Chapter Twenty-Five

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One flick of the switch and the electric buzzing comes to a stop. The chair is powered off, an (almost) ordinary piece of furniture once again. Smothering silence engulfs the interior of the cave. My pulse races, equally thrilled and terrified by what I have chosen to do.

I am unconditionally, irrevocably, and certifiably insane.

There is no reason to sit any longer. I stand up on wobbly legs, leaving the chair and everything it represents behind. There is only one place to go, only one person I would risk everything for - and he is currently holding his breath as I walk to him.

When I am directly in front of Ewar, he finally speaks.

"You will stay?"

There is a spark of hope again in his voice, a contrast to the desolation from only moments before. A wave of emotions gets lodged in my throat. I can manage a head nod and nothing more.

He inhales sharply at my silent answer. I am in his arms before I can blink.

I close my eyes and melt into his embrace. He is solid and steady even when I am on the verge of collapse. His fingers find refuge in my hair. He holds me gently, treating me as though I am something precious.

And that is how my lingering doubt dies. This is where I belong.

The torch light dims. The cave will soon plunge into darkness. Still, Ewar and I have no plans to move. How is it possible that a simple hug could be so perfect?

"Yoo-hoo! I haven't heard any shouting in a while. Is everything all right?"

I giggle into Ewar's chest. Poor Alistair. Ewar and I argued for so long, the extended silence must have made him begin to think we had killed one another.

I keep one arm secured around Ewar's waist. He does the same. We turn so I can acknowledge the man waiting outside. "Yes, Alistair. Come on in."

He shuffles through the cave's opening and straightens up. His eyebrows lift when he sees our unified stance.

"Um. Hi," I say awkwardly. "I'm really sorry to say this, Alistair, but it looks like you and Onya went on this trip for no reason."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah." I glance at Ewar. His face is glowing. I have trouble looking away. "We had a little misunderstanding, but now... I've decided to stay."

Alistair, initially stunned by the news, slowly breaks into a smile. "Well, well. Isn't this a pleasant surprise. Ewar worked his charms and made himself into your true husband after all!"

"You're not upset about us dragging you all the way up here?"

"Why should I be? I've had a marvelous time journeying north. And if that's what it took for you and Ewar to solve your problems... Then, so be it."

I release a breath. "I'm glad you feel that way."

"It would be hypocritical if I didn't. I too briefly struggled with whether I should stay or return to my own time. It is a serious decision, one with far-reaching consequences. No one can blame you for thinking long and hard over it."

He studies the object in the rear of the cave. "I suppose we must decide on the fate of the chair. Should we leave it here or take it with us?"

Ewar sends the chair a scowl and pulls me closer. "Leave it."

Alistair chuckles. "Your opinion has been heard, Ewar. What is your vote, Bella?"

"I'm not sure. Would the chair be safer here or at the Cave of Life?"

"Here, undoubtedly. The chair is power-hungry, and the radium fueling it will have deteriorated by half in another 1,600 years. Humans won't be living in this region until long after that time comes. I imagine the chair will be nothing more than a rotten relic by then. Of course, it will still be here waiting if you or I were ever in need of its services. However, if we were to take the chair south with us, we run the risk of it being lost, stolen, or tampered with in some fashion. Who knows what havoc would follow if any of those things were to occur."

I crinkle my nose at the possibility. "You just made it easier to decide. I vote to leave it here."

"And with mine added in, that makes three votes. Goodbye, dear chair. We shan't be needing you!"

He goes to make sure the chair is shut down properly. Meanwhile, I unclasp my fist. Ewar's discarded Damara pendant has been in my grasp all this time. He ripped the necklace off during our heated exchange, in the false belief that he had to choose between me or worshipping the Goddess.

In this special case, I think there is enough room in his heart for more than one woman.

Ewar watches as I knot the two broken ends of the leather cord back together. After the job is done, I push down on his shoulder until he gets the idea that I want him to lean forward. The necklace slips over his head. I take the time to admire the pendant dangling against his sternum. Although the stone is beautiful, it is nothing compared to the gleam currently in his eyes.

