Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
If nothing else, life on this cold, frozen beach is always interesting. It is never dull, never the same thing day in and day out…and I like that.
My spirit light, I jog across the beach, heading for the hut I share with my mate.
40
A'TAM
When I duck into my hut, Br'chit sits by the fire, completely wrapped in furs. She looks up when I enter, but the smile on her lips does not reach her eyes.
"What is wrong?" I ask, immediately worried. I drop to my knees beside her and brush my knuckles over her cheek. Her khui hums loudly at my arrival, and mine picks up its song. That is good, at least. I caress her soft face. "Did O'jek's food sit badly in your belly? Do you need medicinal tea? Should I go get some from the healer?"
"I'm okay," she says, voice soft. She leans into my touch, her eyes closing, and she smiles again. "Just a little nervous."
"Nervous? Why?" It seems a strange thing to me. "Did someone say something to you at the feast?" The thought makes me angry. No one understands that behind Br'chit's sharp tongue, she hides so much doubt. That careless words can harm her and make her cry. This distresses me. "Do I need to talk to someone and correct them?" I lower my voice and lean in. "Did they call you by the wrong name again?" I have tried to educate everyone, but perhaps someone slipped. If so, I will make it my goal to ensure that no one slips again, even if I must go around and glare at everyone on the beach. I do not like it when Br'chit hurts.
Her expression softens, and she smiles up at me. This time, she touches my face, her fingers stroking my beard. "You really are the sweetest sometimes, you know that?"
"So you are not upset?" I ask, a little confused.
"I'm nervous…because of this." Br'chit tosses the furs off her shoulders and gets to her feet.
I wait for her to do something. When she does not, I peer behind her. "What is it?"
She gestures at her body. "My clothes! I wore them for you!"
For the first time, I notice her coverings. They…do not seem very practical. Her teats are squashed between leather straps and bubble over the top, as if desperate to escape their confinement. The skirt she wears is not very warm, either. It will not even cover her thighs, and there is no place for her to put her hands if they get cold.
And I know Br'chit, and she will get cold. "I do not wish to hurt your feelings," I begin, wondering how best to point this out. "But this does not seem like the wisest thing to wear."
My fierce little kaari wilts. Her shoulders slump and the look on her face grows dejected. "You don't like it?"
"I would rather you be warm," I point out. "And covered. You will not be able to hunt anything in these leathers." I get to my feet and gesture at her teats. "You look as if a strong breeze will cause your teats to tumble free. And your legs will grow chilled the moment you step into the snows." I shake my head. "I do not mean to be unkind, but if you need hides for leather, I will find you some. We will make you a nice warm, long skirt with much fur on it."
She stares at me. Really stares. After a long moment, she touches my chest. "I'm not going hunting in this, A'tam." Her voice sounds suspiciously choked. "I wore it because I wanted to be sexy. For you." Br'chit trails a finger down my chest. "For tonight."
I do not under…oh.
Oh.
I stare down at her top, at the knot that is the only thing keeping her teats from bursting out of the leather harness. I want to say something clever. I want to tell her that of course I knew this, that I was just testing her. Instead, all I say is "Oh."
Br'chit's mouth twitches. She puts a finger under my chin, lifting my head so our eyes meet. "Now, look again. What do you think of my clothing?" She takes a step back and runs her hands over her teats, plumping and bouncing them before my eyes. Her hands slide to her skirt, to that tiny scrap of fur, and she turns around and wiggles her bottom at me. The fur ripples even as her flesh does, and it is…enticing.
"I see now." I reach for her, feeling foolish. "I thought this was a human custom of some kind."
"Oh, it is. It's just for wearing in private." She skates out of my grip, moving over to the furs. As she walks, my gaze follows the flex of her bottom, emphasized by the fur. It is rather entrancing. "Just for wearing for you."