Page 18 of Vexing Valmir
It's very...kind.
Not something I thought I'd ever say about the surly cat-man gladiator. Kind isn't a word that comes up when you talk about Valmir. The words that usually come up are four-letter in nature and vulgar. I stroke the two-fang's strange head with a fingertip, and maybe it's my imagination, but it seems less frightened than before, the shivering less intense. "Bringing it back to me was really nice of you."
A strange, almost constipated look crosses his face. "I am not nice."
"What you did was nice."
"I didn't have a choice! I don't like your tears." He sounds utterly betrayed, as if my emotions were something he never bargained for.
"I don't like them either," I admit. It makes me feel vulnerable to show someone else that I'm struggling to adjust. I hold the animal against my chest and look around my hut for something that could make a nest for it. My kingdom for a cardboard box or an old milk crate. "Help me make a home for him so he doesn't run off?"
Valmir glances around the hut and strides forward, heading for the big, dried-reed basket where I keep my belongings. He dumps everything out onto my bed, and I bite back a protest. Ididask him for help. He studies the now-empty basket and sets it down. "Where are your scraps?"
I point to another basket closer to Dawn's things. Thepeople on the beach waste nothing and so everyone has scrap baskets of leather, shell, bone, anything that might be needed at some point. He grabs the empty basket and the scrap basket, sits them both in front of him, and begins to work. I watch as he pulls out a long strand of cord and begins to weave bits of bone through it, making a patchwork net to cover the top of the basket. I should have thought of that.
Then again, it's hard to think of anything when I've got my khui pounding an excited beat in my chest, and his body is only a few feet away from mine.
It's like being drugged, I decide. Resonance is a roofie that makes you desperately like the person you're resonating to, even when they irritate the snot out of you. It's not quite an aphrodisiac. While there is part of me that wants to fuck his brains out, the even bigger part of me is noticing how big and strong his hands are, how capably he's handling the situation, and how thoughtful it was for him to bring this creature back to me.
My brain isn't just wanting me to boink him. It's pointing out all the ways he might be a good mate, which is terrifying on a whole different level.
"I don't understand you," Valmir says again, his hands working deftly on weaving the net.
Are we back on this? I pet the tiny head under my hand, noticing that my new friend is soft like a bunny. "It's okay, I don't understand me either."
"I am just trying to determine the guidelines for which animals are pets and which ones are food, since I'll be feeding you in the future. You will be my mate, so it's important I know these things."
His casual comment makes my mouth go dry. Because...it's true, right? I don't have a single example I can point to that I can say "these two resonated and called it quits." I might belooking at my future husband right now, and the soft, resonating part of me squeals with joy.
The rest of me feels sour as fuck about it.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't comment about my issues to anyone else," I say, petting the critter in my arms. "It's very personal. I don't want them to think less of me."
Valmir nods. "I will not speak of it."
"Thank you."
He's quiet for a long moment, and just when I start to relax, glances up at me. "So tomorrow, when you feed me, is it going to be fish? Our dinner together?"
"I haven't thought that far ahead, to be honest."
He finishes the net with a twist of his fingers and spreads it over the top of the basket. He stretches it taut, then uses a few spiky bits of bone to anchor it to the weave. When the 'lid' is in place, he presses his hand against it, testing. It holds, and he seems rather pleased with himself. He shoots me a sly look. "You are lucky to have me around."
"Lucky isn't the word coming to mind at the moment."
Valmir doesn't seem offended by my retort. He just gives me a slow smile, as if he doesn't believe me. I'm not sure I'd believe me either, as my khui is currently singing like a bird. "So tomorrow, we eat."
"Bring something for my new pet, too," I say, gesturing at the creature I'm holding.
"Of course. I feed those who belong to me."
I want to make a smartass comment about that, but him understanding that I'm squeamish and not judging me for it feels like too much of a relief. I decide to let it slide, stroking the soft fur of my new friend, my creature that he gave me as a haphazard courting gift. I keep petting the thing, and Valmir's gaze goes to my hand, then back to my eyes.
Is he imagining me petting him?
I wonder if his fur will be as soft as the rabbit-like creature in my hands...
My breath quickens, and his gaze focuses on my mouth as my khui grows louder. He's going to be able to smell me again, I know it. Why does that turn me on?
