“I mean… he did headbutt a freaking grizzly bear. That species has extremely thick skulls, so yeah… I’ve no doubt he’s going to have a hell of a headache. Thankfully, you two got here before the boar stopped playing with me. That last swipe before your friend tackled him was the beginning of a mauling that would have killed me. I’m going to be bruised and sore, but I don’t have any open wounds.”
Something akin to relief flits across his face, which puzzles me. Pausing for a second, I gather my courage and ask the question that’s been burning a hole in my tongue since I realized aliens were real.
“Not to be overly forward, but whatarey’all and what are you doing here?”
Surprisingly adorable fluffy ears pin flat against his head, before he winces. “Ah, yes. Not the most auspicious introduction we could have made, but in our defense, saving you from being mauled took precedence over a proper introduction.”
He must see my confusion because he rushes through the rest of his explanation. “My name is Ahstahl,” then he gestures to the heap of fur and scales beside him, “and this is Aercek. We are warrior hunters from planet Undatfonyh, and our species iscalled the Dewlvrkgnari. Please rest assured, we mean you no harm.”
Rolling my eyes in exasperation, I reply. “Duh. I don’t think y’all would have gone to the trouble of saving my life if you wanted to hurt me.”
I didn’t know it was possible for a creature that looks like the perfect blend of Hollywood werewolf and bipedal dragon to look abashed, but this creature’s face is far more expressive than I would have thought possible.
“That was ratheron the noseof me, wasn’t it?”
Chuckling at him, my next comment is interrupted by a low groan from the one lying on the ground. “Ahstahl, what in the gods’ name did we drink last night,frater?”
Wow, I guess male stupidity transcends species and planets.
Chapter 6
Aercek
Frak!
Why does my head hurt so bad? The hells did I drink last night?
Rubbing a rough paw across my snout, I groan when sitting up sends shards of pain radiating from my forehead to my jaw.
“Ahstahl, what in the gods’ name did we drink last night, brother?”
A feminine scoff causes my eyes to snap open, and I instantly remember exactly what happened and who I’m with. Glancing over, I see Ahstahl crouched next to me, his body language broadcasting his deep level of amused embarrassment. Curling my lip at him, I fold my wings properly against my back and slowly get to my feet. Chagrin fills me when Ahstahl steadies my wobble, and I chuff a thank you to him.
Peering over at our mate, I’m surprised to see her standing, relatively calmly, where Ahstahl left her. Gods, she’s beautiful. There’s a smudge of dirt on her adorable, little flat face, and her heavy breasts heave with each breath. Narrowing my eyes, I see that she’s holding her body stiffly, and I’m sure she’s battered, but thankfully not grievously wounded. Her dark hair is pulled back in a braid, and her glowing green-brown eyes are curiousas she stares back at me. Lifting my snout, I surreptitiously taste the air to ensure that what my nose is telling me is true.
She isn’t scared.
Why isn’t she afraid?
Clearing my throat, I try to salvage some of my dignity and offer Keelie a respectful bow, ignoring Ahstahl when he sneakily uses his tail to keep me on my feet.
“Greetings, my name is Aercek, and this is myfrater vinculum, Ahstahl. You are unharmed, little human?”
To my surprise, she rolls her eyes at me. “Yeah, Galahad. I’m perfectly fine. Your friend there introduced himself while you were taking your little dirt nap. What does that frater vinc something word you said mean?”
Her words end on a snicker, and I hear Ahstahl bite back a laugh at our mate’s quick-witted sense of humor.
“For clarification, I am Aercek. Not this Galahad you speak of, andfrater vinculumwould be loosely translated to bond brother or brother bond. Ahstahl and I are bound soul to soul for the entirety of our lives.”
Ahstahls’ groan of dismay is closely followed by Keelie rolling her eyes even harder at my boastful tone, and I preen with pride. Just because I pretend to be obtuse doesn’t mean that I am. Sometimes, it is easier to let others think you are not quick of wit. Grinning over at Keelie, I catch her slight wince when she sees my teeth.
Ah, yes. I forgot for a moment.
She is not used to something so non-human.
Ignoring her wariness, I tilt my head towards Ahstahl. “Little brother, my head is pounding. As much as I don’t want to, I think it’s best we go back to the ship so I can rest.”
Before Ahstahl can reply, Keelie interjects. “Uhm. I’m not sure how far y’alls… ship is, but my camp isn’t too far from here, and y’all are more than welcome to come with me. I have a firstaid kit, and there’s still some ice left in one of my coolers that we can use on your head to help with any swelling.”
