Rose held Vida’s hand in a tight grip. He had taken the baby blowcat from her and was holding it in one arm. It slept on, oblivious to the hundreds of people staring at it in a combination of awe and fear.
“Why aren’t they killing us?” Wallace asked.
“I have no goddamn idea.” Teagan studied their surroundings. The locals had led them through the jungle to the west side of the island and the giant stone wall. Its surface was completely covered in yellow flowers. They had followed the wall to massive wooden doors, even they had vines of flowers growing up them. One of the men had whistled piercingly and, after a few moments, the giant doors groaned open.
Beyond the wall was an enormous clearing in the jungle. Numerous huts populated the space and there were hundreds of islanders milling around the clearing. Furs were stretched out in the sun, cooking fires were dug out in front of most of the huts, and Rose could hear the gentle noise of the ocean.
“The village sits on a cliff,” Vida told her. “The wall curves around to the cliff on both sides. They are protected from their enemies by the wall and the ocean.”
“Fucking brilliant,” Wallace said. “How do you know that?”
Vida shrugged. “I explored the island when I first got here.”
“We did too and almost got killed by these guys for even getting close to their wall.”
“I am faster and quieter than you,” Vida said.
Wallace nudged Duncan. “I want to argue, but the guy ain’t wrong, you know?”
“Quiet,” Teagan said.
A man was approaching them. He was tall and lean, and his dark hair was on the longer side. Like the others, he wore a loincloth and nothing else. Wooden beads were strung around his neck in long loops and a scar slashed across his naked chest. He stopped in front of them, studying the blowcat that was in Vida’s arms.
Rose’s mouth dropped open when he said, “My name is Gormet.”
“You speak English,” Teagan said. He sounded as surprised as Rose felt. “How?”
“A man named Walter taught me and some of the others in my clan, your language. He came from the orb with his mate Freida, just as you did.”
“Where’s Walter now?” Teagan asked.
Rose had a bad feeling that both Walter and Freida were dead. After all, Vida was living in what was obviously their home.
“Dead. As is his mate.”
“Killed by the pinkies or something else?” Teagan said.
“Neither. Simply old age. We burned their bodies as is our custom and they live forever beyond the great gates now.”
“So, why aren’t you killing us?” Wallace asked.
“Wallace,” Teagan snapped.
“What? It’s a valid question. They’ve always tried to kill us in the past.”
Gormet stared at Wallace for a moment before pointing at Rose and Vida. “She attempted to save the young of the mighty voprea, and he killed one of the elidas.”
“We call them the blowcats and the pinkies,” Wallace said with a grin.
Gormet considered this for a moment. “I do not understand either of those words. Voprea means striped one in our language.”
“What does elida mean?” Duncan asked.
Gormet’s gaze slid to him. “Death.”
“Figures,” Wallace replied. “So, what? Now that we’ve killed death, we’re considered gods to you people, is that right?”
“Not you,” Gormet replied before his gaze shifted to Vida.
“Ouch,” Wallace said. “Hey, Rosie, looks like you’re banging a god now. That’s quite the step up from that douchebag Solomon.”
“Shut it, Wallace,” Teagan said.
“Yes, Sir.” Wallace gave him a cocky grin but lapsed into silence.
Gormet moved close to Rose, stopping when Vida put his arm around her waist and growled at him.
“Is this your mate, female?”
“Um, well…” Rose flushed bright red.
“Yes,” Vida replied. “Neither you nor your clan will go near her if you wish to live.”
A brief smile crossed Gormet’s face, but he didn’t move closer to Rose. “Why did you attempt to save the voprea, even at risk of your own life?”
“Because it was a baby and it needed help,” Rose said. “The poor thing’s mama was dead and… I don’t know, it seemed like a good idea at the time.”
“Until you nearly got eaten by a giant, nightmare-inducing plant.” Wallace couldn’t resist joining in again. “What was up with those goddamn spiders by the way? Did you see those things?”
“Wallace,” Teagan warned.
“Mouth shut, right…sorry, Teag.”
The baby was starting to wake up and when it made a low and raspy purr, the locals who had gathered around them in a loose circle, all gasped in excitement. They spoke rapidly to each other in their own language until Gormet held up his hand and they lapsed into silence.
Vida set the baby down and it studied its surroundings before rubbing up against Rose’s leg and purring loudly. It sauntered toward Gormet and they watched as the leader’s eyes widened. When the baby rubbed against him, he reached down and petted it, a look of reverence on his face.
He turned and spoke to the man on his left. The man nodded and disappeared into the crowd. The baby blowcat sniffed at a few of the local’s feet, each of them stood in stunned silence, and when he batted at one woman’s calf, she giggled in unabashed delight.
