Yay! Chapter 6! Hoo, can't believe I'm making it this far! Glad to hear all enjoyed the sexy time, hope you enjoy the aftermath! :)
Wincing, Colette pushed herself up, her right arm buckling when she tried to put weight on it, her wounded shoulder unable to support her. Collapsing back onto the bed, she sighed and stared at the ceiling. Guan-thwei had not moved, still making that odd rumbling sound.
Turning her face to the side, she couldn't bring herself to regret what they had done and wasn't embarrassed or angry enough to cry about it. So she sighed again, swallowing the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm her. Raising her hand, she dragged it down her face, rubbing at her mouth, scraping at the bright blood that had dried at one corner.
She watched him leave the bed and walk out of her line of sight, oddly apathetic about his destination. She had taken the initiative, tested her resolve and feelings and found them both still very strong. The rest was up to him and right now, with her body burning in pleasure and pain, she couldn't be bothered to try and help him figure it out.
He re-emerged in her line of sight, still gloriously naked, his eyes bright again. Something in her came back together at that look, a small piece re-attaching itself to her soul or heart or whatever. Smiling, she let her eyes close, hearing him pad over to her. A moment later she felt his warm hands on her shoulder, wincing but staying quiet when he started to bandage the wound.
He rumbled quietly, beads clacking as his head tilted. Colette opened her eyes and looked at him, taking in his high brow and golden eyes, the twitching mandibles and sharp fangs in a small mouth still red from her blood. "Hey," she whispered, sleepy and content. He just growled at her, his upper mandibles twitching.
His hand went back to her hair, brushing through the golden strands. She felt him settle behind her, his large body carefully laying down behind hers. She pushed back against him, his purring vibrating in his chest. It combined with his natural warmth acted as a hot massage and she snuggled back into him, arching her back and moaning when her muscles began to loosen, her bruises woothed by the hear. She started to fall asleep to his purring, murmuring and turning over when the warm furs were drawn over her body, pressing her face into his chest.
She had odd dreams, the first vivid ones she'd had since the attack; she sat in class, a large blank canvas on the table in front of her. She felt herself go through the movements; pouring out the paint, mixing the colours, washing the brushes. When it came time to actually paint, she tilted her head and considered the canvas.
"What are you doing?"
Colette turned toward the voice, comfortably familiar with the warm, slightly haughty tone of her best friend. "Creating," she replied, turning back to the canvas. A blotch of blue paint splattered onto the surface, but before she could blot it away, the paint was sucked into the canvas, disappearing into the rough surface.
"Are you sure?" Amy asked, brown hair swaying as her head tilted.
Colette nodded absent-mindedly, hesitantly bringing the brush to the surface of the canvas. Laying down a broad stroke of paint, she watched in dismay and confusion as it was swallowed up again. She got new paint, still unsure about what she was drawing.
"Doesn't look like much," Amy pointed out. Colette shrugged, watching disinterestedly as several colours and patterns moved over the canvas, some beautiful, others jarringly ugly.
"They never do until they're done," she replied, bringing her brush to the blank-again canvas. But when she laid down a bright line of red, it was quickly sucked away.
"But you can't finish unless you know what you're painting, right?" Amy tilted her head, long brown hair sliding over her shoulders, bronzed skin glowing in the bright room.
"I know what I'm doing," Colette protested, but every time she put her brush to canvas, the paint would disappear, over and over. And over and over, the beautiful and ugly images would slide over the canvas, from one end to the other, leaving it blank every time.
Amy made a noise of non-commitment, moving closer. "Do you? You just pick colours and strokes without thought to why." Colette shook her head, frowning. "Art is about interpretation; how the artist sees the subject," she said, quoting Thei-di Thwei.
Amy nodded, her full lips pursing. "Yes, true, but how do you see your subject?"
Colette finally looked at her, blue eyes considering. "I don't know," she replied honestly, turning back to her canvas.
She considered the paints and considered what she was drawing then started mixing a deep blue and red. Amy watched silently as the paint was set to canvas and stayed, the different colours splashing into each other. She chose every color she felt, swirling and grading it, the large canvas suddenly filling with riotous emotion.
