asleep as soon as he’d laid me on the moss.Every inch of the body I’d explored with my hands during our joint bath had been pressed against mine.Including the thick cock nestled against my backside.
He’d talked about his plans for me as I was drifting off.All I could remember of his words now was something about worshiping my toes properly and putting his hair to more use on the moss.ButI’d find out soon enough.
“Mmm.”I stretched lazily in my soft and warm cocoon.
I felt energized–no pain left either in my ankle or my forearm.Though I was a bit sore in certain places, it was a nice reminder of who had been there last night: Mr.Impossible.Also known as Mr.Zero Recovery Time Needed.
I sighed dreamily again.
“Jesus.It must have been amazing.”
I yelped and pulled the blanket up to my eyes.
A familiar chuckle filled the room.“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.I forgot you humans are blind in the dark.”
A moment later, the crystals’ light increased, revealing Tisvali lying sideways on the sofa, cheek resting on his palm and face split in a grin.“I haven’t seen such a smile on a human since that time before the war, when I watched two trespassers smoke weed and moss-interact the night away in Sector 8.”
