Page 8 of Bound By the Vori

Sijhord was not entirely sure that they were flirting, but it felt like that was right and he felt a quiver of happiness zip through him in response.

Their female immediately turned a speculative glance back to the racks, her lips pursing. “Well then, I need to find a nice black contrast to go with it. If I’m going to symbolically mark myself up with this fabric—considering my lack of scales—I’ll need both of my mates.”

Rykaal blinked in surprise and shook his head. “No, Kim, females never mute their scales. Black, dark green, maroon, the darkest of blue, and purple males are passed over in this regard and are honored in other ways, usually with some token,” he said, placing his fingers at his chest as if he were fingering an invisible pendant. It is a great honor that you would consider doing so for me, however.”

She squinted at them over the fabric filling her arms, and Sijhord hastily slid over to her side to help her with her burden. She handed them over to him without any argument. “Let me ask you this—are you measuring me by some Vori ideal? All of this,” she gestured to herself with a downward sweep of her hand, “isn’t Vori. It may have escaped you, but I’m not a shade off from metallic gold or bronze here. Is that going to be a problem for either of you? Is it going to ostracize me from the Vori community that I don’t look the part to fit in? If that’s the case, someone had better send a memo to all the human women on this world who don’t come close to it.”

Sijhord hastily shook his head in reply and cast a worried glance at his nestmate as Rykaal stared at their female in shock. “Of course not!” the male sputtered. “You are perfect as you are, Kim. I chose you because of all the females I saw listed you were the one whose smile made my insides melt, whose intelligence was reflected in the questions to a degree that made me crave to know you, and whose beauty stole my breath. I feel blessed by the Mother of the Nests to have you, and any male who see me with you doubtlessly are eating their own tails in envy. That you even wish to wear our colors warms my hearts, but clothing yourself in Sijhord’s green will be enough to send a statement of your favor toward your mates without drawing speculation and curiosity to your actions.”

“You mean it would show my favor toward one of my mates and not cause a stink.” Her lips pursed again, her eyes narrowing. “Yeah, I don’t think so,” she muttered, snatching up the shiny black fabric and added it to the pile in Sijhord’s arms, to his delight. “You’re beautiful exactly as you are. More importantly you’re mine, and I’m damn proud to wear both of your colors so everyone knows it. I didn’t come all this way for the same bullshit repackaged.”

Turning a satisfied smile on them both, she straightened her billowy shirt and flicked her braids over her shoulder with one hand. “Now that we’ve settled that, let’s go in and see about having this made up into something that will have the ladies around here rethinking their choices.”

The Edoka male behind the counter was quick to assist, his eyes brightening with enthusiasm as Kim explained what she wished to have done. His long spines rustled as he nodded and then quickly removed a pocket scanner. Kim jumped in surprise, her arms flying up defensively with a fearful yelp. Rykaal’s tail slammed between the outfitter and their mate with a hiss, his rattles humming with menace as the Edoka collected himself and bent to reassure their mate of his intention to merely take in her measurements. Kim relaxed with his explanation and finally gave a chuckle, nudging her large mate’s tail out of the way so that the male could proceed once more with his scanner.

Sijhord watched with amusement. To think that it was not so long ago when his days seemed like nothing more than dull routine. He felt sympathy for Rykaal, knowing that it had been no different for him but for many revolutions longer—barely existing and every breath for their Matriarch and her kingdom. Kim was exactly what they needed.

Sitting back on his tail, he watched as Kim bent over the screen the Edoka held to select her preferred designs, her braids sliding off her shoulder to softly graze her cheek. She was amazing. Not only was she beautiful, but she was also fiercely possessive and protective of them already. He had not dared to hope for a female who would claim them so thoroughly, and here Kim was doing that after barely a day. He had to be the most fortunate male on the entire Western Continent.

It was for this reason that he was exceptionally pleased when the outfitter quickly began pulling down different variations of similar hues with various patterns and tints of color. At Sijhord’s suggestion, the soft blossom pink shade that she had admired earlier was added to the pile. It did not take long before Rykaal also began to bring out colors and patterns to show to their mate for her to exclaim over. Sijhord never had so much fun! And he loved the way Kim’s eyes danced gleefully with every selection. She gasped in pleasure as the data unit pulled the fabric styles from its database and began to display the various styles input by the male assisting them until there was a screen full of various tops cut in the many styles preferred all over Vora, as well as some loose pants and flowing skirts that were fashionable among the Edoka.

