Kia placed the piece of whale blubber in the lamp and lit the wick. Backing away from the fire, she placed the small lamp next to Fox’s sleeping platform. The lamp would give Fox a little more warmth and light than the fire located in the center of the room. Fox had taken to sitting there instead of by the fire to clean her traps. Kia knew it was so that she wouldn’t have to be near her and the fact left her feeling hurt and confused. She walked over to the door and moved the heavy skin back. She stared out onto the endless white plains of snow. Still there was no sign of Fox. Sighing, Kia went back to her sewing, her brow furrowed with worry. Her mind began to drift and she leaned back against the sod wall of the house and closed her eyes to the now familiar daydream. She lay nude on top of Fox, their bodies moving in unison, Fox’s hands in her hair as she whispered words of love into her ear.
Kia felt a satisfied smile grow on her face as she clearly saw the look of pleasure spread across Fox’s face.
“Kia.”
Kia jumped down off the sleeping platform and hurried towards Fox. She put her hands up to help with Fox’s coat but she remembered how she had been reprimanded previously so she stepped back quickly, her hands going nervously to her sides.
“No, help me... please.” Fox stared hard at Kia as she stepped forward to allow her to help remove the heavy clothing. Fox closed her eyes as she thought she smelled Kia’s warm skin.
“Are you well, Fox?” Kia asked shyly.
Fox swallowed under the pressure of Kia’s searching blue eyes.
“Yes, I am well.”
Kia nodded and continued to help Fox remove her outer clothing, noting with some concern that Fox was now trembling.
“Perhaps you should sit by the fire then.”
Kia was concerned about Fox but at the same time she was happy that they were now speaking to each other. Fox willingly hunkered down next to the fire. She somehow managed not to jump when Kia placed the large bearskin coat around her shoulders. She had tried to avoid touching the coat since the night she had forced Kia to join with her.
“Are you hungry, Fox?”
Fox could not look at her. Why was she being so kind to her? Why didn’t she just leave and tell the whole village that Fox could not please her. Fox shook her head and continued to stare into the fire.
“I…I made this for you.” Kia shyly handed over a small strip of fur that she had sewn together. It was almost as long as Fox and Kia had neatly folded it. “It…it’s so that your face doesn’t get cold when you drive your team.”
Fox took the cloth, her thumbs gently stroking it as she pressed it to her nose. She tried to speak several times but failed to get her mouth to even so much as open. Finally, she spoke and to her embarrassment her voice sounded as small as a child. “Kia, may I lay with you please? I won’t do anything I promise. I’m just cold.” Fox couldn’t believe that she had spoken the words aloud. But she had. Now she waited for Kia to laugh at her, or worse yet, curse her and tell her, no. There was no response from Kia though and Fox was beginning to think she should not have spoken her feelings.
“Fox.” Fox looked up quickly to see that Kia had already gotten into her furs and lay closer to the wall than she normally did so that Fox could lie comfortably next to her on the narrow platform. “Come.”
Fox stood up, placing her gift on her sleeping platform as she approached Kia. Her body began to shake as she lay down, careful not to touch Kia. “I’m sorry that I scared you,” she blurted. It wasn’t what she wanted to say but it was what came out.
“I know you didn’t mean to,” Kia found herself saying. Though she didn’t know Fox that well, she remembered how caring and gentle she had been. If she had wanted to, Fox could have made things worse by taking her in winter camp, instead she had devised a plan so that Kia could keep her womanhood. Even the first night that they had been there she had not insisted on taking her but had simply gotten her pleasure. Even now Kia wondered what she was waiting for.
“Fox?” Kia propped her elbow up on the furs and leaned over Fox. But the slow even breathing told her that Fox was indeed asleep. The dim light cast from the hearth allowed Kia to study her mate. Fox looked tired and unhappy. Nothing like the vibrant person she had been before they had joined. Kia lay down but couldn’t keep her eyes from lingering on Fox’s profile. Her eye was drawn to the curve of Fox’s ear. It was so delicate, not at all like Fox. Kia’s eye swept down Fox’s jaw to her neck and shoulder. It had been so easy to see her as a hunter, but it had not been as easy to see her as a woman or a mate. Kia had looked at Fox as The People did, as someone who was more legend than anything else. Not a flesh and blood person who could and would make mistakes. Maybe she is as scared as I am, Kia thought before joining her mate in sleep.
The next day Fox was gone when Kia woke. However, the sleeping furs were tucked tightly around her and the fire had been stoked so that the room was nice and cozy. There was even water ready so that Kia could clean up when she woke. Smiling happily, Kia quickly dressed and set about killing time before Fox would return. Kia had been cleaning for only an hour or two when she heard the sound of dogs. Frowning, she went to the heavy skin that covered the door and looked out. It was too early for Fox to be returning. Kia was sure that Black Wolf had made good on his threat and would now go out of his way to act as though Kia did not exist. Kia watched surprised as the driver pulled closer and she realized that it was indeed Fox. She watched as Fox led the dogs into their shelter and unpacked her tools.
Kia stepped away from the door as Fox entered the warm room carrying a string of fish.
“Hello.”
“Hello,” Kia said back shyly and then rushed to take the fish from Fox. “I’ll just clean these…”
“I already did.”
“Oh, thank you.” Kia stumbled over her words as a warm bloom started in her chest and rose to her cheeks.
“I cleaned them before I came in so that I could feed the dogs at the same time,” Fox explained embarrassed.
Kia just smiled and set about making a nice stew. They spoke little, as Fox seemed to be enthralled with cleaning and checking her traps. Kia wanted to ask her why she had come in so early but she was afraid to. She was actually pleased but didn’t quite know why.
She was interrupted from her thoughts by a light nudge to her back. She turned to see Fox standing so close that she had to keep herself from moving back. Fox opened her hand. In it she held the small tusk of a walrus, a hole painstakingly drilled into it and a piece of hide twisted into a string fed through so that it could be worn around the neck. Kia had noted that Fox wore a similar one.
“Thank you,” she said in awe as she removed the gift from Fox’s hand. She fingered the smooth tusk and turned her back to Fox excitedly. “Will you put it on please?” In her excitement she forgot her shyness and automatically bent her knees so that Fox could reach her. With shaky hands, Fox moved Kia’s hair out of the way and with a blink, she tied the string around Kia’s neck. Fox moved away from Kia quickly in fear that the urge to kiss her neck would become too strong.
“Tell me a story,” Fox requested abruptly, as she grabbed her bag and began fidgeting with it in an effort to look busy.
“A…a story?”
Fox nodded. “I have seen you telling stories to the children. I often wondered what you were saying. I was never close enough to hear.”
“Alright what would you like to hear?”
Fox slowed her movements for a moment. “ Could you tell the one about the fox and the hare? I like that one.”
Kia nodded and began to tell the tale as she stirred the stew. Occasionally, she would look up to make sure that Fox was still listening and each time she would catch her staring. She would look away hurriedly and Kia would continue on with her story as if it had never happened.
“And that’s how the snow fox and the snow hare became soulmates.”
“I always liked that story,” Fox said softly. “Do you believe it Kia?”
“Yes, I believe most of it.”
“It’s sad too. That the fox had to give her life so that the hare could live.”
“Yes, but they were together forever; they shared a soul.”
Kia watched as Fox absently began to serve the food. She accepted her bowl first and then watched as Fox prepared her own bowl. “I know but it isn’t the same.”
Kia nodded her head and they both ate contentedly. Kia was pleased. It was basically the first conversation that she had had with Fox. They had talked more after they ate and Fox had even coerced Kia into telling another story. Kia finished the story and tried unsuccessfully to stifle a yawn, which Fox echoed.