She stepped back when she was done, Amy's warm body brushing her own, and admired her work. It was beautiful and heartbreaking, the bright colours nearly engulfed by the moodier darks. She tilted her head, frowning; the painting was incomplete for some reason, everything so confused and beautifully wrought.
Amy stood beside her, silent and companionable, much stiller and quieter than she'd ever been in life. Colette felt something inside her tug at the sight of the painting, the colours and textures beautiful and congruent but something was still missing. Not taking her eyes off the painting, she leaned forward and picked up a large house-brush. Swirling it in light blue paint, she considered the painting, an image and feeling swelling up in her.
Raising it, she began to paint over the canvas in long broad strokes, covering up most of the mixed colours. It was a rough job, the blue barely covering in some areas, but that was how she wanted it, a massive sea of calming blue with a gorgeous symphony of uncertainty lurking behind it.
Amy stepped up next to her, a smile tugging at her full lips. "Do you see, now?" Colette nodded, smiling at the large canvas, the bright colour marred by the darker mix underneath it; but it worked and she loved it.
Amy turned to her, brown eyes bright. "Just one more thing: Seriously Hot Body." Colette looked at her in surprise, a smile curling her lips. "Seriously Hot Sex," she agreed, tears welling up. Amy was how she remembered her: brown curls spilling over shoulders holding up a sexy and expensive tank-top, long bronzed arms crossed under her breasts, legs stretching out from a tight pencil skirt. Colette reached out, wanting to skim her fingers over the curls she had been so jealous of, feel the bronze skin she had wanted as her own.
"Thank you," she choked out, her fingers stopping just short of touching her. This was how she remembered her and she didn't want to ruin that by suddenly finding her fingers passing through the remembered body. The dream had begun to fade, though, her beautiful friend disappearing into the coming black, her smile disappearing last.
She was awoken by an urgent growling, a large hand roughly shaking her wounded shoulder. Crying out, Colette turned over, prepared to demand an explanation from her friend, companion, or lover, whichever he had decided to become or stay as.
She froze when she found Thei-di Thwei's dark gold gaze, his brow lowered and mandibles flared. You must come now, he demanded, starting to haul her up. Colette struggled to keep the furs around her body, alarmed at her nudity. Guan-thwei was nowhere in sight and she wasn't sure where he had gone or what the elder's presence might mean. Thei-di Thwei only barked at her, shaking her upper arm and pulling her away from the bed. The fur slid away, revealing the evidence from the previous night.
He growled, an unhappy sound that Colette was frightened by before he turned away with a small snort, his dreads flaring around him. "What's happening?" Colette demanded, reaching for the cloth he held out to her. Instead of giving it to her, however, Thei-di Thwei caught her wrist and swiftly turned her, wrapping her bruised frame in the course linen and tucking it around her in a crude toga.
Looking around, Colette began to panic when she noticed her large companion was nowhere in sight.
"Where is he?" she asked, swallowing, her heart beating against her chest. Thei-di Thwei growled, dark gold eyes flashing. He defends your life and his honour, he stated, grasping her wrist and leading her to the open door.
"But the trial is in, like four or three days or something. Unless…did I sleep through it, or something?" When the elder didn't answer, roughly leading her past the empty common room and into the public areas, Colette tried to hold onto her calm and composure. Pulling at her wrist futilely, she dug her fingernails into his hand, trying to get his attention.
He turned on her with a loud bark, everything about him suddenly aggressive and hostile.
"What is going on?" she asked, looking up at him, wondering at the sudden change. He snorted and leaned back, regarding her, his dark gaze calculating and measuring. Finally he turned away, leading her between two statues into a heavily decorated alcove. He let go of her wrist, rumbling when she rubbed the bruising flesh.
What do you think? he demanded, leaning into her. Colette tried not to step back, needing to be strong for this. "What are you talking about?" she demanded, panic swelling up in her again.
You are prey, an animal tolerated because your honour was regained through killing one of our own. Colette nodded, already aware of all this, a heavy feeling settling in her stomach, making her nauseous.
Guan-thwei speaks for you and himself, defending your perversity. Colette's eyes widened, her fears confirmed. "Oh shit," she whimpered, bringing her hand to her mouth. Thei-di Thwei nodded shortly, beads clacking, his dark eyes angry.
