Page 153 of Valpar

I could not hold back the tears. I saw him as my orgamo, too.

“How long will you stay?” I brushed my claws through my little fairy’s hair, unable to look at my seeded orgamo.

“As long as it takes. Do not worry, Lash will send me pleasant dreams. She wants me to do this for you both.”

I hummed and pressed my forehead against my female.

“I am sorry you feel you must stay. But I am grateful you will stay longer to help. It is an odd feeling.”

My orgamo huffed and pushed back the silver hair. “I don’t know how much help I’ll be. I’ve got a limp, and I’m not as strong as I was. My physical health deteriorates, but I have some wisdom. Besides, Lash would cut off my sack if I did not get to know our new daughter and tell her about what trouble thelittle fairylikes to get into.” He eyed her and I gave off a growl.

Orgamo chuckled and shook his head.

It will be hard having my orgamo here while the bond strengthens with my miresa, but I will cherish the insults he has to throw at me until they are no more.

Chapter Fifty

Calliope

We embarked on ajourney that lasted half a day, surrounded by towering, jungle-like leaves. The radiant light sources filtered through the dense foliage, casting gentle rays that danced between the leaves. The cool shade provided by the leaves shielded us from the scorching heat, allowing us to travel comfortably. As we moved swiftly, Valpar and Azuk’s footsteps created a refreshing breeze that tickled my skin, keeping me pleasantly cool.

I shouldn’t say the name Azuk anymore, though. He told me I was to call him Orgamo and nothing else. He called melittle daughterbecause Valpar said he could not call me by his nicknames. At this rate, I would have so many names, I may not answer because there were too many to remember.

I sighed happily as I sat on top of my mate’s shoulders. We were almost there, at least that was what they told me an hour ago. It felt like an hour, but he said it was only two minutes since the last time I asked.

I kept getting too excited as we traveled. Valpar would have to swat my leg while I sat on his shoulders, bouncing up and down happily.

Valpar said the smell was tempting him to take me behind a tree and rut me into the forest floor. He couldn’t do that though, because he didn’t want to take longer than he needed to, out here in the Wood. He said it wasn’t safe, there were a lot of animals that I didn’t know about.

I didn’t think that was the case. I think he was worried I would wander off.

Which was smart, because there were so many pretty flowers and plants, and I wanted to look at and smell them all.

“It’s just up ahead,” Orgamo pointed with the walking stick. We’ve been in the blanket of the wood and the shade was giving way to a brightness I hadn’t seen since we left the clearing of the cabin.

We couldn’t bring Valpar’s horse, because where we traveled the trail was small and the beasts that roamed manta would spook him.

As we entered the clearing, rustling grasses filled the air, surrounding us with their towering presence. In the center, an oasis emerged, its lush greenery and majestic trees resembling palm trees, adorned with peculiar pink coconuts. My jaw dropped in awe, as my eyes beheld creatures reminiscent ofpictures I had seen of dinosaurs but adorned with fur, feathers and even hair.

“Woah.” I gaped and Orgamo chuckled, stepping into the light sources.

“Come, we must be swift. We must leave this place before nightfall. This area of the Monktona Wood is dangerous when there are no light sources. You are never to come here alone. Do you understand, little daughter?”

Orgamo looked up at me and glared. He actually glared, and I nodded frantically because I didn’t think I wanted to get on this male’s bad side.

Valpar and I followed Orgamo through the tall grasses, careful not to make any sudden movements that might startle the strange creatures around us. They reminded me of huge, long-horned steers back on Earth. These were a deep blue, with long manes around their necks and piercing yellow eyes. They continued eating, but I couldn’t help but stare at the creatures that Bergarian had yet to see.

As I gazed into the distance, the oasis was shimmering with beauty. A pond lay peacefully at its center, its waters glistening under the scorching rays of the sun. The sight of it was so inviting, its coolness would be a relief against the increasingly intense heat.

I wondered if we could go swimming.

As we approached the oasis, I could see colorful birds flitting between the trees, their calls different than anything I had heard before. The pink coconuts I kept eyeing swayed gently in the breeze, casting a rosy hue over the waters.

Pink was just the IT color.

Azuk cleared his throat. “I’m going to scout the east side. Make sure there aren’t any predators.”

I didn’t pay attention, too busy staring up into the stark difference between the forest trees to this oasis. “Valpar, why is it that—”

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