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The Seventh Realm: Volume V

By Mantrid Brizon

Episode 62: Full Circle

Firing three rounds into a Kaladez, it falls to the ground, gurgling on its own blood. Taking aim with his Smith & Wesson 5904 pistol, Darius fires a single round into its head.

“Bad.” He growls.

Glancing around him, he watches as Koleta stands on the back of a wounded Kaladez, ripping its head from its body with brute force. It kicks its legs and flails its arms as it tries to reach her, her tail swishing through the air as she hisses, her muscles flexing. She stumbles back as the body falls limp, tearing the head from the beast’s neck and throwing it like a ball into the forest. Not far from Koleta, Manny sits in the dirt, a hand rubbing his neck. Two Kaladez lay dead nearby. After being caught by surprise in the small skirmish with four Kaladez, he was nearly strangled to death.

Dropping his gun, Sidana first shot the beast nearest her and then leapt onto the remaining creature’s back. Clawing at it and biting its throat, she fought viciously to save her subordinate, who is also her lover. Wiping the blood from her lips, the Akzazel girl holds out a hand to him and lifts him from the ground. Returning his Ruger P95 pistol to him, she pulls him in as soon as he takes hold of the grip. Her thick, tapering tail swishes as she slides an arm around him and pulls him closer to her.

“Did it hurt you?” She asks with a sweet, even sensual tone.

“No. I’ll be fine, babe.” He answers with a hoarse voice.

“Good. You’ll need your strength for later.” She coos.

She kisses his lips and growls cutely before provocatively licking his cheek with her pointed tongue. As the two raptor-like, hybrid females collect their strewn belongings from the ground, Darius steps aside. Looking around and watching for further attackers, he keeps his pistol at the ready and patrols the nearby area. Though weakened, as he was strangled nearly into unconsciousness, Manny decides to follow Darius.

“Hey.” He calls out to the black and blue striped Sakona.

“Huh? Oh, hi. Are you alright?” Darius asks him.

“Oh yeah. I get strangled all of the time!” Manny quips.

“I don’t really want to know the details of yours and Sidana’s sex life.” Darius retorts.

“Ha-ha... You know... When your dad sent me out here to fetch you and bring you home, I thought you were nothing but a bratty, selfish, immature kid who had something besides brains beneath those ears of yours. You proved me right for quite a while, until you didn’t. You’re a good kid, Darius, with a good heart and serious potential, and I’m proud of you.” Manny says.

“Wow... All those insults at the beginning really set me up to be surprised.” Darius smirks.

“Yeah. To make up for that, and at the risk of sounding less masculine, I want you to know that I’m proud to call you my friend.”

“I already have a lover. I’m sorry.” Darius jests.

“This is why I don’t like to compliment people.” Manny sighs.

“What about Sidana?”

“That’s different. I love her, therefore she isn’t just some person.” Manny explains.

“And I’m just some person? I thought I was your friend?” Darius raises a brow.

“Whatever I have to say to make you feel better.” Manny teases.

Unable to hide his amused grin, Darius accompanies Manny back to the others. They’ve walked for two days, and soon they’ll be home, back at the capitol city that they should’ve never left. After walking until late-afternoon, they make their camp for the night. Sidana and Manny climb into the trees to string up their safety beds, keeping them out of reach of predators. Koleta sits beside Darius, her tail bent to one side and wrapping around his waist. His own tail does the same as they watch a small fire slowly growing as it consumes a dry log. Rubbing the crimson fur that lines the top of her tail and over her spine like a mane, Darius glances toward her, gazing into her fuchsia eyes, his claws combing the soft, red streak. Her lips curl into a little smile and she reaches out to stroke his cheek.

“I thought you soldiers all had feet like animal hide?” Manny asks.

Glancing over to the couple who sit across the fire, Manny sits with Sidana’s lower legs pulled over his own. Facing his right side, she leans back and rests her head on a rucksack as if it were a pillow as the human male examines the light blue flesh of her delicate, human-like feet.