Fox stood and froze as a moment of indecision passed through her. She wanted to sleep with Kia again but she didn’t want to destroy the newfound ease that they had gained with each other. Turning to her lonely sleeping furs was hard but Fox was warmed in the thought that Kia had not seemed frightened or uneasy. Tomorrow she would come in early as well and perhaps they could talk more.
* * *
Fox did come home early and every day thereafter, she would hurriedly see to her dogs and almost run in to see Kia. Kia would be waiting with dinner ready and a large smile, which Fox would awkwardly return. They both shared stories most nights, often getting into their sleeping furs and telling them in the dim light afforded by the fire. Both unknowingly turned toward the other’s voice and imagined that there was a smile, or a frown during each facet of the story.
Kia lay in her bedroll and listened to Fox’s deep, quiet voice on one such night. She had been wrong to be afraid of Fox; she knew that now. Fox would never hurt her and seemed to enjoy her company now.
“Kia…are you sleeping?”
“No, I am awake.”
“You were so quiet that I thought you had fallen asleep again,” Fox said teasingly.
“Again?” Kia turned on her side and looked across the room at Fox who was propped up on her elbow in the same position.
“Yes, you fall asleep first all the time.”
“I do not! Fox, that is not true.” Kia tried to sound stern, however, the flash of her teeth in the darkness told Fox that the teasing hadn’t angered her in the least.
“Hmm, yes well, it happened yesterday. I heard the air passing through your nose like a caribou giving birth.” Fox imitated the noise loudly.
“Oh that… Fox, that is not true!” Kia said in mock anger.
“It is true, Kia. You sound like that when you sleep.” She imitated the noise again, this time only louder, sitting up in her furs to make sure that it carried across the room.
Kia jumped from her furs and ran over to Fox. “Say it is not true!” she yelled much as she had when playing with Miko when they were children.
“I will not!” Fox said haughtily. “I am not to blame if you sound like a.…”
Kia jumped on Fox and with a muffled yelp, she was able to find Fox’s ribs beneath her shirt. Fox cackled loudly as Kia ran her fingers up and down her ribs.
“Oh… no…please…Kia…stop,” Fox chortled teary-eyed.
“Tell me I do not sound like a caribou giving birth then.”
“I will not!”
Kia ran her fingers up Fox’s warm flat stomach and was able to snake them under her arms. Fox screamed shrilly and tried to buck Kia off but Kia was a lot stronger than she looked and was able to latch on to her with her strong legs.
“Please, Kia …please, stop...Youdonotsoundlikeacaribougivingbirth,” she finally yelled breathlessly before dissolving into more laughter. From her position still atop Fox, Kia regretfully removed her fingers from Fox’s soft skin and with the large grin still present on her face, she watched as Fox finally calmed herself. Kia brushed away the tears of mirth from Fox’s eyes with her thumbs.
The smile on Fox’s lips slowly faded as she looked into the blue eyes of her mate. If this is how it must be…all I can have with you… then I will except this much and be grateful.
Fox closed her eyes and wished it so just like her grandmother had taught her.
Fox opened her eyes and only had time to think that the fire had gone out before her lips were covered in the sweetest, gentlest kisses. Her eyes sprung open wide and she noted dully that the darkness was caused by Kia’s hair, not the fire going out. She shut her eyes again and tried to remember to breath as the kiss lasted only a few moments more and then the pressure was removed from her lips and then her body as Kia left for her own furs.
“Sleep well, Fox,” Kia said gently as she walked back to her furs, a bemused smile still on her face.
Fox, who still lay with her eyes closed, had to swallow twice, before she could bring herself to croak out the same sentiment.
* * *
Kia awoke with a smile on her face. She had decided that she would walk back to winter camp and speak with her mother. There were a few questions that she wanted to ask. Kia flushed as she thought about her mother’s reaction. They had spoken of her duties to a man but Fox had made it clear to Kia she was not a man and had no wish to be thought of as such.
Kia sat up in her furs and stretched her arms above her head. Yawning, she pushed her long hair back and stretching harder as she got up from the platform. Fox had not stoked the fire this morning so it was a bit cold. Blinking to wake herself up, Kia walked over to the corner of the room near the door to get more wood and animal bone for the fire.
“Did you sleep well, Kia?” Fox asked quietly as Kia bent over the woodpile.
Kia stood up with a screech and dropped a large piece of wood on her foot causing her to let out a pained squeal. Fox was at her side in an instant helping her to her small sleeping platform, which was closest, and kneeling in front of her to look at her foot.
“It should be alright, does it hurt badly?”
Kia who had been biting her lip to keep from crying shook her head no even though it did still hurt.
Fox stood up. “I’m sorry for scaring you.”
“Why are you still here?” Kia asked bluntly then felt bad
as Fox looked away from her.
“I thought…I thought maybe we could talk more,” Fox said weakly and wanted to shrink back into her furs and hide her head.
“I don’t need to hunt everyday. I have meats stored in the small house in back.”
“Then why do you?” Kia asked confused. She had peeked in the house days before and had seen the meats stacked neatly in the corner of the house. She hadn’t known what to think at the time.
“To give you time to think I guess.”
“Oh. I would like to talk,” Kia said shyly.
“Alright…I would like to try to be…”Fox stopped and then tried again. “I would like it if you…if we could be friends,” she finished weakly, for talking sweetly was never her strong point.
“I think you are my friend, Fox,” Kia said as they made eye contact before turning away.
“I…liked the kiss.”
“I did too,” Kia answered and wondered where she could focus her eyes.
“You can do it again if you want to,” Fox said weakly, then finished, “I mean, if you wanted to I wouldn’t mind and I wouldn’t think anything of it and I wouldn’t want more or anything,” she finished in a rush, her stomach churning as if it were about to come up. She should have gone hunting and practiced on the dogs before she used it on Kia, it sounded better when she rehearsed it in her mind during the early time of the morning.
“Would you like me to?” Kia asked cautiously.
“Yes, I would, but only if it wouldn’t frighten you.”
“Then I will. You…you can kiss me too if you want.” Kia laced her fingers together and squeezed anxiously.
“Oh,” Fox sat for a moment then her brow furrowed. “Alright. When?”
“What do you mean?” Kia asked, her brow furrowing as she unconsciously mimicked Fox.
“When can I kiss you? At night? When I leave to hunt or…”
“Yes, I think those would be good times,” Kia answered, a grin on her face now. She liked the fact that Fox looked so worried and shy.
“Oh… what about now?” Fox asked feeling slightly more confident.
“Now?”
“Yes, what if I wanted to kiss you now? Would that be alright?” Fox asked softly as she sat down next to Kia.
“Yes, that would be alright.”
Fox looked down at her hands before finally looking up at Kia nervously.
“I am going to kiss you now, then,” she announced with as much confidence as she could muster.
“Alright.”
“Alright,” Fox repeated nervously as she leaned forward and paused for a moment her breath catching in her throat. She couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her; she had kissed Kia once before, Kia had even kissed her last night yet she was acting like it was their first kiss. Fox leaned forward and brushed her cheek against Kia’s warm skin, and inhaled her scent before doing the same to the other cheek then placed her lips over Kia’s and melted into her. Her hands rested loosely on Kia’s shoulders. One of them moaned, she would never be sure who, and impossibly the kiss deepened. Kia had to pull away from Fox for fear that she would not be able to stay conscious. She had never felt anything like that before. It had been terrifying yet comfortable, exciting yet sweet and pleasant like coming home.
“I would like to help you around here today,” Fox said quietly, causing Kia to jump and open her eyes. Fox smiled gently and repeated her statement before asking. “Would you like to come hunting with me sometime?” Then more quickly, “only if you want to.”
