“Dangit, Aercek! Make more noise, would you?!”
Snorting out a laugh, he nuzzles her cheek with his. “I’m sorry, little mate. I’ll endeavor to make more noise in the future.”
Huffing, she folds her arms across her chest in an adorable display of faux pique, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “See that you do!”
KEELIE
I’m shocked that it doesn’t take any longer than an hour or so to get to the guy’s ship. Looking around the meadow, I don’t see anything, and Aercek smirks at my unspoken question. Ahstahl types something into the wristwatch-looking thing on his left forearm, and a vessel roughly half a football field in length appears out of nowhere.
I know I’m rubbernecking like the backwoods hick I am, but I don’t realize my jaw dropped until Aercek gently closes it with the tip of a thick finger.
“Best you close this, myanima,or else you will have insects flying in there.”
Snapping my teeth at him, I retort, “Oh, fuck off. Sue me for gawking over a SPACESHIP. It’s not like this is something I see every day.”
“It will be going forward.” Is Ahstahl’s snarky reply.
Well, he’s got me there.
Suddenly, a door opens, and a ramp extends down just like out of a movie. Ahstahl smirks and lopes up the ramp.
Aercek pauses and asks, “You’re sure? Ahstahl and I will happily take you back to your campsite if you’re not comfortable or have changed your mind.”
Reaching up with both hands, I pull his face down to mine and press a tender kiss to the end of his snout. His massive body freezes at the contact. “Thank you for asking, sweetie, but I’m good. I haven’t changed my mind, and I’m ready for my next adventure.”
And with that, Aercek follows Ahstahl up the ramp and into the ship.
Chapter 19
Keelie
It takes a couple of seconds for my eyes to adjust to the bright lights inside the ship coming from the darkness outside. Three males are standing talking to Ahstahl when the door closes behind Aercek and me. The largest of the males stands a few inches taller than even Aercek and has to outweigh him by at least fifty pounds. What’s most shocking is his coloration. Bright pink fur, white scales, and orange eyes make a striking color combination, and I have to admit that he's… pretty. Until he opens his mouth. His voice is a loud boom as he greets us.
“I was starting to think you made up having a mate so you didn’t have to do any heavy lifting!”
Indignation slices through me at his comment.
How dare he say that!
Before I can blister him with words, one of the shorter males with emerald green scales, deep blue fur, and yellow eyes to the left of him, smacks the giant upside his head with the end of his tail.
“Cease your prattling, Ofeig! You’ve gone and made a poor first impression on Keelie.”
Glaring at Ofeig, I keep my mouth shut as the third male with tan fur, black scales, and blue eyes rushes to apologize.
I can feel the tension in Aercek’s big body. “Ofeig didn’t mean it like that, Aercek, don’t take it out on his hide. You’ll force Ketil and me to have to patch him up before we can leave.
Realizing he’s made a rather massive faux pax, Ofeig stutters out. “I’m sorry, Aercek, Ahstahl. I didn’t mean it as an accusation. I was merely jesting.”
Narrowing his eyes at Ofeig, Aercek slowly lowers me to the ground before replying. “Apology accepted, Ofeig. Just see that you remain respectful of myanimagoing forward.”
Ofeig, the dunce, nods bashfully in agreement before turning and making a hasty escape. Sighing heavily, Ketil, the blue and green male, turns and follows him down the corridor until they’re both out of sight.
Turning back to the remaining male, he offers me a smile and bows before introducing himself.
“Greetings, Keelie. It’s so nice to finally make your acquaintance. I’m Eyjolf. The giant, bumbling fool is, as you now know, Ofeig, and the quiet one is Ketil. They’re both myfrater vinculumfor better or worse.”
Instantly, I can tell that Eyjolf is the charmer of the three, and offer him a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet all of you.”
