Page 19 of Avery

I nod, worried he's going to be upset with me for setting a time limit on it. If I had known it was him, and he'd be as into this as he has been, I would've told Jia not to interrupt us until I had my fill of him. I don't know if we would've done any more than kissing, but I'm interested in how many cocks he has since that was definitely something that wasn't answered.

"Give us a second, Jia."

"Avery was clear," Jia says, with more authority in her voice. Phial makes a face at the door as if Jia can see him. She probably knows it's happening anyway with how the two interact. "You may leave now and I'll see to her needs. Are you both decent?"

"I can see to her needs just fine," Phial grumbles under his breath but replies to Jia louder. "We're dressed."

The door slides open, and Jia comes in with fresh furs for me to wear. She has an annoyed look that she shoots in Phial's direction. He gives her an overly sweet smile until her back is to him, and then his forked tongue is poking out at the back of her head. I muffle my amusement with the back of my hand.

"You can leave," Jia says, waving a hand over her shoulder at Phial.

He looks like he's about to argue, but when I shake my head, he sighs and resigns to do what Jia's asked. I like him being near me, but I made an absolute mess of myself and needed a second to clean up and redress.

"Another sister will be out there to guide you out."

Phial stands in the doorway for a second longer. He wears a look I can't decipher on his face. Almost like he's unsure or worried, and it has my gut clenching at what he could have to be concerned about.

"I won't tell anyone else about this," he says, giving me a small smile as he runs his fingers through his feathers to smooth them down.

My heart lurches inside me, a deep hollowness filling the spot where warmth was. Of course, he doesn't want to tell anyone about this. Why was I so hopeful that this would be us moving our friendship to a different level?

Jia moves to step in front of me to hand me the clothing. I take it and give her a small smile in thanks for blocking my view of Phial. I don't need him to see how devastated his words make me feel. It'll only make all of this that much more awkward. Now, I'm only grateful that Jia interrupted us when she did.

What if Phial told me all sorts of other things he wants to do to me but only in secret and only to make sure I'm comfortable enough to be with a male later on down the line? I'm so foolish.

"He's an idiot," Jia tells me, no hint of joking or laughter in her voice. Phial's already left, so he can't hear her insulting him. I don't say anything. Just wait for her to move toward the door. I expect her to leave, but she turns around, hands on her hips. "Avery, that male is undoubtedly the stupidest male I've ever met. Don't take his words to heart. I don't even think he realizes how stupid he is."

"Jia," I start to defend Phial, but she holds up her hand to stop me.

"The male is an idiot. Don't stick up for him now. Not when he just hurt your feelings." With that, she takes her leave. "I'll be right outside when you're ready to go."

The door shuts, and I spend the next few minutes trying to gather my thoughts. A few things are clear to me.

One, I want Phial more than I've ever wanted anyone. Maybe it's the Rytharian hormones. Maybe it's just him. I don't know.

Two, Phial doesn't want anyone else to know about what we do here. I can live with that. If he keeps giving me pieces of himself,I can live off the scraps in secret for as long as he's willing to give them.

Third and finally, he and Jia hate each other, and I want to figure out why.

ten

Phial

Avery hasn't spoken to me much in the last few days. I think I might've taken it too far when I mentioned both of my cocks while trying to slowly ease her into sexual fantasies and feelings with a male.

I've been giving her the space she wants because I don't want to be seen as a creepy male who doesn't know when to leave a female alone. She needs her space. I can give her space. I'll be there eager and ready the next time she wants to go into the special room, though.

Maybe I can even see about getting her to pull her skirts up. I close my eyes and imagine just how beautiful her plush body will look.

"Stop that," Holoth growls at me, a look of disgust on his features. "We can all smell when you're getting yourself worked up."

I'm sitting in the great hall with Holoth and a few of the males he grew up with. Avery asked for time alone in the dome,and I gave it to her. I wanted to camouflage myself and hide in the corner of the room, but then I thought that maybe she needed alone time for alone time type activities, and I couldn't be watching those without her knowing.

I mean, I could definitely get away with it, but even I have limits on what I'm willing to do. Breaking all trust between me and Avery just to watch her make herself come? Not worth it.

"You're all horny all the time," I say, motioning to the males around the table, two of which are openly ogling one of the females a few tables down who's toying with the ties on her halter like she might give them a show any second.

I turn my attention back to Holoth. I don't need to see anyone's breasts except for Avery's. And, mother help me, I hope she chooses to show them to me soon.

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