Chapter 140: Voice of Tayun (1)
Things between Atia and Aiyana became a little awkward. Neither had spoken about what happened, and they tried to continue like normal, or so that was what it looked like to Nova. Whenever they could get away with it, either one of them would be too ’busy’ and leave them.
They went from almost always being together to finding reasons not to be. Neither Nova nor Yoa pushed them about it. She guessed that after her make-out session with Sahco, Aiyana had a lot to figure out, and Atia was either hurt or giving her space. Nova didn’t know exactly how their bond worked and if they could sense each other’s emotions like that of the Serakai, but she assumed there was some connection to a degree.
Still, Nova trained with them both, eager to continue improving, getting stronger, especially with the recurring unsettling dreams. She wasn’t sure if it was some message or the recent events messing with her head.
Nova knocked back an arrow, releasing her breath as she watched it hit its mark.
"Nice one!" Atia praised from where he was seated on a fallen tree. Moss had grown over it already, even though it was recent from Tempakar’s storm. It led up to the taller trees, making it easier for land mammals that couldn’t reach great heights to now get to the lower level of branches.
Nova grinned and lowered her bow. "How have you been sleeping?" Aiyana asked, her back facing Atia and Nova while she sharpened a blade, crouched on the ground.
Nova shrugged, looking down. Her eyes were beginning to hurt from the sunlight and the lack of sleep. Though they were in a mostly shaded area, she longed for a proper night’s sleep without the dreams or waking up a mess. She probably had dark circles around her eyes, which was why Aiyana asked her.
"It’s hard to tell between the dreams and nightmares," Nova admitted as she finally hung the bow around her back. Sweat glistened along her body from trying to tire herself out so she would be too tired to dream. "I keep seeing the vamp from the Maw Feast, the gem in the cave, then the usual dream..."
Her brows deepened into a frown. Was Tayun really trying to speak to her? She didn’t know how long she could keep this up. The Maw Feast had only been a week ago, but it felt like forever since then.
A loud thud beside her announced Yoa’s arrival. Though he was usually much quieter. She looked up at him, realising he’d just leapt casually from the giant tree behind him, without breaking a bone or injuring himself. She shook her head. The guy had, for once, been lounging lazily in the tree, watching her use the bow he made her.
"Do not use too much of your energy. I can feel your fatigue. You might fall sick if you push yourself too much," Yoa said quietly, fingers brushing aside some of her hair that stuck to her forehead from her sweat. She tried to move out of his touch for fear of making his hand wet from her sweat.
Yoa chuckled and leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear. "Do you move out of my touch for fear of dirtying me... or because you know your scent makes me go wild?"
Nova shivered in response, her toes curling.
"You’ve been much wetter before," he added in a low, husky voice, purring against her.
Heat bloomed on her cheeks. She almost melted at his words and the way his face was always either so composed or staring at her with a hunger that could never be satiated.
Aiyana huffed and stalked off, apparently she’d heard their heated words. Atia watched her, his eyes flickering to his beast’s momentarily before he made an excuse to return to the treehouse. Nova didn’t mind some alone time with her man, but she hoped the pair would get over whatever was going on between them soon.
At least then, they wouldn’t feel an inkling of guilt for being hopelessly in love with each other, and hide this all-consuming hunger that always sizzled beneath their skin at the faintest skin contact.
Now they were alone, Yoa slid his arms around her waist and lifted her until she was the one looking down at him, resting comfortably against him, his large hand splayed against her butt cheek. "If you’re so worried about being dirty for me, maybe I should help bathe you," Yoa murmured, his voice low and rough against her ear, his mouth curved into a wicked grin, the heat in his gaze promising he had no intention of keeping his touch innocent.
Nova giggled, her arms wrapping around his neck. He inhaled deeply, and his chest rumbled in approval at her scent and sweat. "Just how I like it." His eyes flashed with his beasts for a moment before his lips claimed hers.
Yoa carried her like that, kissing passionately, tongues wrapped around each other. Her breath grew heavier, almost panting at how good he’d become at kissing. His eyes were closed, his attention solely focused on her as he carried her like that through the jungle. Nearby prey darted into the bushes or climbed the trees.
A breathless moan left Nova’s lips as he lowered his mouth to her neck, kissing and nipping even as he leapt into the air, landing gracefully on a branch, leading them back through the island while readying his mate. Instead of going back to the treehouse or cave, he took her to one of the ancient giants of the forest, the biggest trees that answered Yiska’s silent call.
Their branches curled around them, providing more privacy and shelter from the sun and any nosy sloths that were nearby.
Pressed against the bark, Nova gasped as Yoa held her up, spreading her legs, and lowered his face. "Yoa!" She cried out at the first lick. "Don’t! I need to wash!"
She pointlessly tried to push his head back, but it was useless.
Yoa growled, his fingers pressing into her soft skin as he kept her legs spread for him, and he feasted on her. "Delicious," he rumbled, the vibration shot straight through her core.
She couldn’t hold back her breathless moans, her fingers sliding into his locks, tugging, her back arching as he lapped at her growing creaminess until stars danced behind her eyes and a wave of heat crashed over her.
Gasping for breath, Nova’s arms trembled as they wrapped around Yoa, who slid up her body and slipped inside, stretching her to fit him. Her head fell back, perspiration on her forehead as her eyes locked with Yoa’s. As soon as she was adjusted, he didn’t hold back. Each thrust slammed into her until she sheathed him entirely, deeply, like he was ingraining himself inside of her.
"Yoa!" She cried out his name, and he muffled her gasps with his lips, his growls growing louder as they consumed each other.
Hours passed on the treetop. When the branches spread open again, Nova was curled up and carried bridal style by Yoa, their skins glowed radiantly, hair dishevelled. She was passed out, dozing off, comfortable in his protective arms.
Yoa gazed at her softly, pleased to see she was getting some much-needed sleep. On their journey back to the treehouse, he kept his steps light and glared at any nearby birds or animals that started to make noise. The forest hushed to Yiska’s silent command.
He kept glancing at his mate, worry forming at his brows as her eyelids fluttered and eyes moved beneath closed lids, stirring slowly as he carried her back to their cosy room. He lay her down, propping pillows around her head and lay down beside her, stroking her hair soothingly.
"Let her rest for now," Yoa pleaded quietly with Tayun. "We are your servants, but she needs all of her strength for what you will undoubtedly ask of her."
Tayun remained quiet, the winds blowing gently against the leaves around the treehouse. He answered Yoa’s call for peace, though, because Nova slept for the rest of the evening. Yoa kept an eye on her, keeping her warm, snuggling when she turned and reached for him.
Surprisingly, Yoa didn’t have any duties on the island or had to rush off and ensure the safety of everyone. It wasn’t until the moon was at its peak that Nova roused Yoa from his own sleep. She was moaning, head turning from side to side, hands fisting. She gasped, then her breath halted altogether.
Yoa bolted upright. It was the same every time. Nova would stop breathing for a minute, then she would calm down.
This time, her head tipped back, and she spoke in the ancient language of Tayun.
Whatever was meant for Nova... It was now time to be revealed.
As much as he wanted to demand Tayun leave Nova alone, or to jump into battle for her, he could only do the next best thing. Yoa’s hand slipped into Nova’s, thumb brushing along her knuckles, his gaze intently on closed ones, offering her comfort and warmth, sending good vibes along the bond while she battled her mind and accepted Tayun’s presence.