Page 12

Chapter

Nine

E xcitement vibrated through Agrel, making his wings twitch.

After days of watching the activity of the humans from a distance, and longing to share in their warmth and closeness, he was finally a part of the family.

He would no longer be obliged to stop a safe and non-threatening distance away like an unwanted stranger, but would be one of them.

To be an ahaku male with a mate and nestling was everything he wanted.

A mate to cherish and a nestling to love and watch grow—and he did not even have to wait for the latter to come.

The gods were giving him blessings in multitudes.

He could barely contain himself. It was scarcely believable that he could be so fortunate to be granted so much so quickly.

Despite the mess they made of their mating, he was once again optimistic.

Although Atlavans didn’t experience the drive to join outside of mating, he understood that they were different species with unique expectations and social rules.

Mistakes were to be expected; he just had not anticipated it happening already and especially not regarding something his species took very seriously.

But he was confident that he could fix it and the sort of mate and father that the females needed him to be.

And he would start by providing in the most basic way he knew how—by giving his time and providing food to fill their bellies.

He nearly trilled with pleasure as he patted the sack hanging from his belt.

He had made a point to stop and collect a few of his recent kills for their supper.

“I must warn you, Lily has a very active imagination,” Delilah said as they entered the small, gated yard around the dwelling. “If she says anything strange, do not take it too seriously.”

He looked over at her curiously, but nodded. It seemed that nestlings were not too different between species then.

“She is named after you?” he inquired as glanced around anxiously, eager for his first full glimpse of the little female.

A look of surprise crossed his mate’s face, and she smiled.

“In a fashion,” she agreed. “Or at least it sounds like it, doesn’t it?

I was often called Lila by… it doesn’t matter.

” She shook her head, her smile dimming briefly.

“I always liked the name Lily. It’s a flower that my mother grew in her garden. ”

“Do you grow these lilies, too?” Gehj queried curiously.

“No. They are expensive to acquire and difficult to grow on this world. She is the only Lily I have, but she’s really the best one.”

Agrel nodded solemnly. He did not know anything about growing flowers—he was a hunter and that was where the majority of his skills lay—but he understood about valuing that which was most precious.

Something of beautiful memories from the home world would doubtlessly be seen as valuable among his own people as well, but family was the real treasure.

And a nestling—an ahaku pair and their mate could wait for a great many revolutions to be blessed with one.

Nestlings were the true treasures guarded within the families.

“Then Lily is my favorite as well. Lilies and Delilahs,” he announced, startling a soft laugh from her.

“I think I can handle that,” she replied, her eyes bright with amusement.

Gehj took her hand in his earnestly. “I do not think you understand. To us, you—a mate—and Lily, a much-desired offspring, are the greatest gifts that the gods could bestow upon us. Many males would wait long—some perhaps all of their lives—for such gifts and consider themselves lucky if they obtain even one.”

“That… that is good to know,” she replied in a voice thick with emotion despite the obvious conflict on her face.

Agrel’s heart hurt for her. He understood that she had intended nothing permanent—even she hadn’t known that Atlavans were not designed that way—but was it so hard to accept such words for him?

Surely, she had heard such things from her previous mate?

But no, she looked so overcome with emotion that it struck him that perhaps the human male had not appreciated her or was negligent in demonstrating such feelings.

Fortunately, Atlavan males doted on their females and nestlings. She would never suffer such lack again.

He was about to ask if she wished for them to wait outside so that she could bring Lily out to meet them on more neutral—and less intimidating—ground when a tiny female launched from the dwelling with a small furry creature grasped in her arms. She drew to a stop right in front of them, her mouth gaping open for a long moment before a sudden, sharp squeal of excitement left her that made his feathers fan in surprise.

“The stars sent me not one but two daddies!”

“Lily,” Delilah groaned and cupped her face in her hands, but he was absolutely delighted.

She believed that the stars had sent them?

It was so utterly charming that his heart melted completely.

It was far more appealing to think that the Feriknikal had whisked them away to serve such honorable purpose to father nestlings and be good mates to those who needed them.

He liked this better than the grim purpose that was set before them to locate a proper territory to establish their rookeries.

Serving one’s people was all fine and good, but this made him feel like he had an actual purpose.

He crouched in front of her; his wings unfolding with an urge to sweep around her and keep her close for all time. He swore that even when she came into maturity, he would remember this moment. Any male who dared to harm her would know the bite of his fury.

“I am honored, Lily,” he cooed.

“As am I,” Gehj replied, his heart in his eyes.

She was so small and delicate, more so than he had understood from his brief glimpses of her watching through her window.

She was perfect, and she was his offspring…

his nestling. There was no waiting for Delilah to make her decision.

Even if he did not have the honor and great pleasure of raising her, she was his and would always protect and care for her.

Even if that meant abandoning the rookeries once their task was completed to dwell on the outskirts of the human settlement, to watch over the both of them should they need him.

He understood just from looking at his ahaku’s face that he felt the same.

It was decided. Delilah did not have to accept them as her mate, and she could choose to continue her life without them, but they would never abandon their mate and nestling.

They would complete their mission that they were sworn to, but this was their family.

They could do no other than watch over them and protect them, even if from a distance.

Atlavans were quick to choose but loyal to the core once that decision was made. The gods granted them this, and so he was greedily taking it. No matter the outcome, he would be ever thankful to have been granted the chance to experience such feelings.