Chapter 9: River

The river announced itself before we actually saw it.

At first, it was only a distant murmur threaded between birdsong and the rustling canopy overhead. Then the sound deepened as we moved through the trees, becoming the steady rush of water slipping over stones somewhere ahead.

Clyr guided me down a narrow trail barely wide enough for one person.

Roots twisted across the ground like the forest had attempted knitting and then abandoned the project halfway through. Ferns brushed against my legs. Tiny insects glittered between shafts of sunlight. Every few steps, some brightly colored flower appeared beside the path looking suspiciously expensive.

Then the trees opened.

I stopped.

“Oh.”

The river curved through the forest like a ribbon of polished glass.

Sunlight poured through the canopy and fractured across the surface in shifting pieces of gold. The water was clear enough that I could see smooth stones resting beneath it, their colors ranging from pale gray to deep green. Along the opposite bank, broad-leafed plants leaned toward the current while vines hung from crooked branches above.

Several large rocks broke through the surface farther upstream, splitting the flow into narrow white streams.

There was even a small waterfall in the distance.

Of course there was.

Because apparently Aphrodasia had hired an extremely enthusiastic landscape designer.

I slowly walked toward the bank.

“This place is dangerous.”

Clyr stopped behind me.

Her ears lifted.

“Dangerous?”

“Absolutely.”

She scanned the trees as if expecting a monster.

“What did you sense?”

I turned toward her.

“Romance.”

Her expression flattened.

I spread my hands toward the river.

“Look at this place. Clear water. Flowers. Sunlight. Privacy. Somewhere nearby, a bird is probably preparing inappropriate background music.”

Clyr stared at me for half a second.

Then she laughed.

“You frightened me.”

“That was not my intention.”

“You said dangerous.”

“Romance is dangerous.”

“How?”

“It causes poor judgment.”

Her eyebrow rose.

I placed a hand against my chest.

“I have extensive field experience.”

“That part I believe.”

“Cruel.”

She walked past me toward the water.

Her boots pressed softly into the grass.

“It’s prettier after sunset.”

I looked at her back.

“That sounds difficult.”

“During a full moon, the light reflects across the entire river. The flowers along the bank open at night too.”

She glanced over her shoulder.

“We could come back sometime.”

I smiled.

“Easy there.”

Clyr frowned.

“What?”

“One romantic outing at a time.”

“I wasn’t suggesting anything.”

“Of course.”

“I was describing the river.”

“You were inviting me here under moonlight.”

“As chief, I should show you important places around our territory.”

“At night.”

Her face began turning pink.

I continued walking toward her.

“Alone.”

“I didn’t say alone.”

“You were thinking it.”

“I was not.”

“Your ears are confessing.”

Her hands immediately rose toward them.

I laughed.

Clyr glared.

“You are insufferable.”

“And yet you keep inviting me into forests.”

She marched directly toward me.

I expected retaliation.

Possibly a shove into the water.

Instead, her hands grabbed the hem of my shirt.

I blinked.

“Oh.”

Clyr pulled it upward.

I lifted my arms automatically and let her remove it.

She tossed the shirt onto a patch of dry grass.

Then she stayed close.

Very close.

Her eyes traveled over my chest.

Slowly.

There was absolutely no attempt at subtlety this time.

My eyebrows rose.

“Chief.”

“Quiet.”

“That sounded authoritative.”

“I’m looking.”

“I noticed.”

Her cheeks reddened, but she did not stop.

One of her hands rose.

Her palm touched the center of my chest.

Warm fingers moved downward, slowly tracing over the muscles of my stomach.

I looked at her.

She refused to meet my eyes.

Interesting development.

Yesterday, this woman could barely admit she wanted me.

Today she was conducting a hands-on inspection in broad daylight.

Personal growth was beautiful.

I caught her wrist gently.

Clyr finally looked up.

“If you keep touching me like that,” I said, “the river is going to become extremely secondary.”

Her blush deepened.

“Turn around.”

I blinked.

“Excuse me?”

“Turn around.”

“Why?”

She stared at me.

I considered pushing my luck.