The man returned carrying a leg of raw meat. Rose wasn’t sure what creature it was from and her stomach curled a little at the blood dripping onto the ground. The man set it in front of the baby and they watched as it attacked the leg with fierce determinedness, ripping and biting into the flesh.
Gormet turned toward them again. “You have brought us a great gift, and for that we will spare your lives. You will join us in celebrating the life of the voprea and the death of the elida. We will give you a bed for the evening and food for your belly.”
“Thank you, but we should be returning to our home before it gets dark,” Teagan said.
Gormet shook his head. “This is not a choice, big one.”
* * *
“Thank you.” Rose smiled at the woman who was applying a thick green paste to the wounds on her back. She had no idea what it was, but it soothed the pain and stopped the bleeding. The woman had helped her remove her shirt before rinsing the puncture wounds with water and applying the paste. The woman added another layer before stepping back and washing her hands in a bucket of water.
She said something in her native language and Rose glanced at Vida. Gormet had invited all of the men to join him around the largest fire in the center of the village, but Vida had refused. He had followed Rose and the woman to the hut instead.
“I have no idea what she’s saying,” Rose said.
“Nor do I, flower.”
The woman cocked her head at them before pointing to her paste-covered back. “No wash.” She held up one finger. “One day.”
Rose nodded. “Got it. Leave the paste stuff on for one day.”
She went to put her shirt back on and the woman shook her head and pointed to the paste. Most of the women in the village wore just a loincloth like the men did, but Rose had seen a few with fabric wrapped around their upper half like a tube top. The woman tried to pull her shirt away and Rose shook her head and clutched it tight against her naked breasts.
“No, I can’t go topless.”
The woman eyed her for a moment before sticking her head out the door of the hut and yelling something in her language. After a few moments, another woman entered the hut. She was holding a piece of fabric in her hand and she and the other woman wrapped it around Rose’s small breasts before tucking and securing it at the back.
“Thank you,” Rose said.
The woman stared at her before grinning. “Welcome.”
The second woman was staring at Vida’s naked chest and when she pressed her arm against Vida’s stomach, studying the difference between his blue skin and her tanned skin, a surge of jealousy went through Rose. She moved toward them, taking Vida’s hand and feeling mildly ridiculous when she had the urge to push the woman away. Vida put his arm around her waist and the islander smiled before leaving the hut.
The other woman crooked her finger at them and Rose and Vida followed her to the main fire. They sat next to Teagan who studied the paste on her back. “How do you feel?”
“Better. I don’t know what this is, but it took the pain away,” Rose replied.
“Many healing plants in the jungle,” Gormet said. He was smoking a pipe and he took another deep inhale before handing it to Wallace. Wallace shrugged and inhaled his own lungful of smoke.
He blew the smoke out. “It’s like a combination of weed and tobacco. Teag?”
Teagan shook his head and Wallace glanced at Duncan. “Duncan, you want to try it?”
“No.”
“Rose? Big guy?”
They both declined, and Wallace handed it back to Gormet. He was speaking to another local and Teagan turned to Rose and Vida. “Here’s what we’ve learned. The locals think the blowcats are some kind of ancient gods. They worship them, have an alter where they make sacrifices to them, that sort of thing.”
“What kind of sacrifices?” Rose asked nervously.
“Smaller animals,” Teagan said. “Anyway, the fact that you tried to save one of the babies and Vida killed a pinkie, has us in their good books.”
“Walter had many of these good books,” Gormet said. “He tried to teach me to read them but…”
He shrugged and took another hit off the pipe in his hand.
“I wonder where all of Walter’s shit got to,” Wallace said. “Unless they’ve got it tucked away in one of their huts.”
He scanned the huts as Rose glanced at Vida. She was surprised when Vida said, “I found the human’s home on the island and have made it my own.”
Wallace laughed. “Big surprise.”
He accepted the pipe from Gormet again. “Hey, any reason why you tried to kill us when we first tried to make contact with you? We didn’t threaten you or take any of your shit.”
“Wallace,” Teagan said.
“What? It’s a fair question.”
“You killed a voprea,” Gormet said.
“Uh, pretty sure I didn’t,” Wallace replied. “I mean, we were attacked by one when it was protecting its babies, but Duncan didn’t kill it. Did you?”
Duncan shook his head. “You know I did not.”
“Not you, two others in your camp.”
Teagan leaned forward. “Can you describe them?”
“One is dead,” Gormet said. “The one you cut open. The other leads your tribe.”
“How do you know we cut him open?”
“We watch you.”
“Shit,” Wallace said, “why the fuck do we even bother keeping watch? Between Vida and these guys, we don’t fucking notice shit.”
“When did they kill the blow – the voprea?” Teagan asked.
“Only a few days after the orb brought you,” Gormet replied.
Teagan turned to Wallace. “Do you remember them killing a blowcat?”