"What's happening? What will happen?" she asked, not looking at him, staring into the shadows and thinking. You were brought here to prove your honour and silence, Guan-thwei speaking for you. Now many wonder if you were brought here with a different purpose. I am to keep you safe until he returns. She watched him cautiously, his explanation flat through the translator and his expression unfamiliar to her. Her heart beating too fast, afraid to ask the question but knowing she needed to understand her situation better. "What purpose? Why would you need to protect me?" she asked.
His dark eyes flashed to the bandaged mark on her shoulder before meeting her gaze again.
Colette sucked in a breath, eyes widening and anger spiking. "They think I came here to be a fuck-toy?" Thei-di Thwei tilted his head, beads clacking in his grey hair. They wonder if it was staged, he answered. They wonder if Bakuub was the one investigating suspicious movement. And many do not approve.
Colette felt her jaw drop, incredulous at the accusation. Without thinking, acting on instinct and pure human gumption, she bared her teeth and hissed right back at him. "How fucking dare they," she growled, her hands curling into fists. She could feel it all come crashing down on her, everything playing in her mind over and over again. "They think that we've been fucking in secret and orchestrated a brutal massacre to cover it up? Are you fucking shitting me?"
Thei-di Thwei rumbled at her, mandibles flaring, his own fists clenching. Colette narrowed her eyes at his behaviour before she recognized her own body language. Realizing she needed to back down, Thei-di Thwei helping her no matter his personal opinions, she swallowed, closing her eyes and breathing deep.
"Sorry," she ground out, staring at the ground, her anger palpable even as she tried to relax her stance. "Please, please tell me what's going to happen. They're not going to believe that shit, are they? You guys can smell lying and stuff, can't you?"
Thei-di Thwei growled at her, his fists still clenched and mandibles flared. There are ways to cover the stench of a lie. Mating is the most successful way.
Colette stared at him, speechless, remembering every time Guan-thwei had mentioned her scent; the selfishness and stupidity of her actions finally came to her and settled in her stomach heavily. "Oh God," she whimpered, falling back a step with the shock. "Oh my God, they don't think we…Oh shit, oh no, we need to go now," she said, trying to step around him. Thei-di Thwei shook his head. Your presence will only make things worse. Without you, his scent will not be tainted by mating musk. His mandibles twitched when he said that, eyes dark and bright, but his body had relaxed somewhat. She wondered what he thought of the entire thing, whether he was angry at them or the situation.
"But what if they don't believe him?" Colette demanded, panicking, trying to move past him again. He stopped her by reaching for her wounded shoulder and squeezing none too gently, letting her know she needed to obey. Colette cried out, buckling under the pain, her eyes watering. Then you shall both be hunted until dead, he stated, pushing her back in front of him, blocking her path.
Colette shook her head, the unbelievable shitty unfairness of the situation too much for her. "No no no no no no no," she chanted, shaking her head, blonde hair swinging around her shoulders. "No, that's not-no. I have to do something," she said, her voice trembling, throat thick. Thei-di Thwei tilted his head, long hair clacking.
You can do nothing except wait. They will not accept your trial until they have determined Guan-thwei's honour. If he is brandished a bad blood, you will both be hunted.
"What if he's not?" Colette asked, desperately grasping onto the small hope. Thei-di Thwei shook his head. Even so, he mated with a ooman; one he protected and guaranteed. Bakuub was filthy and vile and his death will bring many pleasure, but the fact that you killed him does not mean you are accepted. He was well and self-taught in the way of human politicking and if Guan-thwei's status is stripped many will challenge him for you. Colette frowned at the elder, clutching her sore shoulder. "So he made friends in high places? Does that matter? I thought you all were honour-bound and crap to kill each other if your hair offended somebody else."
Thei-di Thwei growled, tilting his head back, mandibles flaring. Colette held up a hand, sighing deeply and reminding herself to stay calm. "Sorry, but seriously, I thought talking and schmoozing were frowned upon."
Usually, yes, however we are sentient, capable of individual thoughts and actions outside of our government. Usually only exiles find word manipulation useful but Bakuub had a certain persuasiveness about him.
Colette shook her head. "So sleeping with me is evidence of dishonour? At best, it's just proof that Guan-thwei took pity on the poor human who's been salivating all over him. I should be there, not him. His every action was honourable; I'm the one who pushed even though he had repeatedly demanded I leave it be. Please," she begged, reaching forward but not touching him, "please, this is my fault and I need to answer for it."