Alistair throws the old sheet over the chair and declares that we can now leave the cave. Sliding down the mountain slope is more fun than having to climb up it. We reach the valley floor within seconds. Alistair takes the lead with Ewar and I following. The sun has already lowered itself behind the mountains. It will be night soon. The air temperature drops by the minute. A cool breeze filters through my thin clothing as we begin the trek back to our campsite. I wrap my arms around myself in an attempt to ward off the chill. It doesn't do much good.

Something heavy falls around me. Ewar's fur cape is now draped over my shoulders. His recent body heat made it deliciously warm. A fluttering takes root inside me. It increases when I find his adoring gaze on me. A shy smile works its way across my lips. This triggers a smile of his own. It is magnificent. Every step we take after that is a struggle. It's hard paying attention to where you are going when the person next to you is so much more interesting to look at.

So while Alistair blabbers on about what the agricultural exports of the area will be in a few thousand more years, Ewar and I tune out most of the lecture. We flirt shamelessly (and silently) behind his back.

Darkness creeps in steadily. A distant fire becomes our beacon, drawing us closer and closer to camp. Onya pounces the moment she spots Alistair. They share an embrace. Although he told her that he would be back before night set in, she was still worried the Great Spirits would not allow him to return.

When they part, she finally takes notice of me with a questioning quirk of the eyebrow. She is likely wondering why I didn't go home as planned. For some reason, her reaction morphs into a sly smirk. She then glances at Ewar while murmuring something unintelligible to my ears. Alistair launches into a hurried conversation with her, surprise written on his face. Their discussion ends with their combined laughter.

"What's going on?" I ask.

Alistair grins widely. "It appears Onya has been withholding information from me. She said that while she hoped you and Ewar could have reconciled sooner than this, she is nevertheless greatly pleased that you managed to work things out before it was too late."

My jaw drops. "Excuse me? She knew about us?"

"Yes! Before we had even left the Cave of Life, Onya said she took one look at the two of you and knew there were deep feelings involved."

Onya nods along. "The eyes. They were always watching the other."

I bite back a smile and dip my head. I had no idea we were so easy to read.

Alistair chuckles. "My wife is rarely wrong when it comes to matters of the heart and has once again been proven correct. I only wish she had shared her insight with me!"

"Yeah. I wish she had told us too," I reply amusedly. My smile begins to fade the more I think of how close I was to making the biggest mistake in my life. "I thought Ewar didn't care for me like I did for him..."

Ewar hooks an arm around my waist and nuzzles my hair, reminding me without words that what I once believed could not be farther from the truth.

While we were gone, Onya had set a few traps. She caught a hare and two steppe pikas. The steppe pika look similar to rabbits but they are much smaller and their ears are short and round. Ewar volunteers to butcher the animals, which he does almost effortlessly since they are so small. A water hole is located nearby. It is the ancestor of the lake which will eventually form in this valley. Ewar goes there to wash the blood from his hands.

As we wait for his return, I nagging thought keeps pestering me. I turn to Alistair for his perspective.

"Alistair, am I crazy?"

"No more than I. Why do you ask?"

"I'm trading an easy life for one that's going to be ten times harder. Most people I know would think I've gone insane."

He folds his hands together on his lap and reflects on what I said. "Before I give you my opinion, you must answer a question first: Do you regret your decision to stay?"

My answer is instant. "No."

He smiles a little. "Then that is all that matters. But for the record, you are one of the most level-headed young ladies I have ever known. You also are adaptable and hardworking. I believe you will do nicely here." He tosses a bundle of dried reeds into the fire. "I do wonder about your family, Bella. How will they feel when you never return? There won't be any explanation for why you vanished off the face of the earth."

I release a sigh. "The only close family member I have left is my mom. I'm going to miss her a lot... but I can't go back there just to keep her happy. I have a life here now, and Ewar needs me more than she does." My tone lightens somewhat. "Mom has her husband, Phil. She won't be lonely. Plus there's her job, her social life, and all those hobbies she enjoys. She had enough trouble finding time to call me occasionally." I breathe out a laugh through my nose. "It will probably take months before she realizes she hasn't talked to me in a while. She isn't the greatest at remembering things."

