Page 35 of Right on Time

If Nitiel was talking about her getting closer to him, then heck yes! But, of course, he meant the cibiris. “We won’t startle them?”

“No. It is you who may get startled, once they all come to greet you. They’re curious creatures, and you’re a novelty.”

“Oh.” She forced herself to look at the cibiris, really look at them, instead of being lost in her head with thoughts of Nitiel pulling her back against his solid chest, wrapping his strong arms around her and kissing his way down the side of her neck.

The cibiris looked like winged ponies on steroids. That was the best description for the animals grazing on a meadow of pink grass before Chloe’s wide-eyed gaze. Their bodies were short and stocky, as if built to carry heavy loads, and they had a massive wingspan that would put a wandering albatross to shame. Their fuzzy coats came in various colors, but all of them were bright ones that would make a little girl squeal in delight. The various shades of pink appeared to be most common, though.

“Ah, there’s Cheyda. Let’s go meet her first.”

Who was this Cheyda he spoke of with such affection in his tone? Hadn’t Nitiel said there wasn’t and had never been a woman in his life?Before Chloe could ask, she and Nitiel stepped onto the meadow and all cibiris in sight turned their heads toward the newcomers. Simultaneously.

“Uhhh… Nitiel, are you sure?” she whispered when the ten or so buff ponies headed their way. Simultaneously.

“Do not be afraid, Loe. They only wish to take your scent.” Nitiel’s arm went around her waist to stop her retreat. She hadn’t realized she had taken a step back, but now that she could feel the hard press of his body behind her, Chloe didn’t want to go anywhere.

The cibiris surrounded them, giving her a sniff then a poke with their broad muzzles. Nitiel patted the tuft of fuzz on their heads one after the other. Then they moved away, clearly losing interest, but one remained.

Nitiel cupped the wet muzzle of the bright-pink animal. “Hello, Cheyda. This is Loe Davison. Loe, this is Cheyda. The cibiri who carried me while I was recovering from a wing injury.”

Chloe felt like an idiot, having felt jealous over a flying pony. “Nice to meet you, Cheyda. Um, does she understand English?”

“She doesn’t need to.” Nitiel sounded proud while patting Cheyda’s fuzzy head. “Cibiris are attuned to emotions. They feel what you say.”

“Really? Fascinating.”

“You can pet her, Loe. She clearly likes you.”

“She does?” All the cibiri was doing was poking her in the boob.

“Yes. She is acknowledging you’re a mother, like her.”

“Uhh, I’m not–”

“I’m not being literal. Cheyda herself is yet to give birth for the first time.”

“Ah, okay.” Chloe extended a hand, then hesitated under the cibiri’s pointed stare. “Where do I pet her?”

“Here, let me show you.” Nitiel placed his hand over Chloe’s and guided it to the underside of the animal’s muzzle. “Give her a little scratch there, it’s her favorite spot.”

“Mmm, yes.” With his hand engulfing hers and shoulders framing hers, Nitiel was right where Chloe wanted him. Her perv-y side didn’t care that this pose was straight out of a clichéd romantic movie.

The cibiri’s round blue eyes, a shade lighter than Nitiel’s, were half-closed in enjoyment too.

“You were injured?” Chloe forced herself to speak, before she melted into a puddle at his feet.

“Many times.” His tone darkened as he explained. “This wing and leg injury, however, was the worst. I wasn’t sure I would be able to fly and land safely ever again.”

“Dang… So, Cheyda helped?”

Nitiel scratched the other side of the cibiri’s thick neck, his blue eyes filling with warmth. “She brought me back on my feet and wings. When I was ready to give up, she refused to let me ride her so I would be forced to fly by her side. If I began losing height, she flew under me to catch me. When it became clear I would recover and I began overexerting myself in an effort to return to active duty sooner, she kept getting in my way during flight to force me to rest. Cibiris are intelligent like that.”

As if in confirmation, Cheyda moved back from them and began prancing. She kept extending her wings every four steps, showcasing her beauty. The other cibiris respectfully moved away to give her space to show off.

Chloe laughed. “She’s magnificent, and she knows it.”

“A beauty.”

Nitiel sounded dreamy, and Chloe turned to look at him beside her. He was not looking at the cibiri. His eyes were on Chloe.

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