“Yes. I…I would love to go hunting with you, Fox,” Kia said in shock.
“Alright then, where shall we start?” Fox looked around the home with interest. On every wall and empty space Kia had left a part of herself; it was no longer just Fox’s shelter but the home of Kia and Fox. Fox liked it that way. She happily spent the day being shyly ordered around by Kia. Occasionally, she would grumble and Kia would fix her with a stare or mock growl and Fox would do as she was told. It felt good to not have the tension hanging over them. The stories that night were plentiful. And before they slept, Fox walked over to Kia and gently caressed her lips with her own. This time she was positive that it was Kia who moaned in pleasure. Back in her sleeping furs, Fox grinned largely at everything and nothing in particular.
* * *
As the days progressed, Kia and Fox grew closer and the shy sweet kisses that they shared became a regular part of their lives. But soon, as is natural with such things, Kia’s body began to crave more. She was still too shy to voice her wishes to Fox so she tried to let Fox know that her feelings were returned the only way she knew how. Kia was attentive to Fox’s every word. Her eyes would grow large during the stories that Fox told. She was amazed at the things that Fox knew about the outside world. Things that Fox’s mysterious grandmother had told her. One night after returning from a day of hunting, Fox found herself wanting to tell Kia some things about herself. Kia lay down as Fox sat across from the fire repairing a damaged trap. She began her story almost dreamily, remembering a time when it had been she lying down while her grandmother sat at the fire.
“My mother was of The People. She was out alone one day when one of the pekeha found her and brutalized her.”
Kia who had never known the specific origins of her own birth gasped in horror. Unlike the animals and monsters in the tales that she and Fox told each other, the pekeha were real. A race of tall men-- as no women had ever been seen among them-- who were white of skin and possessing the most horrific of odors. They came on large ships and usually left carnage in their wake. Kia had heard the men speak of some tribes who had traded with them, but White Cloud had forbidden any contact with them and so far Kia had yet to see one herself.
“Did The People go after him?” Kia asked horrified.
“No, how could they? He was on one of those monstrous boats. He sailed away and left my mother broken. The People treated her as if she were…bad luck. No one wanted to be around her. The grandmother said that she ran away while still carrying me because she was afraid that they would kill me after I was born.”
“Oh no they wouldn’t…” Kia defended.
“It was different before us, Kia, they would have. They did with others. You were lucky,” Fox said steadily, she didn’t want to scare Kia but she needed to know the truth.
“How… how did she survive?”
“Grandmother heard her screaming during the birth. At first she thought it was an animal but she went to investigate and found her. She brought her back to her home and my mother gave birth to me.”
“What happened to your mother?” Kia asked fearfully.
“She died. I don’t think she ever recovered from my birth. It is one of the reasons why I can never live with The People. Their ways are wrong and unchanging,” Fox said angrily.
“My father would not have let her be mistreated,” Kia, protested teary-eyed.
“No, Kia, but your father was not chief then. It was his father that allowed my mother to be tormented.”
Kia inhaled sharply. She had never known her grandfather. She had heard he was a harsh leader but other than that, she had not heard anything as negative as what Fox was now saying.
“I don’t remember her,” Fox said her voice sounding withdrawn.
“The Grandmother was not your real grandmother then?”
“No more so than your mother and father are yours, Kia. We are foundlings.”
“No, Fox,” Kia, said sadly. “I am a foundling you had a mother who loved you enough to leave The People so that you could live. I don’t know who my real mother is.”
Fox thought about that for a moment before the pounding between her eyes signaled that she should let it rest. She had spent so much time being angry with so many people who no longer were living that she had not thought of how lucky she was. She, like Kia, had been loved. Grandmother had made sure that she could take care of herself at a young age and she had wanted for nothing. Grandmother had loved her with a quiet strength that Fox had returned wholeheartedly. She missed her with every breath she took.
Kia watched Fox rub her eyes tiredly her brow furrowed as if in pain. “Fox? Would you like to sleep here tonight?”
“Yes, I would like that.”
Kia moved over to give Fox more room and they settled down next to each other with Fox still deeply bothered by her thoughts. The first soft touch of Kia’s lips was so tentative that Fox did not bother to open her eyes; she thought it was only her imagination. The second touch was more solid and the sweet scent of Kia’s breath wrapped itself around Fox’s senses. The third kiss is what caused Fox’s eyes to shoot up and the warmth to settle in her crotch; she dug her fingers into the furs and opened her mouth for Kia’s assault on her mouth. Kia explored Fox with authority. The many days and nights of kissing having given her confidence that she lacked before. The tip of her tongue brushed the roof of Fox’s mouth eliciting a loud groan from the woman beneath her. Fox put her hands on Kia’s shoulders and pushed her back. Heart pounding, she covered Kia’s longer body with her own, gently easing herself between Kia’s open legs. During their many nights of exploring, Fox had always stopped at this point for fear that she would frighten Kia or make her relive the first night when she had forced her to join with her.
Kia’s heart pounded in rhythm with Fox’s as Fox covered her. Her fingers gripped into Fox’s back through her clothes. She gasped as Fox began to move slowly against her. The pleasure that had been lurking in the background the last two times they were in this position began to build in her as she felt Fox’s hand cover her breast.
Fox turned her face away breaking contact with Kia’s lips as her breathing had become too labored to continue. Was it her imagination, or was Kia moving against her too?
Kia didn’t know what to do. Fox’s breath was loud in her ear; the heart that pressed into her breasts was pounding so hard that she was unsure whether Fox was enjoying this or if it was somehow causing her pain. The thought of causing Fox pain made Kia stiffen and Fox ceased her desperate movements instantly. The pounding of Fox’s heart against her chest and Fox’s distressed breathing in her ear, made Kia whimper. She wanted very badly to give Fox pleasure but her mother had never prepared her for this.
Fox hovered over Kia. She had felt her mate’s body stiffen and had ceased her movements instantly. Her heart sank as she heard the soft whimpers coming from Kia. She had done it again; she would be frightened of her. They had come so far and now everything would be ruined.
“Kia,” Fox said as softly as she could. “Don’t be frightened.” She eased off of Kia and lay with her in her arms as she tried to calm herself enough to speak.
“I’m sorry I don’t…” Kia was too embarrassed to tell Fox that she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how to please her other than the kissing.
“I understand and I’m sorry if I frightened you.” Fox berated herself. She had promised that she would be happy with the kisses. And she had been; why had she forced the issue once again? “Go to sleep, Kia, and don’t worry.”
Neither Fox nor Kia slept well that night, both suffering from the same fears, but neither were willing to be the first to voice them.
* * *
In the moment between wakefulness and sleep, Kia’s hand searched for the body of her mate. The furs next to her held no body heat and Kia’s eyes shot open. She raised her head and looked around for Fox frantically but Fox was nowhere to be found. Kia jumped from her bed and moved the heavy skin from the door. She shivered as she spotted Fox’s tracks in the snow and if the dogs had still been there, then one of them at least would have howled or barked by now. Kia turned around dazedly and choked back a sob. She had wanted to speak with Fox today but perhaps she had ruined everything by not knowing what to do for her mate. Fox had not left without kissing her since they had started to grow closer.
Kia began to dress as her mind kept playing over and over again the wonderful days that she had spent with Fox. Had she ruined them by not knowing what to do? Had Fox decided to send her back to the village because she did not please her? Kia was now fully dressed and only just barely keeping the tears from her face. Fox would be gone for some time; if she hurried, she could get to the village and back again without Fox’s knowledge. She would ask her mother about these things; perhaps she would know the best thing to do.