Alistair's expression is surprisingly somber, but he doesn't say anything more on the subject.

The ache of losing contact with my mom lessens when Ewar returns from washing off. The four of us gather around the campfire to dine on a stew made from cattail leaves, mushrooms, and meat. The atmosphere is buoyant, filled with lighthearted jokes and laughter. We are hundreds of miles from the nearest human settlement. In only a few weeks, this area will be transformed into a wintry hell. Even so, at this moment, there is no place else I would rather be.

After we have eaten our dinner, we sip contentedly from bowls filled with an herbal tea mixture. Alistair clears his throat.

"Bella, are you prepared for the potential consequences of your decision to stay?"

I set my bowl aside, alarmed by his tone. "Consequences?"

"Yes. Ora believed you were a powerful goddess and was prepared to take you by force if necessary. He has left you alone so far, but will he keep his distance forever?"

Ewar shakes his head adamantly. "Ora not go near Bella. Never."

I turn to look at him. "How do you know?"

Ewar takes another sip of his tea and licks his lips. "I will hunt Ora. Find him and kill him." He says this casually, like how you would inform your significant other that you are picking up some cheeseburgers from McDonald's before coming home from work.

"What?!"

From across the fire, Alistair interrupts before I can express my shocked outrage any further. "It is Ewar's responsibility to handle the situation, Bella. You consider him to be your husband now, correct? That means he must protect his wife, home, and family from all threats. It is one of the few sacred laws of this day's society."

I roll my eyes. "I don't give a single shit about a 'sacred law' when it's this stupid. Ewar isn't going to hunt down anybody for me." I aim a glare at the man sitting next to me. "Do you understand? No hunting Ora!"

Ewar unleashes a frown. "Bella..."

I place a finger over his lips so I can finish. "If you were to go after that skull-drinking psycho freak, I would be left behind. So, what would be the point of you leaving to 'protect' me if I'm more vulnerable by myself?" My tone softens. "You and I are safer together. Please don't leave after I just got you."

Alistair translates what I said for his wife. Onya, who had kept quiet up until now, decides to speak. "Bella's words are wise, Ewar. You should listen to her."

He tilts his head slightly, his brow furrowed. Eventually, he nods in acquiescence to my point of view. It is a great relief.

Alistair rubs his hands together over the fire, spreading the warmth. His expression has grown contemplative. "Perhaps it was wrong of me to dredge up the past. Ora may have no intention of causing further trouble. He was expelled from his tribe and forced to fend for himself in this harsh, unforgiving world. It would be a wonder if he was able to survive last winter on his own."

"But Ora isn't alone," I add. "Don't you remember what you said in your letter? You heard that Ora persuaded one other man to join him in exile."

"One man? Ha! That is nothing. It takes an entire tribe to keep its people defended and well-fed. Ora and his friend have no one to depend on except for themselves. That makes for a difficult existence." His growing smile is full of mischief. "The majority of their energy will be spent scrounging for food and supplies. I doubt Ora will have the time to harass any more goddesses from the future. Eh, Bella?"

We share a laugh. Onya asks to be filled in on the conversation. Afterward, she eyes me speculatively. Alistair translates for me.

"Onya says you should stay on guard no matter what. Word of your close connection to Damara will attract many people to you in the years to come, both good and bad. Bella, you must protect yourself."

"How do I do that?" I ask uneasily.

"Onya would like to give you her spare bow-"

"No!" Ewar shouts.

I lay a hand on his forearm in hopes of calming him. "Ewar, what's gotten into you?"

"No! Bow is not for you!"

"What?" I say incredulously. "Are you saying I'm not allowed to touch the bow anymore?"

"Yes!"

My hackles rise. "So, I'm too dumb to use the bow and arrows, huh? I don't have the brains to use them correctly? Is that what you're saying?"

