Page 67 of A Soul to Embrace

With her thighs spread in order to have the best leverage, whatever pussy she had was, thankfully, hidden by a closed slit and fur. But her arse was plump, on show, and her damn fluffy tail kept the back of her short dress up, so the garment was basically fucking pointless.

Disgruntled at the way his groin tingled despite the perilous situation he was in, Jabez softly growled. Then he shifted his left hand to a lower ledge.

Ever since he’d held that female while she smelt like a divine plate of sensuality, and had all her warm curves in his arms, his stupid brain kept zeroing in on her femininity. Her tail, the dip of her hourglass figure, and her thick thighs and round arse cheeks. Even her little grey toe beans kept stealing his attention. He’d even begun staring at her alluring skull a little more deeply, and her orb shifts were starting to affect his thoughts. Her dainty little antlers hadn’t gone unnoticed, as they would be good things to tug on since she lacked hair to pull.

The hell is wrong with me?He grumbled to himself as he kicked his right foot lower. He tried to think on why he was having such deeply perverse thoughts about this female.Is it because it’s been so long since I came?

Surely that had to be the cause.What has it been? Two years?Something like that. Then again, the idea of fucking his fist, or even another person, after the death of his female companion of nearly two centuries had made him rather disinterested in pleasure.

It was like his body had gone as numb as his heart had already been.

So why thefuckdid his fucking heart stutter at Zylah out of the damn blue? Sure, she was cute, but that shouldn’t be enough.

Yet every time she kicked her feet whenever she read something exciting in one of her books... it always warmed his face – especially as he’d obtained the tomes for her. Whenever she was nervous around him or about herself, he couldn’t help finding her fidgeting endearing. She was... soft, both in heart and body, and he was now bothered that he knew about the latter.

She’s a damn Mavka.Her species wasn’t the problem, per se, but the history he shared with them was.Our relationship can go no further than what it currently is.

Too much was at risk otherwise.

He also didn’t... need a female. He was perfectly fine as he was, being alone and spiteful, like the terrible force he was upon the world. He wouldn’t mind some help with his plans, though.

Just as both his feet found a perfect ledge to rest upon for a moment, a loud shift of rock twitched his ears. Then a squeal from above rushed towards him. His nose crinkled in strain as he looked up and readied himself. Just as Zylah was falling, he maintained his grip on the wall with his left hand and managed to grab her elbow with his right.

He caught her drop, and it shunted him downwards. Jabez let out a hiss when it felt like grabbing her had almost torn his arm from his shoulder joint. All the muscles in his arm were on fire, and he grunted at the pull of her weighing him down.

Damnit. She’s so damn heavy.Mavka were such dense creatures.

He dug his fingers into the rock for better purchase, his fangs bared in pain, while Zylah swung beneath him, emitting squealing chitters. With a quiet roar, he yanked her heavy weight up and pivoted her towards the wall until her feet could get purchase on the same thin ledge of rock he stood upon. Whines echoed from her as she held on with trembling arms, her orbs white with tears floating around them.

“I cannot do this,” she whimpered, shifting her feet before gasping when one slipped.

He came closer and placed his right arm around her waist. He steadied her and let her feel secure, like he was a cage for her against the wall. “We’re over halfway.”

She hugged the rock, but eased a little at his embrace. “I-I’mscared.”

Jabez peeked downwards to see they had at least four hundred metres left to descend.

To be fair, she had every right to be frightened. What they were doing was a daunting task, even for him. They both knew a fall from this height wouldn’t kill her, although it was questionable as to whether or not he’d survive it. He doubted she’d be able to heal him through such a horrific landing.

He brought his gaze back to her and gave her his best sympathetic smile.

“You’ve got this. You’ve done amazing so far.”

When she’d managed to calm down enough, he insisted they continue. Once more, he climbed down below her, and she mostly followed his path as she had been before.

A strand of his hair landed in front of his eyes, but he ignored it. He’d been wise enough to tie his hair back into a ponytail before they’d started travelling. The strip of cloth keeping itbound had loosened and currently needed tightening, as it had many times.

Once they were only a few metres from the ground, Jabez jumped, then waved his hands for her to do so as well. She took the opportunity to get away from the wall, and he stepped out of her way so she could land on her feet with ease. He steadied her when she looked unsure, and her knees wobbled before she just gave in and knelt.

She shook her head. “Never again,” she cutely whined. “I don’t want to do that again.”

Feeling pity for her, Jabez knelt on one knee and placed a hand between her antlers. He wasn’t used to this – comforting another – but he found it remarkably easy to do it for her.

He gave a singular stroke down her skull. “We shouldn’t need to do that again. I know the Veil better than I know the surface. If we ever need to climb up the wall, I’ll find a safer path.”

It’d just been so long since he’d personally needed to climb the cliff, as he usually teleported whenever he wanted. Next time, he’d make sure it was easier.

When she nodded, Jabez stood and faced the Veil’s mist-shrouded forest. He often wondered how others perceived it.I’ve always found the mist of the Veil rather tranquil.It made hiding easier, and the thick dampness of it helped tamp down smells, especially the unpleasant, sickly aroma Weldir’s black mist created.

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