* * *
Fox stared earnestly into the crystal blue eyes making sure to keep her voice soft, as her grandmother had instructed. “I love you. I have loved you for a long time. I will do anything for you if you promise not to leave me.” Fox sat back on her heels and thought about what she had just said. “I sound like a child.” Shaking her head dismissively, she started again.
“I think you’re beautiful. I have loved you for a long time and I will accept whatever you can give me, even if it is only friendship.” Fox shook her head again, it still wasn’t right. She wanted more than just friendship.
She gently cupped the face in front of her in her gloved hands and leaned in close. Making sure to make eye contact and not to speak too loudly she said, “ I love you, Kia. I love you with all that I am. Please join with me. I will protect your heart for the rest of my life and even in the after.” The blue eyes blinked and a large pink tongue rolled out and licked Fox’s gloved hand. “That’s it isn’t it, Nolo?” A wolfish grin appeared on Nolo’s face and Fox jumped to her feet. A satisfied puff of white vapors flowed out in front of her.
“Alright,” she said nervously and looked down at her six dogs; all of them seemed to be a bit mystified by her behavior. Nolo whined once as if to say all is well and they all quieted. “Alright, let’s go back then. There is a storm coming.” Fox jumped on the rungs of her sled and took off. She barked out a command that caused the dogs to come to an abrupt stop. She jumped off the sled and ran awkwardly back to the rock where she had just spent two hours professing her undying love for her lead dog Nolo and picked up the string of fresh fish that she had caught earlier. She ran back and dropped the fish on the front of the bed of the sled.
“Alright,” she said nervously as she stepped up on the rungs and yelled out the command to return home. As the icy cold winds of the impending storm whipped by Fox’s face she repeated her little speech over and over in her head.
* * *
Kia reached winter camp in record time. She waved to many who greeted her but refused to be detained for long. She needed to talk to her mother as soon as possible. She could tell that there was a storm brewing and she didn’t want to risk getting stuck in the camp before she could get back to Fox.
She burst into her parent’s tent causing her mother to drop the sewing that was in her hands in fear.
“Mother….”
“Kia...you startled me, daughter.”
Sunni picked up her sewing and looked up at Kia with a smile. “It is good to see you it has been…”
“Mother, I need…” Kia’s face crumpled as Sunni’s eyes went from joy to concern at seeing Kia in such torment.
“What is it, child, please tell me.”
Kia’s body was racked with sobs for a few minutes as she tried to think of what to say to her mother. “I want…Fox…she doesn’t…she won’t love me,” Kia explained badly and looked into the confused eyes of her mother. The hopelessness of her situation sent her into tears once again. “She won’t let me…I can’t…she doesn’t.” She continued to try to get her story out but she couldn’t. Sunni rocked her only daughter in her arms. The more her daughter cried, the more Sunni’s heart hardened against Fox. Her mate had been wrong to allow the joining. Not only would she no longer see Kia once they followed the caribou; Fox was causing Kia to be unhappy. She had indeed wondered how two women could give each other pleasure. Now she knew the answer; they could not.
White Cloud entered the tent just then. His eyes widened with joy at seeing Kia. Knowing Fox’s reticence to coming to winter camp he had promised his mate a visit after the next storm passed.
Kia lay in her mother’s arms crying harder than ever. She was heartbroken. Her mother didn’t understand, how could she? She had been raised to marry a man; a hunter and that is just what she had done. She wouldn’t know the answers to Kia’s questions even if Kia had had the strength to voice them. Kia sobbed harder into her mother’s breast.
“Daughter, what has happened? Has something happened to Fox?” Unlike his mate, White Cloud knew Fox well enough to doubt that she would ever purposely hurt Kia. He had known Fox’s grandmother, had even loved her once but had not had the strength to go against tradition and ask her to be his mate. He had instead married Sunni and had even learned to love her as the winters came and went. And when Sunni proved unable to give him a child, it proved only fitting that when they found the little bundle with Kia in it, she would become theirs.
Kia looked up at her father. The pain and confusion evident in her eyes as she ceased to sob and look upon the man that had helped to shape her views on so many things. Her father was kind, generous and loving. Nothing at all like Black Wolf. It was one of the reasons she had fought so strenuously against marrying him. She knew that she could never marry someone who did not make her feel the way White Cloud made her mother feel. The way Fox made her feel.
“Black Wolf could never…” Kia stopped herself. She had been so involved with her thoughts that she had unwittingly spoken out loud.
“Black Wolf?” White Cloud frowned and squatted down next to his mate and daughter. “Is this about Fox, my daughter?” He had hoped that Fox could convince Kia of her love but perhaps he had been wrong.
“What did she do to you?” Sunni asked angrily.
“No…” Kia cried out, “It is not her fault. It is… I can’t give her what she wants.”
“Stop crying, daughter,” White Cloud ordered sternly. “Come with me. We shall walk before the storm hits.”
“White Cloud, do you not think it is I who should talk to Kia about this?”
White Cloud turned his stern eyes on his concerned mate and gentled them under her worried gaze. “No, in this case, Sunni, I think I am best suited.”
White Cloud stood and waked out of the tent, his back ramrod straight as he prepared himself for a conversation he had thought he would never have to have. Kia sniffed once and at a half crouch in order to get through the door, she followed her father, leaving her agitated and worried mother to fill in the gaps of the story for herself.
* * *
The dogs knew the way back to her home so Fox didn’t bother to steer them. If she had been paying attention instead of rehearsing what she would say to Kia she may have seen the rock that jutted up out of the snow and she may have been able to steer the dogs around it. As it was, the dogs did go around it but they didn’t steer far enough to the right to keep the sled that Fox rode on from going straight over it. The sled hit with a crash sending Fox into the air momentarily before landing with a loud “umph.”
Fox lay on her stomach for a moment before making herself turn on her back so that she could catch her breath. She cursed and tried to get to her feet. A pain lanced through her back causing her to drop to her knees. One of the dogs whined out an apology and Fox cursed again. It was unlike her to not watch where she was heading. That was very dangerous and something her grandmother had warned her about many times. With some effort she righted the sled and calmed the dogs. Fox called out to them and they started their journey home at a much slower speed as she berated herself for not being more careful, especially today.
Fox shook her head as the dogs pulled her into the clearing where she and Kia’s home stood. She quickly unbuckled the dog’s restraints and threw two of the fish down for them to eat. Walking as quickly as she could, her back and side still throbbing, she approached the house. Before she even brushed the skins on the door aside she knew something was wrong. There was no cheery smoke trailing from the hole in the top of the roof, no aroma of gently cooking meats or Kia’s voice singing.
“Kia!” Fox called out fearfully. She looked around the house noting that Kia’s warm clothes and boots were gone. Fox ran out of the house and looked down at the ground. Kia’s prints were still visible in the snow; she had headed towards winter camp. Fox ran towards the dog’s shelter and quickly buckled them into their restraints. For whatever reason, Kia had gone to the village right before a storm and Fox knew she would not make it back in time on foot.
Fox held on to her side as she walked, trying hard not to allow her eyes to tear up from the pain. She stepped onto the back of the sled and yelled out the command to the dogs. Holding on, she allowed them to lead as they knew the way almost as well as she did. Kia left on foot and alone and even with the impending storm she would have made it to winter camp by now with no trouble and for that Fox was grateful.
Why would she leave without telling me? Fox wondered if it had been because she had not kept her promise. She had promised not to touch Kia and yet last night she had taken it too far. She had kissed her and held her and if Kia had not cried out, she would have continued.
Fox called out to the dogs once again and as if hearing the anxiety in her voice, they moved forward through the winds and biting snow. Finally, Fox could see the faint outlines of the tents of the village. Fox quickly stepped off her sled and walked as quickly as she could to the tent of Kia’s parents. She stepped in and quickly unwound the fur that had covered most of he face.