His gaze hardens once Alistair informs him what dumb means. "No. Not dumb."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Bow is weapon of Great Spirits. Men can not have!"

Suddenly, my mind conjures up images of him looking pissy the day Onya first taught me how to use the bow and arrows. Now I understand what was going on. He wasn't acting that way because he thought I was too inept to use them. In reality, he believed the weapon was taboo, something reserved exclusively for the divine.

His admission placates some of my anger.

But I'm still not giving in.

"Oh, I see," I say playing along. "Men can't use the bow and arrows because they're not allowed to. Is that right?" Ewar nods. I release a sneaky smile. "But here's the thing... I'm a woman. So is Onya. That must mean she and I are allowed to shoot all the arrows we want."

Alistair gives Onya a play-by-play of what's going on. She bursts into giggles. I'm glad at least they are being entertained by this stupid argument.

Ewar scowls at me. "It is danger!"

"Sure it's dangerous. And so is your spear and that knife you keep in your belt pouch. I don't see you giving them up."

"That is... That is not..."

"Are you trying to say that those weapons are different? I mean, yeah they are in some ways, but a weapon is still a weapon. They are only as good as the person holding it."

He shakes his head. "The Great Spirits not allow! Too... innarawant."

"Innarawant means powerful," Alistair explains.

"Ugh. The Great Spirits don't care about shit like that, Ewar. Onya has used the bow and arrows for years and nothing bad ever happened to her. Besides, where I come from, this weapon is considered tame. I think I can handle it."

Ewar twists his mouth like the truth is a sour lime. I take pity on him. It's hard to change such deep-rooted beliefs in a single day.

"I will be careful, Ewar. And I'll practice with Onya until she says I'm good enough to use the bow on my own." I smile at him playfully. "I am a modern, independent woman. It's important that I can take care of myself so you won't have to rescue me all the time. The next cave lion that tries crossing paths with me will regret it."

"Bel-la..." he groans.

"It was a joke! Sort of."

Alistair chuckles at our exchange. "You have made excellent points, my dear. What say you, Ewar?"

The two men switch to the native tongue, speaking too fast for me to keep up. Onya throws in a comment here and there as well, promising that I will be safer with the bow than without it. Their combined support does the trick. It's three against one. The last vestiges of opposition leaves Ewar's face.

Victory!

With that controversy past us, we revert to relaxing around the fire.

I let out a contented sigh. "So... I guess it's time for me to get serious about learning the local language."

Alistair brightens at my statement. "That is true. When would you like to start your lessons?"

"Now is good."

"Excellent! Let's start with the basics, shall we?"

He calls out words in English and has me translate them. Some words I know; others I do not. My pronunciation needs to be corrected often, though it isn't a complete disaster at least.

Onya listens almost wistfully. I can decipher most of what she says. "You are doing well, Bella. I am arsanatalla!"

"Arsanatalla? What does that mean?"

"Jealous," Alistair explains. "Onya says she is jealous of your learning capabilities. She tried learning English before but didn't have the patience."

Onya smirks. What she says next has her husband roaring with laughter. Ewar, however, isn't amused.

"What's so funny?" I ask.

Alistair is still chuckling when he answers me. "Onya said that Ewar knows all about jealousy. Ask him about Seti."

"Huh? You mean your apprentice back at the Cave of Life?" I turn to Ewar. "What about Seti?"

Ewar's face crumples into a frown. His reaction is nothing but confusing.

Then, it hits me.

I let out a gasp. "You're jealous of Seti?"

His sulking attitude intensifies, confirming my suspicion.

"Are you serious?! Seti is a literal child. What's there to be jealous of?"

Ewar's eyes flash. "He want you for wife!"

It's impossible to hold it in any longer. I burst out laughing. "Oh my God! You were afraid I was going to make him my new husband?" Another round of giggles starts up. "He's just a kid! He wouldn't even know what to do with me."

"Seti watch you; want to touch you," he seethes.

"You're being ridiculous, Ewar. Seti and I hugged one time when we were saying goodbye."

"He too close - and you say nothing!"

