Chapter 10
Jake's POV
The afternoon was waning. Aeri and I had spent a glorious day in each other's company. I reflected back on the previous twenty four hours (approximately…Pandoran time was close to, but not quite, the same as Earth's…it was hard to shake those core concepts from the homeworld). My head swam with sensations and emotion as I stood overlooking the same waterfall and lake we had met at the previous day, this time looking out from the top of the cliff, looking over the forest below. Our lust finally quenched, temporarily I hoped, I reflected back in contentment, standing there up high on my rocky outcropping.
We would have to return soon. I trusted Mo'at to smooth over questions at my absence last night, but I could not be gone for another night. I still wasn't sure how to approach the clan about my union with Aeri, but it would simply be necessary. The clan would accept me with her, or they wouldn't. I would simply have to trust them, show them the strength of my bond to Aeri, and hope for the best.
I heard a scrambling behind me and saw my mate emerge from the brush, carrying our clothes and belongings up the cliff from the shore down below (we never had gotten around to redressing). She moved carefully, still gracefully, but a little stiff as she climbed the boulders and made her way to the crashing, falling river where I stood. I grinned a little too pridefully, perhaps, because she threw me a reproachful grin as she straightened up, beckoning me away from my high perch. I complied, a little chagrinned as I stepped down rather gingerly myself.
Her face softened as she held out my cloth. She herself was already clothed once more, and so I readorned myself with the trappings of my position. I dressed carefully and kept glancing at my mate. She was the picture of poise, leaning back against a boulder, hands held chastely in front of her, watching me steadily as I dressed, a brilliant smile etched on her face. I hadn't seen her smile like that in so long.
She was calm and carried that powerful, quiet bearing once more. She was a strong woman, confidant and wise, and very humble. She was intimidating in her own way, the way you felt she was seeing right through to your core, right into your soul…but I had no secrets from this woman, and nothing to fear. She didn't frighten me, and she had never abused her gifts. I had found her weakness last night, and discovered that it was me. The notion was powerful, and terrifying. I had been humbled, and vowed to never let this precious woman, my mate, doubt her feelings ever again.
Sliding my knife sling into place around my torso, I took her hand and together we walked slowly back toward our lands once more, keeping to the undergrowth, our legs not up to the task of running and leaping through the canopy. I couldn't stop myself, though…when her back was to me, leading the way with her hips swaying and her tail swinging back and forth, I smirked…just a little…