Then I remembered she carried a spear.

“Understood.”

I turned.

Behind me, I heard the quiet movement of cloth.

My imagination immediately attempted to apply for overtime.

I stared determinedly at a tree.

Nice tree.

Wonderful bark.

Very respectable branches.

Absolutely fascinating.

The soft rustle continued.

Then footsteps moved away from me.

A moment later, water splashed.

I smiled.

“Can I look yet?”

“No.”

“Cruel.”

Another splash.

Then silence.

I waited.

One second.

Two.

Three.

“Now.”

I turned.

Clyr was already in the river.

Her clothes had been folded on a rock near the bank.

Neatly.

Because apparently even while seducing someone, Clyr remained organized.

The water reached her collarbones where she stood, hiding most of her body beneath the moving surface.

Most.

Not enough to stop imagination from filling out paperwork.

Her wet hair clung against her shoulders.

Sunlight reflected across the water around her.

She looked at me.

“What are you waiting for?”

I glanced down at myself.

Then back at her.

“Well.”

I started unfastening the rest of my clothes.

“Honestly, I expected an audience.”

Clyr immediately looked at the water.

Her face turned red.

I paused.

“You’re not watching?”

“No.”

“I am deeply offended.”

“Caled.”

“I maintain this body with enormous effort.”

“You said your body changed when you came here.”

“That is irrelevant to my argument.”

I finished undressing.

When I looked toward her again, Clyr was still staring downward with heroic determination.

I stepped into the river.

Cold water climbed over my legs.

I stopped.

“Oh, that’s colder than expected.”

Clyr laughed.

“You wanted romance.”

“I wanted romance with temperature regulation.”

“You’ll adjust.”

“I survived death. I can survive inconvenient water.”

I waded deeper.

The riverbed sloped gradually.

By the time I reached her, the water sat around the upper part of my stomach.

For Clyr, who was shorter, it reached nearly to her shoulders.

She watched me approach.

Then suddenly swept one hand across the water.

A splash hit my face.

I stopped.

Water dripped from my hair.

Clyr smiled innocently.

I wiped my eyes.

“Chief.”

“What?”

“Was that necessary?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent.”

I disappeared beneath the surface.

Her eyes widened.

I swam toward her underwater.

The river was brilliantly clear beneath the surface. Light danced across the stones below. Clyr’s legs shifted as she tried to determine where I had gone.

I surfaced directly in front of her.

She jumped.

“Caled!”

I laughed.

“You started a war.”

“That was one splash.”

“History has begun over less.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And victorious.”

She splashed me again.

This time I caught her around the waist.

Clyr squealed as I pulled her toward me.

Her hands landed against my shoulders.

We stopped laughing at roughly the same moment.

Our bodies were suddenly pressed close beneath the water.

Her smile softened.

Mine probably did too.

Clyr slid her arms around my shoulders.

Then she rose slightly onto her toes.

Her lips touched mine.

The kiss was meant to be quick.

I could tell.

A small, testing kiss.

Something sweet.

Very innocent.

Terrible strategic error.

The moment she tried pulling away, I held her closer.

Her eyes widened.

I kissed her again.

Deeper this time.

She hesitated when my tongue brushed against her lips.

Then I felt her surprise when I slipped beyond them.

Clyr pulled away.

Her breathing had changed.

I studied her face.

“Too much?”

She shook her head.

“No.”

“Didn’t like it?”

“No.”

“That answer could use better organization.”

Her face reddened.

“I liked it.”

I smiled.

“You just surprised me.”

“Good surprise?”

She looked down briefly.

“Yes.”

“Excellent.”

My hands settled on her hips beneath the water.

I pulled her firmly against me.

Clyr inhaled.

This time, when I kissed her, she was ready.

Our mouths met harder.

She opened to me willingly.

Her fingers tightened around the back of my neck.

When my tongue met hers, she reacted with a small sound against my lips.

Not hesitant anymore.

Curious.

Learning.

Very quickly.

Her tongue followed mine.

Then challenged it.

I almost laughed.

Apparently competition was a universal language.

The kiss grew rougher.