“We march a lot, but this trip is more walking than has ever been required.” She replies, glancing down and watching him.

“You have a few blisters here, you poor thing.” He says with a worried tone.

“What about you? You weren’t a soldier two months ago; you don’t seem bothered by all of the marching.”

“That’s different. Back in Detroit, all I ever did was run around the brick jungles.” He smirks, poking the tips of her toe-claws curiously.

Taking her feet gently in his hands, he carefully massages them for her. At first, Sidana almost appears embarrassed, shying away from him. Manny doesn’t stop, however, even after she accidentally pokes and cuts him with a claw.

“I’m so sorry!” She exclaims upon seeing the superficial wound.

“Just relax.” He chuckles.

Carefully massaging her feet, Manny’s touch is soft and soothing. Sidana’s already bowed head tilts down even lower, her bottom jaw and chin resting between her ample bust as she turns her golden eyes away. She knows that Darius and Koleta are both watching them, yet Manny doesn’t care. He’s been so open about their newly upgraded relationship status. She knows that he cares for her, but even after all that they’ve been through together, she is continuously surprised by how openly and readily he treats her with love and kindness. He never seems phased by any of the awful things that happen to them; Manny is always ready to comfort and care for her.

“Thank you, Manny.” Sidana murmurs.

“Hey, I’m happy to do it. You did save me from being killed today.”

“Well, I still need you alive.” She winks.

“That’s good to know. How long will I remain useful to you?” He asks casually.

“Until I’m dead of old age.” She answers.

“I can live with that.”

Glancing toward each other, they share a long gaze. Sidana’s tail, which keeps her pelvis slightly raised from its bulk as she lay on her back, is shifted toward her right side; the tip flicks and the appendage sways happily as they both smile at each other. Sidana inches her tail around Manny’s waist, hooking him with it. It’s a sign of affection practiced by all of the sentient, anthropomorphic races created by the ancient humans; this is not lost on Manny.

“It was really sexy how you tore that Kaladez’s throat out, by the way.” He teases.

“Yeah?” Sidana’s eyes light up, her smile revealing her gleaming, omnivorous teeth and exaggerated canines.

“Yeah.” He nods.

“Pfft. I’ve pulled off whole heads for Darius.” Koleta interjects.

“I guess I’m just that special.” Darius grins at her.

“You are.” Koleta smiles back.

“Showoff.” Sidana smirks.

They sit in silence for a moment, listening to the sounds of the fire crackling. Darius rubs Koleta’s shoulders as he sits behind her, while Manny pokes at their cooking food, one hand still massaging Sidana’s worn feet. Sidana gazes at the flames, her eyes glossy as she stares; she’s clearly deep in thought.

“Manny?” She suddenly breaks the silence.

“Yeah?”

“What went on between you and that woman, Isabella?” She asks.

“Nothing, or at that’s what I thought.” He quickly answers.

“Please.” She turns her head toward him. “Don’t hide anything from me. You didn’t about that night.”

Manny stops what he’s doing, looking back at his mate. Darius and Koleta fall as silent as the grave; they both heard some of his abuse at the hands of a crazed and perverted Ketlan woman with their enhanced senses. The tension rises as the two juveniles look to ech other. Sighing, Manny rests his hands on her feet, glancing down at her platinum colored claws which crown each toe.

“I’m not hiding anything, but I’ll tell you what I know.” He says, continuing to rub her feet. “Isabella was the youngest daughter of my old boss, J.T. She was, and probably still is, an absolute monster. When J.T.’s business became so large in Detroit, I was his first cleaner.”

“You washed his floors or something?” Darius raises a brow in confusion.

“That’s what we called a ‘killer for hire’.” Manny explains, turning his eyes to the youth.

“Oh...”

