Which brings us to now.
Keelie is happily flitting about the campsite, chattering away as she readies the evening meal, and Ahstahl helps her prep the meat I hunted earlier. It makes my chest swell with pride that I’m able to provide for my family, but my thoughts are unsettled.
Ofeig commed me earlier and informed me that the ship’s cryofreezer is full, and the only thing preventing us from leaving is Keelie. I know the others are ready to go home. It’s… unwise to loiter on this particular planet longer than absolutely necessary. Humans are not accepting or forgiving of what is different. The only reason my people come here is because of the massive tracts of land full of natural resources my planet desperately needs.
As the oldest warrior-hunter and the male in charge of our mission, I cannot knowingly risk my companions’ lives to loiter any longer than necessary… but I can’t force my mate to leave with us either.
Indecision is something I’m unfamiliar with.
Typing out a reply, I send it to Ofeig and let him know that I will have a decision for him by the next morning. His response is immediate affirmation and that they will wait for me, no matter how long it takes. Ofeig is often a loud-mouthed, arrogant, boastful male, but he is loyal to a fault. I’m thankful for that.
Refocusing on my triad, I laugh when I see that Ahstahl is using the tip of his tail to push items slightly askew or away from Keelie while she’s making her human food to eat alongside the meat. She’s playfully pretending she doesn’t see what he’s doing, and they’re having a great time picking at one another with witty banter as well. I’m loath to ruin their fun, so I keep my concerns to myself for the time being.
It's not long before the scent of sizzling meat fills the air, and we’re all seated, enjoying our evening meal. A comfortable silence falls as we eat until satiated. Getting to my feet, I take Keelie’s plate with a tender smile and rumble at Ahstahl. At his quizzical look, I flick an ear towards the cooking area. “Keep your seat,anima.Ahstahl and I will clean up. Enjoy the warmth of the fire, the nights are getting cooler with the impending arrival of your continent’s winter.”
“I keep telling y’all that you don’t have to clean up after me. I am capable of helping.”
Chuffing at her in amusement, I roll my eyes. “Yes, we’ve heard you each and every time, but it is our dutyand pleasureto take care of you.”
Keelie’s eyes widen, and she shivers when I drop my voice to a basal rumble. The scent of her arousal slowly blooms around her, and I smirk before turning and walking away with Ahstahl following close behind. He reaches for the water container we filled earlier and pours some into the washtub, slipping into Vrkani to ask. “What’s going on, Aercek?”
Replying in kind, I tell him. “Our time is up. Ofeig commed me before we ate to let us know the cryofreezer is full to the brim. They can’t possibly fit anything else, and there is no longer a reason to loiter on this planet. You and I both know that Keelie is the exception to the rule—any other human would have tried to kill us for being what they considerabominations.” Pausing, I reflect on that. “Keelie has weapons, but she’s never reached for them. Not once. Even when she was slightly afraid of us. Theanima teneturcan only help so much. We both know that it cannot control or alter another’s core being or free will.”
The scent of his distress hits me almost immediately, and then he looks at me imploringly, keeping his voice low. “What are we going to do, Aercek?”
“The only thing we can do,frater.We offer her everything we are and a choice. Leaving with us will literally mean she’s giving up her whole life for two beings she’s only known for a short time.”
Ahstahl’s soft whine hurts my hearts. My poorfraterhas fallen deeply in love with our Keelie, and the thought of leaving here without her pains him deeply. He is not alone in his feelings for our beautiful mate.
I, too, desperately love her, but I’ve lived far longer and survived losses Ahstahl hasn’t. At least this time, I’ll have to Ahstahl to lean on if Keelie refuses us.
Chapter 16
Keelie
Somethings up.
Aercek is naturally less talkative than Ahstahl, but he was almost eerily silent and introspective after his wrist comm went off before we ate supper. He and Ashtahl are being quiet, but the fact that they slipped into their own language means it’s something serious. Anxiety starts building the longer they talk in low tones, and somehow, I know they’re talking about leaving.
Getting to know them has been wonderful. They’ve filled the deep well of loneliness I’ve had since Wayne died, and the last several days have been some of the best I’ve had in the last two years. At my request, neither of them has brought up any more sensitive or deep topics of conversation. Instead, they’ve filled our days with stories about growing up on their planet, amusing anecdotes, and the basic getting to know one another information.
Aercek has been completely transparent about Rahyk and Luulae. The first time he brought them up in casual conversation, Ahstahl tripped and almost face-planted into a tree; he was so shocked. That tells me how deadly serious Aercek is about me being his second chance. He doesn’t want anythingto prevent me from choosing them, even if it hurts to talk about his loss.
Honestly, the emotional vulnerability he’s shown gave me the courage to open up about Wayne. Ahstahl remained mostly silent during those talks, but was never far away, ensuring he was close in case one of us needed support. It’s been cathartic for both Aercek and me, and I’ve gotten a lot of closure out of speaking to someone who understands my grief.
Last night, after I went to bed, I evaluated what it would mean to take a leap of faith and leave Earth with them. Both my parents and Wayne’s parents are deceased. Neither of us has siblings, and I distanced myself from all our couple friends because it was too painful to be the third or fifth wheel at every social gathering after Wayne died.
My conclusion was… There really isn’t anyone to miss me or grieve for me if I were to disappear on my annual camping trip. Anything could happen out here, and on top of that, it’s a long drive from my home in Texas. Sure, there are a few friends who would be sad, but I didn’t ever have that typical“best friend”or friend group. I had Wayne. In reality, there are only a few keepsakes at home that I can’t see myself leaving without, but other than that, there isn’t anything here left for me to miss.
What do I really have to lose? If the last several days are anything to go by, Aercek and Ahsthal are going to treat me like spun glass and with the utmost care. They’ve been clear about how mates are treated on their planet and how their culture is based around respecting females.
More importantly, do I want to lose how they make me feel?
After a moment, I decide I don’t.
Wayne wouldn’t want me to be alone for the rest of my life, and after experiencing what it’s like to be with Aercek and Ahstahl, I don’t want to go back to a cold, empty existence. The only other thing that worries me is sex.
The only person I’ve ever been with was Wayne, and while we weren’t exactly vanilla, it was stilltwo humanshaving sex. Not one human and two creatures from a sci-fi romance novel. Aercek and Ahstahl have been scrupulously polite and haven’t tried to instigate any sort of physical or sexual gestures. The few times they’ve touched me, it’s been hesitant as well as platonic. It’s clear they’ve been terrified of doing something wrong lest I have another panic attack or feel pressured into something.
