Chapter 10
Ahstahl
It’s a rare thing for me to lose my temper, but Aercek’s thoughtless words caused our mate to be so upset she couldn’t frakyn breathe properly! Giving no heed to his aching head, I don’t hold anything back. This is for Keelie, for our future, and I’m not going to let him frak it up by being an obtuse imbecile.
Yelling at him in Vrkari, I vent my anger as we trade blows. “How could you be so thoughtless? There are far better ways to bring up sensitive topics with our mate. Do you want her to forsake us? Forsake you? You, of all beings, should know better!”
Anguish flares in his crimson eyes at my last question, before he slams his tail into my jaw without answering, and my head rings with the force of the blow. Snarling in aggravation, I whirl and kick out, catching Aercek in the middle, and his “oomph” is audible.
I’m not sure how long we trade blows back and forth, neither of us willing to permanently harm one another, but also not willing to concede. Aercek and I are rolling across the ground, both of us trying to gain the upper hand, when ice-cold water hits us, and we spring apart, hissing in shock.
“Y’all about done?”
Keelie’s standing there, her hip cocked sassily to the side with a hand propped on it, and an empty metal bucket dangling from the other. Movement out of my peripheral snaps my attention back to Aercek, and we glare at one another, our ire still fiery hot.
“Do I need to fetch another bucket?”
Shifting my eyes back over to Keelie, I offer her a tentative smile. “No, little one. You don’t. Aercek and I understand one another, don’t we, Aercek?”
His narrow-eyed gaze touches on me before shooting over to Keelie. I see the instant his face softens, looking at her with naked adoration and longing. His tone is grudging, but clear.
“I apologize for my insensitive words and the timing in which they were delivered.”
“Yeah, no kidding. You’re a bit of a dick, aren’t you?”
Biting my tongue, I literally hold back my laughter at the perplexed look on his face and rub a rough hand across my snout to hide my smile. Aercek is fairly literal and doesn’t get very many limericks, slang, or euphemisms, whereas I delight in learning about different people and their cultures. Especially human slang, since it’s so unique.
“Why do you think I am a phallus, little one?”
Keelie looks at me, sees my poorly hidden amusement, and lets her head fall forward, shaking it back and forth. Heaving a heavy sigh, she glares up at the sky.
“Seriously, Wayne! You send me a grouch and a sunshine at the same time! You know that’s my favorite romance novel trope! Gah!”
Throwing up the hand not holding a bucket, she whirls around and stomps back to the campsite, muttering under her breath. From the bits and pieces I can hear, none of it is flattering to males in general.
Looking over at Aercek, I quirk my brow before speaking to him civilly for the first time since he made Keelie hyperventilate. “This is the second time she has mentioned a ‘Wayne.’Who do you suppose that is?”
Growling, he replies. “I don’t know, but I fully intend on finding out.”
Before he can stalk off, following our mate with single-minded focus, I slip in front of him, holding out a hand in supplication.
“How about you let me do the talking? Your delivery is awful, and this needs to be handled with care. The fact that she looks to the heavens when she talks to this Wayne should be something you took note of.” Pinching my eyes, I reach for patience and steady my tone before continuing. “Since you haven’t and were about to stick your tail in your mouth a second time this evening, you will keep said mouth shut. The fact that you are one of the best warrior hunters we have is amazing to me, since you are so clueless about interacting with other beings. That said, are we in agreement?”
He nods belligerently, rolling his eyes as he agrees. “Fine.”
Beaming at him, I sling an arm around his shoulders in the nook between his nape and wings. “Brilliant! I’m glad that’s settled.”
Together we stride back into camp, only to find Keelie sitting in her chair, body bent over with her face held between her hands.
Chapter 11
Keelie
Dropping the bucket, I sit back in my chair and slump over after tossing back some ibuprofen I grabbed out of the medkit earlier. Absently, I set my water bottle down and sink into my seat.
I’m having a pity party, and I know it.
Normally, I don’t allow myself to act like this, but today has been more than a little overwhelming. I miss my husband, but he would be the first to tell me that everything happens for a reason and to go with the flow. He was always far more laid back and easy going that I am. My type A personality and tendency to obsess over things were quirks he found endearing and adorable, but now… he’s not here, and I don’t know what to do.