“I shot, stabbed and burned a few people alive for that asshole, and I never once was caught or imprisoned. J.T. moved his family to another country, while I stayed behind and ran his original operation for him. Belize is where he met Cyrus. Cyrus was actually at least as good as I was when they met, and eventually became even better; he became his favorite cleaner. Isabella was always a piece of work though. She was notorious for mating with boys and even adult men and then having her dad send us to kill them for whatever reason. Half of our jobs were her fault. Cyrus was so good at his work that J.T. became jealous; he made up all sorts of new rules to try to make sure people remembered that he was in charge, then one day he decided Cyrus was too popular for him to control. I heard it was a job that he did, killing some poor kid that Isabella mated with, that saw J.T. trying to kill him.”

“What happened next?” Koleta asks, enthralled by his story.

“I don’t know. I received word that Cyrus, Yasmin and J.T.’s kids went missing, stealing his ship, the Malevolence. J.T. took his yacht and crew and went after them. Cyrus and Yasmin where put on our ‘black list’ and the reward for returning Isabella was huge; I decided that was a good time to leave. I wasn’t happy with my job anyway. I stole a crate of ammo and some guns and then a huge bag of money that was hidden in the back of my car, where the spare tire should have been, and then I left. They weren’t so happy about that, so they came after me. I escaped after a bit of friendly gunfire, and while driving at four in the morning down the freeway, a ball of purple lightning landed in the street. I hit it and came out here.” Manny continues.

“But what about Isabella?” Sidana persists.

“I killed a few people for her, but at the time she was about fourteen or fifteen. She treated me like dirt, never once had anything nice to say, and even called me her lap-dog. I had no idea she felt that way, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if she was lying.” Manny answers.

“That didn’t look like a lie.” Sidana remarks.

“Yes; she looked far too... ‘Amused’ to be merely pretending.” Koleta adds with a little smirk.

“Well then she’s just crazy.”

“I just can’t understand why she’d let us leave and not even search our bags or take the firearms that we were wearing visibly on our hips. She didn’t even poison our food.” Sidana begins.

“We would have smelled any poison commonly used.” Darius explains, still rubbing Koleta’s shoulders.

“She must have truly cared for you to let us go like that.” Sidana says.

“I don’t know. All I do know is that I shot a few people for her, because that’s what her dad wanted, and paid me to do. I never liked her, and I don’t. That kiss was the closest she and I had ever been, and you have me word, Sidana.”

“Okay.” She murmurs, a hint of sorrow in her voice.

Manny lifts her legs and scoots even closer, soon pulling her atop his lap. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her lovingly. Darius and Koleta watch as the human comforts the blue, purple and cream-colored, platinum blonde Akzazel girl. Her lips curl up as he kisses her, working his way from her lips and over her cheek, toward her ears. Nuzzling her cheek with his nose, he whispers softly into her elf-like ear. He assures her that she’s the only woman that he’s ever loved and cared for so much; she has his heart for the remainder of their lives, and he will always be there for her. She rests a hand on his head, closing her eyes and basking in his warmth and affection.

Sitting and watching to the lovers, both Darius and Koleta hear every word that he says; his adoration for Sidana, his soon-to-be pledge mate, tugs at their heartstrings. Leaning forward, Darius nuzzles and kisses Koleta’s cheek, reminding her that he feels the same. The two couples share their moment on opposite sides of the crackling fire. Satisfied that Manny is entirely hers and that Isabella poses no threat, nor do any other females, Sidana cuddles with her human lover as he tends to their cooking food, which is also the last of their supplies.

“So, why did you think Isabella was lying about her desire for you?” Darius suddenly asks.

“Because Isabella is a liar. She’s dangerous, twisted and evil, and if she were here to listen, she’d consider those compliments. Honestly, if she wanted me like that, I’d have expected her to kill all of you and make me her slave.” Manny answers.

“Perhaps she softened in her years as a leader? She saw how upset Sidana became, and maybe it made her feel badly.” Koleta suggests.

“I doubt it. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if she was lying about her dad and that Yulan guy too; they’re probably still chained up in her basement. Let’s change the subject now...” Manny sighs.