“Fuck, no.”
“I don’t remember either. If they weren’t killing it for food or -”
“They killed it not for food or for its fur but…” Gormet hesitated and Rose cleared her throat.
“For sport?”
“What does sport mean?”
“It means they killed it because it was fun, they didn’t have a reason to kill it, they just did it because they could.”
“Yes, that is it,” Gormet said.
“No,” Teagan replied. “Garrett wouldn’t do something like that. It must have been attacking them. They must have been defending themselves or -”
“They were not,” Gormet replied. “Killing a voprea is an unforgiveable action. It is why we will not allow you to join us in safety behind the wall.”
“What if we left Patrick – the one who killed the voprea – behind?” Duncan asked.
“Hey,” Teagan said. “Shut your mouth, Duncan.”
Duncan ignored him. “Would you allow us to stay with you?”
“We’re not leaving Patrick alone to die,” Wallace said. “I get that he’s a first-class asshole, but if we abandon him, he will fucking die. You want that on your conscious?”
“He is insane, Wallace. You know that.”
“I don’t give a shit,” Wallace said. “We don’t leave a man behind. Right, Teag?”
Teagan nodded before turning to Gormet. “We didn’t know what the voprea meant to you. If we had, they would never have killed it. We’re stronger together. Let us live with you. We’ll help you hunt, protect you from the pinkies. We can be an asset to you, Gormet.”
Gormet sucked on his pipe. “We do not need your help, big one. We have survived the elidas for nearly a hundred years and will continue to do so long after your bodies return to the dirt and your spirit travels beyond the great gates.”
“A hundred years?” Wallace said. “How old are the fucking pinkies?”
“The stories of our old ones tell us the elida were brought by the orb over a century ago. They do not age and, until him,” Gormet pointed at Vida, “we believed they could not die. Now we know differently.”
“Did your people come from the orb?” Duncan asked.
Gormet shook his head. “No. Although a few of our people have chosen to leave in the orb.”
“On purpose?” Wallace asked.
“Yes.”
“But, how do you know if it’s an orb that sucks you in or spits something out?” Teagan asked.
Gormet pointed to the sky. “When the storm comes from the east, the orb takes. When the storm comes from the west, the orb gives.”
Wallace’s mouth dropped open. Are you kidding me? Are we seriously that fucking stupid, Teag?”
“Apparently we are,” Teagan said. “What happened to the people who lived in the huts before us? Do you know? Were they people like us?”
Gormet shook his head. “No. Many years ago, a few of our people chose to live beyond the wall. They did not survive long. Much like most of those who come through the orb. You and your people have survived the longest. But, your luck will run out. Your flowers grow for now, but soon they will wilt and die.”
They sat in silence for a few minutes. Rose stretched gingerly and Vida pressed a kiss against her forehead. Gormet was sucking contently on his pipe and he studied Teagan when the big man leaned forward again.
“What can we do to change your mind about letting us – all of us - live with you behind the wall?”
“Nothing,” Gormet said. “The killing of the voprea cannot be undone.”
“But she tried to save a voprea,” Teagan pointed to Rose, “doesn’t that count for something?”
Gormet nodded. “You are right. The small one and her mate will be allowed to live behind the wall. Now,” he gestured behind him where women were carrying platters of meat and fruit toward them, “let us celebrate the death of the elida and the gift of the baby voprea.”
* * *
In her dream, she was back in Vida’s bed in the cave. She was naked, and Vida was on top of her, his big body between her thighs and his warm mouth sucking on her nipples. She moaned and arched, rubbing her aching pussy against his dick as he licked and teased and tormented.
“Please,” she whispered, “please, I need you, Vida.”
“I know, small flower.” His low voice sent goosebumps across her skin. “You will have what you need.”
The head of his cock pressed against her opening and she spread her legs wide. She felt no fear, only need and want and an aching emptiness only Vida could fill.
“You are mine, Rose,” Vida whispered into her ear as he surged forward, filling every inch of her pussy with his hard cock. “Mine.”
“Yes,” she moaned. “Yours. Please, I want more. I want -”
She woke with a start, scratching absentmindedly at the paste on her shoulder. The moonlight was streaming through the cracks in the hut and she could feel the solid warmth of Vida against her back.
They hadn’t spent much time sitting around the fire with the islanders. They seemed nice enough but not speaking the language made things awkward. Not to mention, she was feeling weird about the fact that she and Vida were invited to live with the locals, but the rest of the group was not.
She and Vida were given a hut to themselves. It was on the small side with just a big plush bed of furs. She supposed it would have been the perfect time to try and seduce Vida, especially since he had stripped her naked before taking off his own clothes and climbing into the furs with her, but she was exhausted and embarrassingly weepy.