Your only answer can be death, Thei-di Thwei said, tilting his head.
"Why? Why always with the death? Don't I get a chance to prove myself? Shouldn't this hold trial, too? Goddamn it, some guy in India went to court to marry his goat and he won!" She ignored the weird, nauseating sensation that roiled in her stomach, comparing herself to a goat. "Guan-thwei said there were other humans and that some had been accepted through hunts, or something. Haven't others been accepted as, like, lovers or mates or something?"
Thei-di Thwei nodded slowly, his dark gold eyes penetrating. Rarely, but yes. Those who have accepted Oomans as mates, he flared his mandibles a bit, have been exiled and hunted. They lose their status and name, forced out of the clan with their mate and branded prey for the rest of their life. The way his body moved as he spoke, mandibles flaring, muscles twitching in his shoulders, told Colette that this was a very bad thing.
"So, you're dishonoured and thrown out? Shit." She slumped, the weight of what they had done, what she had practically forced on him weighing heavily on her mind. His honour was everything in their society, and imagining him stripped of it, taken away from his home and clan because she couldn't control her libido was shattering.
"What if I can do something? This is my fault, he would never have done anything if I hadn't pretty much begged him." She grimaced at the thought, remembering her continuous advances even after his warnings and refusals.
Thei-di Thwei tilted his head at her, long beads clacking. Finally he huffed and turned toward the opening in the statues, looking out at the empty hallway. Only one ooman has accepted the hunt as a way to prove themselves and their mate.
"The Hunt, what hunt, what does that mean?" He huffed and rolled his shoulders, tilting his head, dark gold eyes regarding her. There is one way to keep honour and status in this situation, but both must agree to it. If there is disagreement, the elders will determine neither is strong enough to keep their honour and you shall both be stripped of it.
"Agree to what?" Colette asked, clinging desperately to the small hope being offered.
He was silent for a long time, just watching her, his aged face pensive. Finally he nodded curtly, long hair clacking. Grasping her wrist, he pulled her out into the hallway, long strides nearly impossible for her to keep up with. Colette held her toga in place with one hand, occasionally tripping on the long hem. He didn't offer an explanation but he had helped her so far; she hoped he continued.
He dragged her past several guards down passages she was not familiar with. No one stopped them, several Yautja just dropping back and bowing with respect, watching her curiously. They stopped at a small set of dark wood doors, Thei-di Thwei arranging her into a seemingly acceptable position before he knocked.
When the door opened, he immediately bowed his head, pushing on the top of Colette's head to do the same. She stared at a pair of heavy cloth boots, intricate metal winding around the strong ankles and calves.
You bring the ooman? A voice asked, one she was unfamiliar with. A deeper, much more familiar and happily welcomed voice came right after.
She was to stay in the Arbitrator's hall, Guan-thwei's growl came out.
She wishes to speak for Guan-thwei, Thei-di Thwei said, his head still bowed in respect.
And Guan-thwei wishes to speak for her, the voice rumbled out, beads clacking. Colette saw large knees bend into sight, whoever in front of her squatting down. Interesting, your ooman, the Yautja in front of her said, a large finger poking under her chin and pushing her face up.
Colette felt Thei-di Thwei tense beside her, his large muscles clenched. She didn't know what to do, wondering if this was a test of some kind. The finger under her chin applied more force and Colette let her eyes drift up to the gaze of the person in front of her.
She was massive, breasts covered by a heavy plate, intricately and beautifully decorated. Long belts and sashes of rope carrying skulls adorned her body, the bones, tiny on her large person, clacking with each flex and twitch. Her grey hair hung nearly to the floor while she was bent over, the knots and braids heavily decorated with skulls, beads, and dyed leather. You speak for him, he speaks for you; what shall we do?
Colette's eyes widened, the wizened face familiar even though she had only ever gotten a small glimpse last time. The Clan Elder stood in front of her, dark gold eyes regarding her curiously, mandibles twitching and clacking. She was making eye contact and found herself terrified, hoping since the contact was forced on her she wasn't doing anything wrong.
