An Attempt to Explore the Village

The meeting carried on for a few more minutes after my introductions and Vernon never did explain why he's lived so long, but I suppose that was another story for another time. Instead, they discussed food for the village, as well as salt trade, though it was my understanding that Bai had resolved that issue for many in-land villages so they didn't have to travel as long or as far.

And then there was the fact that everyone wore so much fur and leather but had no vellum to write with. It was strange, though I'd never really researched how to make vellum, I at least knew how to make paper and ink. And still, there might be other issues the village was dealing with that they might not even be aware of.

As we bid our farewells and the elders began filing out, Caroline – Gharret's mother – approached her son and I once more. She took my hand and kissed it like Gharret had done earlier and smiled sweetly at me.

"I know it may be terrifying for you, being as old as you are and still unmated…" I made a face at her, which only caused her to laugh. "But please consider Gharret among those you may choose. This is, after all, a world where you will need to take multiple mates. Even if he's not your favorite-"

"Mother…," Gharret growled beside me.

"-he is still a good boy in need of a companion like you to keep him in line." She winked at me and chuckled again before patting my hand. Gharret groaned and she reached over and pinched his cheek briefly before turning and wandering off.

I laughed a little as well and waited until the door had closed behind her before I looked down at him.

"So…that makes a lot of sense," I said, unable to disguise my smirk. He blinked up at me, frowning but curious.

"What does?"

We stared for a moment before I giggled again.

"Where you get most of your personality from."

He huffed and turned away, sticking his nose in the air as he sat up straighter in his throne.

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I could help but laugh again before I bent down and pecked a kiss on his cheek. He gasped slightly, startled by the motion, but I made sure to be out of reach just as quickly. He got to his feet by the time I was at the bottom of the stair.

"I'm going to explore the village!" I said, waving at him as I made for the door.

"N-Not by yourself, you're not!" He took a step back and readied himself for something just as I picked up the pace and began running for the door. A loud thump echoed in the hall as he cleared the set of steps and began to chase me.

With just a few of his long-legged strides, he easily caught up to me and threw his arms around me. I let loose a peal of giggles as he grabbed me around the middle and spun me around. When my feet found the ground again, he was firmly between me and the door and unable to decide whether to glare or grin.

Panting a little, I giggled as I twisted in his grasp to face him and he lifted his chin as a smile won out in the end.

"A female like you can't just wander around unaccompanied. What if something were to happen?" He pushed a few locks of hair from my face as he held me and I could help but smile and blush a little.

"You saw what happened to your men yesterday…" I trailed off and he looked unconvinced before sighed. "You know, if you want to come with me, I'm not stopping you." I smirked and he chuckled as he leaned in, pressing a kiss to my neck.

"Or maybe I should return you to my room and do with you as I wished…," he growled darkly, his teeth and tongue finding my earlobe. It was sending chills up my spine.

I still slapped his jaw gently and he relented with a chuckle, straightening his spine and letting go. At least he was a fast learner.

"Lead the way, then, Princess." He smirked, bowing slightly and holding his hand out for me to take. I have to admit, I hesitated a moment before I took his hand and began dragging him out the door.

As soon as it opened, I heard a series of overly happy barks and whines before a large grey-and-beige object collided with my chest and knocked me flat on my ass. Shortly thereafter, a long, wet, scratchy tongue began littering my cheeks, chin, and neck with all manner of wet doggy kisses.

Leigh's tail was going wild, spinning so fast that it looked like he was about to take flight, and the entire time whining, crying, and carrying on.

Once I realized what had happened, I couldn't help but laugh and begin to hug and scratch and rub on him. The licking stopped once I found a good spot and he began kicking his leg wildly and stretching and contorting over the feeling. With a quick glance at his face, I could see his tongue lolling out and his eyes crossing.

I grinned and looked up at Gharret, who had crossed his arms, and glanced away quickly, looking slightly jealous, but not saying anything. This was his kid brother, after all. I returned my attention down to the squirming, writhing, over-grown puppy in my lap.

"Okay, okay. Man-up and tell me how you REALLY feel," I said, planting my hands on my hips and lifting my chin ever so slightly. He whined loudly but shifted.

"I thought he was going to eat you or something," he cried, struggling into a hide kilt nearby.

"Excuse you?!" Gharret snapped, causing him to flinch and whine.

"Well, let's be honest, here…You DID try…," I said up at him with a smirk and a slight blush. He blushed as well, coughing and turning his head away. Leigh gasped.

"You big meanie!" he huffed at his brother as I shook my head and laughed. Leigh then became rather…confused…about the whole situation. "Wait…what…?"

"You'll understand when you're older…," I said with a gentle smile as I stroked his hair and ears. He seemed satisfied with that for a moment, then paused when he realized what I'd said.

"HEY!" he huffed as Gharret and I laughed.