Page 11 of Ruarc

RUARC

I could not escape that cave quickly enough. Even now, I can feel the imprint of her body against mine and hear the soft tone of her voice in my head. Roaming the hills around the cave, I look for signs that anyone has been here, only to find nothing.

Darkness is settling, and I do not want to end up hauling this disk back to the cave if the charge runs out, so I make my way back, only to stand outside while they all talk.

I almost barge in when Kallen admits to being a spy, only to stop myself when her story continues, and it appears that Slavic is not upset.

My stomach growls, and I shake my head at my thoughtlessness, swearing to myself that I will be the next one to provide her meal.

It has been dark for quite some time now, and the cave has become quiet.

The cool air running across my skin has become noticeable, so I reluctantly step inside only to see Kallen curled up in front of the small fire without any coverings.

She must not have been asleep because she sits up, motioning toward the pan resting off to the side. “Slavic left some food for you.”

Grunting, I pick up the pot, lifting it straight up to my lips, eating the meal quickly. I can see Slavic looking at me from the other side of the fire, where he has wrapped a covering he brought with him around both of them as Ruby sleeps on top of his stomach.

When I removed the pot, Kallen scooted closer to the fire, seeking out its warmth in the dampness surrounding us. Grabbing my pack from where I threw it against the wall earlier, I pull out my own coverlet, planning on throwing it over her, only to hesitate.

Spreading it on the ground behind her, I slide my arms under her frame, pulling her back against me before wrapping both of us up.

The skin on the backs of her legs and her ears is so cold that I shiver.

Instantly, this makes me angry. “Why did you not pack better provisions for yourself? You knew you were going to need coverings and sustenance once planetside!”

“No, I did not. Actually, I was heading back to the place where I had a home, expecting at least my personal belongings to still be there. There is no need for you to go out of your way, Ruarc. I was perfectly fine lying by the fire. I promise you, I have slept in much worse places with fewer comforts.”

“Stop fighting me and go to sleep. The rising will come early and you will need your rest.”

It shocks me when she lets out a weary sigh and relaxes against me instead of continuing to argue about it.

I can still see Slavic’s bright yellow eyes gazing at us, but I close my own and without realizing it, I tuck my head into the back of Kallen’s neck.

Under these blankets, I feel a certain amount of comfort as well, just holding her body and enjoying the feeling of her hearts beating, even though our bond is not solidified.

She still trusts me with her safety and her life, though I am not sure why.

Her scent invades my nostrils, and sleep claims me within a few breaths, but it is not long before the dreams take over.

In this world, I am not a miner, and Kallen is not a princess.

She is just mine, and her smiles and laughter are freely given.

Her body is firm and thick as we work together building our future home.

Kisses come easily as she enjoys teasing me, and I feel my shaft harden when she winks at me before smacking me on the ass as she maneuvers another log into place.

Both of our hearts are free to explore the bond that clearly marks us for all to see.

In my dreams, her mating collar swirls down her arms, with the symbols ending at her fingertips.

There is a wide and bold center line that slides between her lovely breasts and flares around her hips.

When she tries to slide past me again, I grab her around her thick but firm waist, crashing my lips onto hers as my hands seek out the feel of her large breasts.

The sound of someone throwing wood onto a fire awakens me instantly and I tense up when I see a large shadow moving in front of me, only to realize it is Slavic.

My arm is sore where I have slept on my side all darkness, and when I go to move, I stop when I realize I am grasping Kallen’s breast with one hand while holding her close with the other.

My cock is so hard that the slightest move from her is going to have me embarrassing myself.

Slavic smirks as he can see the dilemma I have tangled myself up in. Slowly, I slide away from Kallen, tucking the blankets back around her when I feel the coolness of the early rising seeping into the cave entrance.

“Sleep well, Brother?”

“Do not start, Slavic.”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “What? I just inquired after your health, Ruarc. If you do not plan on embarrassing yourself further, you might want to step out and take care of that.”

Gripping my shaft, I grunt at how sensitive it is. Slavic holds the pot out to me that I had eaten straight from last rising. “Go clean this up and dunk yourself in some cold water, but do not take long. My Starshine likes her hot drink in the early risings.”

“I have extra in my bag and plenty of sustenance. Go ahead and use it. This darkness, I will hunt for something more filling.”

Assuring myself that Kallen is still resting, I make my way out of the cave into the cool predawn air.

My skin is hot yet chilled all at once. Heading toward a nearby stream, my cock pulses angrily with each step.

Throwing the pot to the ground, I untie the panel at the front of my pants and free my turgid length.

Three quick strokes later I explode, practically wilting to the ground with the intensity of my release.

Disgusted with myself, I shove my cock back into my pants and quickly clean my hands and the pot I toss in the water before returning to the cave with the others.

Slavic reaches for the pot, the ingredients already prepared to break our fast, as the females talk quietly while they fold up the coverlets we used through the darkness. “Have you heard from Einar or Falon yet this rising?”

“Einar checked in right before you entered the cave. They found the crash site, but there was no sign of the others anywhere around that area.”

“I wish we knew more about the lay of the land. We are chasing shadows out here. The planet is not huge, but even if we were here for a Lunar rotation, I do not believe we could search it all.”

“I promised my Starshine that we would return to the waterfall and lake we found last rising so that we could all clean up before starting the next part of our journey. It would be faster if we split up, but I just have a feeling that is not a good idea.”

I look out through the opening of the cave we took shelter in last darkness, amazed at the bright, but bushy greenery draped along the wood line that hides its opening. “The forest areas are thick, and that makes for easy hiding spots. I agree, we should all stay together.”

