“Sounds like you’re a bunch of fucking cowards.”
Rathyn makes a warning noise, but Eissa shakes his head. “Perhaps he is right. We have long since lost our way, and it would be very much like a human to help us find it again.”
Rathyn steps close to me and drags a touch down the back of my neck. “We must return. Please send me a communication when Cielo is released.”
Eissa nods. “I will. And please take care. I will keep your secret, but you must keep it for yourselves as well.”
I nod. “I promised Rathyn I would do everything in my power. I won’t let him down.”
Eissa says something to Rathyn I can’t understand, then he leans in and presses his forehead to mine before pressing his to Rathyn’s. The moment passes between us all—calm for the moment with the promise of a bigger storm.
“Come, my Everest,” Rathyn murmurs so quietly I can barely hear him. “We must go.”
When we’re back at The Foundry, Rath immediately strips me of the adornments and the collar, then takes me into his arms.
“Come, my Everest. Let me cradle you.”
I huff a small laugh and move to sit on his lap. I’m completely naked now, and I feel slightly weird without everything on me. But as soon as I slide against Rathyn, his tail and arms come around me.
I feel like I’m home.
I nuzzle into him as his long fingers stroke up and down my stomach. My heart flutters in my chest.
“You did so well today. You deserve a reward.”
“Like a dog?” I ask, and he stares down at me.
“No, like a good human. Like my companion. My…” he searches for a word in his mind.
“Boyfriend?”
His eyes flick to mine. “Boyfriend? You are more than my friend.”
“Yeah. I guess so, but it’s what we call people who are dating.”
“Yes. But we are more than what humans consider dating.”
“Yeah, guess so. So, what would you call me in your language? And please don’t use a word for like cum slut or whatever.”
He looks offended. “You are not this word. You are more than your cum and small penis.”
“Oh my god.”
He caresses my cheek, and my eyelids flutter. “You are VySytheh. The name for the other being who consumes you…”
“Why do you make that sound like a parasite?”
“No. You steal the air I breathe, you devour me gently, you soften my rough edges until I am left with nothing but wanting.” He stops for a moment and then says, “You are my beloved.”
“What the fuck? Since when are you poetic?”
“Like Eissa said, there was a time when we did love. It is the old way, one I must learn.”
“VySytheh.” I say again. I know I’m mangling it, but Rathyn looks at me like I hung the fucking moon.
“That is really what I am to you?”
“Yes, my Everest.”