“Yes, please.” Sidana glares at Darius.

“Sorry. It was just something that was on my mind.”

After cooking their food and drinking the last of their water, they climb into the tree to spend the night in their safety beds. As always, Darius and Manny help Koleta into the tree. The next morning they collect their gear, which is also lashed into the branches, and climb down from the tree. With their net beds draped over them, they continue their march. Though they start walking around seven in the morning, it’s barely noon when they emerge from the jungle. They stand in awe at the splendor that stands before them. With mouths agape, they look at the capitol city, which sits opposite the farmer’s fields that they have just entered.

“Is that them?!” A woman’s voice exclaims.

“It can’t be!” Another says.

Turning to the sounds, they see two Ketlan females wearing simple linen dresses and carrying sickles, sheaves of faval wheat lying at their paw-like feet. Turning and waving, Darius and Sidana greet them. The women’s tails sway happily and their lips curl around their snouts as they bear their teeth in wide grins.

“Darius has returned!” A woman shouts.

Motioning for them to come closer, they promptly turn and dart away, racing back to the city to inform others.

“Looks like someone has fans.” Koleta remarks to him.

“I wonder if they even noticed us standing here?” Sidana thinks aloud.

Grabbing hold of the shoulder straps of their packs, they adjust their rucksacks and carry on. With a spring in their step, they move swiftly through the fields and toward the city that they have spent nearly two weeks trying to return to. Nearing the edge of the farms, the two female Ketlan return with Sa’kesh soldiers beside them, a mixture of male and female Zelkona who were on guard duty. Immediately recognizing the platinum blonde hair and tail mane of Sidana, a highly respected captain, their eyes light up.

“Sidana!” They call out to her.

“How has the city faired without me here? I see it hasn’t burned to the ground.” She chuckles.

“Not yet. It’s good to see you back, and your soldier um, er...”

“Manny...” The human sighs.

“Right!” A male guard chirps.

“We’ve been on the lookout for you two as well.” A female comments, looking to Darius and Koleta.

“We need to report to Cyrus right away. Would you mind escorting us?” Sidana asks.

“Not at all!”

Leading the way, the guards guide them through the city, which os abuzz at the return of the youths. It’s clear to all that word has spread of Darius’ and Koleta’s disappearance; as the children of the founders of their very nation, they were always moderately well known, even if not necessarily popular amongst their peers. The walk through the crowded city seems to take longer than any of the previous marches through the jungle; perhaps because they can see the Agnis complex and the brick castle in the background? Sitting on the ledge of the second level wall, Vanolza looks down and sees his older brother and the others approaching.

He twirls around, pushes himself off of the ledge and dashes toward the nearest door to enter the castle so that he can warn his family. Immediately opening the gates for the group, the castle guards stand at attention. Stepping into the courtyard, Darius and Koleta both tear up from the sight. Taking off their packs, they set them on the ground and look up at the inner walls. The elderly Chris rises from a chair near the main staircase, as his favorite workshop sits beneath it. Taking a step closer, the old man squints his eyes.

“Darius?! ... Is that you, boy?” Chris asks in shock.

“Hello Chris. It’s good to see you again.” Darius replies.

“DARIUS!” Jolazar exclaims.

The purple, gray and blue stripped Sakona races down the steps. Her mother, Zakera, the pink, white and cyan striped Ketlan, follows close behind.

“IT’S DARIUS!” Jolazar shouts with glee.

“MY SON!” Zakera exclaims.

“KOLETA?!” Zia gasps.

Turning around, Koleta sees both her mother, Zia, and father, Katero, standing just beneath the arch of the castle’s front gate. Unable to speak from the raw emotion, she merely nods her head and holds out a hand to them. Racing up to her, they grip their daughter and hold on tightly, as if she might be taken away from them at any moment.

“We were so worried about you!” Zia exclaims.

