Page 12 of The Delver (The Vrix #2)

From what Callie had seen of the vrix, they weren’t just a closeknit community—they were like a huge extended family.

She’d always heard that it took a village to raise a child, but most people, at least in the United States, didn’t have the means to make it a reality.

Whether it was a matter of time, of money, or of feeling increasingly isolated from one’s neighbors despite the ever-increasing population, she’d never seen that old saying put into practice before now.

She rubbed at her chest. She loved her parents and brothers, but this closeness was something she’d never experienced as a child. Her brothers had been much closer to each other than to her and had spent most of their time glued to video games. And her parents…

Callie knew her parents loved their children, that they’d worked hard to provide a good life for Callie and her siblings. But they’d never…let go. They’d never allowed themselves to be silly, to be carefree, to roll around on the ground as their kids dogpiled them.

Not like Urkot.

God, he’d make a good father.

Eyes widening, Callie halted.

Why the hell did I just think that?

Because it was true. Urkot was protective, kind, considerate, and as gentle as he was strong. He loved his friends like siblings and had wholly accepted the humans as part of his family. And seeing him now, playing with the broodlings…

He would make a fucking amazing father.

Callie had never thought about having kids.

At least, she had never thought about having them soon.

She’d always been focused on her career.

Being a mother had been a possibility for the murky, far-off future, once she’d established herself.

When she’d joined the HWI and committed to the one-way journey to Xolea, she’d known it would’ve been expected of her eventually, though it never would’ve taken priority over her mission.

She’d been a chemist foremost. A vital specialist, crucial for the success of the colony.

But now, watching Urkot playfully growl at the broodlings and them growl and chitter back, she felt as though her ovaries were about to explode.

One step at a time, Callie. You’re not even mates!

Yet. We’re not mates yet.

Because she had her sights set on a target, and she was going to take her shot.

As though he’d heard her thoughts, Urkot’s bright blue eyes flicked toward her. They flared.

Callie smiled wide and closed the distance between them, stopping beside him. “The mighty Urkot has been defeated.”

His mandibles rose in a vrix smile. “They will make fine warriors.”

With one chubby little fist, Akalahn took hold of Urkot’s mandible, staring at it like it was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen.

Urkot’s eyes softened as he gazed at the child. “Or weavers, potters, delvers…whatever they choose, they will be most good.”

Well, that’s it. My ovaries just exploded. I’m a goner.

Mindful of the broodlings crawling atop him, Urkot rolled onto his side, positioned his thick legs beneath him, and pushed himself upright.

While he was considered short by male vrix standards, his powerful frame towered over Callie.

She couldn’t stop her gaze from roaming over him as he plucked a broodling off his chest to set upon the ground.

Stop staring, Callie. He’s going to notice.

Blinking, she shook off her stupor and met his gaze as he straightened. She gestured toward the rowdy game going on nearby. “Why aren’t you playing?”

“Too tired.”

Callie laughed. “So you chose to wrestle with a bunch of kids instead? From what I’ve heard, taking care of one baby is exhausting enough, but six?”

Chittering, Urkot lifted an arm. Honuhn, Garahk and Nalaki’s son whose hide was as white as his father’s, dangled from the limb.

“Different tired,” Urkot said. “More good tired.”

Callie smiled at the broodling. “Considering all the work you and the other delvers did to make this place a starlit wonderland, you deserve a break.”

Urkot tipped his head back to look up at the crystals glowing above. “You like it?”

Moving a little closer to him, she peered up. “It’s beautiful. Makes me want to do the same thing in my den, so I can feel like I’m looking at the stars every time I go to sleep.”

“All you need, Callie, I will give,” he rumbled, his voice barely audible over the music and shouting from the game.

She lowered her gaze to find him staring at her. There was a glint in his eyes, but it was no reflection; it was an inner light, a fire, heated and heavy, that said far more than his words. It was a vow.

When he told her he would give all she needed, he wasn’t talking about crystals alone. He was promising much, much more.

Warmth flooded her and pooled low in her belly.

A swell of voices rose over the music, drawing Callie’s attention to the game. Many of the vrix, including Garahk, were holding their sticks high in the air.

