Page 43 of Xeda

"Oh, really?" His tail went across her back and pulled her a little closer. He reclined back with his elbows on the ledge, waiting for her to apply more soap. His tail continued to graze across her back as she squeezed more soap into her hands. She hesitated to rest her palm on him again, and he noticed. "Don't go timid on me now." He gave her a sly grin, and she fixed him with a fierce glare, even as a smile tugged at her lips.

"None of the other trainers can know how much I spoil you. They'll think I'm weak," she remarked.

"But the other fighters would be jealous," he said.

"I should think so."

He grunted with approval. He was silent for a moment as she reached up and lathered his neck and massaged the back of his head, along the horns. He closed his eyes, and a soft sort of purr or growl rumbled in his chest. "If I make it through tomorrow, I demand more of this."

She laughed. "If you make it, then it's a deal."

One eye cracked open to peer at her. "Having a human servant might not be so bad."

Ophilia let out a short laugh. "Don't get too cocky." She slowed for a moment, thinking it over, then decided to hell with it, and said quickly, "But how about a friend?"

Both his eyes opened. "A friend?"

She felt the heat rise in her face. Maybe it was too soon. She recovered with, "Someday maybe?"

He fixed her with that intense, quiet gaze. "Yes, maybe," he said softly.

She smiled and continued to massage the back of his head, her heart swelling a little. His friendship was better than she could ever hope for. And if it was all he would give, she would take it.

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Xeda

He was hunting.

The night was clear, a bright moon guiding his way through a jungle as he stalked his prey. He didn't see them, but he could smell them and knew they were near. Oh, how he loved their scent. He wanted to bury himself in them, rub the scent over him. Yet the one who carried it fled from him.

Unthinkable.

He was obsessed with the need to catch this prey. And he wouldn't stop until he did. Soon they would tire, soon they would be his.

Swiftly and silently, he weaved through the trees, catching a glimpse of them in the distance. Yes, he was close, so very close. A thick, silky fog wrapped around his ankles, but it was no matter. He jumped over rocks and streams with ease, as if they were hardly there.

Closer. Closer.

A soft thumping drummed in his head. He had his sights on them now and saw their hair flying across their shoulders as they ran. He could hear them panting as they strained to lose him.

They broke into a clearing. A clearing with crumbling statues of long lost warriors. His prey stopped in front of one that blocked their way and turned to him.

He slowed and came to a halt.

Breathless and skin glowing in the moonlight, Ophilia stared back at him. Knowing she was caught, she slowly approached him. She wore the female attire of a vrisha, this time paired with a crown of horns.

He on the other hand was naked.

It occurred to him then he might be dreaming. But he didn’t feel compelled to wake.

"Be good, Xeda," she purred at him. Her blue-gray eyes cut into him like a blade.

He didn't want to be good. He wanted to be wicked.

He closed the distance between them. Growling low, he let his tail drift across her thigh...then along her stomach...then her chest, letting the bladed tip brush along her throat.

She lifted her head, her eyes half open, her lips parting. He couldn't explain it, but the expression made the heat grow worse between his legs. He let his tail fall, then slither down between her thighs and heard her inhale sharply.

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