“We’ve missed you so much! We’re so glad you’re home!” Katero says with a shaking voice, tears streaming down his face.

Darius is quickly hug-tackled by his sister, the lithe and attractive woman slamming into him hard enough to knock him over. Zakera pulls her up and extends a hand to her son. No sooner than he takes hold of her clawed hand, she pulls him into a warm embrace. At the top of the steps, Cyrus stands with the aid of recently carved crutches. With Jack and Vanolza standing beside him and the Sa’kesh soldiers helping him down the steps, he too approaches to greet his son. Sidana and Manny glance around at the heartwarming displays the parents show their children, before turning their eyes to each other.

“Now I’m feeling left out.” He comments.

“Oh, fine.” She sighs.

Turning toward him, she quickly snatches Manny into her arms and gives him a tight squeeze. With his chest pressing hard against her ample breasts, he can feel her squeezing the wind out of him. He wraps his arms around her slender waist in turn and holds her tightly.

“Don’t act like you don’t like this.” He whispers into her pointy, elf-like ear.

“You know I do, but I’m still your captain.” She whispers back. “When we return to our barracks, we’ll celebrate properly.” She coos, before briefly licking his cheek.

“We’d better.” He growls, squeezing her tighter.

Releasing each other, they stand at attention just as Cyrus, Jack and the other guards make it to the bottom of the steps. Vanolza has since joined his mother and sister in greeting his brother. Considering himself too manly for hugs, he pats Darius’ back and squeezes a shoulder so that he knows he’s there with him.

“You did a fine job. A little slower than I was expecting but you came through.” Cyrus says to Sidana and Manny.

“Thank you, sir!” Sidana chirps.

“Yeah, likewise.” Manny casually adds.

“I see you didn’t ride my motorcycle back here...”

“Oh, yeah... About that... It died valiantly in a spectacular crash.” Manny nervously admits.

“And I’d love to hear all about it, among other things.”

Moving past the two weary soldiers, Cyrus approaches his family. Seeing his son’s head in between the small crowd containing his wife and two other children, he narrows his eyes. Looking toward his father, Darius stands straight. His shifting body and sudden silence catch the others attention. As if expecting a confrontation, Zakera and Jolazar stand aside, while Vanolza takes a single step back, but stays within arm’s reach of his older brother. The father and son share a tense moment, staring silently at each other for some time before Cyrus finally opens his mouth to speak.

“Darius... You stole pistols and food, used who knows how much ammunition that we can no longer replace, risked your life, Koleta’s life, and the lives of two fine soldiers I sent to track you down, got my motorcycle killed, and worried us all sick for nearly two weeks...”

“Dad, I-”

“And I’m so glad you’re home!” Cyrus interrupts him.

Leaning forward and dropping his crutch, Cyrus takes hold of his son and squeezes him tightly. With his eyes watering, Darius can’t contain himself any longer.

“I’m so sorry, dad. I was so stupid.” He cries.

“It’s fine. Everything’s alright, now that you’re home, safe and sound.” Cyrus replies.

“Dad, your leg!”

“Hm? Oh, it’s nearly healed. I just used the crutch for effect.” Cyrus laughs.

“Seriously?!” Vanolza exclaims.

“You really didn’t know?” Jolazar giggles.

“No!” Vanolza barks.

“We wondered if you would ever figure it out. You never failed to amuse.” Zakera teases her youngest son. “Come inside. We’ll get all of you something to eat.”

“We’ll take ours to-go. I’d like to speak to these two first and hear their report.” Cyrus says as he looks to Sidana and Manny.

Leading the soldiers inside the castle, Cyrus and Katero interview Sidana and Manny in Cyrus’ study, receiving a verbal report of the events since they’d left. Zakera, Zia, and Darius’ younger siblings take Darius and Koleta inside and toward the grand dining hall. Two hired maids, a human and a Ketlan, take trays of food and water into the study, while Darius and Koleta sit beside each other at a long table with their family crowding around them. Sitting quietly, they attempt to enjoy the first meal they’d eaten in nearly eighteen hours while everyone bombards them with questions.