Your terror is strong, the Elder stated, leaning back slightly. Colette wished the translator could distinguish tones, the Elder hard to read compared to the Arbitrators. She had her head tilted, regarding her silently, waiting for something.
Colette swallowed and opened her mouth but she had no clue what to say, her mind wiped blank by her fear. The Elder watched her some more, something shifting in her gaze, a rumble starting in her chest. She started to pull away, her head turning and beads clacking, her claw scraping the soft skin at Colette's neck. The pain jolted her out of her stupor and she felt something very important slipping away from her when the finger finally left her skin.
"The hunt," she burst out, surprised at her gall, the last syllable catching in her throat. The Elder turned to her, and now that she was looking up Colette could see Guan-thwei's large form standing in a cavernous room that seemed too decorated to be a living space.
"The hunt, I, uh, I want to do…that" she said, finishing lamely when Guan-thwei began to snarl and the Elder continued to look at her curiously. "What happened, Guan-thwei had nothing to do with that…Well, he did, but I started it and he just sort of was along for the ride. Not to say that, you know, it was just…um, shit, look, please…"
The Elder began to growl at her rambling and Colette shifted, shutting up with a small apology.
She cannot take the hunt, Guan-thwei growled from the background, shifting closer. The Elder held up a large hand, Guan-thwei instantly stopping and bowing his head.
She has your honour as guarantee of her own and unless you willingly admit your honour is feeble, she may speak and decide; these are our laws and they shall stand. The Elder shifted her attention back to Colette, her gaze thoughtful and piercing. Do you understand your decision?
Colette swallowed and nodded, focussing on the Elder to keep her fear in check. She started to shiver, sweat drying on her skin and she was reminded she was standing in front of the leader of her lover's people in nothing but what they used as a towel.
She resisted the urge to cover herself up, fingers twitching at her sides. "Yes," she answered, breathing hard, not really understanding at all but not wanting to second-guess herself.
The Elder nodded, her long grey hair clacking.
And why?
Colette frowned before she quickly smoothed her features as best she could, the question catching her off-guard. "Uh," she began, quickly scrambling to gather her thoughts. "Um, for-for Gwahn Thway," she stuttered, trying to understand what needed to be said. The Elder's eyes narrowed, dark gold shadowed by a low brow.
Colette collected herself, taking a deep breath and looking down. "What happened," she blushed but soldiered on, raising her gaze to the Elder's again. "What happened, that wasn't for any sort of stench-covering thing or something and Gwahn Thway, he shouldn't have to pay for it. I don't know what will happen, but I want to do the hunt." She tried to desperately keep a coherent speech going, even as her mind ran in circles. She shifted her gaze to Guan-thwei, his large form tense and still, waiting. "For him," she said, her voice slightly hoarse. She cleared her throat and continued. "So he can keep his honour. It is what he is and that sounds really weird but he has been nothing but honourable and true to his word from the very first moment. He deserves to keep it and I want to help him."
She blew out a long breath after her little speech, the Elder purring a little, head cocked. Colette shifted, her heart beating hard and fast, the adrenaline pumping through her body. "I want to do the hunt for Gwahn Thway," she said loudly into the silence, straightening slightly, breathing hard. She dared a glance at her lover, standing straight in the semi-darkness of the room. He had tilted his head at her, mandibles flared slightly, but there was brightness in his eyes that gave her a small hope.
You have no honour; you rely solely on Guan-thwei's. Should you die, he will be tried in your stead. If he is found unworthy under your charges, he will be executed. Do you understand?
Colette nodded quickly, her decision made. "Yes. Yes, I understand. If I survive the hunt, will I still stand trial?" The Elder nodded, turning away and walking further into the room, barking at Thei-di Thwei who walked in as well, closing the door behind him.
Colette remained rooted to the spot, feeling the Arbitrator stand behind her, his warmth a welcome comfort. Guan-thwei continued to stand in the middle of the room, away from her.
If you survive, Guan-thwei keeps his honour and you will stand trial for the slaughter on your planet. If you are found trust-worthy, you will be set free to live however you will on your planet. If you are not, you will be executed. The Elder turned when she'd gotten to a large desk, pressing down on the surface and reaching into a drawer that slid open. Before she could reveal what she had, Guan-thwei began to speak.
