Qeya River teach

soft? now veksar too was laughing, though his smile fell away as quickly as it had appeared. if it makes you feel any better, i don't think i've softened you at all since this afternoon.

something between them, a mutual sense of being guarded, was beginning to fall away.  conversation felt strangely easy considering the common tongue was likely not suliya's first language. it was freeing. like he could breathe for the first time in weeks.

he pulled back a layer of skin to reveal supple pads of yellow fat clinging to the caribou's muscle. his mouth watered and he almost felt guilty for it. this wasn't his food — not at first, at least.

his gaze found suliya again. she teased him and even went so far as to touch him, her strong shoulder pressing against his for a fleeting moment, and he felt something warm stir and awaken within his chest.

no, not until i get you alone, he purred. but i bet you'd like to find that out for yourself.