“Damn straight,” Gweneth said and wagged her finger in her best Amme impression.“Don’t worry,” she said because Sheera looked as if she might cry.“We will become used to each other.”
“Which parts of the area have you explored?”Ellard asked, now fully clothed.“There is no point covering the same ground.”
“We morphed straight into the clearing then, once we freed ourselves from the plants, we decided to climb to the top of the flat hill since it’s the best vantage point.”Leeam paused, and his hair and face blinked into view.“The dragons do the best aerial maneuvers when they’re playing.Not that they play near the mountains in this area, but I thought we might find someone to help.”
“And you came up against the force field,” Ellard pushed the conversation in the direction he wanted it to travel.
“Yes,” Sheera said.“Except once we started climbing, the urge to get even closer was almost overwhelming.It felt…wrong, and I pulled Leeam back to the base of the hill and into the forest.This used up a lot of our energy.”
“Maybe one of us can climb up to get a good look,” Gweneth said.“I didn’t feel the urges Sheera described.Did you?”
“No.”
“Then that’s the logical next step.”
“No, we need to find water and food first,” Ellard said.
“Oh, that’s easy,” Leeam said.
Without warning, a blue canteen popped into sight and hovered in front of her, its shoulder strap dangling.
“Now that we have a little energy, we can conjure food for you.”
“What about a ship?If we can get past the force field?”Ellard asked.
“Sorry,” Leeam said.“We’re not strong enough for something of that magnitude.Our parents or uncle could do it, but we’re not strong enough right now.”
“It’s all right.”Gweneth grasped the canteen, reassured by the solid feel of it and slung it over one shoulder.“Food and water is a big help, but how does this work?The ship disappeared after we crashed.Will the food sustain us?”
“Yes, because we offer it freely, and you need it to survive.That’s the basic answer.Maybe Uncle Niran could explain it better, but anything physical we make for you exists until you no longer need it.”Leeam closed his eyes, and an instant later, a dark green tunic popped into existence in front of Ellard.“If you accept this tunic, it will remain visible until you change it for another or remove this garment and leave it somewhere.”
“Chocolate,” Gweneth blurted.“Can you conjure chocolate?”
“I don’t understand—ah,” Sheera said, smiling at Leeam.“I’ll do it.”She closed her eyes, and seconds later, a bar of chocolate appeared in front of Gweneth.She snatched it up, glanced at the packaging, and grinned.“One of my favorite New Zealand chocolates.Kaya will start to drool the sec she hears.She’s eaten the last of her chocolate stock, and none of the sweets we’ve managed to make have passed her discerning palate.”
Ellard yanked the tunic over his head.“Let’s head out.No talking.Everyone alert.”
“Aye, aye, Ellard.”Gweneth did a snappy salute then ripped open the wrapping on the chocolate.She handed over several squares to Ellard and shoved two into her mouth.A moan of pleasure escaped as she chewed.Dark chocolate with hints of spicy chili to counteract the sweetness.Delicious.
Ellard glanced at the chocolate with a little more interest and bit some off.He chewed.
“Nice?”
“Different.I’ve heard you discuss chocolate before, but I couldn’t understand the attraction.”
“Ye of little praise,” Gweneth mocked.
“Shush.”He shut off her words with his mouth, his unhurried kiss taking her by surprise.His tongue sought entrance, and the rich taste of chocolate fired her senses.Raw need shot to the fore, and she almost dropped the chocolate in her urgency to get closer.Almost.She wound her free hand around Ellard’s neck and rocked against him, the burst of sensation at the physical contact roaring through her in a heated rush.This was so much better now.His kiss.His touch.His willingness.
He nuzzled her neck, his teeth nipping at her earlobe.The dart of pain made her breath catch, then an instant later, the throb sank downward to gather in her pussy.“Ellard.”
He released her and stepped back, his green eyes alight with mischief.“My debt is paid for this cycle.Let’s move out.”
His confident swagger made her grin while his rear view brought a happy sigh.The man’s body consisted of sexy muscles, and she enjoyed gawking.His kisses were also great for pain relief.She strode after him, scanning their forest surroundings as they followed a narrow trail between the trees.
As the star climbed higher in the sky, the heat intensified.Perspiration beaded on her forehead and dampened her clothes.Swarms of tiny flying insects, disturbed by their passing, flew in clouds around their heads.Flapping her hand didn’t seem to get rid of them, and the insects kept dive-bombing her face.Talking wasn’t wise.
Overhead, she heard the odd bird or animal, but the dense treetops meant she never saw what made the sounds.Friendly or dangerous?She had no idea.