She didn’t want to cry in front of Vida but couldn’t seem to help it. Watching both Peter and Brian die in front of her, nearly dying herself, had finally caught up to her, and she had wept hot tears despite her effort not to cry. Vida hadn’t seemed to mind. He had held her close, rubbing her lower back and rocking her gently until she’d cried herself to sleep.
She lay quietly, wondering how long she’d been sleeping. She assumed at least five or six hours. She didn’t feel as tired and there were no sounds of the locals still gathered around the main fire.
She leaned back against Vida. His big hand was cupping her breast and her eyes widened when she felt his dick pressing against her ass. He was asleep, she could tell by his breathing, but he was also half-hard. Warmth flushed her skin and just like that she was horny.
Crude, Rose.
Maybe, but entirely accurate. She wanted Vida so much, it made her stomach ache. She thought about what Brody had said about middle-of-the-night sex and rubbed her ass against Vida’s cock. He hardened some more, his hand tightening on her breast before loosening. He muttered something in his sleep before turning on his back. She studied his face in the dim light, touching his warm chest and the hard muscles of his abdomen before pushing down the furs. He was fully erect now and her pussy tightened and then released an embarrassing amount of wetness.
Fuck, she wanted him, and she was already wet enough to take him.
She straddled him and leaned down to kiss his chest, rubbing her wet pussy back and forth against his cock. The head of him pressed against her clit and she moaned softly before sucking on one flat nipple. Vida groaned, his big hands cupping her hips. He gave her a sleepy look of confusion as she kissed his chest again.
“Little flower? What are you…”
He groaned again when she reached down and stroked his dick. He thrust into her hand, nearly knocking her off of him. She squeezed her knees around his hips as Vida made another low moan, his eyelids drifting shut.
“Does that feel good, Vida?”
“Yes,” he muttered. “Do not stop, flower.”
She kissed his chest, nipped at his collarbone and sucked on his earlobe. “I want you.”
“I want you too.” One big hand squeezed her naked ass.
Deciding it was now or never, she crouched over him, holding his cock at the base and pressing the head against her opening. She was soaking wet and Vida groaned, his hips rising when the head of him breached her.
She moaned and pushed down, taking more of his cock. She already felt stretched and full, but she braced her hands on his chest and rose up a little on her knees before pressing down again.
Vida made another low groan as she took a few more inches. His eyes suddenly popped open and she saw a hint of panic in them. “What are you doing?”
“Fucking you,” she panted before pushing again. “Oh God, oh that feels…”
“You must stop, small flower,” Vida said.
“Are you kidding me? No way.” She grinned at him and rocked back and forth a little. “This feels amazing.”
“Rose, you must. I do not wish to hurt you.”
“You won’t.” She decided that Vida not actually stopping her himself was a good sign. “Please, Vida. I want this. Besides,” she pushed again, and Vida’s eyes widened when she took the last of his cock, “you make me so wet, I’m taking your cock like a champ.”
She giggled at the look on his face. “See, told you so.”
He didn’t reply, and she gave him a look of concern. “Vida? Are you all right?”
“So tight,” he muttered. “So wet and tight.”
“Do you like it?” She braced her hands on his chest again and rode him with slow, smooth strokes.
“Very much, little flower. Move faster.”
She did what he asked, rocking her small body against his larger one. When he cupped her waist and helped her move even faster, she didn’t object. She clung to his shoulders for balance, watching his face as he pumped in and out of her. He cupped her breasts, kneading them and caressing them before teasing her nipples.
“Touch yourself.”
She did what he asked, reaching down to rub her clit as he thrust back and forth. One big hand held her around the waist as the other touched her breasts and she gasped when warmth rocketed through her body.
“Oh, oh God, that’s so good.” She rubbed her clit harder, staring at Vida as he watched her fingers rub at her swollen nub.
“Come for me, sweet flower,” he suddenly demanded.
She threw back her head and rubbed her clit with short and furious strokes. Her orgasm washed over her in a sweet rush of pleasure and she squeezed Vida’s waist with her knees as she came all over his cock.
He cried out at the increased pressure, his hips rising and falling as he pumped himself into her over and over. She leaned over and clung to him, burying her face in his thick throat as he gripped her ass and thrust three more times before emptying his seed deep inside of her. He twitched and rocked in and out of her for a few more minutes before collapsing on the furs. She kissed his neck and he rubbed her back.
“Are you all right, Rose?”
“Yes,” she said sleepily. “It was so good.”
“For me as well.”
She rolled off of him, smiling up at him when he gathered her into his embrace and pushed her sweaty hair back from her face. “I told you I could take all of you.”
“You did.” A small grin crossed his face. “My sweet flower surprised me.”
“Now we can have sex all the time,” she said with a sleepy sigh.
She closed her eyes and slipped into sleep, missing the troubled look that crossed Vida’s face.