Page 27 of Hoof It
Twenty Seven
Chapter 26
Darcy
T urning my face towards Zu, I smile softly. He reaches up and traces a finger along my cheek before returning the smile. I turn back towards my girls.
“A lot has happened over the past two days since I left the campsite. Basically, Zu and I are fully mated, which you already know. With that, we’ve discovered some fun tricks. We can speak to each other within the bond, yes. But it goes a few steps further than that. We’re able to send each other physical sensations.”
“Really?!” Lexi excitedly interrupts me. I feel my mates body shift as he nods.
“Really.” I mimic jazz hands. “But wait, there’s more.”
Frankie cackles.
“We just discovered this morning that we can also send each other full blown images. As much as I enjoy my paranormal romances, I always preferred other tropes over the fated mates trope. So, I’m not exactly knowledgeable about facets of a mate bond.” I let out a deep sigh. “I doubt that I’d be able to get good enough signal out here to use my phone and scour Qweedit forums. So, I need your help. When the two of you get home, I need you to read as much online as you can about fated mate lore, the abilities shared between the mates, anything like that.”
“How would we get any information we find to you, Darce?” Lexi looks deep in thought.
“That’s something else I need to talk to the two of you about. With us completing the mate bond, I have no desire to leave him. The thought of even leaving long enough to go to Indiana to get my stuff is enough to give me a panic attack, and it makes my soul ache. I need the two of you to go without me. Pack up only my necessities, and bring them back to me here, in Maryland…” I trail off.
Frankie cocks her head and narrows her eyes at me. “You want to live here, in the caves with Jimazu? Knowing that Mat is out there somewhere in the woods looking for you?”
“Not quite. This next bit is going to be the most unbelievable, but I need you to trust me.” I hold my hands up in a placating manner.
Lexi squints, but nods hesitantly. Frankie does the same. I proceed to tell them about Pan and my vision. Their faces are a mix of incredulousness and total disbelief. But they also seem curious, Lexi especially. When I finish telling them about the house, they’re silent. The only sound is the popping of the fire next to us. I lean back into Zu’s chest and he rubs my arms up and down.
Frankie and Lexi share a look. For the first time, I’m not jealous of their ability to have a silent conversation with their eyes.
“What are they doing, little mate?”
“They’ve always done that. I lay a bomb on them, or ask them an in-depth question, and they get all quiet and are somehow able to speak to one another. I used to be jealous of them for it.”
“Used to be? But you aren’t now?”
A finger grazes the mark on my shoulder, and it sends a full body shiver up my spine.
“Not even a little bit. I love that we can do that. I may be biased, but I think ours is way cooler. We don’t have to be looking at one another. Plus, we can do more than a simple, silent conversation with our eyes.”
As if driving my point home, I send my mate a series of particularly dirty images of things I want him to do to me when we find the cottage. His intake of breath is barely audible, and his whole body stiffens.
“If you want me to fuck you in every part of our home, then I’m going to fuck you in every. Single. Part. Twice. In one night.”
Just as my panties dampen, Lexi speaks up. “Alright, horndogs.”
Frankie snorts a laugh.
“We’d love to stick around, but we have a long drive ahead of us. And we still need to finish breaking down camp. As much as I’d love to have you help, I don’t think it’s safe for you to come with. Just in case Mat is still hanging around. If you can live without your phone until we come back with your stuff, we should go ahead and decide when you want us to return with everything.”
I think for a minute. “We plan to head out this evening and search for the property upstream. We need to see exactly what condition it’s in. From what Pan said, it’s going to take us about a day and a half to get there? I don’t plan to take anything with us aside from some of my clothes and a couple blankets, so that’ll help. We can stay there for a couple days, then meet you here a week from today?”
Both my friends agree then stand up. Frankie steps in front of Zu and I, and waits. I stand up and she wraps her good arm around me. I return her tight hug for a long moment before we pull away from each other. Lexi finally stands and walks towards me. Her eyes are rimmed with unshed tears as she pulls me into her small body. She buries her face in my shoulder. Her shoulders heave with quiet sobs.
“Lex, it’s okay. It’s only for a week. Then you and Frankie will be back and can stay the weekend with us in the cottage. I’ll figure out a way to get internet way out here, and we’ll still be able to talk all the time. I promise, okay?” I pull back and look at her face. She slowly pulls her face away from my shoulder. Her eyes are bloodshot, but her tears seem to have slowed. I glance at my shoulder and see a wet patch.
Lexi hiccup laughs when she notices the wet spot. “Sorry, Darce. It’s been a long ass day already. My emotions are all over the fucking place today.” Her head shakes side to side and she looks annoyed.
“I can’t tell if you’re annoyed with the way the morning has gone, or by the fact that you’re feeling so many emotions.”
Lexi scowls. “Oh, fuck off.”
“Jesus H.” Frankie mutters from a few feet behind us. “Come on, babe. We’ll see them again next week. We’ve got shit to do.”
