Page 3 of Wings of Desire

“What are you?” I ask, studying his more human facial features. He has delicate lips, but when he opens his mouth, it splits from jaw to jaw, wider than seems possible.

He shakes his head, heaving an almost irritated sigh as he tilts his head down at me with a sense of superiority. “Ekna.” He gestures to a branch, pinning me with his gaze. “Jah?”

Now that I’m close, I notice an enticingly sweet scent coming from him. It’s sweet like freshly baked bread from Tarsil—aluxury I haven’t tasted in ages on the Peony. There’s also a faint, spicy undertone like anise. Why does he smell so intoxicatingly wonderful?

Could it be a pheromone used for attracting mates or a deterrent to predators?

I don’t understand what the fuck he’s been saying, but his voice is oddly soothing. Even if he were cussing me out, I would probably enjoy the sound. From this height, I feel a sense of safety. I’m thankful the trees below can’t reach us.

At least for now.

Sweet like honey

The foolish creature nearly got itself killed. It has no wings nor exo to protect it from the Amae’sil. From my hunting parties’ position in the grove, we heard loud, thunderous noises. Naturally, my curiosity drove me to investigate. Curiosity has often landed me in trouble, but it’s part of who I am. By now, my hunting party knows me well enough not to question my fondness for finding trouble.

I had barely taken a step when the scream tore through the forest. TheAmae’silhad ensnared this tiny creature with vines, its gaping maw ready to consume her.

She is a curious sight to see. The more she screamed, the more agitated the forest became. Now that she is blissfully quiet, I can finally take in her appearance. She stands on two legs, but her clothing offers her no protection. Her eyes are small, with dark spheres set within slate-colored circles. She has a high-bridged snout, and unruly russet hair that cascades wildly. Her figure is plump and remarkably short, barely reaching my waist. She lacks atunajk. It’s no wonder she seems so clumsy on her feet. How has she managed to survive?

“Ken yu lek me dwun?” Her legs tremble as she peers nervously at the ground.

She has not stopped speaking since I picked her up, but if she is intelligent, then I cannot in good conscience leave her to die.

TheKugitauriwill know what to do, especially if there are more of these creatures. Clearly, in her current state, she poses no threat to us.

“Settle yourself,otoki; there is nowhere you can go.” Even if she wanted to escape, there’s no way down from here without my help.

She shakes her head. “Icnt undrsztd yyuu.”

When the creature steps forward again, I snort. Her trembling legs betray her, and she glances down every few ticks, as if hoping the ground will miraculously grow closer.

“It will do you no good to look down.” Suppressing my amusement, I force my face to appear stern. Soon, I’ll take us to the swamp lands to find aVerjimaso we can communicate, because I refuse to endure a constant stream of gibberish.

A noise in the distance catches my attention. A faint beating of wings and footsteps on tree branches. We are too close to the Sagath boundary for my liking. With this fool screaming, and drawing everyone’s attention, they will come bloodthirsty as ever to investigate.

While my back is turned, I feel a brief caress against my wing, sending a shiver of desire through my body. Tender fingers brush it again, she’s so gentle with her touches. I hear her say, “Iz so sft.” I shudder, releasing a tense breath as my body tingles at the touch.

Turning swiftly, I wrench her hand away. I hiss at her like a feral beast, baring my teeth. Does she not comprehend how indecent it is to touch me there?

The sensation of her tiny fingers brushing against my scales leaves my heart racing. Grasping her small wrist in my hands, I gaze into her bewildered eyes. It’s then I realize she has no understanding of what she’s just done.

“Do not touch.” I speak to her as if she is a child, enunciating every word and syllable so she might understand the severity of her actions.

All it seems to do is force her mouth to gape open. Being this close to her, I can taste her scent on the wind. She is like nectar, though there is a hint of something akin tolampfyr.

My tongue darts out, touching the shell of her ear in a fleeting taste of her skin. It’s exquisite—like flowers and sweetness. Desire surges within me, urging me to yield to the longing that makes my cock pulse. I want to claim her against my own better judgement. She shudders at my touch, twisting her head away.

It’s been so long since I’ve been touched by anyone this intimately. I forget myself and how crude I must seem to her. I berate myself to banish my indecent thoughts.

She pulls away just as I hear a Sagath battle cry. “Vittar!”

I scoop her in my arms and press her closely. “We need to leave.”

Leaping off the tree limb, I narrowly evade a Sagath warrior as I dive. They are recognizable because of their long white wings, beaked lips and curling horns. He’s decorated in full war gear ofyunajiskins and bone chest plates.

A shrill scream pierces the air as I dive even closer to the ground, triggering theAmae’silto come to life. Their bright blue and pink flowers begin to glow, and their vines slowly begin to unfurl.

“That is, it! Scream again,otoki!” The louder she screams, the more the forest awakens from its slumber. It will set the perfect trap for the Sagath who is too bloodthirsty to think rationally.

---