Cole thrust his arms straight up, raising his stick in both hands. “Victory!”

The broodlings holding onto Urkot dropped to the ground and scurried to their fathers as the game dispersed. Mandibles raised, Ketahn swept his son up and greeted Ivy with a dip of his head, pressing his headcrest to hers. Callie’s heart squeezed seeing the tenderness and love they shared.

Cole leaned his stick on the rack with the others and jogged toward Callie and Urkot, grinning. His bare chest and arms glistened with sweat.

“That was a fucking blast,” he said.

Callie chuckled. “You looked like you enjoyed yourself. You rocked it out there.”

“I can hold my own, doesn’t matter how big they are.” He ran a hand through his damp hair as he smirked at Urkot. “You’ll have to join next time. I’ve got wins against Rekosh and Ketahn now. You and Telok are next on my list.”

“I must say no,” Urkot replied.

“Too scared?”

“No, I am protective of my tribe. Your pride would take a wound too big for you to survive.”

Cole laughed. “Ouch, man. When you strike, you strike deep.” He looked back to Callie and swept his gaze over her. “Damn, you look hot in that dress.”

“Aw, thank you.” Grinning, she grasped the sides of her skirt and spun in place, letting the silk flare. “Probably the prettiest dress I’ve ever owned.”

He waggled his eyebrows and leaned close. “Do I get a victory kiss?”

Callie pressed her fingers to his chest and gave him a push. “Even if you weren’t all sweaty, it’d be a no.”

Growling, Urkot gnashed his mandibles, making his fangs clack as he inserted himself between Callie and Cole. “Come, human. I will give kiss.”

Cole chuckled and took a step back. “Nah. I’m gonna pass on that.”

“You want a kiss for victory, or kiss from her?” Urkot pressed, advancing the same distance Cole had retreated. There was tension in him that hadn’t been present a moment ago, making the muscles of his broad back taut.

“It was a joke, Urkot,” Callie said softly, placing a hand atop his hindquarters.

He let out a heavy breath, and she watched him gradually ease.

“Just a joke, man. Besides, I’m not into spiders.” Cole lifted his hands to his face to mimic mandibles. “These just don’t do it for me.”

The remaining tension bled from Urkot, and his mandibles fell. “You think I am ugly?”

Callie scoffed. “Cole! How could you?”

“Woah, woah!” He threw his hands up. “I never said that.”

Urkot looked at Callie, bowing his head. “He does not like me.”

She didn’t miss the mirthful glimmer in his bright blue eyes.

Cole lightly patted Urkot’s shoulder. “I’m sure you’re a fine specimen…for a vrix.”

“Callie, do humans have other words for much big sad?” Urkot asked.

“Jesus,” Cole said as he ran a palm over his face. “Look, it’s not you, it’s me, okay?”

Callie propped her hands on her hips. “Really, Cole? You’re going to use that line? Like that makes it better after the damage you’ve done to this poor vrix?”

He retreated, walking backward as he thrust a thumb over his shoulder. “I’m just gonna…go get a drink.”

Cole turned and hurried away, disappearing into the sea of vrix.

“Coward!” she called after him with a laugh. Turning back to Urkot, she softened her smile. “I think you are very handsome.”

Urkot trilled and stood a little taller and straighter. He eased closer and leaned into her, his rich, earthy scent flooding her senses. Its warm, spicy notes, reminding her of brandy, were intoxicating. That scent settled over her mind in a fog, obscuring her thoughts.

He caught a strand of her long hair on his finger and lifted it from her shoulder. “The dress does not make you beautiful, Callie. You are beautiful.”

Callie’s breath hitched. His interaction with Cole had been playful and teasing.

This was completely different—it was evident in the intent in his eyes as they held her gaze, in the steadiness of his deep voice, and in the care with which he pronounced each word in a language he’d learned just to communicate with Callie and her friends.

He wasn’t simply being nice. He meant what he’d said, and she felt it.

The heat that had suffused her core earlier came rushing back, making it clench.

“Thank you,” she said softly, unable to look away from his glowing eyes.