“Mother, where is Kia? She left our home without telling me she was leaving,” she asked, too anxious to remember a formal greeting.
“Sit down, Fox”
“But where is she, Mother?”
“She has gone with White Cloud. She wished to speak to him. She was very upset.”
Fox stood quickly, intent on finding her mate.
“Fox, wait. I do not think she wishes to see you.”
“Why do you say this? What has she told you?” Fox’s voice had dropped as her mind rebelled against what Sunni was saying. She sank down to her knees and looked at Sunni imploringly.
“She has not told me much. She burst in here, not long before you did, in tears. All she would say is that you do not love her.” Fox stood again this time angrily.
“Sit down, child,” Sunni ordered.
“Why would she say such a thing?” Fox did not understand what she had done wrong. She had ceased to touch her as soon as Kia became uncomfortable, she had not insisted that they sleep together as mates and she was sure that Kia had forgiven her for the earlier mistake. Any man in the camp would make her lay with them. Kia had seemed so happy the last few moons, had even told Fox stories and had cooked wonderful meals. Had the one night changed that? Fox was sure that Kia had enjoyed their lovemaking as much as she had. And when it became too much for her, she had stopped and continued to hold her through the night.
“I don’t understand,” Fox said dazedly as she pleaded with Sunni to continue.
“She told us that you don’t… please her.” Sunni stumbled over the words, for they were a great insult and not to be stated lightly.
Fox shook her head still confused, not understanding what Sunni was saying. “I don’t please her? She won’t…” Fox stopped herself. She would not humiliate herself or Kia by talking about their lovemaking to anyone, not even Kia’s mother. “Where is she? I must talk to her.”
“She has gone with her father.”
“Where?” Fox asked urgently. She was starting to feel desperate and Sunni could see that.
Suddenly the claws that she had been hiding under a cloak of kindness when Fox had first walked into the tent appeared. And in a voice as sweet as the berries that Fox had used to fake Kia’s first blood said,” I believe she and her father have gone to speak to Black Wolf about the possibility of a joining between the two of them.”
“But she cannot!” Fox said numbly. “She is my mate. You yourself sealed our joining!”
The fact that Fox spoke the truth hardened Sunni’s heart and like a mother bear fearing for her cub’s safety, she struck out in order to hurt the potential danger. “Kia says she does not love you and you do not love her.”
“She told you that?” Fox asked almost struck speechless with pain.
Sunni nodded although she was beginning to wonder if her daughter had not indeed been mistaken. She had never seen Fox show any emotion in the times that she and her grandmother had come to the village. But now she was watching many emotions, from anger to pain, go across her face in such a way that she was certain that Fox loved her daughter.
“Fox, perhaps I have…”
“No,” Fox said fiercely. “If she wishes Black Wolf, then let them have each other.”
“I don’t know if she wishes him,” Sunni admitted ashamedly.
“I don’t care,” Fox said, her heart protesting painfully at the untruth. “She does not love me. She will never love me,” she said angrily, and then more quietly, “she is wrong, I do love her. I have loved her for as long as I can remember knowing what love was.”
Sunni was stunned. In her heart, she knew that she had never been so wrong in her life.
In front of her stood not Fox the hunter, but a hurt young woman who had just been told that she did not please her mate.
“Tell her…tell her that I will not protest her decision,” Fox said hoarsely.
Sunni called out to Fox but she was beyond hearing, her pain so deeply wrapped around her heart. She unconsciously began to wrap the fur around her face. She inhaled the scent that she loved so much and then nearly doubled over from the pain as she realized that she would probably never smell her scent again.
“Fox, please come back and talk to Kia. She will be back soon,” Sunni called out desperately.
Without looking back at Sunni, she dropped the fur on the ground and yelling to her dogs she took off. Swearing that she would never come to the village again. She didn’t think that she could bear to see Kia joined with Black Wolf. Fox yelled out angrily to her dogs as she pushed them harder than she ever had before only half hoping that she would make it home before the impending storm
* * *
With a scowl on her face, Fox watched as a team of dogs approached her home from the direction of winter camp. She recognized the team instantly and resisted the urge to turn her back as they drew near. She had been preparing to go out hunting before the next wave of storms hit. Although there was plenty of meat for her to eat she needed to make herself go out or she would waste away in her house. For three days Fox and the storm outside had raged in anger until finally spent and tired, they both settled into a resigned, though temporary, peace.
Fox said nothing as White Cloud stepped off of his sled and approached. She ignored Kia and Sunni who where now standing by the sled and focused on White Cloud.
“You are always welcome here because my grandmother called you friend. Your women are not. Please leave them at camp if you plan to visit in the future.” Fox turned away from White Cloud and walked toward her home. White Cloud shook his head. Fox was trying hard to hide the pain in her eyes and even as she turned away, her eyes could not help but search out Kia, though briefly.
Fox heard White Cloud call out to her but she didn’t answer him, nor did she look back. How dare they come here, for what, Kia’s belongings? I should have set them afire and thrown them into Black Wolf’s tent. The angry thought did nothing to make Fox feel better. Entering her home, she sat down on the small sleeping platform. She had been unable to bring herself to sleep in the larger area because she couldn’t bear the thought of smelling Kia’s scent on the furs.
Fully clothed, Fox curled into herself and tried not to hear White Cloud command his team to leave. She wanted so badly to beg Kia not to go. She would have done anything to resist the tether that her pride controlled her with but she couldn’t bring herself to make the plea. Fox closed her eyes and flipped onto her back. Instantly, she thought she could feel Kia’s presence. She imagined she could feel her warm caress on her face and the way Kia would sometimes say her name after they kissed for no other reason than to have it fall from her lips. Tears fell from beneath Fox’s tightly closed lids.
Kia gently brushed them away with her thumbs.
Fox’s eyes opened quickly and she stared up at Kia. “W…why are you here? There is a storm coming, you must leave now.”
“This is my home.”
Fox got up quickly and walked away from Kia. She was still frightened that she would beg Kia to stay. She would not do that. Kia had hurt her. “Did Black Wolf refuse you?” she growled.
Kia met Fox’s eyes honestly. “I do not want Black Wolf, I am joined with you. Black Wolf is joined with Miko.”
Fox felt her lip furl. She could not help but be cruel; no one would ever have the power to hurt her like Kia had. “So you expect for me to accept you back?” she asked harshly. She angrily turned towards the fire and began to poke at it with a stick. Damn you Kia for coming back here, she thought as her eyes became bleary from heartache.
“What do you want from me? Your things are there.” She pointed to the corner and was slightly ashamed at how she had tossed Kia’s things, including their joining coat, with the intention of setting them on fire. “Take them and leave,” she ordered, her embarrassment making her voice even harsher.
“I will leave,” Kia said softly and Fox held her breath for fear she would cry out in pain and embarrass herself. “But not before you listen to me.”
“I do not wish to hear what you have to say. Sunni has told me everything. Leave here, you are not welcome.”
“Sunni was mistaken, Fox. Mistaken in interfering with a misunderstanding between my mate and I, and mistaken in talking to you the way she did. She knows that now. She wanted to apologize, that is why she came with us. I told her that it would have to wait until we talked.” A loud howl from the approaching storm came from outside, interrupting Kia’s impassioned plea. Kia moved the two large stones so that they pinned the flap of skin that covered the door to the ground. Fox acted as though she didn’t know she was there.
Kia approached Fox and squatted behind her. She placed a hand on Kia’s shoulder.