What was it like? Where did they sleep? Did they even have the time and ability? Did they see any of those monstrous creatures? Where they able to hunt, or did they forage? Darius’ younger brother bombards him, eager to learn what wonderous adventures his older brother enjoyed; every sensible question is asked by Jolazar. Neither juvenile responds with more than one or two word answers. With every question the youths ask, Darius and Koleta relive their experiences. It soon becomes apparent to the mothers that their eldest children are simply not prepared to speak of the things that they’ve seen and done.

“Alright, son. Leave them alone and let them eat in peace.” Zakera says to Vanolza.

“But I want to know!”

“No... You really don’t.” Darius subtly shakes his head.

Having received the longest answer yet, Vanolza and the others see the expression on the young man’s face. Thinking back on their encounter with the moltaka, the flash flood, the Kaladez attack at their first basecamp, meeting the Ketlan cultists, their encounter in the Zajak cave and the skirmish with the small family of Kaladez, Darius is overcome; rather than express emotion, he merely stares with his head tilted downward, as if the table before him wasn’t even there. To Zia’s dismay, Koleta shows the same signs. Both Zia and Zakera had seen this type of behavior in the younger children who were not prepared for the world outside of their villages, back when they still lived in tribes, long before the Sa’kesh were formed.

Perhaps the comfortable lives of the Sa’kesh and the safety of their large cities has made it easy to forget the horrors that can occur in the untamed wild? Many years ago, before Yasmin herself settled down and began raising her own family, she had often stated how soft the citizens would become once accustomed to their new way of life. Was she right? Worrying for the emotional health of their children, Zakera and Zia end the questioning and send Vanolza and Jolazar away to continue about their day as they otherwise would have, had their children never left.

“Katero and Cyrus might take a while; would you like to stay in a guest room tonight, Zia?” Zakera asks.

“We should probably return to our own home. You’ve done more than enough.” Zia replies.

“No! I-I mean, I’d rather stay here, if dad is going to take a long time.” Koleta explains.

Though concerned, Zia doesn’t press the matter. Shrugging her shoulders, she changes her answer and accepts Zakera’s offer. Leading them through the halls and toward their rooms, Koleta shows them the way, to the mother’s collective amusement. As much time as she’d spent in the castle with Darius, Koleta knows the way better than even Zakera, who has resided there since it was built. Taking a left at a T junction and heading east, Zia and her daughter claim a guest room with two, large beds inside. Before making the turn, Koleta couldn’t help but stare at the doorway at the end of the hall, which is Darius’ room.

“You should be quite comfortable here. If you need anything, you can always ask, and I know Koleta knows where to find Darius.” Zakera teases.

To both mother’s surprise, neither juvenile objects or appears embarrassed. Koleta glances to Darius for a moment, while he merely stares back at her. Without saying a word, they lean in and share an embrace. Though at first it appeared benign, Zia and Zakera soon realize that it’s anything but; pulling his arms tightly around her slender waist, he nuzzles her cheek with his snout. With coiled fingers, Koleta grips his back, her lips curling into a pleased smile at the corners of her long snout. Now feeling as though they are intruding, Zakera and Zia glance around the hallway and then to each other.

“Ahem.” Zia clears her throat and interrupts the teens. “Thank you for the use of this room. We appreciate it.”

“Of course. I’ll be sure to let Katero know, that way he doesn’t accidentally return to an empty house.” Zakera says with a chuckle.

Taking their leave, Zakera and Darius walk away from Zia and Koleta as they enter their room. Walking down the hall, they stand at the T junction. Darius glances down the hall and toward his bedroom as they stand there for a moment. The silence is deafening, and a curious Zakera can hardly contain herself. She just wants to know how her first-born is doing and what he’s feeling; she wants to bond with her son like she used too before he became a teenager.

“So... I noticed you two have bonded more since you’ve been away.” Zakera comments.