For once, I am grateful for Ruby’s constant chattering, as it has helped me avoid Kallen as we eat and prepare to leave.

Settling the pack on my back, I make my way outside while the others follow.

Slavic steps onto his disk only to grab Ruby up off the ground, twirling her around playfully.

Her squeals of laughter tug a smile from my lips until I turn to reach for Kallen and see her watching them with a wistful expression on her face.

She does not react when I grab her by the hips, settling her firmly in front of me while the disk raises us effortlessly off the ground.

For a moment, I wish things were different, but then I shake my head at my own foolishness and start moving ahead.

“Do you know the course toward the lake Slavic mentioned earlier?”

“The path should be easy to see once we get back to the base of this hill. It is through that wooded pass to our right.”

Without waiting for Slavic, we head in that direction, and she is correct, the path is well-worn and easy to maneuver through.

I hear the sound of the water before we come upon it.

Clearing the wooded area, I stop for a moment to take in the view in front of us.

There is no denying the place is so beautiful it seems unreal.

If not for the mist hitting me in the face, I would not believe my senses.

We find ourselves at the bottom of a vast mountain range.

The waterfall, hundreds of meters above us, cuts its way through the valley floor.

Large rock formations are draped heavily in long vines and colorful flowers that thrive in the conditions surrounding this water source.

Roosting fowl fly off when Slavic and Ruby show up, their colorful wings gliding gracefully through the air above us.

“Wow, I mean, this is one of those times you wish you were a painter or at least had a camera or something. Can we stay here forever?”

I see Slavic give an almost imperceptible jerk when those words leave Ruby’s lips. He looks at her, then around, and I can tell he is actually contemplating staying here. I do not know why that suddenly makes me incredibly angry.

“We are pirates, not frontiersmen, Ruby. So, get those ideas out of your head.”

She frowns but shrugs her shoulders. Kallen uses this distraction to step off the disk. “If it is not too much trouble, Ruarc, I need my bag out of yours. If we have a tic to spare, I would like to wash the outfit I wore all last rising before we head back out.”

Pulling my bag around, I grab hers out of it before handing it over. “Watch the rocks near the water as they are covered in moss and will be slick. I will patrol the area while you are refreshing yourselves.”

“We made a bathing area in a spot blocked by some of the boulders in the water, so we will be fine.” I watch as she turns around to help Ruby down a rock onto the lower path because of her much shorter legs, before they continue on.

Feeling a set of eyes on me, I turn to look at Slavic. “What?”

“I am just trying to figure you out. I understand why you held yourself away from Kallen in the beginning, but why now? She has consistently proven that her words are true, Brother. Why are you continuing to not only punish yourself but her as well? Stop this foolishness and claim that female; make her your own. I can see the longing in your eyes, and the obvious signs that your body craves her, whether your mind wants to admit it or not. Ruarc, make me understand your hesitation.”

“Not all of us are as confident as you, Slavic. I will not deny that I want her, I do. But I will not solidify this bond, and I do not need to explain myself to you or anyone else. Once the mission is over, I will leave this planet and her, and then this bond will fade. She will then be free to pursue the life she wants, not the one forced upon her.”

“Frack Brother, can you not see that she is weakening? Do you not feel her trembling in your arms when you hold her against you? Did you not feel her tears soaking your arm as she lay upon it last rising? Because I sure the frack could see them. Are you so determined to save yourself that you would watch her die to do it?”

“You are wrong in your observations. Kallen is growing stronger with each rising Slavic, so maybe you are only seeing what you want as well. You are going to live your life the way you choose, and I wish you the very best, no matter your decision to stay or go. But I will return to the Zenith and then leave this place and her behind. If your life follows a different path, that is on you.”

Leaving the disk laying there, I stomp through the brush surrounding the large lake, heading to its edge as Slavic’s words echo in my mind. I do not worry about staying on guard because I know Slavic will give the females some privacy but stay close enough to help if needed.

Hunching down I cup my hands, filling them full of water and washing the grime of the last rising off my face.

Letting my mind quiet for just a moment, I suddenly hear the female’s laughter echoing through the canyon.

A squeal has me swiftly heading their way, merely to stop dead when I see Kallen rise out of the water right in front of me with her back to me.

The globes of her ass cheeks peek out of the water as she reaches up to untie one of the many braids she has in her long, black hair.

I know I should leave and grant her some privacy, but I cannot seem to step away.

I have seen her body multiple times, but not like this.

Here she is no longer self-conscious about her smaller size or the scars that mar her skin.

She is simply enjoying the moment, and I am seeing her as a female, not a victim, for once.

Turning slightly, I catch a glimpse of the side of her breast, and my shaft hardens instantly.

Cursing my own weakness, I walk away quietly.

When I finally get far enough from them that they cannot see me, I yank my clothes off and jump in as well.

Immersing myself in the cool, refreshing water, I pick up some of the sand off the bottom and vigorously scrub my skin.

Walking out only when my body calms and I hear the others coming my way, do I shake off the extra water flowing down my body.

I look up to find Kallen staring at me, her head turning quickly when my eyes meet hers.

Grabbing my clothes, I dress quickly, then make my way back to where they are waiting for me.

Without saying a word, I grab my bag then step on the disk as it rises into the air, motioning for Kallen to come to me.

When she is within reaching distance, I lean down, grab her quickly, then turn away.

If Slavic says something, I do not hear it, but he quickly catches up with me. “What way?”

I shrug my shoulders, “I know you said you wanted us to stay together earlier, but maybe we should separate and meet back up later like we did last rising?”

“Even though I do not like it, I believe we will cover more ground that way. We will reconvene before darkness.”