Warm breath mixed between us.

Water moved around our bodies as Clyr pushed closer.

Then she suddenly froze.

Her eyes opened.

She pulled her mouth away from mine.

“Caled.”

“Hmm?”

“Something is pressing against me.”

I stared at her.

She stared back.

Slowly, understanding arrived.

“Oh.”

Her entire face turned red.

“You’re already…”

“Yes.”

“That quickly?”

I raised an eyebrow.

“You’re naked against me in a secluded river after personally removing my shirt.”

She looked embarrassed.

“I suppose that makes sense.”

“I’m glad the court recognizes reasonable evidence.”

Clyr glanced downward, although the water hid everything from sight.

I caught one of her hands.

Her eyes returned to mine.

“What?”

“Educational opportunity.”

“Caled.”

“You were curious.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You looked.”

“That doesn’t mean…”

I guided her hand beneath the water.

The moment her fingers found me, she stopped talking.

Her lips parted.

Her eyes widened.

I leaned close.

“See?”

Clyr swallowed.

Her hand moved tentatively.

Then again.

A little more confidently.

She had learned from the previous night.

Of course she had.

Her fingers moved slowly along me, testing pressure and rhythm while watching my face for reactions.

I exhaled.

Clyr immediately noticed.

“That feels good?”

“Extremely.”

Her embarrassment softened into curiosity.

She continued.

My hands tightened slightly around her waist.

She smiled.

Oh no.

That smile.

That was the expression of someone discovering buttons and immediately deciding to press all of them.

Her hand moved faster.

I closed my eyes briefly.

“Chief.”

“Yes?”

“You are enjoying this far too much.”

She looked pleased with herself.

“You said it felt good.”

“It does.”

“Then why complain?”

“I’m not complaining. I’m filing admiration.”

She laughed.

Then kissed me.

Her hand continued moving beneath the water while our mouths met again.

My own attention drifted elsewhere.

I kissed the corner of her mouth.

Then her jaw.

Clyr tilted her head slightly when my lips moved along her neck.

Her breathing deepened.

I kissed lower.

Her collarbone.

The upper curve of her chest where it rose above the water.

Her fingers slowed around me.

“Caled…”

“Yes?”

She answered with a quiet gasp when I continued.

I drew her closer against me and lowered my mouth to one breast as the water shifted around us.

My lips lingered there while one hand caressed the other.

Clyr’s head tipped back.

A moan escaped her.

Clear.

Unrestrained.

I lifted my eyes.

That was different.

Last night, she had spent half our time trying to prevent the entire Wolfkin population from receiving a free audio performance.

Here?

Forest.

River.

No village walls.

No neighbors.

No dignity obligations.

She apparently intended to use the freedom.

I smiled against her skin.

She looked down.

“Why are you smiling?”

“Nothing.”

“You always say that when it is definitely something.”

“I’m appreciating the acoustics.”

Her face heated.

“Caled.”

“What? The forest agrees with you.”

She covered my mouth with her hand.

I kissed her palm.

Then returned my attention downward.

Her fingers slid into my wet hair.

Each soft movement of my mouth drew another reaction from her.

Her breathing became uneven.

Her body pressed closer.

Then my hand traveled gradually lower beneath the water.

Clyr tensed slightly when I touched her between the thighs.

I paused.

Her eyes found mine.

I waited.

She nodded.

“Keep going.”

My fingers moved gently.

Nothing rushed.

Nothing forced.

Just enough to make her inhale sharply.

Her arms tightened around my shoulders.

I watched every change in her face.

The way her eyes half closed.

The way her lips parted.

The small crease between her brows whenever sensation caught her unexpectedly.

I adjusted according to her reactions.

Clyr’s breath shivered.

“Caled…”

“Still good?”

“Yes.”

My hand moved with more confidence.

Her head dropped against my shoulder.

Water rippled around us.

Then Clyr whispered something against my neck.

“What?”

She lifted her head.

Her pupils looked wider.

“More.”

I smiled.

“More what?”

Her eyes narrowed.

“You know.”

“I enjoy complete instructions.”

“Caled.”

