Page 14 of Bred By Fafnir

“YourSihlihwouldn’t let me out of the damn house, so I tried to climboverhim. He apparently thought I wanted a ride, too.”

His breath seems to come a little easier then, making another far too slow pass over the discolored flesh before righting my pants and removing his palm from my back. I might be delirious. Perhaps I’m still halfway asleep, but the way his tongue snuck out to wet his lips makes me feel like he wanted everything except tomove.

nine

Lenora

This time as we set out on Valoryx, Fafnir keeps a massive forearm banded across my waist. Well, kind of waist. The thing takes up my entire stomach and rests just beneath my breasts. I’m pulled flush against his chest, tucked in deep to the wall of a male so tightly the bitter wind barely touches me. This time before we set out, he’d shoved some kind of cosmetic cream in my hands, at first I’d thought to be offended, considered lobbing it back at him, but he'd explained it was to keep my cheeks from getting chapped, and that goofy warm feeling took over again.

It appears I’m at least moderately fond of the giant brute. He’s… thoughtful and sweet. Although I’ll have to explain to him later, I can’t eat pizza foreverymeal. Even I’d tire of that eventually. He’d all but gagged when I offered him a bite, apparently content with whateverunfortunate looking dehydrated rations bar he’d produced. Even the tinge of sadness I felt when I thought about Mom and my sisters seemed balmed for the time being at least as he rode through the open fields.

He had, in fact, gone through the trouble of having more traditional Bhaurnul-style clothing made for me. A lot, actually. Mixed with lavishly made human options as well. My mouth had all but dropped open when he’d opened the sky-high wardrobe in the bedroom, filled with things for me. I hadn’t been able to reach anything, but he was patient, showing me each piece and letting me pick and choose. His brow was furrowing so deeply, I’d thought to jerk him down by the horns and smooth my thumb over the deep crease. I doubt that’d go over well, though.

Apparently, Bhaurnul women are far from modest. Making his pajama choice last night make more sense. I’d gawked at the spring and summer options, finding most of them to be no more than animal skin lingerie. Suddenly incredibly grateful I’d come right before winter took hold. We can work up to those. I can’t fathom they’ll look very sexy on me when I’m heavily pregnant with a giant baby, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.

I wiggle and squirm, making another growl sound from above me. “Loosen the seatbelt Fafnir, I’m not going to fall.”

“Youdidfall.”

“Yes, because I wasn’t holding on.” I squirm some more, fighting for even an inch until Fafnir’s warm breath tickles my chilled cheek.

“Female, I must insist you cease moving like that.”

My eyes widen as my body goes deathly still. The steel press of his cocks against my back makes a tremble break out over my body that has little to do with the cold. My mind wanders for a moment. It's only natural to be curious, right? Soon enough, we’ll be well acquainted. Ishift back, just an inch, just until he stiffens further, his fists whitening on the reins. The heat coming from them is enough to make me melt. If the warmth is any indication, I bet they’d be ruddy with need.

For me.

My cheeks flame, a shit-eating smile plastered on my face. I don’t bother hiding it, wiggling again before something that sounds like a stifled groan leaves him before he loosens his hold, finally allowing me to lean forward.

I purse my lips for only a moment before I sink my fingers into Valoryx’s long, blue tipped mane. My dull, dark blue gloved fingers look so pretty next to the vibrant color in his fur, reveling in the warmth and the deep, resonant purr that comes from the beast.

Just like Old Earth cats.

Just bigger and scarier.

Wayscarier.

My eyes dart to Fafnir’s hand as it comes back, not toholdper se but to rest on the swell of my hip as a group of Bhaurnul males race past us, doing some kind of terrifying war cry in greeting. There’s something so…possessiveabout the action, my thoughts are made of pure mud by the time we finally reach our destination.

My hands pass through Valoryx’s mane, forgoing the brush for the tiny knots and tangles, although I doubt some tugging would bother the large animal. Not for the first time since we arrived hours ago, my attention slips to Fafnir. Watching the expert way he handles the majestic nightmare beasts. Apparently, their economy thrives off of something calledwar contracts, essentially pay-to-play soldiers. It’s mandatory, like Old Earth drafts toward the end. Every fit male must serve at least a three-year contract, if they survive it… which typically they don’t. When it’d asked him how long he’d served before he decided to become something of a beast tamer, he’d ruffed out something that sounded like a “for too long” then decided that, oranyconversation, was over.

I’d tried to help him with the others, but the giant lizard kitty underneath me hadn’t taken too kindly to that. Every time I’d approach them, he’d kick up quite the fuss. Snarling and swiping his paws at the offending party.

Attention hog.

So, we were exiled by a very annoyed Fafnir, grumping something about the fact that he should’ve left me home. He hadn’t asked for my help in caring for Valoryx, or the others, but idle hands make for wandering minds. I’ve got far too much my mind could wander on and none that would do me even a bit of good. I’ve wiped down his hardened scales, brushed his mane and dotted on him like any good attendant at a space port spa would.

The terror has been sprawled out, lounging in the sun since we started. Dozing here and there, but always alert, always watching. Much like his master.

Their heads live on a swivel, and I can’t blame them for it.

Mandatory war sounds… horrific.

I know first-hand the things one's mind can subject you to. My chest seems to clinch in on itself when the memories of that night flood in on me. The way my sister’s screams had echoed for miles. He hadn’t meant for it to go that way. Dad would’ve never—

My sister wasn’t supposed to see that, but she did either way. Cammi hasn’t been the same since. She needs help… the kind that costs money. A lot of it. A groan leaves me as I clamber off Valoryx, forcing my mind elsewhere. My thighs aching from straddling him for so long, but all that’s left is the fur on the underside of his mane, near his chest, then the cleansing bucket filled with some kind of mild smelling soap for his face.

I get the feeling this isn’t something that’s done daily, but more something to occupy me now that his beast has decided I can’t be useful anywhere else.

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