I request to join the Hunt, he said, never taking his eyes off Colette. Colette frowned, confused. The Elder turned to Guan-thwei, beads clacking, mandibles twitching.
You understand your actions? she asked, a growl starting in her chest. Guan-thwei nodded, shifting his gaze to the Elder who was watching him with narrowed eyes. She really was huge, Colette thought absently, seeing them side by side.
She studied him, then turned to Colette. Do you understand the action he chooses to take? Colette shook her head, biting her lip. She shifted the toga a little, the constant movement and heavy material loosening the haphazard knot further.
Should he do the Hunt with you, should you accept this, you accept him as your mate. Colette frowned and rolled her eyes to the ceiling, thinking that through, slightly confused since that was why they were here.
"As in, we can…um, I don't think I understand," she admitted, feeling slightly lost.
In the hunt, if one of you dies, so shall the other. If you both survive, you will be accepted into the clan as Guan-thwei's life mate. The Elder moved toward her, squatting down again. If you do the hunt with him, you forgo the trial for your honour and silence. You will never be able to return to your previous life.
Colette sucked in a breath, a bright hope flaring in her at the thought of staying with Guan-thwei, even more that he had suggested it. But it was tempered by the thought that if she stayed with him, she could never go home.
"So I'd never be able to see my family? Or-or friends, I would, I would stay here?" She didn't know how she felt about that, the loss of her family sitting heavily in her stomach, the thought of staying on the clan ship even heavier. She'd been prepared to lose everyone anyway, knowing that she'd never be allowed to contact them even if she was released. Too many questions and suspicions would arise and eventually someone would find something out. But the thought of never even being able to see them, track them and make sure they were okay was a completely different feeling.
The Elder shook her head, watching her cautiously now. You would stay with Guan-thwei; he would keep his status as Arbitrator and as such, you would be able to leave with him when he does. You must deliver your answer, now.
Colette looked around the room, feeling helpless, even more so than when she'd been trapped in the hallway. There she could fight, take her time, delay; here, she had to make a life-or-death decision without the luxury of time. She met Guan-thwei's golden gaze, the bright eyes cautious, his mandibles held tightly to his face and she wondered how to make her decision, the loss of either part of her life painful. Suddenly her dream came to her, the painting she'd been uncertain about filling her mind, the calming blue almost covering the turbulent blend and she started to understand.
She loved him, didn't know if it had happened during the sex or if it was lurking in the back of her mind, waiting for her to find it, but she loved him. The realization made her stop and she actually thought about the previous question, about why she was doing this and the answer ran around and around in an excited little circle. She realized she'd been silent too long, staring at her lover, the person she loved, and frowning. She shifted her gaze to the Elder and hoped her happy epiphany didn't show up on her face too much. Before she could let herself feel the loss too keenly, memories of her family and friends rising in her mind, she nodded firmly, straightening.
"Yes," she said, her gaze shifting to Guan-thwei again. He tilted his head at her, upper mandibles flaring slightly, his odd flat rumble filling the room.
The Elder nodded shortly, straightening. Leave, she commanded, turning to the desk. The ooman will stay; you may retrieve her in time. Colette looked at Guan-thwei nervously as he paused by her, passing a hand along her hair, the tangled strands catching at his fingers slightly. She smiled up at him, close mouthed and nervous.
Thei-di Thwei rumbled and they both turned away, the large door closing behind them.
Colette swallowed, not wanting to focus on the rest of the room, but she had come here, she had chosen to show her strength and she wouldn't back down now.
The Elder was standing by the open drawer again, reaching in. Colette shifted, uncomfortably aware of how small she was in the large space.
Come closer, the Elder commanded, lifting out a small wooden box. Colette walked forward, desperately hoping her toga didn't slip and really wishing she'd been able to keep her underwear. It was dim, Yautja seeing in heat vision and so lights were pretty much useless. She stepped toward the glowing screen set up above the desk, using that as a guide.
The box held several beads made of bone and metal, ornately carved. The Elder held her hand over them, palm down as if feeling the air above them.
