But she does not. She digs.
Humans are frustrating. I will get her attention yet. She can see what a capable, healthy, strong hunter I am and then her khui will decide I am the one for her. I toss my tunic aside and kneel down in the snow, ignoring how it soaks my leather leggings. “How many holes do you wish for this strong male to dig for you, Tee-fah-nee?”
She chuckles again. “Let’s start with twenty, about an arm’s length apart.”
I start to dig for my female. I don’t mind the task. It’s an odd one, but I’m pleased to do it for her. Creating each hole means I must dig down below the layers of snow to the soil underneath and a little further. I’m faster than she was with her digging stick. We pass the time in silence. I don’t mind it, because when I pause to wipe my brows of sweat, I notice she’s watching me. I make sure to flex my arms as I dig the next one. I am like a scythe-beak preening for its mate, but I do not care. I want her to notice me.
When the holes are dug, I grab a handful of snow and rub it over my face and chest, washing away the sweat. She averts her gaze and concentrates on her seeds. “Thank you, Salukh. This went a lot faster with your help.”
Her words are pleased but she looks dejected. Is she sad – as I am – that our khuis are silent? “You do not seem happy.”
She looks up, startled. “What do you mean?”
“I mean your words are nice, but your body says something else. You smile here.” I lean in and dare greatly as I brush a fingertip to a corner of her full mouth. “But you do not smile here.” I tap at her temple, indicating her eyes.
Her smile returns, but it seems more forced. “Busted.”
“Are we not friends? Tell me what troubles you.” I want to take care of it for her. I want to bring the light back to her shining eyes and the smile – a real smile – to her face.
She bites down on her lip and plays with the leather ties to her satchel, then glances up at me. “I’m just upset about the thought of the caves merging back together. I’ll lose my crops.”
“Lies,” I say immediately. She is an expert at fooling others, but not me. “You have no crops. You have dung and seeds. Something else troubles you.”
Tee-fah-nee makes a face at me and throws the bag in my direction. “You’re pushy, you know that, Salukh?”
She does not even begin to imagine how much I want to push her. Or that I want to push her into the snow and cover her body with mine. But we are not mated. We do not resonate. Again, I must learn to be patient.
It is difficult to be patient when the woman I want is so close I can touch her soft skin. When her scent fills my nostrils and makes my body crave her touch. I have not felt so out of control since I was a young kit with my first cock-stand. “I am pushy, as you say, but I do so because I am your friend. Your worries trouble me.”
She relaxes a little and gives a small nod, as if deciding something. “It’s just…okay.” She blows out a breath. “You…have you noticed how things are in the cave?”
“Do you mean, have I noticed that the other males try to get your attention?” Oh, I have noticed. It makes my belly clench with frustration, but I remind myself it does not matter. She will resonate to me and their vying for her favor will be forgotten. “It is hard to miss.”
Tee-fah-nee seems embarrassed. “Yeah, I guess it is. Anyhow, that’s what’s got me all flustered. It bothers me.”
“Bothers you? Are you not flattered? You are the most desirable female amongst both caves. It is natural for males to wish to seek your attention and try to influence your khui.”
They are welcome to try, but they will have no luck. You are mine.
Instead of seeming pleased at such flattery, her eyes well up and she gets a stricken look on her face. She sniffs and then wipes at her cheeks…and grimaces when she brushes away ice.
My heart clenches in my chest. My entire body tenses with fear. This is truly bothering her. There is something that goes deeper than courting games, and she weeps over it? I immediately wish to fix it. I want nothing but her smiles and her happiness. My entire body fills with fury that something has upset her.
“What is it?” My voice is a near growl. I clench one hand around my lashing tail to still it. I don’t want her to know how upset her tears make me.
“It’s just…” She pauses and rubs at her cheeks, brushing away remnants of the tears. “When I was taken captive by the others…things happened.” Her voice turns to a whisper.
Things? What things? “I do not follow.”
She swallows hard and gives me an uneasy look. “I don’t want to say it.”