Lexi hugs me one more time, then points a single finger at Zu. “You had better keep my best friend safe, Jimazu. Her insane ex is out there somewhere and he won’t stop until he either has D back, or she’s dead.”
Zu manages to keep his anger at the situation in check. Gods only know how he does it.
“You have my word, Lexi. I would die before I ever let him touch a hair on her head again.”
Lex stares at my mate for several long seconds before she nods her head once. I watch the pair walk away and I yell out, “Love you, bitches!”
“Love you too!” Frankie calls back.
I ease myself back onto my mate’s lap, this time facing him. I bury my face in his shoulder and soak up his scent. Like Lexi, my emotions are all over the place. Zu rubs my back in a soothing manner and my body sags against him.
“I can feel that you aren’t alright, Darcy. What do you need from me?”
I pull my face from his chest and let out a breath in a huff, thinking. “I don’t… No partner has ever asked me that. Mat never really bothered to ask me anything deeper than the surface level shit. I’d love to use the hot spring, eat, then take a nap. But I know we have a long walk ahead of us. So, maybe just hold me like this for a few minutes, then we can leave?”
“If that’s what you want to do, it’s what we’ll do. I would like you to eat something before we leave though. Please? I haven’t fed you yet. We keep getting distracted.” He raises a knowing eyebrow and it pulls a giggle out of me.
I lean back in and his arms move around my waist. He holds me tightly for a long time. Neither of us speak, out loud or in the bond. We simply exist and breathe each other in.
Eventually he forces me to leave his lap.
“Go ahead and pick out a couple of the furs you want to take with us, as well as your bag of clothes. I’m going to get us something to eat really quick. Are you opposed to foraging as we walk so that we don’t need to carry too much with us?”
“I’m fine with that. I trust your judgement in all things, my beast.”
He turns and heads down the hallway. I run my fingers along the various furs and choose the two that are both soft and thick. I also run around the room snatching up any and all clothes that we’ve flung all over the place. I hadn’t realized just how many outfits I’ve gone through since we first arrived in Maryland. I’m down to only two more clean outfits, and no more clean panties. I also only have one more sports bra. I have no idea how I’m going to get my clothes clean out here. I consider my limited options as I fold everything and shove it all into my bag.
Just as I’m zipping the duffel, Zu returns. His arms are loaded with my toiletries along with a small basket of fruit. I unzip my bag and take the toiletries from him. He kisses the top of my head, inhales, then places the basket on the bed next to my bag. I rezip my duffel and dig through the basket. I settle on the bright red strawberries, and after popping the first one into my mouth, I know that it won’t take me long to devour them.
My mate decides that he wants blueberries and an apple. We both eat our body weight in berries silently. I finish off my fruit first. As I’m licking the sticky juice off my fingers, Zu groans and a fresh wave of desire slams into me.
“Ugh, behave!”
Seeing that I’ve finished my fruit, Zu stands and reaches for a long stick propped against the wall. He uses the thickest end to separate the burning logs, then props it back against the wall. He reaches for the water he keeps nearby and slowly pours it out the still flaming logs. As the water hits them, they sizzle and pop. The flames die out immediately, and the large room slowly fills with steam. He places the now empty bowl back in its spot, then removes his mask from where it’s hanging. He adjusts it over his face, then turns and faces me. He holds out his hand to help me stand. I look around and spot my hiking boots. After tying them quickly, I grab my bag. I slip my arms into the straps like a backpack and hoist it onto my back. I take Zu’s hand into my own, and we set off in search of our destined home.
Zu speaks in the bond only a couple minutes after we step outside.
“I think it would be a good idea if we stay quiet while we’re still this close to the campsite.”
“I agree. I’d rather not risk drawing Mat’s attention.”
The thought of him coming anywhere near me has my anxiety spiking. My mate picks up on it right away.
“Don’t worry, little mate. I swear on my faith in Pan that nothing will happen to you at the hands of Mat. I’m not one to be violent towards a human, but for him I would make an exception.”
“I love you for that. But I don’t want it to come to that. Hopefully he’s gone and we don’t run into him.”
He doesn’t respond, and we both disappear into our thoughts as we walk more deeply into the woods. For a while, the only sounds I hear are small animals in the trees. Squirrels chase one another from branch to branch. Birds chirp all around. It’s so peaceful, and I feel even more settled in my decision not to return to Indiana with Lex and Frankie.
Zu gives my hand a squeeze, and it pulls me from my reverie.
“There’s the stream.”
Only a few feet away from us is the cool, clear water. We’re still hidden in the trees, and Zu motions for me to stop.
“I want to check for humans first. Stay here.”
I nod once, and my mate takes several hesitant steps closer to the tree line. He looks around slowly before finally stepping out of the shadow of the trees. I rock back and forth on my heels as he looks around to ensure that there aren’t any people. When he realizes that we’re still the only people out here, he reaches his hand out for me.
“It’s safe for us to proceed.”