"Too close? Phff! It was a completely normal hug. I cannot believe you're being this jealous over something so small."

His eyes narrow into slits. "You jealous! In cave. You jealous of Essa."

All lingering amusement I have is wiped clean. How dare he throw that back in my face!

My response is said through clenched teeth. "Essa is a grown bimbo who tried to seduce you right in front of me. Seti is a sweet little boy with a harmless crush. The two are not the same!"

He and I are both glaring at each other. Vaguely, we hear a throat clear for attention.

"It appears Onya and I inadvertently opened Pandora's box," Alistair says. He slaps his lap with both hands. "Well... I suppose I must shut it back.

"Ewar, Seti is not a threat to you now, nor will he be when he grows into a man. With all the women who pass through our settlement, he develops a new crush around every four days. I assure you that Bella is no longer on his mind. But even if I am wrong, you are allowing jealousy to minimize the importance of what happened today. Bella had the opportunity to return to her home. Yet, she chose to stay here - not because of Seti or any other person, but because you asked her to. That's something to think about, is it not?"

Alistair shifts the lecture away from Ewar. "As for you, Bella, I don't know who this 'Essa' is exactly. However, it sounds to me like she is a bit of a troublemaker."

I huff. "You have no idea how right you are."

He overlooks my comment and carries on. "You said that Essa tried to seduce Ewar. Tried, as in 'did not succeed'. Is that correct?"

"...Yes."

"And where is Ewar right at this very moment? Is he with Essa? Or, did he follow you to - what his society considers to be - the ends of the earth?"

I stare down at my hands. "The latter."

"Precisely." He glances between Ewar and me. "It is time for you both to let go of past grudges and live in the now. Otherwise, these negative feelings will grow and fester, ultimately destroying your bond. So, what will it be?"

Tense silence ensues.

Ewar says something too fast for me to catch and decipher. After receiving a reply from Alistair and soaking in the information, he turns all the way around until he is facing me. Our crossed legs get pressed together. He extends his arm, palm upward.

"Hand," he says.

It is a plea and an invitation. He wants to make up with me. He also wants to take on the position of teacher for my language lessons - at least for tonight. And, lucky me, I already know the proper translation for "hand."

"Kessar." As I say this, my hand slips into his. It remains that way for most of the evening.

Alistair went over words with me that involved emotions and actions. Ewar prefers focusing on the physical. The moon. Stars. The mountains. He helps me memorize everything within eyesight. Some words he isn't aware of the English translation, so we both end up learning something new.

Alistair keeps quiet and watches our lesson like it's a sporting event. After a while, Onya stretches her arms lazily above her head.

"It has been a long day. I will go to bed. Good night." She pauses to look at her husband. She gives him a come hither smile, one that says she will be waiting for him in their tent.

His eyes promptly glaze over.

As she sashays away, Alistair starts babbling. "Ah, y-yes. It has been a long, tiring day. I simply must get to bed... before I nod off, of course."

I conceal my humor as best as I can. "Yeah. You look exhausted." Or, you will be once Onya gets through with you.

He stands up and dusts himself off. "Will the two of you be all right by yourselves?"

Ewar is quick to respond. "Yes. Good night."

That's all Alistair needed to hear. He takes off like a rocket to his tent. For a middle-aged guy, he sure can move fast when there's a pretty lady involved.

As soon as he is gone out of hearing range, Ewar and I snicker. Once we get it out of our systems, he tries getting serious again.

"You want to learn more?"

I give a nod.

He changes the lesson plan now that we are alone. Rather than saying a word and having me translate, he expects me to provide the answer to whatever he is pointing at. The first object is his head.

"Harsar." That was easy.

He smiles and moves his finger down to his eyes.

"Sakuwa," I reply.

"Yes." He leans forward. The atmosphere shifts. He gently tugs a lock of my hair and waits for my response. He's so close, and his gaze is heavy on me. I'm finding it difficult to think straight.

"Um. Ishial?"

Ewar chuckles. "No. Ishial is bandage. Isheni is hair."

"Oh." I release a nervous laugh. "Isheni. Got it."

