Ma Tsawke

Chapter Eleven

They sprint in unison, Tanhì leading the way and Jake seizes the chance to playfully tug at her tail, settling the score from earlier. She whirls around, playfully baring her fangs at him, laughter echoing through the air as they continue their run, tapping trees as they enter a stand of willows. Long, luminous tendrils cascade down like pastel curtains.

Beneath their feet, a bed of moss emits a faint glow, reacting to their every step with expanding rings of light. The willows come alive, stirring in response to their presence. Tanhì raises her hands, allowing the tendrils to caress her, a moment bathed in the ethereal glow of nature's response to their play.

"This is a sacred space where we forge a connection with Eywa and commune with our ancestors." Tanhì explains, extending her hands as the luminous tendrils delicately dance over her fingers. Jake reaches behind, grasping his queue in his palms, his forearms stretching before intertwining the braid. His eyes widen in awe as the hushed whispers of ancient Na'vi voices fill the air.

"I can hear them." He blinks in sheer amazement as the echoes of the past reverberate, creating a profound moment of connection with the ancestral voices.

"It is utraya mokri, the Tree of Voices-a realm where our ancestors live with Eywa." A few woodsprites gracefully circle around them, some alighting on their shoulders and arms. Her eyes exude intensity, almost luminous in their depth, drawing him into their captivating gaze. However, she retreats slightly, creating a subtle distance.

"You are Omaticaya now, Nì'eveng. You have the privilege to carve a bow from our hometree." She briefly averts her gaze from him, a gesture laden with significance.

"And have a mate of your choosing." Jake stifles a smile as she feigns nonchalance, her tail whipping furiously behind her.

"We have admirable women in our clan. Your braids are often in disarray- Danek is a skilled weaver." She rattles off, as if unaffected by the notion of him being with someone else.

"I don't want Danek." His gaze burns hotly from behind. Tanhì responds with a gentle smile, releasing the willow from her palms.

"You are a skilled hunter, there is Beyral-she would complement your abilities." She suggests but he swiftly dismisses those words.

"She's not the one I want either." Tanhì turns towards him and Jake places his fingers on her lips stopping her from speaking further.

"I've already made my choice... You, but you have to choose me." He takes her hands and allows their fingers to delicately intertwine, moving with a gentle grace over each other.

"I already have." Leaning his face closely to hers, she affectionately rubs her cheek against his. With a gentle pull at the pouch strapped to her waist, she retrieves an arm band.

"Traditionally, you were to receive this from your intended upon betrothal, but I believe the great mother will grant us an exception just this once." He cradles her face as she wraps the band around his bicep before finally kissing her.

The sheer force knocks her back but he swiftly follows, cupping the back of her neck to draw her close. His tail curls around her thigh as he urgently swipes his tongue over the seam of her lips.

Her arms are thrown over his shoulders, rising onto her toes to match his eagerness. Their chests press together and a gasp escapes her as her hardened nipples brush against his chest. Jake seizes the opportunity, slipping his tongue into her mouth, meeting hers with a low groan. The kiss intensifies, growing more heated as they clutch onto each other in a fervent embrace. Did Jake need air? Yes. Did he care? fuck no.

She draws back to catch her breath, a glistening string of saliva lingering, her eyes sparkling with lust as she pants. Her chest rises and falls in an effort to replenish oxygen and his lips eagerly pursue hers, crashing together with a hunger that consumes them both. He lowers her down until they are kneeling, facing each other on the faintly glowing moss.