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She can have three noses and if I resonate to her, I will cherish all three of them.
One watches Maddie with intense emotion, but most of them are scowling, probably because my sister only has one volume - loud.
I want resonance, and resonance only. When I take a female into my arms, I want it to be for forever.
I am a selfish male, because I want her hearing to be fixed. I want to speak to her. I want to hear her laugh.
“You think? I just found out we’re on Popsicle Planet with Captain Horny and the Hairy Palm Crew, and you didn’t bother to tell me that I get an assigned playmate?”
“Are all the yellow-maned ones so angry? She reminds me of Leezh.” Haeden shoots an accusing glance at Raahosh.
She gestures at me with one finger, and that puzzles me. Does she think I speak their hand language? I decide to memorize the signal in case I need it to talk to Li-lah. I practice it a few times and then pack my bags for the morning.
Resonance. It has terrible timing. And yet it is wonderful. I gaze down at Li-lah’s dirty, pale face down in the metlak cave. My breast is humming a loud, possessive song at the sight of her. My knowing is vibrating all through my body. This is what has nagged at me for endless days. This is why I feel so possessive of Li-lah. This is why the thought of Hassen touching her enrages me. This is why she did not resonate to him. She is mine. Mine.
His tail has wrapped protectively around one of my thighs, but I don’t point out just how um, impolitely it’s gripping me. After rescuing my ass? He can put his tail anywhere he wants.
My chest vibrates a little louder, and I’m getting embarrassed because it’s practically jiggling my boobs at this point with the force of it. “I think my coo-ee is cold,” I tell him. Maybe this is the parasite version of teeth chattering. He just smiles and continues to feed the fire.
For some reason, I appreciate that he’s quiet. He knows I won’t understand anything he tries to tell me without a lot of effort, and he’s not trying to talk around me like I’m a problem. It’s like he knows I can’t hear him, and he’s okay with waiting to talk. And for some reason, that’s awfully comforting.
My mate. Another idiotic grin creases my face as I pick up a knife to sharpen it. This is the best day ever.
Li-lah’s little breathless laugh fills the cave, and my balls tighten against my groin in response. “Did you just flip me the bird?” I try to make sense of her words. “Is this not a signal?” I make sure to face her and I watch her brows furrow as she stares at my mouth. It seems unfair to speak words if she cannot hear them. I need to learn her hand gestures.
She takes my breath from my body. When her lips curve, I feel a sense
She makes a gesture and murmurs a small ‘thank you’. Ah. I make the gesture back, and she smiles again. Her happiness feels like a prize I have won, and I am determined to keep her smiling.
She is teaching me her words. Pleasure rushes through me and I repeat the motion, trying to get it as close to her gesture as possible given that I have less fingers than her. I mentally repeat it over and over again, determined to learn. I want to communicate with her in the way she is comfortable. If she cannot use spoken words, I will not either.
“I know, Rowdan. And thank you.” His lips twitch. Rowdan, he says. “Rowdan,” I repeat helpfully. “Is that not your name?” I tap at my breast. “Lila.” Then I reach forward and tap on his chest. “Rowdan.”
While I was out earlier, I found soapberries and gathered them for her. I pull out the small pouch and offer it to her. Li-lah takes it and studies the bag, then looks at me. She opens it and pulls a berry out, then sniffs it. Good? Her hand signal asks. I nod absently, concentrating on the fire and willing my khui to stop singing. A moment later she spits, and I look up in time to see her wiping her tongue with the back of her hand. She makes a horrified face. I laugh. I cannot help it. Good, wash, I sign. Not good eat.
She is fragile, my Li-lah, yet I would not change a thing about her, because she is mine and she is perfect.
“Could you…could you please kiss me?”
“I guess I have an alien boyfriend now,” she muses as she presses her cold hands against my side. “That’s different.” If boy-friend is the human word for mate, then yes, yes she does have one.
There’s no one here but me and Rokan and he looks at me like I’m the world to him.
I step backward, mindful of the nearby fire, and study his face. “Are you okay?” My head hurts, he signs, a sheepish grin on his face. My heart stops in my chest. The casual way he made those gestures,
Then, he looks at me and begins to sign again. You are perfect. I would change nothing about you. And I am glad that you are mine. I have waited many days to say that to you. He stops for a moment, thinking, and then continues. I want to say it again. You are perfect.
I am yours. I will always be by your side.
Of course. She’s going to want to learn the language. Everyone back at the tribal cave has been trying to learn some basics so they can talk to you. I’ve been teaching them the easy stuff but there’s a lot to cover. I have to blink back sudden tears. That’s so sweet and unexpected. They have? They’re learning sign language to talk to me? She nods. They’re very excited to meet you.
Does it matter to you if I can hear? Of course not. You are perfect as you are.
“I’m okay if it never comes back,” I tell him. “As long as I have you, you’ll keep me safe.” I will be at your side, always, he signs, a solemn look on his face. “Promise?” He taps his chest. My feeling tells me it is so. You will not come to harm as long as I am here.
