“What are you doing?” Anya peeped, shifting over to where the large male was lying on his back in the grass, his forepaws outstretched to the sky. This was their third meeting and Anya was already dreading the day when he would have to go. She enjoyed spending time with him, loved listening to his stories or watching him carve trinkets out of bark with his claws. He was always doing something interesting and fun.
He always killed the boredom!
“Come lay beside me, Fair Lady Anya.” He replied warmly, using his pet name for her.
She did so, laying so her side was pressed against his, enjoying the warmth of the contact. Her bright eyes peered up at his paws up above their heads.
“Oh! Pretty!” She reached up her own, smaller, paw and touched his tenderly.
“Seeds. The seeds of those beautiful trees over there. I’ve been watching them all morning in the wind. They are beautiful, aren’t they? And look, if you turn your head around, you’ll see it everywhere. The grass is white with it!”
She rolled onto her belly and looked towards the trees he had indicated, her eyes widening. “Oh, Kirin, it’s so beautiful! I’ve never seen such a thing!”
“The trees do this every year. Spread their children across the world so that they may settle and grow. The plants are alive, did you know?”
“I’d never really thought about it before.”
“Well, now you have.” He rolled over, pushing her gently aside with a paw. Their eyes locked and after a moment smiles lit their faces and they ran together through the feathery seeds. Their soft, whiteness filled the air, swirling around them like snow. Anya felt her heart swirl with them as she bounded this way and that, occasionally knocking into the male who she could now call friend.
And then he pounced at her and they rolled together across the grassy slope, over and over again until they came to settle beneath one of those trees. She lay on her back, his body sprawled across hers, his nose so close to her own. She could feel his breath tickle against her face. She could smell the warm, earthy scent of his fur. Almost instinctively she curled her tail around his, holding him to her.
He had not moved but his eyes were locked fast to hers. Was this it? Was she giving herself to him? Was she giving in to his charms?
“Kirin…”
He startled at the sound of her whispered voice.
“Don’t go. Don’t leave me.”
“Come with me.” He urged. “Be my queen, Anya.”
“I can’t. It’s too soon.”
“Anya…there is no other female but you…”
She whimpered and cast her eyes back up to meet his, confused and panicked and hesitant. And then he leaned closer and she held her breath as their noses met. The touch was light but both of them were affected by the sudden contact.
Feeling braver, Riordyn moved to lick her across the nose, across the muzzle, the side of her jaw, her chin. A deep purr reverberated in his chest and excitement rose as he realised he had her. She wanted him and who could blame her? He was pretty fantastic, wasn’t he!?
But suddenly she was pulling free, gasping and choking as if she were holding back tears. “I’m sorry Kirin. This is…this can’t happen anymore. I barely know you. I can’t…I can’t just up and leave everything like this. I can’t.” She shook her head and the tears spilled over her cheeks. He started towards her, intent on comforting her, but she evaded him.
“Anya…”
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
And as she raced away, she felt the pained thudding of her heart and realised that it was quite possible she was falling in love with him.
What should she do, then? Should she make a jump for her one chance at living the dream or should she shy away in fear?
Either way, time was running out. She needed to make a decision.
/fin.
