Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Zaira's POV

My heart was still doing somersaults in my chest. Words I never intended to hear from Arami's mouth touched my soul in a way that made me tremble to the core. He really apologized to me. The dominant wolf had swallowed his pride and made himself vulnerable to an omega. I would always carry this gift in my heart, cherish it and honor it.

Not only that, but Aramis had assured me that he would never hurt me again. My heart opened at this memory and I felt warm. But I wasn't stupid enough to think Aramis wanted me for a mate, either. He just promised not to hurt me, not to tag me. He was convinced that our Mateband wasn't real and wasn't meant to exist at all. I, on the other hand, found his motivations more and more absurd and nonsensical because it just felt too real .

The thought settled in my head to show him how true our bond was and that it was very right. But my lack of trust in him as far as my heart is concerned kept me from indulging in that thought. If he wanted me to trust him completely, then he would have to prove his promise to me.

"What are you thinking?" Aramis asked me as we exited the cabin's porch side by side.

"Oh nothing," I just said and said nothing. I stretched out the wisp of nothing that could also be called a leather skirt, trying to make it at least reach my knees. But nada, it stayed put and set, I was lucky that the top at least ended just short of the waistband of the skirt and didn't reveal my whole scarred stomach.The scars on my arms already drew enough attention.With a queasy feeling in my stomach I smoothed my hair, which I had before combed it through quickly with the brush I found in the bathroom, hoping they would improve my looks at least a little.Beside all these beautiful amazons, I would look like a dirty little sack of potatoes next to them.

I looked at Aramis. Unlike me, he had refused to put on the shirt he had laid down and was now walking around topless. Something that didn't bother me in the least. His torso shimmered in the flickering light of the torches, and the muscles that seemed to make up his entire body showed with every movement. I loved the flex of his abs as his six-pack - more like an eight-pack - flexed and relaxed. I could watch it for hours. I wasn't displeased that he didn't have a single clue about all the battles he'd fought. His skin was as clear as a newborn's and I assumed that was due to his blood.

"What were the chief and that rider talking about earlier?" I asked. No gis were visible at the moment, and the village seemed deserted. They must all be at the supper already, for I could hear the cheerful voices coming from far away The fresh evening air, not quite as muggy and stuffy as it had been during the day, blew gently over my skin and carried with it a wisp of smoke that from the torches that lit the path through the village came from.

"I didn't catch much since Arya had led us away, but he did say that just past their land border, the seers had discovered a whole patch of jungle full of rotten fruit and withered trees that they couldn't heal," Aramis reported.

I frowned. Gis were tamers of nature, they ruled earth, plants and the largest trees, but that was not all. Not only did they control them, they healed and nurtured them as well. There was nothing more precious to her than Gaia's gift of nature. And if the Gis' powers weren't even sufficient to heal the plant world, then the situation must be serious.

"Do you know what's causing this?"

"They think a disease has struck the jungle," he said, but the undertone in his voice caught my eye.

"But you don't think that's true," I stated.

"No." He was silent for a while, and then he said softly, "Demons have the same effect on their surroundings."

"You mean there were D-demons here?" I faltered, suddenly freezing and wrapping my arms around my body. "The same ones we encountered?"

He nodded. "They must have tracked us down somehow." His fists trembled with suppressed anger. "They can't know exactly where we are, but it's only a matter of time before they find out."

"W-What?" I stared at him in horror, fear feeling like spikes inside me. "They're after us ?"

Aramis stopped. "Yes." His gaze wandered over my body and strong possessiveness flared up in him. I wanted to sigh woolly, I felt so comfortable and safe. My submissive nature enjoyed the knowledge that our mate was strong and brave and us above all "But I won't let them even touch you."

"Okay," I couldn't get out. The fruit was gone, but my emotions were doing all sorts of things to me.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then took my hand and led me along the torches into the heart of the village, where the entire tribe had gathered for supper. They all sat around a big fire on small, thick pillows, and ate their dinner while chattering loudly to each other. Small children ran wild, giggling and squeaking, it looked like they were playing tag. Certain things didn't seem to differ, no matter what culture you were in.

A warrior appeared in front of us. He held a long, sharp spear in one hand, which I preferred not to get acquainted with, and kept watch. "Gennadis. Clark,” he nodded to Aramis, then to me. “The Chief wants you to sit with him,” he announced.

I straightened my back and lifted my chin. I might be scared of crowds, but I'd be damned before I let them know.

"Calvius, my friend!" Honaw exclaimed happily when we reached him. "Sarah! Have a seat you two." He pointed to the two leather pillows next to him.

Aramis sat down without hesitation and I followed him - as far as a short skirt could do - knowing that all eyes were on us.

"And how do you like your restaurant?"

"Good," Aramis replied, and I cleared my throat.

"Thank you," he replied, pinching my palm.

Two full plates appeared in front of us. I stared at the pink wet pile and my stomach churned. I wrinkled my nose. What on earth was that?

Aramis chuckled.

“A specialty of the Gis! Oh, it's the best there is, you have to try it!", the chief was visibly proud to present this meal to us.

Arya raised an eyebrow and gave me a challenging look. Without looking down, I took the plate and stuffed a bite into my mouth. The slimy consistency squirted around in my mouth disgustingly and I had to pull myself together with all my might not to grimace. Eeewww that was gross!

"Mhhh.." I swallowed the bite with difficulty. "It tastes... interesting."

