Speaking slowly, making his enunciation clear, Aercek replies. “Aptet, loosely translated, means ‘adapt’ and is an enzyme my species secretes that does just that— it adapts a non-Dewlvrkgnari mate to be sexually as well as lifespan compatible with my species.”
Yep, definitely time for a break from learning new things about my… mates. I haven’t had near enough coffee for this shit. “Okay, that’s enough for now. I don’t wanna hear anything else life-altering for the rest of the morning.”
Ahstahl appears beside me and takes the Dutch oven from my hands with a kind smile and swaps it for a fresh cup of hot coffee.
“Of course, little one.” He goes back to the fire and situates the black pot in the coals, moving them aside with his bare hands, and I just watch in awe.
Aercek wordlessly nods his agreement and finishes quartering the deer, snacking on pieces of raw meat here and there. To my surprise, a small white bottle falls in my lap as Aercek’s tail withdraws. Looking down, I see it’s the container of ibuprofen I was surreptitiously searching for earlier. Apparently, nothing gets past the two of them.
Before I know it, the biscuits are done, my venison is cooked to perfection, and I’m back in my chair with a plate of food on my lap. My mouth is watering from the delicious smells coming offmy plate, so I don’t hesitate. Breaking open a fluffy biscuit, I put a piece of venison in it, and take a huge bite, groaning in pleasure when the flavors hit my tongue.
Aercek and Ahstahl are back at the base of their tree, eating the organ meat I politely declined, along with strips of seared meat. They eschewed the biscuits.
After we finish breakfast, I enter my tent to get dressed for the day, and that’s when something hits me.
My coffee was never cold or empty. Between the two of them, they made sure it was taken care of.
Pulling my jeans up over the ample curve of my butt, warmth suffuses me, and a reluctant smile pulls at my lips.
AHSTAHL
Cleaning up the remnants of the morning meal, happiness wells. Keelie allowed us to provide for her and listened to Aercek’s explanation without telling us to leave.
It’s far better than I’d hoped for.
Aercek is disposing of what’s left of the deer carcass far enough away from camp that predators won’t bother our mate. The sound of a zipper announces Keelie’s exit from her tent. Pouring the water out of the washtub, I put the utensils in it to dry before turning to face her, stopping in my tracks the instant I see her. She’s pulled her hair back from her face, but it’s not her physical beauty that catches my attention. It’s the attire she’s chosen. Her top covering is a long-sleeved shirt—the same color as my scales, with little silvery-gray designs all over it.
Keelie attired herself in our colors.
To have one’s mate adorn herself in your colors is a sign of deep respect and utter devotion. That she did so unconsciously shows that she really is the one for us. Keelie pauses on the rug just outside of her tent and dons her boots after dumping them out to ensure they’re free of creeping creatures. Straightening, she beams a smile at me when she realizes I’ve cleaned up the communal mess from our meal. “Ahstahl, you didn’t have to clean all of that yourself. I told you it wouldn’t take me but a couple of minutes to change clothes.”
“I’m happy to be of assistance and helpful, myanima.”
Her face flushes with color, and I find myself utterly charmed and captivated by her. “Well, let me brush my teeth, and then I’ll be ready to face the day.”
Chapter 15
Aercek
The following days are some of the happiest moments I’ve had in my entire life. Keelie is everything I didn’t know I was missing in life. Thankfully, Eyjolf, Ketil, and Ofeig have continued hunting to fill the ship’s cryofreezer without us. They’ve been working longer than necessary to compensate for the lack of effort from Ahstahl and me.
All of them know that Keelie is our mate, and courting her is our priority.
I’m extremely thankful for their understanding, since all three of them are unmated and long for what Ahstahl and I’ve found with Keelie—no matter the challenges having a human mate presents.
Ahstahl and I have completely devoted our time to getting to know our mate and wooing her.
We’ve hiked.
We’ve cooked.
We’ve eaten.
We’ve talked.
We eventually persuaded her to go flying with us, and her shrieks of excitement make my tail curl in delight at the memory.
But… what we haven’t done is discuss the rest of the mating process, nor have Ahstahl and I attempted to touch Keelie in any overt sexual manner.