His smile goes lopsided. He abandons my hair and transfers his concentration to the side of my face. The way he touches the skin there is intoxicating. I have no idea what the word for "cheek" may be in his language, but I do like where this is going.

"I... don't know the word," I admit.

"Parsina."

"Par... Parsina?"

He nods slowly, never looking away. His fingers move like a feather down my cheek. They come into contact with my lips. My eyes shut on their own, savoring his touch.

"Bella?"

I just barely summon the strength to open my eyelids again. "Hmm?"

His mouth twitches at my dazed expression. "What is this?" He taps my bottom lip.

I no longer possess the intellect to respond. If my brain was a computer, it just performed an illegal operation and shut down.

He must sense my problem. He creeps closer and whispers the correct answer. "Ais."

I swallow. "Ais."

He holds my gaze, searching for any sign of distress on my part. He finds none. His fingers adjust the angle of my chin. Then, he closes the gap and we are reunited. His lips brush over mine, sweet and languid.

Before things can go any deeper, he pulls away a little. His words come out as soft pants.

"Kuwaszi." He pecks my lips again. "Kuwaszi."

The lust clouding my brain lifts just enough for me to realize that his teaching gig is still active.

"Kuwaszi," I repeat. "Kiss."

He hums to himself. "Kiss." It is a new word for him, one that he seems eager to put into practice.

And that is exactly what we do.

He pulls me on his lap. Our arms find purchase around each other. He kisses me slowly, light at first but gradually becoming longer and deeper. The only sounds I hear are his muted groans and the crackling of the fire.

We pause for breath. His hair is wild due to the antics of my own fingers. It sticks out in every direction. I almost giggle at the sight, but his serious expression stops me from doing so.

"Bella... nu-ut-ta assiyani."

I squint as I analyze the words. The first grouping basically means I and you. Assiyani, however, is a mystery. I'm not familiar with its meaning.

However, that isn't to say that I have never heard this exact sentence before.

It was the night of Damara's festival. Ewar and I were in bed, exploring each other in ways I had previously only dreamed of. Then, as we were overcome with pleasure, he whispered those same words into my ear. At the time, I was too blissed out to find out what it meant.

Another memory flashes through my mind. Alistair's pet name for Onya is assiyant. It means, my love.

Assiyant. Assiyani. They are very similar...

I let out a whimper. Oh no. I am so, so stupid! If only I had tried harder to understand him then, the weeks of agony we suffered might never have happened.

I lock eyes with him. "I love you. That's what you tried telling me that night, wasn't it?"

He exhales, shoulders unstiffening. "Yes."

A tear slides down my face. Another follows. He brushes each one away. I don't deserve to be comforted. I capture his hand so I can kiss his knuckles instead.

"I'm sorry, Ewar. I didn't know..."

He silences my apology with a kiss. "Shh."

I could easily fall victim to his lips and forget everything - but that would be wrong.

"No. Stop, please. I have to tell you something first." After backing away a little, I take in a lungful of air. "Nu-ut-ta assiyani. I love you, too."

He sits there in stunned disbelief, much longer than I anticipated. Is it so unbelievable that someone could love him back?

He finally blinks. His mouth quirks at the corners, growing by the second. A smile that would rival the sun spreads across his face.

"You... love... me?"

I nod. "So much."

His laugh is pure music. I can't help but smile at how happy he looks.

His eyes are still dancing when he pulls my face to him again. There is no hesitation this time when he kisses me. His hands roam my body freely, no longer holding back. We forget everything else. I ache for his touch, his breath on my skin. He seems incredibly willing to soothe my every desire.

Somehow he regains enough sense to look around. It would be awkward to be caught fondling each other out in the open like this.

He jerks his mouth away from the hollow of my neck where he had previously been providing sweet torture. "Bella? Tent?"

Breathing heavily, I nod. "Yes. Zalamgar."

He grins at how I am still translating his words. What can I say? I'm a dedicated student.

We quietly make our way to the tent. I enter first. When I reach down to pull off my sneakers, he stops me. This is the last time I will ever wear these modern clothes. He wants the honor of taking them off.

