Ostium

Chapter 3

"Maybe you guys should step outside and talk, I'll keep an eye on Röta." Saxum offers. I don't respond, I just head towards the door with Bratus following close behind. Once outside, I just keep walking. Once I stop I know I'll be forced to have an awkward conversation; I make my way to a small hill and lay on my back. It's a great view of the stars, at least I'll have something nice to look at during this. Bratus sits down next to me with his forearms resting on his knees and he looks down at me.

"I know this isn't what you wanted," He clears his throat "I just want you to know that you are not being forced into anything. If you don't want this, it doesn't have to happen. If you're willing to give it a try we can go at your pace." I look over at him but his eyes are locked on something hundreds of miles away.

"What about you?" I ask in a small voice. "You made it very clear when we first met that I wasn't your type. I'm not the type to sit at home while my husban- uh, mate, goes out and does the "man work". I enjoy being out, hunting and even the occasional fight." Bratus laughs and shakes his head. He stretches out so he's laying on his side propped on his elbow and he looks down at me.

"You have no idea how wrong you are. I don't want a woman who stays at home and cooks and cares for our children. I want a partner, someone who will be by my side through anything. Someone who can spar with me and knock me on my ass. Like you did when we first met." He brushes my hair behind my ear. "I want someone who is brave and fiercely loyal to her family, like you are to your sister. I want someone who never gives up, even if it feels hopeless and she just fell out of a tree and broke her ribs while half starved." Bratus cradles my head and looks down at me with his indigo eyes, they look like little pieces of the night sky. "Please give us a shot. I know we're meant to be together, I knew it the moment we locked eyes and you threw that deer carcass at me." I laugh despite myself. Maybe this could work out, maybe I'm finally catching a break.

"Ok." I whisper and smile shyly at him. A breathtaking smile appears on his face and he leans towards me, eyes locked on my lips but he stops himself and looks at me with questioning eyes. I nod and sit up and close the distance between us. My lips touch his soft ones and I feel my entire body catch on fire. His lips begin to move against mine and I feel his tongue swipe across the seam of my lips. I open them slightly and his tongue sweeps into my mouth, caressing mine. The hand cradling my head tightens in my hair and his other arm crosses over me and rests on my waist. He deepens the kiss and I feel like I'm floating, this might be my first kiss but I feel like it would have blown any of the other ones away. When he breaks the kiss we are both slightly out of breath, my lips feel swollen and I lick them. Bratus groans and pulls me in for another, this one more aggressive. He sucks my tongue into his mouth, our teeth clashing a bit. Before we break this kiss he gives a small bite to my lower lip and pulls on it slightly before releasing it. I swear my ovaries have exploded and are now pulp.

    "Wow." I murmur while my fingers feel my lips and I can't help the smile that forms. Bratus laughs and continues to look down at me, he is still leaning over me and the hand on my waist makes lazy circles over my shirt. 
    "You're so beautiful, thank you for taking this chance." He whispers in a silky voice while he nuzzles my neck. He reluctantly sits up and I immediately miss his warmth. He looks at me and he has a serious look on his face. "Waya, we do have some details to iron out and I want you to know that I want you comfortable and safe." He kneels in front of me and grabs both on my hands and brings them to his lips so he can kiss each of my fingers. "I want you to come back to Sidus with me." I stiffen and he quickly continues. "Just please hear me out before you say anything." He continues when I nod. "My home in Sidus is very large, big enough for you and Röta to have your own rooms, you don't have to stay in my room with me unless you want to. It's got a large kitchen stocked full of more food than I could possibly eat alone. There is a school nearby that Röta could join, even if it's not forever it would still give her a chance to be near other children. You don't have to worry about Trux or criminals in the walls of Sidus and you'd be able to sleep in a soft bed and take hot baths every night if you wanted. We could get you both new clothes too. Like I said I want you to be comfortable and safe, both of you, but I will not force you to do anything you don't want to. If you do come with me, your cabin will still be here." He looks at me with hopeful eyes and I know that there is no way I can say no.