I snorted and tossed my head back, a rumble of laughter shaking me. She grinned in response.
“Not at all. That is a different function.” I continued to chuckle.
“Vorpyr animals are strange.”
We got down to business, fanning across the valley with baskets that we placed the food into.
“Do you ever regret choosing to rule the territory of your ancestors instead of moving to a location that’s less dangerous?” She stooped down and scooped up the gyksh leavings.
The question surprised me and I took my time answering. “Ultimately, no. There were times when I was younger that I resented Luuciyn for getting to experience somewhere new, but I’m proud of continuing my family’s legacy here. They defended this territory when the ‘Gak attacked all those decades ago.”
“At some point you’ll have to tell me more about that time in your history. Do you gather like this every year?” She gave me a narrow-eyed look that told me she knew I didn’t.
There was no reason to be dishonest. “I typically hunt.”
“Why not do that, then?”
I sensed everything around us and my claws flashed out as I scooped up an alakh from the grass.
“Don’t hurt it.” she said quickly, gaze pinned on the tiny, blue furred animal that I held in my hand. Its huge ears and yellow nose twitched.
“That is why.” I said quietly, meeting her gaze. Her rosy lips parted as she gazed at me with what I thought was affection. I placed the animal back in the grass and it disappeared in a blink.
“Thank you. You forewent hunting in place of something I would appreciate doing, and you were kind to that little thing. It reminded me of a bunny that I raised in high school. So cuddly.”
I smiled. “They make good pets if caught as babies. Would you like one?”
With a laugh she shook her head, a human indication of no. “I appreciate your offer, but I don’t want a pet.”
“What about children?” As soon as the words passed my lips, I wished I could take them back. But I couldn’t, so I might as well forge ahead. Except now, she was frozen with a shocked expression on her face.
“Is that possible?” she whispered.
I realized she meant from our coupling. My cock grew hard as the sight of her spread before me, crying out her pleasure, paraded through my mind.
“I don’t know. I don’t believe anyone of our species has mated before. Do you not want them?” The thought made me unhappy. She would make an excellent mother and raise intelligent children.
“I guess if I was in a good place in my life, I would consider it.” She rubbed a hand over her forehead. “Can we please change the subject?” Her cheeks were flushed.
I tilted my head and studied her, but she turned her back to me and busied herself with gathering. I would find out why she reacted that way later. For now, I was content to spend the day with her. I smiled to myself. And unbeknownst to her, we would be spending the night together as well.
It had been a full day. Vorpyr ate a great deal, so it made sense the baskets that were as large as a whale needed to be filled as much as possible before returning. Arrazyl told me that there were storms that moved through the territory and kept everyone in his city mostly inside, so they made sure they had extra food, especially the delectable gyksh layings and hykh meat.
Jaron and Tatiana were each off on their own adventures. Thyra hadn’t come, but another vorpyr had taken Jaron under his wing and was showing him the ropes. The area was dotted with domed, small one or two vorpyr tents, though they were of no material I knew about and seemed to be soundproof. In stark contrast, fires were lit and food was cooking over them. The vorpyr had taken advantage of the best of technology while still holding onto their roots. It was admirable.
The only problem… “where is my tent?” I stood with hands on my hips. I’d help set up many tents, and I saw the ones that belonged to Jaron and Tatiana, but all the others around were occupied.
I felt his presence before I saw him.
“You look like a little lost alakh.” Arrazyl said lazily.
“I am not blue, nor do I have fur. But I am lost. I can’t find my tent.”
“Oh my.” he said sardonically, making me suspicious. “I know where it is. I’ll show you.”
I followed him past tents and campfires. Wherever I was sleeping, it was on the outskirts of the entire encampment. “I don’t know if I…” I quit talking when he stopped in front of a tent that was away from and much larger than the others. “…should be all the way over here. Why are we at your tent?”
He opened it and gestured for me to go in. “Your tent didn’t get set up. Luckily, mine has plenty of room.” His voice was low and gravelly, inviting.
