I just kept picturing this scene so I needed to get it out of my head…here it goes. Gotta admit I miss writing their love.
“I saw you staring at me, son of Toruk Makto.”
Nirveni grinned, the curve of her mouth carrying the unmistakable satisfaction of someone who had caught him doing exactly what he hoped she had not noticed. And she enjoyed it, unmistakably.
Neteyam held her gaze, refusing to let her win. “Your dance was… fascinating,” he admitted. “It was difficult to ignore.”
She chuckled softly, baring her teeth as she leaned back on the branch where she sat, balancing with effortless ease.
“Then why did you not join the dance?”
“I am only a guest,” Neteyam said honestly.
“You were invited here to celebrate, were you not?”
Neteyam huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head. “I do not know your people’s dances. I would only ruin the night.”
“You could have asked someone to teach you,” Nirveni replied easily. “A man like you, I doubt anyone would refuse.”
“A man like me?” he echoed, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.
“Charming,” she supplied without hesitation. Her gaze sharpened with interest. “Tell me, do the Omatikaya women line up for you?”
“There are suitors,” Neteyam said.
“Has any of them caught your eye?” She tilted her head, watching him carefully.
“Not yet,” he answered truthfully.
Something quick and bright flashed in her eyes. Curiosity, maybe satisfaction. Then she dropped from the branch above and landed gracefully before him, her feet barely making a sound against the bark. She took two quick steps forward until she stood squarely in his space. Leaning in, she brought her face within inches of his, studying him as if he were something curious she had just discovered.
Neteyam caught the faint scent of forest leaves and smoke clinging to her. His heart stumbled.
“Tell me something,” she murmured, tilting her head slightly, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Are you going to kiss me… or are you going to run away like every other man who’s looked at me?”
The challenge caught him off guard. Neteyam’s ears flattened instinctively, her boldness striking him like a sudden gust of wind.
“Th—there were other men?” he asked, the question slipping out before he could stop it.
Nirveni blinked at him, then gave a small, unimpressed scoff. She straightened and folded her arms loosely across her chest.
“Of course there were,” She turned slightly, one hand resting on her hip, “They looked. They made gifts. Then they vanished before anything could begin.”
Her gaze flicked back to him, sharp and searching.
“Not brave enough, I suppose.”
Neteyam studied her for a breath longer, letting the silence stretch just long enough to feel the weight of her expectation.
Then he lifted his hand. His fingertips brushed a stray braid from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. The touch was gentle and natural.
The challenge in her eyes was replaced by brief surprise.
Her ears snapped upward in surprise, golden eyes widening for a single startled instant before his mouth met hers.
As his lips pressed against hers, she blinked once to register the reality of it. His hand roamed to the small of her back, and his body pressed against hers.
Nirveni hummed against his lips before parting her mouth to allow him in, answering the kiss with a confidence that left no doubt she had expected nothing less.
Neteyam’s confidence matched her level, his tongue teasing against hers once he gained the access. The taste of smoke from the ritual fires lingered on her lips, mingling with the crisp, air freshness that defined her clan. The distant drums fading to the background as he could only focus on how soft she felt in his arms.
She broke away first with a slow, deliberate pull, her golden eyes were half-lidded, pupils blown wide, sparkling with triumph and something softer underneath. Her tail sway, brushing his thigh in a playful swipe before curling loosely around his ankle. A gesture of interest, light and teasing.
“A bold one at last,” she chuckled, her voice low and breathy, lips curling into a smirk. She hooked two fingers into the beads of his choker and tugged him down an inch.
Neteyam blinked down at her. He likes the sound of her saying his name.
“Let’s teach you how to dance,” Nirveni said.