“Official hunting procedure requires clarity.”

She grabbed the back of my head and kissed me hard.

Message received.

My hand became firmer.

Clyr broke the kiss with a gasp.

Her forehead pressed against mine.

“Like that.”

“See? Communication.”

“You are unbearable.”

“And yet your legs disagree.”

She made a frustrated sound.

Then whatever insult she had prepared disappeared when another wave of pleasure moved through her.

Her fingers dug into my shoulders.

The sounds coming from her grew louder.

Not performative.

Not exaggerated.

Just honest.

Each one made it very difficult to pretend I had any interest in behaving responsibly.

“Caled…”

Her voice cracked.

Her whole body tightened.

I felt the tension building through the way she held me.

Her breathing came faster.

Then suddenly she shuddered.

A sharp moan escaped her.

She clung to me while the reaction rolled through her in waves.

I held her securely.

Let her breathe.

Let her recover.

When she finally lifted her face from my shoulder, she looked dazed.

I kissed her forehead.

“Still alive?”

She glared weakly.

“Barely.”

“Excellent review.”

She laughed breathlessly.

I kissed her again.

Then whispered, “We’re not finished.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“Oh?”

“Oh.”

I guided her toward the shallower section near the riverbank.

The water gradually lowered around us until it reached only my thighs.

Clyr followed.

She looked at me.

Then her eyes moved downward.

This time there was nowhere for the water to protect her modesty from reality.

Her cheeks turned bright pink again.

I found the return of shyness adorable considering what we had just been doing.

She swallowed.

I stepped closer.

“Chief.”

“Yes?”

“I believe you said earlier that you were willing to learn.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“When did I say that?”

“You didn’t.”

“Then why did you say I did?”

“Because it sounded persuasive.”

She laughed.

I brushed wet hair away from her face.

Then gently guided her lower.

Understanding dawned instantly.

Clyr looked up at me.

Her blush deepened.

“You want me to…”

“I have complete faith in you.”

“That is not helpful.”

“You’ll learn.”

Her lips twitched.

“I hate when you say that.”

“Mostly because I’m right.”

She knelt in the shallows.

Her hands rested against my legs.

She hesitated only briefly before leaning closer.

What followed was uncertain at first.

Careful.

Exploratory.

I guided her gently, showing her what felt good without turning it into a lecture.

Because nothing kills romance quite like a technical seminar.

Clyr adjusted quickly.

Of course she did.

Soon I was breathing considerably harder.

Her eyes occasionally flicked toward me, checking my reactions.

Each time she realized she had found something effective, a tiny spark of satisfaction appeared in them.

“Clyr.”

She paused.

I swallowed.

“Look at me.”

Her eyes lifted.

She looked embarrassed.

But she kept eye contact.

That nearly destroyed whatever remained of my self-control.

There was something about the contrast.

The shy redness in her face.

The boldness of what she was doing.

The determined way she watched me.

I lasted another few moments.

Then I reached for her.

“Okay.”

She pulled back.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

I lifted her.

“You did something extremely right.”

Her feet found the riverbed again.

I kissed her hard.

Clyr immediately wrapped her arms around my neck.

I pulled her against me.

Her legs rose around my hips almost instinctively.

She understood what came next.

So did I.

I held her securely while she adjusted herself against me.

Our eyes met.

“Nervous?”

“A little.”

“We stop if you want.”

She shook her head.

“I don’t.”

I kissed her.

Then we came together.

Clyr gasped into my mouth.

Her arms tightened around my neck.

I stayed still for a moment.

Letting her adjust.

Her face pressed against my cheek.

Then she whispered, “Move.”

That was all the permission I needed.

I started slowly.

The water rippled outward with every motion.

Clyr’s breathing came in short, broken sounds.

Her body moved against mine, held securely between my arms while her legs remained wrapped around my waist.

I watched her face.

Possibly too much.

But I had discovered something important.

Clyr made incredible expressions when she forgot to be embarrassed.

Her eyes would squeeze shut.

Then open suddenly.

Her lips parted whenever something caught her by surprise.