“Yeah...” He sighs.

“As close as you already were, I didn’t know that was possible.” Zakera continues, subtly digging for more information.

“We went through so much out there... She saved my life and I saved hers. I love her, and when I’m an adult, I want to pledge to her.” Darius admits.

Zakera is stunned. This boy is nothing like the impulsive, immature and somewhat cocky son that had left home barely fourteen days earlier. Though she worried for him before, and still does, whatever he experienced out in the harsh jungles of Monala apparently did him some good; he had never mentioned pledging before, and though he desired his ceremony of adulthood, it was merely a means to an end, a chance to join the Sa’kesh military and have adventure, rather than a desire to accept more responsibility.

“Being pledged is not a game to play; a pledge should be for life, barring serious and shameful circumstances.” She warns him.

“I know, but I really do love her. She’s all I think about, and her safety and happiness mean more to me than my own.” He replies.

Her lips curl into a little grin. Though she knew the day would come, she still wasn’t fully prepared to witness her son growing up. Thankfully, it’s far less jarring and unpleasant than she had imagined.

“Well, that was quite the hug.” Zia says.

Sitting on the edge of a bed, Koleta looks at the ground. She appears deep in thought. Without responding to her mother, Zia becomes concerned. She joins her daughter, slipping an arm around her.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m just thinking.” Koleta answers.

“About Darius?” Zia prods.

“Mom... I love him, and he loves me. When we become adults, he and I want to pledge to each other.”

Zia stares with wide eyes. The revelation hits her like a speeding train; she never saw this coming. Just from looking at her, she knows that Koleta is deadly serious.

“You do understand that pledges are for life, right?” Zia can’t help but ask.

“Yes, I do.” Koleta nods.

“You’re a cycle younger than Darius. Do you think that you can both wait until your own ceremony of adulthood? Waiting for something like that can be... Difficult.”

“We went through so much while we were out there; he and I fought for each other. I learned things about my breed, but I learned about Darius as well. He risked himself to save me, and he was there to protect me, even though I am far stronger. When my spirit was broken, he was there to pull me together. Darius is the one, mom. He’ll wait for me. I understand the pledge, and I know what we’re suggesting.”

Looking to her daughter, Zia can see the sincerity in her fuchsia eyes. Nodding in acceptance, she hugs her daughter and they share a moment.

“I’ll help you break the news to your father.” She says.

“Thanks, mom.”

Lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, a still fully dressed Darius sighs sorrowfully. He finds it hard to adjust to having a stationary bed; in many ways, he enjoyed the subtle swaying of the safety bed that he and his friends used on their arduous adventure. He turns his eyes toward his wall. Having added brass hooks between the bricks of his wall, he hung the vine crafted, net bed as an unusable decoration. For a moment he wonders if he should construct a frame and hang the bed, but then he sighs again. A pain stings his heart. Even that wouldn’t be comfort enough; he misses Koleta’s presence.

It’s what brought him the most peace when they were out in the jungle. Sleeping near her, even if they weren’t actually touching, made him feel better. That night they spent in Isabella’s manor was the most comfortable he’d ever been in his life. Sleeping beside each other and holding one another made it easy to relax and fall asleep. Sitting upright, he looks over to an empty space beside him; his bed is easily big enough for two. Before he took a real interest in Koleta, he’d mated with a few females in this bed and slept beside them, but his physical exhaustion didn’t leave him feeling rested; only his feelings for Koleta made their cuddling worthwhile.

At that moment, he’d trade every encounter and short-lived relationship just to sit next to her. Slipping on his boots, Darius ties the laces and decides to take a walk. Hopefully that will clear his mind. Lying in her own bed, Koleta glances over to see her parents both fast asleep. Seeing Katero spooning with her mother, Zia, makes Koleta miss being held by Darius. Having laid there in the darkness for some time, she glances around the room with her night vision, repeatedly looking at the door. Missing her companion, she tries to push him from her mind and simply rest, but it isn’t the same without him there.

