I clutch at the hand that had pushed at me, trying not to focus on how she clutches at me in return. Rubbing her back while she wretches and heaves, my mind scrambles to make sense of it.
Trixikka do not often fall ill of this kind. It is not unheard of, of course. Sometimes training is very hard on the body. Sometimes our stomachs protest when the blood lust wears off after utterly destroying the mimyckah. Sometimes a male is foolish enough to eat meat that has no business being eaten. But generally, our stomachs are strong and it is a very bad sign when vomiting occurs.
"Ah-Lanah, what-"
"I'm fine!" she pants, wiping at her mouth with the back of her hand. But she is clearly not fine, and a new fear starts burning me up from within my gut.
"Ah-Lanah, you are not fine. What is wrong? Do you need a Healer?"
"Mavyx,I'm fine," she says, her words clipped. We stare at one another and I do not like the way her gaze falters so readily. Ah-Lanah never backs down. Not from me. But now her eyes cannot hold mine and they fall to my chest, and to where her hand is still in mine, clutching it. I do not think she knew she had been gripping onto me while she emptied the contents of her stomach, and by the way she pulls away like her hand had been burned, I do not think she enjoys the realization. "Just-" She stands, a little unsteady on her feet. I am stood as quickly as I can, arms out, ready to steady her but she holds a hand up, halting me. She does not want my aid. "Humans are more fragile than Trixikka, okay?"
I furrow my brow. I already know this.
And it is not 'okay'.
In fact, it is so far from being 'okay', I can feel my hands curl into fists and my jaw clench so tight, I fear I may shatter my teeth.
"I probably ate something that's not agreeing with me," she mutters. "I feel fine now."
"Whatdid you eat?" I near growl. I do not mean to for my demand to drip with anger but it's bubbling like a hot spring from deep within. "Whichever male supplied my mate with food last night will-"
Her eyes snaps to mine with a thunderous expression. Never have I been silenced so effectively, and all too slowly I realize what I had called her.
My mate.
It had slipped out so naturally that I hadn't even noticed.
But Ah-Lanah had noticed. And by the look on her face, she rejects it. She rejects it wholeheartedly.
"Humans. Get. Sick." she tells me. "It's nothing. It happens all the time. Drop it, Mavyx.I'm fine."
Her eyes fall to my chest and all too late, I feel that I am absentmindedly rubbing at my heart-stars, trying to soothe the sting beneath my skin and bone. My movements pause and her eyes meet mine again very briefly before she turns away, muttering, "I don't have the energy for this today," as she strides off, leaving me.
Everything in my body screams to go after her. But after only two steps, I halt. Rynn is stood between two storage huts, leaning his shoulder against a wall, his eyes tracking my m-Ah-Lanahas she strides passed him, not even acknowledging my High Spear.
Turning back toward me, his brow is raised and there's a questioning look in his eye but he knows me better than to press me for information I do not wish to give.
I don't have the energy for this today.
She doesn't have the energy for what? Me?
I thought she enjoyed our verbal sparring as much as I do. Perhaps I was wrong.
"Come," Rynn says, the word quiet but commanding as he shoves his shoulder from the wall. "Zarriko and his men wish to speak with us in the Eyrie Caves."
"The Eyrie Caves?" Males from another tribe entering our ancient caves feels like an affront to our ancestors.
Rynn can read me better than any of my tribesmales. He sees the concern on my face as clearly as an etching. But he only grunts. "Yes," he says, turning away and starting to walk. "If we are to truly work well, tribe and tribe, we must allow them this."
***
I do not visit the Eyrie Caves often. We are brought here as younglings by our Elders to learn from the wall etchings. This is where we are taught about the history of our Trixikka tribes, and for many males, that is all the use the caves have to offer.
Except for flying a deliciously scented female up here and pressing her soft, beautiful body up against the walls.
I shake my head, willing the memory to leave and for my cock not to swell.
Truly though, this place is mainly for the Elders now. They fly up here to wander the many caves and tunnels, reading the depictions on the walls. What they search for, I do not know, and nor do I care. My concerns are with my people - the people who are among us now. Not with those who already lay in The Promised Lands where their souls know eternal joy and glory.
