“I know what you meant. Also, I see certain marks on your neck and chest that could not have been caused by training.” Zura was still smiling to herself as she headed off through the forest.
Violet broke into a jog to keep up with Zura, whose long, lean limbs sliced through the underbrush.
“Hey, warrior princess, slow down! Anyway, I really only asked for the training session so that you wouldn’t be forced to hang out with the Wor-Lans. It seemed like you really didn’t want to.”
Zura nodded and slowed her pace. “I know that’s why you did it. And Treffon knew as well. That was masterful negotiating on your part; a crucial skill for the pair-bond of a Reginar.”
“I’m ignoring your continued attempts to marry me off. Are you and my great-aunt conspiring together?”
“You are saying she is an ally? Hmmm.” Zura looked thoughtful.
“Argh! No! Forget I said anything. Anyway…I wish Treffon could be a little less…I don’t know, sometimes he comes off as a bully when he’s disciplining pack members.”
“He would be offended that you think it is only sometimes.” Zura glanced at her. “I know he seems harsh to someone who does not know our ways. Believe it or not, though, his leadership has been an enormous change for the better. You never met his father…fortunately. He was a brutal leader. He was what you humans would call a sadist. There were many times that Treffon considered leaving and starting his own pack. He only stayed because he knew that many of us would remain out of loyalty to their clan, and Zaar, Treffon’s father, would have been even more brutal than ever without Treffon’s influence.”
“Life is harsh here. I’m sorry you had to endure that.” Violet glanced at Zura as they walked. She looked pale and tired. “Are you all right? You seem…stressed about something.”
“These are stressful times we live in.” Zura avoided her gaze.
That wasn’t an answer, but it was obviously the only answer she was going to give at the moment.
Ahead of them, they heard cries of, “Eep, eep!” They came out into a clearing and found Allison and Kroi sitting with the Eeplings.
The Eeplings were making odd arts and crafts out of vines and branches. They sent up a happy chorus of high squeaky noises when they saw Violet.
Allison shot Violet a dirty look as she walked over to the group. “Your crazy aunt shocked my Kroi,” she said indignantly.
“I am already healed.” Kroi shifted, and winced in pain. “Mostly healed. Think nothing of it,” he assured Violet.
“It was entirely my cousin’s fault,” Zura said. “Treffon meant well, but…” She glanced around, then said in a lowered voice, “Since it is just us here, I will admit, sometimes he is a bit of a thick-skull.” Then she added quickly to Violet, “But he is a thick-skull with many excellent qualities, who would make a most wonderful mate.”
“Again. Ignoring the attempts to marry me off,” Violet said firmly. “So, Allison, nice job with the arts and crafts! What are you having the Eeplings make?” The little furballs were all running around waving strange little stick contraptions.
“No idea. That’s all them,” Allison said. “I’m not able to teach them, since we can’t communicate. I’m just turning out to be a babysitter. It’s okay – they’re fun to hang out with.”
An Eepling plopped down next to Violet, and she tried to examine the tangle of sticks it was holding. It snatched the stick contraption away and handed her a leaf instead.
“Veep veep,” it said, pointing at the sticks.
“Veep veep, that’s me,” she agreed. The Eeplings screamed with laughter. They slapped their sides and their bellies and fell on the ground and rolled around, kicking their legs.
“Yikes,” she said to Allison. “I probably just told them some horribly inappropriate X-rated joke.”
“Don’t worry,” Allison said, “you might have just declared war on their people or sold them your kidneys or something.”
Violet snorted. “Yeah, that would be much better.”
“We should train,” Zura reminded Violet, who groaned.
“Or we could just not do it and I could curl up right here and take a nap. I’ve had a hard day. I already ache all over.”
“Or we could train,” Zura repeated, and pointed at an open grassy patch. “Now. I must teach you how to stay safe. If you are murdered, my cousin will be in a very bad mood for a long time.”
Violet reluctantly let Zura show her some basic self-defense moves for the next half hour.
She had to admit, it was actually easier to train with Zura. Sparring with Treffon was nearly impossible, given that every time he touched her, she nearly orgasmed just from the physical contact.
Finally she went and sat down next to the Eeplings. She caught her breath as Zura stood there and chugged her weird-smelling drink.
