We crossed the village to Kookee’s paddock. It was a loose enclosure made of fallen trees and thick roots surrounded by an orchard of fruit trees. There was no gate, so the pandar was free to come and go as it pleased, but it spent most of its time sleeping blissfully in the sun, being fed treats by all the Maeleon younglings.
Chey’ish wasn’t old enough to reach fruit from the tree yet, but his love for the shaggy beast was no exception. He lit up when he saw Kookee, struggling in Paz’s arms.
“Okay, okay, kiddo,” he said, lowering Chey’ish to the ground. “Off you go.”
Chey’ish waved his arms and stretched out his tail, taking a few seconds to find his balance, then toddled over to Kookee. He stroked its shaggy fur in slow, measured motions. Kookee bellowed softly, turning its head to graze velvety lips over Chey’ish’s hand. He giggled joyfully.
“He’s so freaking mobile already,” Paz pointed out, pride ringing in his voice.
“Because he’smykid,” I announced.
Paz grinned. “Oh, definitely. Because you’re the biggest, strongest Maeleon in the whole village.”
I arched a brow playfully at him. “You say it like a joke.”
“No, I’m serious!” He threw his arms around my waist. Even while wiggling his fingers, he couldn’t reach all the way around. “Youarethe biggest, strongest Maeleon.”
I grinned. I didn’t think that way anymore, but it was still cute when he stroked my ego.
In one quick motion, I lifted Paz into my arms. He was light as a feather, especially since he didn’t have that pregnant tummy anymore. Still, it was sexy while it lasted.
“And you’re the smallest, weakest human,” I teased, nuzzling his squishy button nose with the tip of my scaly snout.
He laughed. “Yup. Pretty much. But check this out.” He flexed his bicep, which barely got bigger. “See? I’ve been doing one push-up a day, every day. Progress!”
My grin widened. My filum was nothing if not determined, and it was that very same determination that had brought me back home. It was one of the many reasons I’d fallen in love with him—the annoying, stringy little human that nagged me into submission with his kind words and warm, accepting authenticity.
I kissed Paz. When we broke apart, he chuckled. “What was that for?”
I stared into his dark eyes. They glittered with love I thought I’d never deserve until he brought me his namesake—inner peace.
“Just for being you,” I told him.
THE END