He hovers at the entrance and takes my shoes and socks off one at a time. With that out of the way, he tugs at my pants leg. I unclasp the button and unzip it. He slides them down my legs, going so slow that it's driving me crazy. He even folds them up and places the jeans into my basket.

He crawls inside the tent but leaves a slit in the doorway. The campfire provides enough light for us to see. He pulls the blouse over my head, his fingers tickling my ribcage along the way. Again, he folds the shirt and places it in the basket. This time, however, he doesn't immediately move to take off another garment. His eyes are glued to my chest, his expression set in confused wonder.

It's his first time seeing a bra.

He traces the outline of my breasts through the thin fabric. His brow knits together at the see-thru lace, the material hiding my most interesting parts. I'm sure the folks down at Victoria's Secret would be devastated to learn that this particular man doesn't care for their lingerie design.

Taking off a bra is not simple. He pushes the straps off my shoulders but is lost after that. He attempts to pull it over my head. It won't budge. He meets my amused gaze.

"Bella, what is this?"

"A bra. Do you need help taking it off?"

He says yes. I turn around so he can see better to unhook it. He still must not understand how it works. He yanks at the material. The bra stretches but doesn't detach, snapping like a rubber band against my back.

He throws up his hands in defeat. I come to the rescue and unhook it for him. He immediately pulls the bra off the rest of the way, makes a disgruntled face at it, and finally tosses it without a care behind him.

I wrap an arm around his neck. "It's all right. I won't wear that bra ever again."

He hums his approval as we kiss.

Once I am fully undressed, we direct our attention to getting him in the same state. Now I understand why he was going so slow with me. Drawing things out is half the fun. With each item of clothing I pull off, more of his skin is exposed. It's like unwrapping a gift. I pay tribute to every joint and muscle, exploring him with my hands from head to toe.

It's inevitable that he finds his way on top of me. He nibbles at my throat, most likely leaving his mark. I squirm underneath him, desperate for more. His hands move down my body. He opens my legs and settles between my thighs. Having him like this again is better than any fantasy. I want him now and always.

He hovers at my entrance. We rock against one another. I suck in air, amazed at the sensation. He breathes in short, precise breaths, holding himself back from what I want the most.

"Munus-ni pāi," he says softly.

He stares down at me, his gaze scorching. It's one last vocabulary lesson before we lose control. Now, I don't know exactly what he said. But, then again, I think I do. There are many ways to say it in English, from the vulgar to vague euphemisms. "Sex" would work, but it doesn't feel appropriate in our situation. There is only one way to express what we are doing properly.

"Make love," I reply.

He licks his lips. "Make... love." He says this as though he is dissecting each syllable. A smile conquers his face. He plants a kiss on the tip of my nose. "Yes. Make love."

After that, we are no longer separate entities. We are joined in every way. Words are replaced with moans and sighs. Even so, we understand one another perfectly.

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The chirping of a bird startles me awake. My body has trained itself to wake before dawn these last several weeks. The fact that the sun is already out comes as somewhat of a surprise.

I smile to myself. Last night was everything. I was blissfully warm and content, sleeping in the arms of the man I love. No wonder I didn't want to wake up.

To my great disappointment, Ewar's arms are no longer wrapped around me. I turn over in search of him. He is awake and on his side, his head propped on his hand. The fur blanket covers him up to his navel. His eyes are trained on me, watching and waiting for my reaction. Will I regret it? I understand his caution to a degree. The last time we slept together, our morning after didn't turn out well. It was filled with mistaken assumptions.

I don't allow any of that on this morning. I push on his bare chest until he gets the message to lay on his back. His eyes go wide as I crawl up his body and straddle him. It's clear that no one ever took him like this.

He learns quickly that the position is beneficial to us both.

He and I don't leave the privacy of our tent until the sun has been out for quite a while. I am dressed in clothing suitable for the era and climate. It feels right. Ewar sets about dismantling the tent. Onya is nearby making sure there are no more embers where the fire once burned. When I see Alistair, I wince.

