Prints on our hearts

Chapter Six

      On instinct, Alex changed. Her paws thundered down the dock as a horrible sentence registered in her mind. "She can't swim!", Fiona screamed. Alex leapt over the three people looking off the end of the deck. She dove right into the water and paddled hard to the sinking girl in a pink dress. The dolphins swam quickly all around them. She grabbed the back of the dress and paddled harder to the surface. Dakota held out his hands and lifted them on a spout of water. Once in reach, Alma grabbed Claire to the dock as the girl began to cough up water. Alex's body shook. Not from the water. It was warm. But from the adrenaline and attempting to control urges deep inside her. She stepped cautiously onto the dock and looked up at Dakota with a growl. He held up his hands. "I told her to stay back from the edge!", He said defensively. Alex rounded on him growling harder. Her lips curled up exposing her large teeth. Alma quickly got the children onto the boat and inched towards Alex. "Alex listen to me. It was an accident. Now as much as I would love to claw out his eyes just as you would, we must get Claire home quickly. Please do not let the children see you like this." Alma said practically begging the last part. Alex snapped at Dakota who stumbled down the dock running away. Alex shook the water off hard and walked towards the boat. Before jumping in she looked back at Alma with a whimper. Alma smiled softly and followed. Alex nudged Amelia with her nose. She nodded and climbed up to start the boat. She laid down at the rear and watched Alma pick a dry set of clothes from the bags they had just got. She went into the cabin and helped change her as Fiona sat near Alex. "Are you embarrassed of being peculiar? I think it's awesome. You just saved her like a real hero!", She said excitedly. Alex licked her hand as Alma and Claire came back out "Fiona darling, Claire wants to sit out front again. Mind going with her?", Alma asked in a very motherly tone. Fiona nodded and lead her to the front. Alex walked past Alma and down into the cabin. Alma quickly followed as the boat began to speed up. Alex opened a cabinet and dragged out a bag and dug through it with her nose. Alma walked over and helped her pull out clothes. Alex looked up at Alma who sat down and turned away. "I won't look but I won't leave.", Alma said and Alex huffed. She changed back and quickly dressed. Alma turned around as she was buttoning up her shirt. Alma stared at her a second then cleared her throat. Alex buttoned the top button of her shirt and met Alma's eyes. "Thank you. For saving her. You reacted so fast. It really was incredible and I owe you.", Alma said stepping closer to her. Alex stepped away but the back of her knees hit the couch. Alma closed the space and touched her cheek. Alex closed her eyes and relaxed into her touch. "Alma, please", Alex whispered. Alma stepped even closer. Alex could feel her breath on her lips. "Please what? Do you want me to kiss you? Or to leave you alone? You forget how well I know you. I can handle you.",Alma whispered. Alex shivered and opened her eyes. They were bright golden now. "Alma you know what I could do to you.", Alex whispered dropping her gaze. Alma lifted her chin with a smile. "I can take it.", Alma whispered before crashing her lips to Alex's. Alex growled low in her throat and kissed back. Her head swam as she gripped Alma's waist. Alma's lips were soft against hers. Alma's nails dug hard into the back of Alex's neck and head. It made her want the ymbryne even more. Alex ran her lips along Alma's jaw and to her neck. She threw her head back and gripped Alex harder. Alex ran her sharpened teeth along her neck causing a light moan to escape the woman's lips. Alex smiled and lightly sucked on her pulse. Alma gripped her even tighter. Alex knew she had broken the skin but continued her torment on her neck. Suddenly Alma pulled back sharply. Her nails scratched down Alex's neck. Red began to bubble up on the four darkened gashes. Alma gasped and Alex covered it with her hand. "Guess we should have been more worried about what you would do to me.", Alex joked looking at her red covered hand. "I am sorry Alex I didn't mean to.", Alma said looking closely as the wounds she had inflicted. Alex smiled. "I think I like these better than hickies.", She said and kissed Alma softly once more. Alma grimaced at the blood. "Do you have a first aid kit at least?", she asked looking worried. "Yeah top cabinet behind you.", Alex said touching the marks lightly. Alma quickly pulled it down and dug through the medical bag. She pulled out a large gauze, tape, and alcohol. Alex's eyes widened at the alcohol. "Oh come on Alma what's wrong with peroxide?", Alex whined. "It isn't infected and I don't have clean water to pour over it so come on.", She said as she climbed out of the cabin. Alex followed her to the back of the boat. Alma knelt on the seats and pulled everything out. "Lean over the edge so I could pour this over it.", Alma said sternly. "I'm gonna pay you back for this.", Alex growled. Alma smiled and leaned down to her ear. "Oh I look forward to it darling.", she whispered before opening the alcohol. Alex clenched her jaw and prepared for the burn. Alma held her hair back with one hand and started to pour with the other. Alex growled loudly as it began to burn. The more she put on it the worse the burn got. "Damn it!", She cursed loudly. Her whole body tensed and fought the burning. All three of the children looked at them. "Children close your ears.", Alma said as she put a gauze pad against her neck. "Oh fucking hell!", Alex snarled out. Alma pressed hard for a minute then changed the pad and taped it. Alex sat heavily onto the bench. Alma cleaned up the trash and went back into the cabin. Amelia looked down at Alex to make sure she was okay. Alex nodded up to her and she continued driving. Alma came back out and sat beside Alex. "That was unnecessarily cruel.", Alex breathed out. Alma wrapped her arm around her shoulder. "I know. But you kept control.", She said with a smile. Alex smiled and leaned into her. "I did. Thank you Alma.", she whispered and relaxed against her. Slight giggles could be heard but in that moment, the two women ignored them and happily relaxed into each other. "Today has been an interesting day.", Alma said. Alex nodded. "Am I supposed to have falconry gloves next time that happens?", Alex said smirking. Alma laughed. "Only if you want to sleep on the couch.", she shot back with a smile. They laughed and alma leaned down and kissed Alex gently. This time, all three girls saw but only Amelia and Fiona giggled at the quick kiss. Claire was confused. She had never seen her ymbryne act this way with or around anyone. "Miss we are about to arrive!", Amelia shouted down. Alex nodded and sat up away from Alma. She stood and brushed herself off and went into the cabin make sure they had everything. Once she was sure nothing was left behind, she stood up on the side of the boat at they drifted towards the dock. She quickly tied the boat up and helped Claire up. She knelt down to her. "How are you feeling sweetie? If you want you can go inside and rest, Or even out with the horses. Aaron can show you my hammock. Be careful though, some of my foals like to nibble.", she said softly pinching at her hand. Claire giggled and ran up the dock. Alma smiled at her as the rest of them grabbed the bags and carried them up the dock.