Page 30 of Theirs to Crave

My eyes shot up and tangled with hers. The appreciation in them needed no translation.

Now I was really confused.

???

I sprawled over Revik’s wide chest, taking comfort in the play of his fingers through my fur. Svixa had woken not long ago, frightened, and Litha had joined her on the other cushion. They both slept now, their soft breaths a sweet note beneath the pound of rain overhead.

While I’d treated the strangers’ wounds—which were many—Revik and Litha had set out a simple meal of fruit, seeds, and smoked meat. The gratitude our guests showed over such basic hospitality—when woven together with the history of abuse on their bodies—told a story that hurt me to think about.

None of their injuries seemed life-threatening, although the burns tracing the flesh of Cass—the pale-furred Hyunan—concerned me. They covered much of her body, and many placeswere hot with wound sickness. I could only hope our medicines helped, and did not harm them.

Several of them had become frightened when they entered the den. Not for the reason Estrayuh had—I squirmed uncomfortably in renewed shame and confusion—but seemingly from being within walls. Without a word, Revik had gathered all the cushions and furs from the den, turning the lounging area into a nest big enough for all of them to share.

I smiled and rubbed my cheek against his chest, nipping him lovingly.

“What was that for?” he purred, voice low to keep from waking Svixa. His hand slid up my back, the fingers spreading through my braids to cup the base of my skull.

“Because you are you, and your thoughtfulness makes me love you more every day,” I whispered back.

He didn’t answer, but wrapped his other arm around me, turning us onto our sides and tangling our legs and tails together as his heart sped, matching the thrum of his purr. I hid a smile against his chest. He was so soft inside, my big strong mate.

Sleep pulled at my body, but my thoughts spun in every direction, keeping me awake. I felt as if I was being buffeted by winds of curiosity and excitement, while also being drenched in a rain of unease. I’d lost my assurance that these strangers were also children oflenailot. They knew nothing of our languages, nothing of our food, our homes. We’d had to show them how to open asorufruit!

But although they came from the sky—as death does—and were strange enough that I could believe they came from beyond the stars, I could not believe that they brought darkness with them. What little time we’d spent together had proved them tobe caring, selfless, and strong. There were those in the village who would not accept them, but I would support Revik’s claim of kinship.

My mother would not be pleased.

When the storm passed, we would have to take them to the village—if we didn’t have visitors before then. Svixa’s parents would be frantic after hearing from Kurz, and the elders would have many questions. We would have to learn as much as possible to answer their concerns.

The fear I’d pushed aside rose within me, slashing at me with fiery claws. I clenched my jaw, trying not to wake anyone as I struggled to deal with whathadn’thappened.

I should have known better than to bother.

Revik rolled again, pressing me into the cushion with his weight and purring deep in his chest where it made almost no sound, but went straight to my muscles.

I went lax and stopped fighting the emotions. Held safe, I let them flow through me.

“We could have lost her, Revik. Or Litha.” Theagainwas unspoken, but rang loudly between us. “I could have lost you.”

His purring stuttered, and his claws bit into my sides. I flinched, and he forced himself to relax, smoothing his hands over the small hurts in apology. “We didn’t. They are both safe. I am here.”

I lay quiet beneath him, listening to the steady throb of his heart and willing mine to slow. But my thoughts raced—too fast even for me to understand.

Revik grunted and pushed himself up. “Roll over.”

I flicked an ear at him, but did so, then groaned as his strong fingers kneaded the knotted muscles along my shoulders. He chuckled and worked his way down my back. When I was a limp puddle, he pulled me into the curve of his body, linked our tails, and rubbed his cheek on my head.

“Go to sleep,shirratoum. Everyone is safe. Tomorrow comes soon enough.”

With a last whispered thanks to the spirits for keeping my family—old and new—whole, I did.

Chapter 9

Estrella

Did it ever stop raining on this planet? Grey light pushed at my stubbornly closed eyelids—so it must be morning—and still it rained. If it didn’t let up soon, we were going to be washed away, trees and all.

I groaned and rolled over, burying my face in a pillow to block out the light. Exhausted as I was, I’d slept like crap. Terrors had chased me when I closed my eyes, leaving me sweaty and searching for lights in the darkness when the thunder shook me awake. Once, my dream self had woken in my parents’ house—laughter and the scent of Fabuloso in the air. Waking from that...had been worse.

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