“Don’t, Kia.” Fox hated how weak her voice sounded. She wanted to sound angry and strong but she couldn’t. All she wanted was to have Kia back.
“Fox, listen to me. I did not intend to leave you. I was scared and confused. I went to my mother because I thought she had the answers. It was wrong. I should have talked to you first.”
Fox’s grip on the stick tightened. “What was so important that you would run to her right before a storm?”
Kia’s heart ached for Fox. She could hear the indecision in Fox’s voice as well as the need to believe that she was not being lied to.
“I was afraid….”
“I would not have forced you again, Kia. I promised you I wouldn’t.” Fox closed her eyes in pain as she remembered that she had promised that she would not touch Kia again and she had been unable to keep that promise either.
“No listen to me, Fox,” Kia commanded, her usually gentle and shy voice had a strength to it that Fox had not heard before. Her anger at her mother’s deceit had been awe-inspiring. Even her father had not dared to say anything to calm her. White Cloud had in fact been somewhat proud of the way his daughter had stood up to his mate. He had only stepped in when Sunni had dissolved into tears. It had been an emotional time but Kia was heartened by the fact that Sunni told her that she had been wrong about Fox, that Fox had confessed her love before she had left.
Kia had been forced to wait out the storm in her old home with her mother and father nearby, she had cried silently for her mate. She had caused them both a great deal of pain by leaving as she had. Sunni’s revelation of Fox’s love was not a surprise for Kia; she had known even when Fox had lain atop her the first time. Her fear had driven her to seek advice from her mother when all she needed to know would have been lovingly shown to her by her mate had she only asked.
“Fox …I don’t want anyone else, Black Wolf or otherwise. I only want you. He came here soon after we were joined and begged me to come to him but I refused. I have never wanted him, Fox.”
Fox wrapped her arms around herself, refusing to look at Kia as the words that Kia spoke began to heal her.
“I can’t give you children.” She weakly blurted out the one thing that she would never be able to fix.
“I don’t care,” Kia said as she stared at her mate’s red hair.
Fox opened her mouth and closed it again, prepared to offer another protest but unable to think of one. Kia wanted her. She said she did not want Black Wolf; she said she wanted her. Kia wants me. Fox’s eyes welled up with tears. She refused to let them drop as she took a deep breath.
“I love you, Kia. I love you with all that I am. Please join with me and I will protect your heart for the rest of my life and even in the after.” Fox waited for Kia’s answer but all she got were soft sobs. She turned around and gathered her mate in her arms, unable to keep herself from crying as well.
“I love you too, Fox. I never meant to hurt you,” she mumbled as they comforted each other on the floor of the home that they would share for many cycles to come.
“Why did you need to talk to your mother?” Fox asked a long time later in a voice made deep from crying.
Kia laughed. Her newfound strength waning under the loving eyes of her mate. “I was afraid that I didn’t know how to please you.”
Fox’s pale skin flamed red and her eyes grew large “You asked your mother how to please me?”
Kia rose and walked over to the pile of her belongings. She picked up the thick bear skin coat and began to remove her clothes hoping that Fox did not notice the tremors in her hands as she disrobed. She watched Fox between her lashes before licking her lip.
“No, I asked my father.”
* * *
“Are you comfortable?”
“Yes, I am.”
Kia sat behind Fox holding her closely under the warmth of the bearskin, joining-coat.
She ran her fingers down Fox’s arm, grazing warm skin and leaving a trail of pimpled flesh in their wake. The feeling of power made her giddy and threatened to make her rush but she controlled herself by slowing her movements.
“Lean back, Fox.”
Fox shakily nodded her head, leaned back against Kia’s chest and closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of finally being loved by her mate. Kia’s hands finally touched Fox’s stomach causing the muscles to jump there and quiver.
“Are you alright?” Kia asked concerned by Fox’s sudden inhale.
“Yes.”
Kia grazed Fox’s stomach again and gently kissed the back of her neck before running her fingers down her arms. Fox had a way about her that made Kia forget how much smaller in body she really was. She suddenly felt extremely protective of her as she kissed her neck again and then finally brought her hands up to cup Fox’s small breast.
Fox groaned and closed her eyes, grateful that Kia didn’t see her bite her lip to keep from crying out. This was much more than she had ever wished for. The feeling of Kia’s naked breasts against her back was wonderful. The gentle hands on her body were causing Fox to feel if she were in a dream world. If it was a dream she did not wish to wake up.
With fumbling hands, Kia undid the top of Fox’s leggings. She rested her hand and on Fox’s lower belly to allow herself to catch her breath. She had listened attentively as her father had tried to explain what she should do. Even going so far as to draw a picture in the snow with his walking stick. He had had to start over several times before a blinking Kia had, in desperation and acute embarrassment, told him that she understood. Gratefully, he had promised that she would understand when the time came, and indeed as she held Fox in front of her, a feeling of wonder flooded through her as she drew her fingers up Fox’s arms and watched the flesh pucker in response. Every breath that she took, every warm nip to Fox’s shoulder, was answered with a gasp of desire.
Kia’s long fingers pushed Fox’s leggings down around her hips and finally around her legs. Fox dazedly attempted to help by kicking off her leggings and very nearly sent them into the fire. She smiled apologetically back at Kia and gasped audibly at the look of desire on her mate’s face. The shy Kia that she had known was gone and in her place was the aroused she-devil behind her. Fox quickly turned back around and stared into the hot fire until her eyes were forced to water for relief.
Kia wished that Fox would turn around so that she could see her face, but she could tell by the set of her back that she was in her hunter mode. Kia was determined to prove to her that it wasn’t weakness to show love. She pulled the smaller body even closer to her own.
“I would like to join with you now, Fox. Will you have me?” she asked softly.
“Y…yes,” Fox croaked disbelievingly. She gasped again as Kia’s fingers combed through the hair of her sex and Fox lost control of her head as it lolled back and rested weakly on Kia’s shoulder.
“Pull your legs up, Fox.” Fox flushed as her legs went up almost immediately at Kia’s command, leaving her moist center exposed to the duel heat of the fire and Kia’s gently exploring fingers.
“One day I would like to see this again,” Kia said before she too blushed. The words had been a thought not meant to be uttered aloud. Kia continued to run her fingers through Fox’s hair, the tips of her fingers tingled at the presence of moisture. She remembered that moisture was a good thing, so she continued to caress Fox with one hand and with the other she brushed her thumb over first one taught nipple and then the other. A small groan escaped Fox’s lips before it was cut off ruthlessly.
Fox could not believe how weak she felt. Shouldn’t it be she who was giving this pleasure to Kia? Shouldn’t she be the one that was making Kia shiver like a newly joined woman? She wanted to tell Kia to stop but she couldn’t. Her body wouldn’t let her.
Kia swallowed as she forced herself to move closer to Fox’s opening and as expected Fox jumped and moved to stop Kia.
“You are so beautiful, Fox,” Kia whispered. Her father had told her that she should tell her mate sweet things; she figured she would start with the truth and go from there. She believed Fox, in her manner and in the way that she walked and hunted, was indeed beautiful. Her strength called to Kia.
Fox was so stunned by the quiet statement that the hand that had been poised to stop Kia dropped forgotten to the furs. She called me beautiful. She could tell by Kia’s voice that she meant it with all her heart. At that moment, Fox, who had never been called anything but Fox her whole life, not even by the grandmother, lost her heart completely to Kia.
“I think you’re beautiful too,” she said weakly and then wished that she had not spoken because Kia’s gently seeking fingers paused for a moment.
“Only for you, Fox, only for you.”