Sometimes her brows drew together as if pleasure had personally offended her.

Beautiful.

Absolutely beautiful.

“You’re staring,” she breathed.

“I’m appreciating.”

She tried to glare.

Then I changed the rhythm.

The glare vanished.

Her head fell back.

“Oh…”

I smiled.

“There we go.”

“Don’t talk.”

“You know that’s unrealistic.”

“Please.”

The please nearly convinced me.

Nearly.

I held her tighter and moved faster.

Clyr gasped.

Her arms locked around my neck.

“It feels…”

“Good?”

She nodded rapidly.

“Very.”

I kissed her throat.

Her moans became louder.

There was no hesitation anymore.

No concern about who might hear us.

Only the forest, the river, and several birds that had absolutely not consented to witnessing any of this.

Clyr suddenly kissed me.

Hard.

Her tongue entered my mouth this time.

I paused mentally.

Well.

Look who had graduated.

Earlier she had been surprised when I kissed her that way.

Now she was using my own technique against me.

I was proud.

Terrified.

Mostly proud.

Our kiss grew messy and breathless.

I moved harder.

Clyr’s grip tightened.

Her sounds broke between our mouths.

“Caled…”

“Yes?”

“I think I’m losing my mind.”

I smiled.

“I’ll help you look for it later.”

She made a noise that might have been laughter if I had not immediately stolen it with another kiss.

The rhythm grew faster.

Water slapped gently against us.

Her body moved with mine now instead of simply following.

Every motion became mutual.

Natural.

She was learning what she wanted and taking it.

That was somehow hotter than anything else.

Her nails pressed into my shoulders.

She whispered my name again.

Then louder.

I could feel my own control slipping.

My breath came rougher.

My arms tightened around her waist.

Clyr noticed.

“You’re close.”

“Chief, congratulations. Your observational skills remain exceptional.”

She laughed breathlessly.

Then kissed me.

I pushed deeper into the embrace, holding her firmly against me as the last of my restraint collapsed.

My movements became quicker.

Less controlled.

Clyr cried out against my shoulder.

Her body tightened around mine.

That was it.

I pulled her impossibly close and buried my face against her neck as release hit me.

For several seconds, the entire universe became breathing, trembling muscles, warm skin, and the river moving around us.

Clyr clung to me.

I clung right back.

Neither of us spoke.

Eventually my breathing slowed.

I carefully lowered Clyr until her feet touched the riverbed.

She remained close.

Her hands rested against my chest.

Her face was beautifully flushed.

Wet hair clung to her neck and shoulders.

She looked thoroughly satisfied.

Which immediately increased my own satisfaction by an unreasonable percentage.

I kissed her forehead.

She smiled.

Then her eyes drifted downward.

Her expression changed.

Curiosity.

I followed her gaze.

Ah.

Right.

Clyr reached toward me beneath the surface.

Her hand closed gently around "Me" again.

Her eyebrows lifted.

“You’re still ready.”

I looked at her.

“Thank you for noticing.”

“I thought you would need time.”

“I’m apparently committed to excellence.”

She laughed.

Her hand moved once.

Slowly.

My breath caught.

Her smile widened.

Dangerous.

Very dangerous.

I covered her hand with mine.

“This is your fault.”

“How?”

“I was perfectly peaceful before you dragged me into a secluded river naked.”

“You followed willingly.”

“That sounds like technicalities.”

She stepped closer.

Her fingers continued teasing "Me".

I looked into her eyes.

“I’m glad you noticed I’m not finished.”

Her cheeks turned pink again.

But she did not look away.

I brushed my thumb across her cheek.

“It means I still want more of you.”

Clyr’s expression softened.

I gave her a small smile.

“Assuming you don’t object.”

She stared at me for a second.

Then smiled.

Not shy this time.

Not nervous.

Something bolder.

Something that made me suddenly very aware that the innocent village chief I had met only days ago was adapting at a terrifying rate.

Clyr leaned closer until her lips nearly touched mine.

Her hand remained against "Me" beneath the water.

Then she whispered,

“Then don’t hold yourself back. I’m yours to enjoy however you want.”