Page 63 of Taken to Nobu
The frustration on Kiki’s face from her earlier fight — evidenced in her tightened lips, wrinkled forehead, and pinched chin — falls as she exhales. “What a time to be alive…” she says, repeating the words she said once before at the conclusion of her battle against Pe’ixal. A memory I will never forget.
The way she moved, sharp and true, she was so self-possessed. And when she lured Pe’ixal into lowering his guard and advancing on her while she was down…it had taken every inch of willpower not to end the battle then myself.
I’m glad I did not. When she rose, covered in her own blood, I had never seen anything more glorious. Or more deserving of glory.Not often do we have a chance to slay our own demons.
“So what are you doing here?” Kiki says to me. Her forward question and her lack of decorum are deserving of punishment.
Thoughts of her battered and battle-hardened body and Pe’ixal’s corpse forgotten, I feel my teeth clench and my groin tighten. Instead of rushing her back to our home and into our nest, I manage to compose myself just enough to press a single, punishing kiss to her mouth. My colors blaze and I do not care who sees them. To taste her will be enough, for now.
“You will tell me if I will require permission to come check on my Xiveri mate, or if I may do so at will, because you are mine.” I grip the side of her neck, careful with her right arm. Though she refused merillian and Lemoria is the finest healer Voraxia has to offer, the wound is still less than twenty solars old, and still pains her from time to time.
And such a pain is all that is left of Pe’ixal, the ruined.
I smile at the thought, and in response to her pleasure. “You don’t require permission,” she says mischievously, “but checking up on me in the middle of training may have consequences.” She loops both arms around my neck and as I lean in to kiss her again, she kicks my feet into a stance too wide to assume comfortably and slips out from under my arm when I react to stablize myself.
“You are getting cocky, my queen,” I growl, eager to fight now that she has presented challenge.
“Getting cocky?” She wags a single finger at me. “I’ve always been cocky.”
“Your desire for punishment knows no bounds.”
“Then come and punish me.”
For a moment, I hallucinate the shape of her body melded to mine in the quiet light of the ioni of our nest. I take a step forward, and then I force myself to announce why I am here before I forgetagain. “This lunar, you will be punished. But for now, I have something else for you.”
The fire in her eyes dims, but her smile still holds. She tilts her face to the side, full cheeks catching the light from the rock pits hanging high on the screa walls. “I’m ready for any task my Okkari needs fulfilling.”
She pleases me to no end.I know that I am undeserving of her and, to use a human expression, I don’t give a shit. “Xhivey.” I cock my head to the mouth of the cave where Reema stands waiting. “Come forward.”
“Reema,” Kiki says, genuine pleasure in her tone, as the young female makes her way nervously forward. “Good to see you. What’s going on?”
So human. So informal. Punishment this lunar will be slow. I clear my throat. “As you well know, Reema has come of age to select her position within the tribe.”
Kiki nods. “I know. And I know you wanted to join your father. I’m sorry that Jacabo took the position of xub’Garon.”
Reema looks to me quickly, as if seeking permission to speak. I nod, encouraging her. “Thank you for your wishes, my Xhea, but it’s alright. I’m glad Jacabo will stay here with Zeina’Van. It’s exciting to have humans around — I meanmorehumans.”
Kiki smiles at that. “I’m glad he’s staying too. Kuana…” She shakes her head, recalling Kuana’s new title once more, “Zeina’Van and Jacabo are good people. They make an awesome pair. And besides, now that Jaxal took Lisbel back to the human colony, I think keeping another human here is only fair.” She winks at Reema, who laughs lightly even though I can see that she attempts to be strong, to prepare herself.
“It is true,” she says, “And I harbor him no ill will. My sire offered me the position, but I…I said no.”
“You did? Why? It’s not because you’re afraid. You know that your gender doesn’t stop you from doing or being anything you want to…”
“Nox. It is not this I…” Her ridges burn electric yellow. She looks down at her feet, but I say her name. She glances at me quickly, inhales, and then returns her gaze to my Xhea. Her Xhea. Xhea of our people. “I want to train as a warrior. I want…I wantyouto train me, if I may be so humble to ask and if you would consider honoring me in this way. I may not have trained with the other males growing up, but I can learn quickly. I…I spoke already with the Okkari, seeking his council before I approached you. I…am hopeful…” Her voice trails away, ridges brighter than ever.
Kiki meanwhile stares at her in an expression I know is one of profound shock. She does not speak. Reema glances to me and I hold up a hand, offering her assurance in the Voraxian way, before speaking to Kiki.
“Since it has become inappropriate for Kuana to tend to our nest as your hasheba now that she is mated, I have asked that Reema take up the position of Kuana with part of her time. The majority of her solar can be spent training with you, if you agree. Once she is proficient in her weapon and has undergone her first hunt, she may then take on her new title. She will become the first xub’Xhea.”
Kiki’s lips move with a will of their own. “The first xub’Xhea…”
“Hexa,” I tell her. “And there will be many more, of this I am certain.”
Still suspended on this rope, Reema begins to prattle. “I promise, I’ll take care of all your needs as Kuana and I’ll train even harder than the males. I want to be able to live up to you. I want to be like you. I want to fight, to hunt, to help my tribe, to feed it and and defend it if I ever need to. I’ll…”
“Yes! Oh my stars, yes. Hexa, of course I’ll train you. I’m sorry, I’m just…” Kiki waves her arms around, looking nothing like a Xhea at all until she catches my gaze. I shake my head just once, urging her calm, but the petulant female merely grins ravenously.
Throwing caution, and decorum, to the wind, she throws her arms around Reema’s neck. “You are most welcome to train with me. I will teach you all that I know, and when that is not enough, I will learn more to teach you.” She plans her kiss of affection in the center of Reema’s forehead, startling the young female so much that she flares bright white and then blue.