Fox opened her mouth to protest but could only gasp as fingers and her own arousal worked together to open her sex so that she was left exposed to the faintly chilly air and the opposing heat of the fire. Kia closed her eyes as her fingers touched wetness. Yes, this is very good, she thought as she caressed the nodule of arousal. Fox closed her eyes as well as she unconsciously began to rock her hips back and forth in time with Kia’s caressing fingers. Kia swallowed loudly and pulled the now heavily breathing Fox back against her own moist sex. Fox willingly moved back until she was tucked tightly against Kia and Kia increased the motion of her hand until Fox’s quiet gasps were now audible. Kia raised her own legs higher and pulled Fox against her body, her finger gliding ever closer to her goal. Fox’s hips were lifting off the furs with every stroke, causing Kia’s finger to slip deeper and deeper into her heated, wet opening. Fox was now openly moaning, having given up all need for Kia to respect her for the more demanding need of fulfillment. Her hips lifted wildly as she tried to take more of Kia into herself.
Kia moaned into Fox’s thick hair as her finger butted gently against the cover to Fox’s maidenhead. Fox was so wet, so insistent on fulfillment even her breathy moans demanded that Kia continued until she reached her goal. Finally Kia lifted her left hand and turned Fox’s head so that she could kiss her lips.
Please let me do this right. And with that voiceless plea Kia pushed past Fox’s maidenhead. Fox grabbed onto Kia’s upper arms and gripped tightly as three guttural moans rushed passed her lips.
Oh please no. Kia thought as her mate’s body stiffened against her invasion only to start shaking harder. Small moans escaped Fox’s throat as the muscles in her sex griped Kia’s finger tightly. The fear that she was giving more pain than pleasure dissipated as she slowly pulled her drenched finger from Fox as she continued to stroke her arousal.
Several more pleasurable waves went through Fox’s body before she came back to herself. She flushed hot with the knowledge of what had been done to her. She was ashamed at how weak she had been under Kia’s touch, but at the same time she was eager to experience the burst of pleasure again. She sat silently, afraid to look at the woman that held her securely in her arms as if she were a small cub.
“Are you angry with me, Fox?” Kia asked tentatively. She was sure that Fox had been pleasured but she felt her body begin to stiffen after she had recovered and she suspected that Fox was regretting what she had just allowed to happen. The thought troubled Kia to the point that she hurriedly stood to put some distance between herself and Fox.
Fox stood up as well. “No, wait Kia I’m not….”
Kia’s gasp caused Fox to look down at herself and then flush hotly with embarrassment. The paleness of her skin made the blood that spotted her thighs appears brighter than it actually was. Fox’s throat closed and she quickly turned away from Kia, her shoulders slumped, as she blinked back tears of embarrassment and anger. She tried to cover herself with the furs that covered the floor as best she could. Fox remembered how she had had to spread the berries over Kia she had felt then that Kia was overreacting but now she knew how she felt.
Moving quickly toward the fire, Kia knelt, dipped the cloth into the water, and then gently tried to move Fox’s hands.
“I can do it,” Fox growled, her embarrassment making her voice rough.
Kia looked up quickly but continued to move the warm towel over Fox’s hips and sex before answering with a quiet, “I know.”
Kia didn’t look up from her ministrations as she asked, “did it hurt, Fox?”
“Yes…No I don’t know it…it did but it didn’t.”
Kia nodded and handed the cloth to Fox. She turned away as Fox finished cleaning herself.
“I’m not angry with you, Kia. I didn’t know it would be like that. I felt so weak.”
Kia looked down at her hands. “Perhaps I did not do it right, Fox. I …we could try again.”
Fox felt sorrow flood her heart. She had dreamed of this day with Kia for so long. Kia had even talked to her father so that she could please her and now she felt as if she had not done so.
Fox opened her mouth to speak and then closed it in frustration as nothing but a weak breath escaped her throat. “Kia, I…You did pleasure me. I have never felt anything like that. Please look at me, Kia. It was everything I ever wanted I was just ashamed of…” Fox stopped unable to finish her sentence.
“You were ashamed of how I made you feel?”
“No, I don’t know, Kia, I didn’t expect it to be this way. I thought I would give you pleasure.”
“But, Fox, you are my mate. I would like to give you pleasure as well. Everyday…if you would have me,” Kia said shyly.
“I don’t know if I could do that everyday, but we could try.” Fox adjusted the furs and opened them, shyly offering Kia entry.
Kia scooted over to Fox and Fox pulled her close. Tentatively, Fox moved her nose above Kia’s ear inhaling deeply as if it were the last time she would have the chance to do so. The realization that Kia was now really her mate in the truest since of the word flooded her with relief. She would have this chance to be with her many times so there was no need to rush.
Fox tentatively pressed Kia down and lay on top of her as she kissed her neck and jaw before kissing her lips. Kia’s breathing had already increased and Fox could feel her moving against her.
Fox lifted herself and trailed her fingers down Kia’s stomach to the soft moist curls of her womanhood. Kia's sex was already wet. Fox was tempted to explore her now but she didn’t want to rush this for Kia; she wanted it to be as special as it had been for her. Fox kissed her way down Kia’s stomach and then around her pelvis several times. Kia jumped and gasped only to be stilled by gentle hands that held her firmly. Finally, Fox lay on her between Kia’s legs and peered down at Kia’s moist sex
“Fox?” Kia had not wished to interrupt. She had been enjoying what Fox was doing but now she was feeling a little shy about being stared at so closely. A shiver ran through her body as a small breeze worked its way past the heavy leather skin that blocked the doorway. Kia jumped again as something wet and warm firmly caressed the hair between her legs.
“Fox?”
Upon receiving no answer, Kia looked down between her legs to see Fox’s head nestled between her thighs. The warm firm touch was caused by Fox’s tongue as she gently probed between the lips of Kia’s sex until they opened for her welcoming her in.
Kia gasped and lay back heavily as Fox’s tongue slowly stroked the aroused area until it was swollen and demanding attention. Kia’s hips lifted of their own accord and Fox slid her hand underneath Kia’s bottom so that her pelvis was in a perfect position for her ministrations.
Fox kept her eyes closed, as she tasted Kia. From the first electrifying touch with the tip of her tongue, she knew that this was something she would do more of. When she had first learned of this particular way of pleasuring, she had been more than a little adamant that this was not for her. Now, however, she was just as adamant that she and Kia would need to do this nightly or she would not be happy. The small sounds of pleasure escaping from Kia were almost as intoxicating as the evidence of her pleasure that Fox voraciously sought. Fox was still lost in the experience when she felt Kia’s hands dig into her hair.
“F… Fox!” she moaned and began to scoot away from Fox’s seeking mouth. Kia didn’t know if she was trying to stop Fox or make the pleasure last longer but she felt sure that a small break would be best at that very moment.
Fox, on the other hand, knew enough to latch onto Kia’s hips with both arms. And with lips moistened by Kia’s essence, she gripped her mate’s arousal and began to suckle, increasing her pressure until Kia’s breathing was coming in harsh gasps sprinkled with her name and several moans. Fox let go of Kia’s hips and snaked a hand between her thighs. With one finger, she began to distribute Kia’s abundant moisture until the wet finger was poised at the entryway to Kia’s canal. With great care, Fox gently pushed into Kia, matching the suction of her mouth to the penetrating strokes of her finger, letting herself be drawn into Kia slowly; first the tip of her finger and then a little more. Kia was moaning with pleasure and Fox briefly considered waiting to take Kia’s maidenhood. There had been some pain and she was afraid that it might be worse for Kia.