I step out of the trees and take his hand once again. We walk along the stream, side by side. We alternate between mind-speaking and long moments of getting lost in our thoughts. My mind bounces between thoughts of the possibility of running into Mat, and what sort of condition the house will be. I also find myself wondering who built it, and when.
“Why do you think that our home is sitting empty so deep into the forest?”
Zu is slow to respond. Eventually, he does.
“Many humans have attempted to build a life for themselves in the woods over the centuries. Most have failed because they were ill-prepared. Living out here, away from most human comforts, is not a life for everyone. It is not easy. Not even for me, and it’s the only life I’ve ever known.”
“Do…do you think I can do it?”
“Even if you didn’t have me, I think you’re strong enough, and smart enough, to survive on your own out here, little mate. But that’s not something you need worry about. You do have me. I’ll teach you everything that I know. And anything I don’t know, we’ll learn together. I promise you that.”
He looks down at me and smiles. I return the smile and the bond stays quiet for a while. I’m not even attempting to keep track of time. We walk and I look around at the nature surrounding us. There are birds of all sizes and species flitting from tree to tree. The water isn’t moving fast, and I find myself wanting to float downstream.
Eventually, my belly grumbles. Zu clocks it immediately.
“Let’s take a break for a bit. I’ll search for something we can eat. Sit, rest.”
He motions to a group of rocks. I slide my bag off my back and plop down onto the ground, my back against the rocks. I tip my head backwards and look up to the little bit of sky that I’m able to see above the tree tops. Blue peeks out between the tall branches. The green leaves sway gently in a light breeze. Leaning forward, I stretch my arms towards the stream until my fingertips meet the water. I scoop a bit up. I bring my hands closer and drizzle the cool water down my sweaty face.
After a few minutes, Zu returns carrying some apples. He drops a few into my lap, then joins me sitting against the rocks. We both dip our apples into the stream to clean them before taking our first bites. The apples are a deep red, with spots of golden yellow on one side. It has an almost tropical taste to it. So much so that I hold it up and stare at it for a long moment, scrutinizing every inch of it.
Zu notices that I’ve stopped eating.
“Is something wrong with your apple, little mate?”
I shake my head. “No. I just wasn’t expecting it to taste like a tropical fruit. Apples usually taste more…tart.”
He takes another bite of his own apple and chews it slowly. I can see the moment he realizes what I’m talking about.
“You’re right. It tastes nothing like any apple I’ve ever eaten.”
His eyebrows furrow as he tries to place what it tastes like.
“It reminds me of pineapple and, maybe melon of some sort? It’s far sweeter than I’m used to.”
He nods as he finishes chewing and swallows. His tongue licks the juice from his lips.
“It’s not bad, just…”
“Different,” I finish for him. He nods again and takes another bite of his apple. We resume eating in silence.
A while later, we’ve both finished our snack and Zu rises to his knees, offering me his back.
“Hop on, little mate. Rest your feet. I’m used to walking this much.”
I definitely don’t need to be told twice. I slip the straps of my bag back up my arms and climb onto his back. My arms weave around his neck, and my legs lock at my ankles near the front of his waist. He easily stands and starts to walk upstream again.
Hours later, I’m fighting sleep. His steady gait, the soft sounds of the forest, the burbling of the stream, and my own exhaustion work against me. I tighten my arms, kiss Zu’s cheek once and murmur a quiet, “I love you” against his ear. My eyes fall closed, and don’t open again for a long while.
* * *
I finally wake when Zu stops walking. I crack my eyes open hesitantly and look around. We aren’t beside the stream anymore. We’ve moved back into the shade of the trees, and the sun is setting. I sit up as well as I’m able while still wrapped around my mates back like a backpack.
“Why have we stopped?”
“We’ve made it a long distance from the cave, and the sun is going down. Soon it’ll be too dark to see, even for my eyes. I haven’t seen or heard any creatures other than the birds and squirrels for hours. It’s safe for us to stop for the night.” Zu reaches backwards and pats my ass. He lowers himself to his knees and I easily slide the rest of the way down. I drop down to my knees for a few moments as I wait for feeling to return to my legs.
Feeling as though I can safely stand and the worst of the tingling in my legs has passed, I stand and stretch as much of my body as I’m able. Various cracks and pops sound from all of my joints. Zu stops what he’s doing as he listens to every single noise that leaves my body. I finish up by popping my neck, and a series of satisfying cracks echoes around me.
My mate is still staring at me, his mouth hanging wide open. His eyes are nearly as wide as his mouth. I laugh, my chest bouncing with each breath. He closes his mouth and looks confused.
“What is so funny?” His head tilts to the side as he tries to think of what I could possibly be laughing at.
I drop my mouth open, then widen my eyes. Zu’s laughter is immediate. I close my mouth. “The face I just made? That’s how you just looked. That’s what was so funny.” I start laughing all over again.
A few moments later we’re calm, and Zu moves back to what he was doing before I started cracking and popping.