Bakuub was a vile creature, one I am ashamed to call blood. If you had stood trial, you would have been found worthy by Guan-thwei's honour and Bakuub's own tarnished reputation. He killed my youngest daughter, though it could not be proved. She was not yet blooded, he taking her on a hunt and returning with a corpse, her skull crushed. She growled, mandibles flaring, something oddly human in the pained expression in her eyes. He said she had fallen and he had many 'witnesses'; spineless cretins lulled by his empty and weak promises. He has many friends, most of which are too stupid or weak to mate and so clung to his empty politics; there were a choice few with enough influence to get him off the clan ship. Should he have tried to return, he would have been declared Exile; to be killed by a ooman is a fittingly pathetic end for one so gutless.
Colette didn't take much offence to the slight, knowing being killed by anything smaller than themselves was probably a sad way to go. She didn't know what to say, pretty sure petty condolences were not being sought and not wanting to insult the memory of her daughter by offering a pat on the hand.
The males, they teach but they do not nurture. Many do not understand the ties of family and blood, focussing on how to perfect a hunter after he has grown. It is rare a ooman leaves their lives for one of our own, rarer still that it is done by choice. I cannot say I understand Guan-thwei's eccentricities, but I wish to extend my gratitude for avenging my daughter. She bent and reached out and grasped Colette's shoulder, her fingers easily spanning past her collarbone and shoulder blades, shaking it before removing her hand.
Colette swallowed and nodded, looking down before meeting the Elder's gaze again. "Thank you for giving me this chance," she said, bowing her head. The Elder rumbled, reaching into the desk again, her beads and skulls glinting in the light.
She pulled out another box, this one metal and much more utilitarian. Inside were several small discs, about the size of a quarter. Hold out your arm, the Elder commanded, lifting out one of the discs. Colette hesitated briefly before she did as instructed. The Elder took her small arm in one large hand, the fingers easily spanning her forearm. She turned it over, revealing Colette's wrist.
Rubbing the top of the disc, the bottom began to glow. Colette swallowed, watching it get closer to her skin, able to make out heat shimmers in the dim light.
The Elder pressed the disc into her skin just above her wrist, burning the metal into flesh. Colette cried out and instinctively tried to pull back, the grip tightening on her arm. Biting her lip, she grimaced and tried not to cry, the fingers of her free hand clutching the material of her toga tightly.
When it was over, the Elder let out a satisfied grunt and released her arm. Colette winced when she pulled her limb back toward herself, the skin tugging at the new implant.
It will monitor your vital signs; should you or Guan-thwei die while on the hunt, your ship will be destroyed. Colette looked down at the implant, her skin still raw and blistered. Nodding, she held her arm close, trying not to show her pain too much although she was sure the Elder could tell.
You mate waits in the hall; you shall leave in two of our days, more than three of yours. Colette nodded again, bowing slightly. "Thank you, respected Elder," she said, trying to be as formal and polite as possible, her voice wavering embarrassingly from the pain.
The Elder rumbled slightly, closing the box and placing it back into her drawer, stroking the dark wood before sliding it shut.
Colette turned away, letting her have her privacy. When she slipped past the door, Guan-thwei was standing there, head cocked to the side, golden eyes bright and hot. "Hey, big guy," she said, reaching out and stroking her fingers along his forearm. He purred at her, tilting his head down and bending until he was at her level.
"So, two days," Colette commented, smiling up at him, feeling elated even with possible death looming over her. She was happy and the thought that she could die happy was almost too much for her, the absolute perfection of the moment annoyingly ineffable. She felt hot breath ghost over her skin, his deep rumble louder now and she felt his sharp mandibles embrace her face, tusks digging into her cheeks.
She closed her eyes and breathed him in, leaning into his warmth when he pulled away. "Right back at you," she whispered, smiling widely. He purred and placed a hand on the back of her neck, a gentle, possessive move that made her unbelievable content. "So, two days, or, you know, three," she said again, "could get boring." He rumbled and moved his hand up, petting her tangled strands.
You will not be bored, he promised, we have much to prepare. Colette gave him a look but let it go. He'd already admitted she was impossible to resist, which was an awesome thought when it came to the guy she wanted to sleep with.
And on that thought, she grimaced as they began to move down the hallway. "We should probably still see the doctor guy," she said. He gave her an amused growl and squeezed the back of her neck.
I hope you enjoyed! I promise more action and almost-death in the next chapter! As always, R&R appreciated, and huge huge thank you for everyone reading! :)