Sensing Fox’s indecision, Kia lifted her head. The slight movement caused Fox to lift hers; she didn’t bother to hide her worry from Kia. “Fox, I want to be joined with you. Please?” Kia asked. Her insecurity causing her to speak shyly and Fox had to blink to make sure that she was not dreaming. Closing her mouth over Kia again, Fox silently vowed that she would make her mate happy for the rest of her life. She stroked her slowly and patiently until she was just as aroused as before. And when she felt the cover that kept Kia from being fully hers, she resisted the urge to plunder it quickly and instead, with several steady and strong strokes, eased it away until there was nothing keeping her from feeling Kia fully. She continued to stroke Kia, her lips still continuing to caress Kia’s arousal while her finger penetrated her gently. Fox pulled her finger out and gently inserted two causing a long low groan to emit from Kia’s throat. Fox paused letting Kia get accustomed to the feel of her before she began to move within her once again. Soon, Kia’s hips were meeting every thrust with vigor.
She suddenly arched her back and a half scream half growl erupted from her lips. Fox lifted her head and watched as Kia’s body looked frozen for a moment as it arched above the furs, the fire sending flickering orange lights across her dark skin before her hips collapsed to the ground and began to move with increasing frequency.
The pleasure rippled through Kia with increasing frequency causing her to move faster against Fox’s fingers. On and on the pleasure continued until Kia was afraid she would black out from breathing so hard. Finally, the waves seemed to subside and Fox slowed her thrusting. As Fox removed her fingers from Kia, she watched her mate’s face for any sign of discomfort. She frowned worriedly as she noted Kia’s eyes were closed and she still seemed to be trying to catch her breath.
“Kia? Are you alright?” Fox whispered, unwilling to wake her if she had fallen asleep
“Yes, Fox, I am alright,” Kia answered with a smile even though she didn’t open her eyes.
“I…” Kia opened her eyes to see Fox looking worriedly up at her. “Was it…?”
“It was wonderful. Better than wonderful.” Fox scrambled up closer to Kia and couldn’t resist an exuberant hug. Black Wolf had been wrong. She could and would pleasure her mate.
“Mmm, Fox?”
Fox stiffened as she heard a question in her mate’s tone. “Yes, Kia?
“Is it my turn again?”
Fox looked down at Kia her eyes large and just a little fearful. “Oh, err… perhaps we should wait… I ... you must be… Aren’t you sore?”
Kia looked disappointed for a minute and stretched her sore legs out in front of her. She would need to learn not to tense them so much. She was sure they would be even sorer in the morning. She nodded her head regretfully. “Yes, I am a little sore,” she admitted. She sighed, her disappointment evident on her face. She had been hoping to try the thing that Fox had done to her.
“Well maybe we could if we are care…” Kia was already flipping Fox over and kissing her passionately. Fox sighed heavily. Somehow she was positive that her mate was going to require a lot of nights like this one. Fox grinned happily. There were worse things in life.
* * *
Fox and Kia pulled into winter camp. Kia waved excitedly at Miko and her mother and jumped off the sled before it had even pulled to a complete stop. Fox tried to ignore her fear that after being together for a full cycle, Kia would still leave her. They did everything together including hunting and Fox could not think of what life would be like without Kia. Even the thought of it made her feel ill. She watched as her mate, who had been running happily towards her mother and cousin, suddenly stopped and turned around. She ran back excitedly and grabbed Fox’s face with both of her hands. She glared into Fox’s eyes fiercely, a cycle of loving and being loved by Fox having given her a strength and confidence she never thought possible. “Do not stay with father too long. I will miss you.” She kissed Fox gently on the mouth. The kiss was meant to be quick yet it lingered and as usual, Fox felt desire well up in her loins. Kia ended the kiss and their warm breath mingled in the air for a moment then faded as blue eyes caressed green. Kia released Fox’s face and with a small smile, ran towards her mother and cousin her posture straight, her gait as careless as it had been as a child. Fox smiled as she watched them hug and tease each other. Miko was holding a large bundle out for Kia’s inspection. She watched as Kia cooed over the baby and felt a small amount of sorrow that she could not give Kia a child.
“Welcome, Fox, it has been some time.” Fox had been so enthralled with watching her mate that she did not hear White Cloud approach from behind.
“White Cloud.” Fox extended her hand as would a hunter greeting another hunter and turned back to watch Kia, Sunni, and Miko. “It is good to see you again.”
“She looks happy.” White Cloud observed his daughter with a pleased look on his face. “You should call me, Father, as Kia does.”
Fox looked at White Cloud and back at Kia. “Yes, she does look happy…Father.” Fox could not keep from smiling slightly even though she wished to appear unmoved. She was sure that her hood hid her face, but she didn’t want to take a chance so she wiped the smile from her face.
“Are you happy?” White Cloud’s words were such a surprise to Fox that she turned to look at him her shock plainly showing on her face.
“Yes, I am very happy.”
“Good. I promised the one you call grandmother that I would watch out for you when she told me about your interest in my Kia many cycles ago.”
Fox inhaled and looked away embarrassed. “Did…does Kia know?”
“I told her when she came to see us and got stuck here. She was positive that you would never have her back. It was the only thing that gave her hope.” White Cloud looked over at Fox with a smile on his face. Fox turned away quickly, a red flush coming to her face. She had confessed her love for Kia long ago but she had never told her of her childhood wish to join with her. Never told her that she had loved her from afar long before she had even spoken two words to her. Fox knew that what she felt for Kia now was different from what she felt then. It was real and stronger than anything she could have ever dreamed of as a child. But she still coveted those childhood wishes because of their innocence and because they had put her on the path to win Kia’s heart. Something she had only hoped to be possible then.
Once again, a small kernel of doubt tempered Fox’s joy. She looked up at White Cloud and then back at Kia who was now holding the bundle in her arms and cooing down at the baby.
“White Cloud, ”she turned to look at him and at his stern gaze, “Father… I have a question.”
White Cloud rolled his eyes and looked on as a few other women of winter camp came out to greet Kia. “I was told that girls were easier. I don’t know. I think the questions are much harder to answer.” He shook his head at Fox’s confused expression and said, “what is your question, Fox?”
“I can’t give Kia children. Do you think…do you think she will be happy with me?”
“Has Kia not told you how she feels for you?”
Fox blushed and looked away from White Cloud. “Yes, she does every night before we sleep and sometimes more.”
“Do you doubt my daughter’s truthfulness?”
“Oh no, Kia does not lie!” Fox said, angry that White Cloud would even suggest such a thing.
White Cloud chuckled “Then why do you worry?”
“Because, I would like to give her a child. I think she would be a good mother.”
“Fox, I will tell you something. Sunni and I were not blessed with children. My father said I should take another woman because he believed that Sunni was not a good mate for me. I refused and one day while I was out hunting, I found a little bundle with a baby in it with eyes like the sky. I think it was a gift that I found her. She means more to us than if we bore her ourselves. Because we wished her so…she is ours. Does that make sense?”
Fox nodded. “Yes, Father, it does.” Fox wanted to say more but couldn’t. Kia, Miko and Sunni were approaching, all laughing and smiling happily.
White Cloud watched Fox as she unknowingly left her face unguarded and the love for his daughter was evident. Life and their world was changing everyday. Though his father would never approve of a joining such as Kia and Fox’s he himself saw it as a sign of the changes that would come in the future. More and more, his people were coming into contact with the pekehas as they all hunted and fished from the same land. His father would have left Kia to die. He had not and in return he had received many cycles under the loving gaze of a daughter. White Cloud nodded to himself as he watched Kia approach Fox and lovingly kiss her cheek. Yes, he was sure that one day if they wished hard enough, they too would have children.
White Cloud was right of course. In time there came to be a child born of neither Kia nor Fox but whom they loved more than life itself. But that is a story for another day….
The End
©2001GabGold