"It doesn't work like that," Alana says, one hand on her stomach. "Not for us. We can't accept these... offerings."
Rynn's nose scrunches adorably before he schools his features. "The males will be disappointed, but your choice to accept their offerings is your own."
Chastity crouches, picking up one of those cool, glowing stones. The ones that look like the most amazing opal you've ever seen. "Can we keep these though?"
"Anything that pleases you is yours," Rynn tells her, jerking his chin at the collection before us. Chastity grins and then eyes the beefcake Trixikka Protectors that seem to not be able to keep away - even after their High Spear's warning. I can just imagine what it is she's about to say next considering Rynn's offer, but instead, we are interrupted by the arrival of Tryk, accompanied by Rynn's men who had gone with him last night to see the ship's wreckage. All of us ladies stand straight and take a step back as the enormous dark wings of the Trixikka beat rapidly, slowing their flight for them to land in the small clear area nearby. For huge, muscled men with wingspans at least twice their height, they handle themselves with almost mesmerizing grace.
Blinking as the gusts of wind from their landing blow my hair about, I don't miss the way Rynn steps closer and slightly in front of me, shielding 'his mate' from possible danger. Honestly, I'm still not sure about this 'mate' business, and I'll need to talk to him about it, but I can't deny the way my feminism flies out the window, leaving room for that tell-tell tingling sensation down low when Rynn's chest puffs up and his biceps flex in a show of dominance.
"High Spear," Tryk offers him a nod before his eyes find Chastity straight away. "Females," he says, bowing deeply before straightening back up again and puffing up his chest.
"What have you to report?" Rynn barks at his men, ignoring the Shadow Wing.
After a more detailed description of the 'carcass' is retold, it's clear to me and the other girls that this is indeed the ship we'd been brought here on. The girls in the pods were nowhere to be seen according to the Trixikka Protector who had ventured into 'the belly of the beast'. They did, however, say that there was evidence of a band of ‘mimyckah’ in the area, which I think is the demon-chimp thing that Rynn saved me from when he rescued me from the depths of the jungle that very first day.
"The site is firmly within Zarriko's territory, High Spear," the Trixikka scout reports.
Rynn considers this with his hands stroking his jaw. "I will visit the carcass this day," he says. "I would like to see it for myself and I have plans to meet with Zarriko to discuss patrols for the other missing females."
"I will come with you," I tell him. All Trixikka tribesmen turn to look at me, and a myriad of skin-stars burst to life as they all assess me. Honestly, it’s like witnessing a firework display, except instead of a night sky backdrop, the lights sparkle against broad pectorals, rock-hard abs, and flexing biceps. Fuck, I need to calm down and stop ogling him. "There might be something useful in the ship that only a human will recognize. Things we can use here in the village," I add, focusing on Rynn.
"No."
It's the only word Rynn seems to want to offer.
"No?"
I watch as he goes to walk away only to quickly circle right back to me. "I will not be putting you, or any females in danger, Zahreenah. The forest is full of dangers."
"But you'll be there," I argue. "And you said I'd be safest at your side. Besides, when you go to this other tribe. What if they've already saved some of the girls? How will you talk to them? They might not have figured out the translator thing. I can talk to them, convince them to come back here with us."
With that promise hanging in the air, some of Rynn's men shift on their feet, watching and waiting for their High Spear's decision and clearly hoping for a certain outcome. Rynn stares at me stonily and I see it, I see the realization behind those eyes that I could ask foranythingand he'd give it. Within reason. A frustrated growl rumbles from his chest and his tail flicks back and forth before he finally bites out a quick, "Fine!" His huge wings ruffle, stretching out and then resettle on his back. "But you will stay close to me at all times, do you hear, my little-light? I do not want to have to chase you down like prey."
Something screwy flips in my brain. "Oh, I don't know, that sounds kinda fun, don't you think?"
What am I saying?!
I'm only vaguely aware of one of the girls -probably Chastity- snorting, trying to hold in her laughter. Had I really just said that? Out loud? In front of these people? It’s odd - this sudden embarrassment I feel. I’m used to saying the filthiest of things for my clients on the other side of a camera. This feels different.
But when I see how Rynn's pupils are blown wide and his chest rises and falls with more effort than usual, I know he caught my drift. My very horny drift.Fuck, get a grip, Serena! "When are we going?" I squeak, trying to divert attention away from my obvious flirtations with the big, bird-man.
"I will feed you," Rynn says, voice gruff and delicious. "Then we leave."
"I've already eaten with the others," I protest.
"Iwill feed you," is all Rynn answers, before tugging me away, throwing a rather curt dismissal at Tryk over his shoulder, letting the Shadow Wing know he’s outstayed his welcome.
He leads me to the largest of the huts in his village - the one I had slept in that very first night when it was just him and I. "Sit," he demands, gesturing to his nest before he goes to one corner where a platter is awaiting us on top of one of his wooden trunks. Bringing the food over to me, he kneels, lowering his massive frame so that we are at least eye level again. Picking a blue-ish looking berry, the High Spear of this alien tribe holds it up to my lips, his expression expectant as he waits for me to comply.
"I can feed myself, you know."
"I know," he says, not dropping his insistence with the berry.
Huffing, I roll my eyes and take the fruit, the flavor bursting on my tongue, sweet and a little bit tart. So good is the taste that a groan of pleasure slips from my throat.
Before I can even think, Rynn has another berry in his grip, holding it gently against my lips, begging for entry. "Do that again... please." Those little skin-stars are racing down his chest. Down, down, down they go, over his sculpted stomach and hips, disappearing into the band of his loincloth. His loincloth looks decidedly tented - tented by something huge.
"How much do you want me to eat before we can go?" I ask, swiftly averting my eyes and reaching for more meat and fruit to distract myself.