Urkot’s chest swelled as he drew in a deep breath. A rumbling sound, not unlike a purr, emitted from him, and he shifted a foreleg, brushing it along her calf. Her skin tingled at the delightful contrast between his rough hide and his soft, fine hairs.

“Callie, your scent…” He grunted, and a tremor coursed through his body.

Her cheeks burned.

Ah, yes. Vrix and their super senses of smell. And this one is smelling just how much he’s turning you on.

What was there to do other than own it?

“Mmhmm.” She placed a palm on his warm chest and leaned close. “It’s because I like you, Urkot.”

Releasing her hair, Urkot flinched back, legs scuttling over the ground as his eyes flared. He stared at her, silently, and blinked, cocking his head in an oddly birdlike fashion.

He was too stunned to speak.

Callie chuckled, lowering her hand. “I guess you weren’t expecting that?”

His mouth opened, closed, and opened again, but no words emerged. Finally, he shook his head.

She crossed her arms over her chest with a smile. His reaction was adorable.

Bending forward slightly and raising her chin, she asked in a sweet voice, “Do you like me, Urkot?”

Determination and certainty sharpened the light in his eyes. “Yes.”

It would always amaze Callie how such a small, simple word could be so profound, how it could bear immense meaning and weight far beyond what should’ve been possible.

“Oh,” she said softly. This time it was her turn to be caught off guard. She’d hoped, but she hadn’t expected such an admission to come so readily, so honestly. So unwaveringly.

Urkot stepped forward again, eliminating the space he’d opened between them. He reached for the small pouch hanging from the leather belt around his waist. Untying the knot, he slipped his hand inside. “I have a gift for you.”

He produced a small, folded silk cloth, resting it on his palm. With another hand, he carefully unfolded the cloth to reveal what was inside. A cubed chunk of white, clear stone. Calcite. Cut and polished with care.

“Oh Urkot…” Callie picked up the stone and studied it. Glimmers of light from the crystals above and the nearby bonfire shone on the calcite’s surface, making it seem like it had its own glow. He’d gifted her many, many stones, but this was her favorite so far.

She closed her fingers around the calcite and drew it to her chest. “It’s beautiful.” Rising on her toes, she pressed her lips to the side of his face. “Thank you.”

Urkot’s body stiffened until she began to pull away. His hand darted up, catching her jaw and halting her, keeping her face angled up. Voice low, gravelly, and commanding, he said, “Do that again.”

Callie grinned. “As you say.”

She moved to kiss his cheek once more, but before her lips made contact, Urkot turned his face toward her, causing her mouth to press to the hard crease of his.

A gasp of surprise escaped Callie. His grip on her tightened as a shudder coursed through him. He released a breath, which flowed over her lips.

“Oh, you sneaky vrix, you,” she whispered with a chuckle. She flicked her tongue out against his mouth, teasingly tracing the crease, then swiftly pulled out of his grasp, taking several steps back.

Urkot’s breaths came harsh and fast through his nose holes, and his body was tense as he lowered his hand.

Callie didn’t miss that his claspers shifted, one crossing over the other to press down on his slit.

She knew exactly why he was doing it, and it sent a rush of arousal through her, pouring heat into her core and making her nipples harden.

That arousal only intensified when his blue tongue slipped out and trailed slowly, deliberately, across his mouth as though he were savoring her taste.

Oh, fuck me.

What would it feel like to have that long, thick tongue stroking her pussy? Pushing inside her?

Would his cock be that same shade of blue?

Whoa now, Callie. You know you want him, but that doesn’t mean now. Slow down, girl.

But God was it hard to take it slow when it had been so long. Especially knowing how sexually satisfied Ivy and Ahmya had been, and how desperately Callie’s body was yearning for touch.

A distraction. That was all she needed. Something to get her mind off thrusting tongues and blue cocks.

Stop it!

The beat of the drums pounded through her, urging her to move to its rhythm, to surrender to instinct—but not that instinct. Not sex, but something achingly close. Something just as primal. Something she could lose herself in just as thoroughly.

Callie reached out, took hold of Urkot’s upper right hand, and gave it a tug. “Dance with me, Urkot.”