Page 86 of Suncatcher

Pearl let out a shaky laugh.

The oncoming night brought with it the scent of rain, thrilling through Driz’s limbs. Her wings twitched, eager to fly as she edged into the cave.

Pearl waited, with several dead lizards and a tarantula warming by the fire. Driz paused, imprinting the sight on her soul, so she would always have it with her.

“Aren’t you hungry?” Pearl asked, patting the grass cushion beside her.

Driz nodded and joined her.

“I am well enough to carry you,” Driz said as they ate. “Do you want to go home?”

“No,” Pearl said immediately, and the response both relieved and disquieted Driz. She’d asked and received the same answer a few times now.

She dreaded when Pearl would say yes. When she would inevitably decide to go back to her people. Pearl was too caring, no matter how much she protested. Salt Bluff was Pearl’s home. She belonged there. Even if Driz wished Pearl could belong with her, she didn’t.

“You alright?” Pearl asked, running a hand over Driz’s restless wing.

“I was just thinking.”

“About?”

“You. Having you here with me. About how much I like it.”

Pearl smiled, the soft, gentle one Driz caught sometimes. “I kinda like it too.”

Driz laced Pearl’s fingers with her own, something she’d discovered Pearl still allowed, and which Driz loved. “Will you fly with me? I will take you anywhere.”

“D’you think the firefoxes are still around? In the canyon?”

The mention of the place made Driz’s smoldering, unquenched desire flare. “We can see.”

As Driz drew Pearl near, she took a moment to simply appreciate the feeling of Pearl against her. The curves of her breasts pressed into Driz’s chest. This curse was growing unbearable.

The night was darker and overcast in comparison to the crystal skies they’d had on their previous visit to the canyon edge. The sight of the twisting dead tree had the memories of being wrapped up inside Pearl flooding back. She wished to be there once more, especially when Pearl pulled away, dodging Driz’s attempted kiss.

Pearl walked to the lip of the canyon and stared down as Driz stared at Pearl, frustration mixing with lust in her belly. Keeping these thoughts and words in her mouth was eating up her insides.

“Pearl, I—”

“I don’t see them.” Pearl gazed pointedly at the dark canyon.

Driz came up behind her. She lowered her face beside Pearl’s, willing her to turn and look at her. Pearl kept her face straight forward.

“I am remembering last time we were here,” Driz tried. Had Pearl forgotten somehow? That beautiful night was seared onto Driz’s soul, but perhaps it had not been special to Pearl. That fear dropped into the pit of Driz’s stomach when Pearl said nothing, her gaze still downcast. “Do you remember?”

“I remember,” Pearl whispered, her shoulders set in a tense line.

“I want to mate with you again.” Driz’s heart hammered. “Do you?” There, she had said it. Pearl’s answer terrified her, but at least she would have it.

“We didn’t mate, Driz.”

“You know what I mean.” Driz refused to let Pearl misdirect or misinterpret her words. She knew Pearl understood. Driz was the one who didn’t understand why Pearl had pulled back.

“We shouldn’t,” Pearl finally said.

“What changed your mind?” Lightning flashed across the sky, promising a storm, but it didn’t soothe Driz tonight.

“You got hurt.”