Page 12 of Ruarc
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 turnsaround 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, motioningfor 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.”
CHAPTER 8
KALLEN