"Uh. Sorry I didn't meet you this morning for yoga," I tell him. "I sort of... forgot."

"That's all right. Did you sleep well?"

Ewar chooses this moment to come strolling by, whistling a merry tune. No one is that happy in the morning unless there is a reason. It's obvious he and I weren't late getting up because we were sleeping in.

"Hmm," Alistair begins amusedly. "It's nice to see Ewar in a cheerful mood. Married life suits him."

Thankfully, that is the extent of Alistair's teasing.

We eat a quick breakfast since we got started late. The two travois are loaded down. Everything is ready.

My smile is for Ewar. "Let's go home."

The journey back to the village is less stressful than the trip north. There is no rush. We are able to enjoy it this time. The tundra I had previously viewed as depressing now looks beautiful. The daylight hours are for walking and practicing my language skills. My evenings are divided between archery practice with Onya and learning how to hunt. And the nights... Well, you can guess who I spend them with.

We arrive at the Cave of Life settlement toward the end of summer. At Alistair's insistence, Ewar and I rest there for a few days. Seti took good care of the holy site but is glad to be free of the responsibility. He is just as sweet and friendly as before. Ewar, however, makes it a point to kiss me frequently whenever the boy is around.

The day we are set to leave, Alistair reminds us that we are always welcome to visit. We promise to keep in touch.

It is approximately a five-day walk from the Cave of Life to the little village we call home. But now that Ewar and I are alone, we keep getting distracted. More often than I can count, we temporarily abandon our journey home and tackle one another instead. The grass is our bed; the sky is our ceiling.

The leaves are turning red and orange when we find the trail leading to the gorge. Our arrival in the village is met with shouts of surprise. Afrin collides with me first, her little face lit with joy. People swarm around us to welcome us back. Essa lurks on the outskirts, fuming silently at the sight of me.

I send her a fuck-you smile in return. Because, seriously, fuck you, Essa!

Jas pushes through the crowd and pulls us out into the open again. He was sent to save us by Alie, who is currently grinning so wide that it must hurt.

She grabs my hand the second I am close enough. My palm is placed over her belly. There is a small but noticeable bump.

I let out a gasp and communicate exclusively in the local language. "Are you with child?"

She nods enthusiastically. "Yes! Hokey Pokey!"

"What? Hokey Po..."

My mouth pops open before I can finish. That stupid dance/important infertility ritual I invented for Ewar's sake... Alie participated in it too. I blessed her in Damara's name. Now she is pregnant!

I spin around to Ewar. He is as blown away by the information as I am. Who knew the Hokey Pokey was so sexually potent?

Alie and Jas take turns hugging Ewar and me. Arl showers us with affection as well. He even proclaims that a celebratory feast will be held this evening.

One person is noticeably absent from the commotion.

Ehmay stands several feet away. She seems to be the only person who is confused by my return.

I break away from the others to speak with her privately. My heart races, anxious for her approval. She remains quiet, however. She looks from my face to Ewar's several times. Sensing my unease, he slips an arm around my waist for support. My head goes to lean against his shoulder.

Ehmay sucks in a startled breath. The connection he and I share is undeniable.

"Hello," I say nervously. "I would like to join your family, if that is all right with you."

The tenseness in her eyes vanishes. Her smile is warm on this crisp autumn day. She touches my face lovingly.

"You already belong to the family, Bella. Welcome back."

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A/N- This is NOT the end.

Alistair and Onya's marriage counseling services are by appointment only. No slots available until 10,988 BCE. Payment due in full. Animal skins preferred.

For the rest of this tale, Bella will understand what everyone else is saying. I cannot express how much of a relief that is! In case you were wondering, the basis for the caveman language is actually ancient Hittite. It's been extinct for around 3,000 years, so I didn't have to worry about offending anyone by not using it correctly. (Unless some of you are vampires who existed back then. If that's the case, please excuse my ignorance.)

Fun fact: the Hittite word for water was "wātar". Some things never change, lol.

Thanks for reading. :-)