Page 50 of An Invocation of Monsters

He raised a hand as he sent me from the water. I will be waiting, my mate. I will be here.

“I’ll be back,” I promised, and I went to the M’luldra waiting for me.

15

Kiraxis

“Follow me,” I told her, flexing my muscles. “No creature will come near you when I am here. My strength is intimidating.”

Elle looked up at me, her lips tightening, then a big smile broke through. “Very intimidating,” she agreed, coming closer.

I felt her warmth, an aura in the air around her, and the scent of her arousal was so strong I could smell nothing else.

Jealousy bit at me, nibbling away at my insides. Drazan was much, much older than me, and as an Elder had a right to lead, but… I had waited so long. And now she had arrived, and the sight of me did not make her scream and run.

I wanted to bring her to my nest, but my mate was strong-willed. She had made it clear that there would be no nesting without her strange human customs being observed.

I loped along on all fours, keeping myself between Elle and the forest, careful not to move too fast for her tiny human legs.

“Nothing in this forest could touch you while I am here.” She surely must understand that my strength was beyond mortal comprehension.

A thrill went through me as Elle reached out and rested her hand on my shoulder. She touched me.

My future mate. She touched me.

“I believe you, Kiraxis. You are rather, um… awe-inspiring.” Did those gray eyes dart to my body when she spoke? I was sure they did. The ruff along my spine stuck straight up with glee. “And I trust you. Would you stay with me so I can look through the ruins of the Lodge?”

I beat a fist against my chest. “Nothing could separate me from you.”

Elle beamed, sending a stirring through me that made all my blood flow downwards. I wondered if it would be good if she noticed.

If she did, then she would see that not only my muscles were powerful, and I would bring her much pleasure.

But then she might think I was trying to skip her customs and disrespect her. If I disrespected her, I would have no choice but to leave in shame.

I agonized over it in silence until she spoke again, thankfully distracting me.

“How long have you lived in the Lodge?” she asked. “Do you know those people?”

“I do not… know them,” I answered, thinking it over. “I have only watched. The small round man gives me food. The others… they do not know I am there. They smell strange, and the Hunter lives among them. But,” I rushed to assure her, “I am only a century old. I recently found this door during my explorations. All Mlul’dra must go forth from the hordes when they come of age, and bring back knowledge and power, but now I see why some do not return. There are many interesting things in the universe. I have spoken to other Mlul’dra, and they are very happy here on Earth. I have met one who found his own human mate and he keeps her very content. She is expecting their first young soon. He told me if I was careful I could find my own, but I must still abide by Mlul’dra mate customs.”

Elle gazed up at me, moon-eyed. “What are the Mlul’dra mate customs?”

I puffed up my chest. “One, your nest must be clean and warm and safe. Two, your mate must be kept clean and warm and fed. Three, your mate’s requests must be met to keep her happy, or she will spit venom into your eyes while you sleep and blind you. Four, I must bring you food to ensure strong, healthy young. Five—”

“I… I can’t spit venom,” Elle said faintly.

“Which is one of the reasons a human mate is very desirable. I do not want to be blinded.” I surreptitiously glanced at her neck, making absolutely sure that everything I had been told was true, and that she didn’t have venom sacs.

There were no venom sacs or poison spurs. I breathed a sigh of relief.

But Elle winced. She shook her foot, knocking a few sharp pebbles free. “I need to bring a change of clothes and some shoes if I’m going to be crossing to the Void all the time,” she grumbled. “I keep getting sharp rocks in my toes.”

Now was my time to show her what I could do.

I rose up to my legs, and easily scooped Elle up. She let out a squeak, tensing at first, but I gently cradled her. She fit against me perfectly, like she’d been made for me.

“I will carry you so you don’t feel pain,” I told her, moving towards the ruins much more quickly now. “That is another custom. Our mates must be kept comfortable and free from harm at all costs.”

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