Unable to sleep, she finally decides that she can’t simply lie there until the day moon and sun come up. Rising from her bed, she sets her clawed, digitigrade feet upon the brick floor. Walking slowly and quietly, she creeps away from the bed where her parents lie and toward the bedroom door. Stealthily opening the door, she looks back at her father; as a Ketlan, his hearing and smell are rivaled by no other breed than her own. Without rousing him from his slumber, she slips out of the room and silently closes and latches the door, moving in slow motion.

Walking away from the door and down the hall, she heads toward the T junction. Almost instinctively, her head turns to the left as though she were staring through the very walls of the castle and locking her eyes upon her mate. Her pointy ears prick as she hears the sound of footfalls; someone is wearing boots for human-like feet. Knowing that there are many humans and py’sel in and near the castle, this does not peak her interest. Stepping out of the hallway and into the junction however, she nearly walks right into Darius.

“Koleta!” He exclaims happily.

“Darius!”

“What are you still doing up? Are you alright?” He asks.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Neither could I.”

“You wanted to take a walk?” She asks.

“Not really. I just didn’t know what else to do.” He shrugs.

“Oh...”

Glancing toward each other, the teenagers both can’t help but smile. Darius steps closer.

“Why couldn’t you sleep?” Koleta asks him softly.

“Well, I... I missed you. It’s hard to sleep without you near me. I don’t even need to hold you, though I would love that too. I just like knowing that you’re in the room with me.” He admits.

Koleta’s heart skips a beat.

“I feel the same way. It’s not fun trying to sleep all alone anymore.” She says.

“It isn’t.” He agrees.

“Darius... Will you wait for me to become an adult?” She steps closer.

“Of course I will! What kind of question is that? I love you, Koleta. I need you!”

Her heart burns warmly from his answer.

“I love you too. I’m really looking forward to being your pledged mate, so we can spend our time together and sleep next to each other.”

“That’ll be wonderful, among other things.” Darius winks.

“Well... We’re both still juveniles.” Koleta remarks.

Looking to him with a little smile, she still looks surprisingly serious. Koleta knows that once he’s an adult, their mating will be forbidden until she too becomes and adult. Now knowing his feelings, she’s finally ready to experience him. Realizing that this is as blatant an invitation as he might ever possibly receive, Darius suddenly feels himself growing nervous. He’s asked other females to mate when he was younger, but he didn’t care about them. They weren’t even very memorable. Somehow, his emotional bond with Koleta makes this all the more difficult; he actually cares for her and her feelings. He briefly becomes paranoid that he might make a mistake or otherwise upset her, but looking deeply into her eyes, he thinks back to all of their time together. He knows that she wants this as much as he does.

“Do you want to mate with me?” He suddenly asks.

Though she doesn’t answer verbally, Koleta nods her head. Reaching out for her, Darius takes her hand, interlocking their fingers. Stepping closer, he rests a hand on her cheek and kisses her lips passionately before nuzzling her long snout with his own. She closes her eyes and trembles as he slips his arm around her slender waist. She melts in his arms as she feels his soft black, gray and blue striped fur against her smooth hide. Hand-in-hand, they walk together toward his bedroom, quietly slipping inside and locking the door behind them. There, the juvenile couple quickly strip down.

Holding each other, the pair kiss and nuzzle passionately as they fall back into Darius’ bed. It soon progresses into licking and fondling as the two, young lovers prepare themselves. Though he has some mediocre experience, Darius promptly forgets most of it in his nervous and lovestruck state; both learn the process together. Having sex for the first time, Koleta finally relinquishes her virginity to him. She enjoys every blissful second with her mate, while Darius does the same. He only wishes he had realized his feelings earlier; he’d have never been with anyone else but her if he had. Lying beside each other in bed after they’re finished, the juveniles quickly fall into a deep and peaceful sleep; they’ve never been so comfortable or slept so peacefully.