She shook her head in wonder at the selection. “I don’t know how I’m going to choose. These are all fabulous.”

“Then do not,” Rykaal interjected, handing his credit chip over.

Kim gasped, and Sijhord muffled a chuckle as he watched her eyes widen in surprise.

“This is really too much,” she protested, though Sijhord could tell that her heart was not entirely in it by the softness in her eyes at the gesture. “You don’t need to buy me an entire wardrobe. I brought clothes.”

“Most of which are impractical for the heat on Vori,” Rykaal pointed out firmly. “You are hot and uncomfortable even in that. Edokas are master clothiers and will make something that feel so sheer that you will never wish to wear anything else. I dislike the thought that you might be uncomfortable longer than necessary. Getting these clothes now is practical.”

“What he means is that he greatly enjoys providing for you and takes pleasure in dressing you in pretty things,” Sijhord cut in, bringing a smile to their mate’s face.

“Well, if that’s the case, I can’t say that I can object to being spoiled a little. If it gives you guys that much pleasure and it’s so practical,” she replied, linking her arms with theirs upon leaving the shop. “So where to next?”

Sijhord inhaled the scent of food on the air, and his stomach gave a silent complaint. He glanced down at his mate. “Are you hungry? There are some food vendors nearby.”

“I could eat,” she agreed, patting her stomach, and he smiled with relief.

He must have been a little too obvious with his relief because Rykaal rumbled in amusement and drew them into the crowd. “Let us eat then. There are some establishments that have both human and Vori foods that you might enjoy. I found them tasty.”

Kim perked up and increased her pace so that Sijhord chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Fusion cuisine? I think I’m up for that. Let’s eat!”

He was quite certain that he adored his little mate already.

Eight

After their adventure in the market, Kim was glad that they opted to stay home the next couple of days afterward. The males might not have needed it, but she had far too many muscles that were accustomed to traveling by vehicle that were screaming in protest afterward. As promised, however, she did get to see in passing that the capital did indeed have a huge human population. Since the males seemed to take care of everything for their mates, including being the labor force in all respects, those humans she saw tended to be as pampered and adored as much as any Vori female. It was impressive, and it melted her heart a little to see the way the women were fawned over, protected, and cared for, and the little families with nestlings were beyond adorable.

How all the women didn’t go crazy after a while was beyond her. Having that much leisure time had to get old fast. Kim had worked since she was old enough to get a job and make her own money. She enjoyed working and having that sort of outlet, especially once she got her teaching degree. She couldn’t imagine staying inside watching Edoka soaps—which were a thing she just happened to discover.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, Edokas moved in almost on the heels of the human population, setting up shops and various services. And they really laid down some hair. Having hair much like humans, they seemed to have many salons available in the capital. All it took was walking past and seeing a male rapidly weaving tight braids into a woman’s hair with uncanny speed and dexterity and she was sold. Kim fingered a braid with relief. She made an appointment right then and there for the next week, and thank goodness for that because for a moment there she was certain that she would have to do them herself.

For now, however, she was enjoying her honeymoon. She sank down into the enormous round bathing pool and groaned. Submerging deeper, she luxuriated in complete relaxation as the hot, fragrant water soaked into her muscles as its steam filled the air. Flower petals floated in the water all around her that had a perfume like a cross between a very fragrant tea rose and peonies. That scent mingled with a rich amber perfume from something Sijhord poured into the water as he prepared her bath. He claimed it had some sort of health benefit. She wasn’t entirely sure about all that, but it was sure relaxing. Especially since she was settled comfortably upon their tails coiled along the bottom of the pool beneath her as they ran sponges over her body.

Kim watched through hooded eyes as Rykaal slid a soft sponge over her belly, water beading on his broad chest and shimmering with a pearly luster on the smooth scales of his crown coils. Beneath the water another sponge followed the line of her lower back, and her hips were briefly lifted with a thick arm so that it could slide over her generous bottom before resuming its course down her thighs. She murmured softly with pleasure as the sponge stroked up between her thighs, and she hissed at the gentle contact against her mound. As if that weren’t enough, it made another pass along the seam of her sex, and then again before brushing around her clit in a circular motion that made her hips twitch.

She had to hand it to Sijhord—he was thorough. However, there was a good chance that she was going to come if he did his job any better. As the pool was barely large enough to fit all three of them, there wasn’t sufficient space for sexy times, so she really needed to stop him now.

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