There was something like appreciation on Arya's face, making every taste twist worthwhile as Aramis's stared at me in disbelief. His curls were still tousled from our previous activities and fell across his forehead.

He threw back his head and burst out laughing.

My heart went crazy at the sight and a small smile appeared on my lips.

"What then?"

"You... you really ate that!" his upper body was still twitching with silent laughter.

I looked down at my plate, which held the rest of that abominable meal, and frowned. "Of course I ate it, it would be rude not to!"

"Oh yes," he replied, spluttering. "If you like the brain masses of a monkey."

"The what?!" I squeak, my back going rigid.

"Brain masses." He stretched out the word and leaned over to me.

My stomach turned and I felt nauseous. I grimaced. "I think I'm going to throw up."

"Well, but Sarah! The brain is just another piece of meat." Honaw said lightheartedly, grabbing his plate.

I looked away while Honaw downed his portion in one bite and put a hand on my rumbling stomach. "Thanks," I whispered as Aramis wordlessly handed me a clay cup of water.

“We gis seldom eat meat, and when we do hunt we kill only enough animals to feed us. We do not regard them as food, but as souls of equal value, created by Gaia's divine hand as much as we are. They have the same right to live on this earth as we do." Arya said, sitting next to her father. Her brown eyes flickered in the light of the fire. "We Gis value all creatures of this earth, try to live in harmony with nature and balance. That means we don't just eat the tastiest part of an animal that sacrificed itself for our sacrament and throw away the rest. We don't just destroy trees and pluck sacred flowers either."

Now her gaze sharpened and I moved a little away from Arya, closer to Aramis. "Careful," Aramis said to Arya, his voice dangerously deep.

Honaw made a disapproving sound and Arya's expression darkened even more. She was about to protest when she decided against it. She rose proudly, tossed her hair and disappeared into the jungle.

I averted my gaze from her and saw a dainty little Gi just putting her hand in that of a tall warrior and dancing with him around the great fire. She swayed her hips seductively after each little jump and let out melodic tones with her dance partner like all other dancing Gis. Her singing sounded strange and unusual to me, but it also reflected a joie de vivre that I had never perceived before. Fascinated, I watched what was happening in front of me, while more and more Gis grabbed a partner and swung their legs.

My gaze jerked briefly to Aramis. Should I ask him to dance with me? I quickly dismissed the thought, blushing. Of course he didn't want to dance with me, and on top of that I would be making a huge fool of myself if I did.

"Calvius, what are you still doing here? Go and dance!" the Chief cheered Aramis on. He didn't even look at him and just shook his head.

"I do not dance."

"Regrettable." Honaw snapped, then ordered a gi to hand him another plate.

I tried to suppress my disappointment. I was just being ridiculous!

"You want to dance with me?" I jumped in surprise and looked up. A rather slender gi stood in front of me and held out his hand. His shirtless body shimmered in the light of the fire and he looked at me with a smile. I stared at his Hands on and my mouth opened in amazement.

Did he just ask me for a dance?

I think I was just dreaming. Nobody had ever asked me about it. Which in turn meant I couldn't dance. I would shamelessly embarrass myself in front of all Gis and in front of Aramis. I didn't want that for anything in the world, but... When would anyone ever ask me for a dance again? This was my chance and... I deserved it. I deserved this dance.

"I'd love to.", I put my hand in his and let him pull me up, consciously ignoring Arami's growl and straightening up even more. I felt his hot gaze on my back and a shiver ran down my spine. I did Nothing forbidden He hadn't tagged me so I'm not tied to him, he doesn't mind, let alone he didn't mind that I wasn't his.

Hand in hand, the dark-haired warrior led me along the fire, past the seated gis. I noticed their eyes looking me up and down. I found it annoying that I was still uncomfortable in my body, but there was nothing I could do about it. That doesn't mean, however, that I hid in fear. No, I lifted my chin and tossed my long hair, just like I had seen Arya do.

"I Cha'tima," the gi warrior introduced himself, pointing at himself. We found ourselves surrounded by other gis who moved beside us, dancing and singing. "What's your name?"

"I'm Sarah." My lips just managed a shaky smile. Was it because I was nervous or because I could still feel Aramis' burning eyes on me?

"You ever dance Minakto?" Cha'tima looked at me questioningly.

"Minakto?" I frowned in irritation.

"Yes, dance of Gis."

"Oh, no, I'm sorry." I pulled my hand away from him and looked down at the floor. Oh goddess of the moon, that was embarrassing. Now he certainly wouldn't want to dance with me anymore!

"Not bad, I'll show you.", Cha'tima grabbed my hand and smiled at me encouragingly. "First we jump up, then turn."

He jumped into the air, let out a whoop and then shrugged and turned once on his own axis as soon as he landed on the ground again. I looked around and saw that everyone was making a similar move, but the twist was different for everyone else.

"Okay," I whispered, more to myself than to him. It couldn't be that hard. Cha'tima grinned at me, then he grabbed both of my hands and motioned for me to start. We jumped up in the air together while he whooped again. Then we landed and his hands released mine briefly only to grab them again after the spin. We repeated this several times and then slowly moved the others around the fire. I laughed every time he made one of his jump sounds again.

"You are doing well. Very good." His grin widened.

I beamed at him and all my concerns about being awkward again vanished. "Thanks!"

The very moment he put his hands on my hips, he froze and his face went pale.

"What's going on?" I asked, noticing the dark shadow that fell over us.