Page 13 of Rhaz's Redemption
She knew pancakes were my favorite and it was a nice reminder that I was loved. I had friends here and people who cherished my company. I didn’t need Rhaz, and I certainly wouldn’t beg for his affection. Despite the ache in my heart, I felt more resolute in my decision than ever.
After breakfast we headed out on the trail to the kala which would eventually lead to Axon’s cave. If we made good time we’d get to see the ruins before nightfall.
“Ah-boo!” Tarak played peek-a-boo with Tabby as Gabby carried her in a sling on her back. The chubby-cheeked baby smiled at her father and cooed happily.
Ahead of them were Kayla, Drovo, Julie, and Orsu. Kayla and Julie road in the chariot Drovo had made and he and Orsu walked beside Jelly, Kayla’s bison pet as the animal pulled the chariot.
Brexl and Taylor walked behind us. Brexl was sticking to Taylor like glue and constantly watched the forest for any wild beasts. I heard him offer to carry her twice to which she refused.
“Really I’m fine. I will let you know if I get tired,” she sighed and smiled up at her mate.
“I just worry,” he whispered and patted her tiny baby bump. “I know, but walking can be good, and me and the baby are fine, I promise.”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. A sheepish smile broke out across his face and he looked content.
Axon held Ashley’s hand and kissed her on the cheek when he thought no one was looking. She blushed and whispered in his ear and then he would kiss her again.
Lumond made Hai laugh as he walked half shifted giving himself the appearance of a half fish-half man. Fins stuck out of his sides, and his hands had become fully webbed, but when Hai pointed out his appearance he pretended to be shocked as if he had no idea.
Sarah blushed as Jax offered her a pretty leaf from the trail and Sozu hung on every word Talia spoke.
Rhaz brought up the rear and every time my eyes wandered to where he was I found him looking at me. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. The longing expression he wore on his face brought me nothing but pain. What was the point of wanting me if he would not allow himself to see it through?
We spent the afternoon walking the wide trail to the kala then veered right instead of going inside the walled structure. It was still early afternoon when we finally arrived at Axon’s moon cave, and it had turned out to be far more luxurious than I had anticipated.
“Oh. My. God.” Talia’s jaw hung open as she took in the sight of the bougiest cave any of us had ever seen.
The entire space was covered in a soft moss from floor to ceiling, which served to not only make it soft to walk on, but the sounds that would usually echo around the cave were muffled too.
Cute glowing bugs crawled along the ceiling producing a soft light that was easy on the eyes. A tiny spring of fresh water flowed down the wall in the far corner of the cave acting as Axon’s own personal drinking fountain.
“Do you think you could line our cave with moss like this?” Julie asked Orsu with wide eyes as she made a show of patting her swollen belly. I don’t know why. He would do anything for her, pregnant or not.
“Of course. Whatever you desire my kira-si,” the big bear shifter looked down at his mate with a smile. Then he looked over at Axon with an expression that said he’d be cornering the spider shifter later to ask him exactly how the hell he did all this.
“I love the glow worms on the ceiling!” Sarah pointed out. “They’re like cute little stars.”
Jax looked up at the ceiling for a long moment then approached one of the cave walls. When he thought no one was looking he reached up plucked a glow worm from a low part of the ceiling and put it in his pocket.
I did my best not to laugh. These guys were going to be doing more redecorating when we got back to the mountain than anyone on one of those home decorating shows.
Ashley called the other women over to one of the tunnels that extended from the main cavern. “If anyone needs to use the bathroom, follow me.”
All but two of the women left with Ashley. I was having too much fun watching the guys stress over how they were going to recreate this kind of luxury at home.
As soon as all the mated women had left the cavern the guys circled Axon like hungry vultures.
“Where did you get all this moss from?” Orsu asked.
“Was the water already streaming through here when you first found this cave, or did you reroute it somehow?” Lumod added.
“Exactly how many furs do you have stacked up on that bed?” Brexl questioned.
Axon opened his mouth to speak when Jax tapped him on his shoulder to get his attention. Once Axon was looking his way, Jax pulled the glow worm out of his pocket and pointed to it.
“I’ll show you were I got the glow worms tonight,” Axon sighed. “I’ll answer everyone’s questions one at a time.” The poor male looked exhausted and the questions had only just begun.
“You know if you guys had put any effort into making your own caves a little more comfortable, you would have discovered this stuff already,” Axon huffed.
