SwitchBladeRats

Kx’leo awoke like he always did; early and anxious, and he made it everyone else's problem. 

He went around the camp hissing and kicking at the other raiders, giving them their marching orders. 

Kx’leo wanted to be up and in the sky within the hour. His clan mates grumbled, used to his moods and began to stir and prepare for the day's travel. Satisfied that the camp was up, he returned to his Ikran to prepare as well. 

Looking at the huddled form still sleeping on the mat, he saw her begin to stir. Still somewhere in the blissful dreamscapes. Her face contorted as she tried to swallow. 

There was that strange feeling again. He felt guilty. Why?

Standing, he looked through one of his saddle bags to pull out a purple and dark indigo stitched satchel. It was a talim healer's, full of potent medicinal herbs. The kind that did not grow in the ash lands. 

The Raid Captain sat by the fire to get a pot of water boiling and hot stone to cook breakfast for himself, and his captive. True to his word.

As the water boiled he threw a handful of white dried flowers in. The water darkened immediately and a fragrant sweet smell wafted up. It should help numb her throat.

 He remembered a time when he was young and sick, his mother showed him this remedy. When the land was green.  Kx’leo closed his eyes, willing the memories away, choosing to focus on cooking a scramble of Yoten egg and mushroom. 

 The smell and sounds of morning reached Mawn’a. She stirs only slightly, eyes still fluttering. For a moment she could almost believe that yesterday was a bad dream. Then she swallowed. Her throat burned. Even breathing stung.

Movement caught her eyes and she looked over to see Kx'leo placing a sweet smelling cup of tea and a plate of warm food at her side. Her ears pinned, tail thumping in anger at him.

 He only smiled a little sheepishly at her. 

“How did you sleep?” his tail swished behind him as he sat down across the fire from her. 

Mawn’a just glared at him, reaching for the tea. She recognized the smell instantly, Tana’ring. Her eyes snapped to the satchel of No'eng. 

They had spent days together searching for the flowers the last time they visited the Omatikaya. Both enjoying one another's company. When they returned to the ship, he had gifted her a small hand weaved pouch in the colors of her Ikran.

If that satchel was here… Her eyes burned, chest and throat constricting as a fresh set of tears pressed against her eyes. 

“So, what do you usually do in the morning?” Kx’leo asked while fidgeting with his hands. She kept glaring, sipping the tea, letting the warmth soothe her throat. 

He pursed his lips, and clapped his hands as he looked around the cavern awkwardly. Mawn’a reached for the scramble, pulling it closer despite her pride wanting to reject it entirely.

“Well, I slept great,” he huffed as he stood, stretching his hands above his head while returning to his saddle to double check supplies. After putting away the satchel, he pulled out a thin woven cloth. 

Mawn’a tipped her head back, finishing off the tea, but her eyes still burning holes in Kx'leo's back.

“Your face is going to get stuck if you keep glaring like that,” the man rumbled, flicking a playful ear at her, tail swaying. In response her ears pinned to her skull farther, and her glare turned into a full grimace. 

 “Eat quickly, we are leaving soon,” he tsked, leaning back against his Ikran. The large female rumbled happily, excited to be moving. 

Mawn'a scarfed the eggs down, still hungry from last night and unsure when he would feed her again. In the middle of chewing one of her bites, a few raiders walked by. 

A pair cooed at each other, using the pet names Kx'leo had groaned between her legs. The other crudely pantomimed giving head. Mawn'a quickly hid her face, a dark blush stained her cheeks in shame while pulling the blanket closer around her still-bare chest. 

Ancestors she was still completely naked and the whole fuuuuucking cavern was watching last night… 

She was so focused on getting Kx'leo off, she had completely shut out the rest. Clothes and all. It seemed none of them were going to let her forget. 

As the camp packed up around them she'd get the occasional jab or joke thrown her way, making her groan and turn away.

She flicked pleading eyes to Kx'leo. He seemed to revel in the joking, calling back and making all kinds of crude motions. But when he caught her eyes, the laughter died in his throat. She looked mortified, and something in his chest stirred at the realization. As quickly as it came, he tempered it back down.

 “Do not look so sour, Tíyawn” he smiled, squatting down in front of her, “you put on a great show last night!” He hummed while moving to her ankles, hands gripping the yellow cloth still tied there. 

Her body tensed, prepared for another fight, but he only chuckled. “You cannot ride the saddle with bound feet.” 

Reluctantly, her muscles eased as he untied her. 

“Incase I need it close by when we land,” he winked while stuffing the strip of cloth near his hip. Her eyes rolled carelessly in response.

Mawn’a stood holding the thin wool blanket around her as she looked to see where her clothes should be. They were gone.

“Kx'leo,” She prompted, trying to keep her voice even as her ears pinned. “where are my clothes?” 

his ears jumped forward, tail flicking playfully side to side.

“Oh, those old things?” He smirked, “I packed them up already.” He explained as he pulled out the cloth he'd grabbed earlier.

“But you can wear my pxenfyin,” he offered as he shook out the cloth, showing the complex pattern dyed into it.  

Her tail gave a displeased snap, unamused by the revelation. He brought his hands up as if surrendering through a grin, “or,  you can ride naked. I am not against the latter.” 

Mawn’a’s eyes narrowed. Through clenched teeth she hissed, “put the damn thing on.” 

Kx'leo shrugs, almost disappointed in her choice. But he wrapped the cloth around her, crossing it over her chest and tying two ends up and around the back of her neck.

 When Mawn’a looked to the cavern opening, the thought of running only lasted a moment before being cut short by a crude joke, or Kx'leo being a nuisance. He was about as charming as a Toruk.

Kx’leo guided her resisting form to his Ikran, lifting her onto the saddle with ease. As he did so, another raider approached to inform the captain they were prepared for take off. The two spent a second discussing the flight, what winds might take them home the fastest, before the male leaned around Kx’leo with a nasty smile towards his captive.

“Wonderful little show. I might send my pet over to you for lessons.” He cackled while licking his lips. A chill ran down Mawn’a’s spine, wholeheartedly repulsed by the notion. 

“Aarggh, knock it off,” Kx'leo laughed while knocking into the others shoulder with a little more force than was friendly. The other just laughed with him before walking to his own ikran.

“Its not too late. You can kill me now. Leave me with some dignity,” Mawn’a croaked with a flat affect, deadpanned to him, only half joking. To her dismay, he rolled his eyes, continuing to check the saddle straps without urgency. 

“You know what, I'm begging you. Kill me.” she continued, voice monotone. 

“How boring,” Kx'leo huffed, placing his arms on either side of her hips to cage her closer. His head tilted in time with his crooked grin. “Besides, you can beg better than that.” 

She squinted her eyes at him, daring him to continue. 

“You did a much better job last night on your kne–” she kicked his nearest shoulder hard enough to make him erupt in laughter. Unfortunately, It was infectious. She found herself smiling with the sound, unbidden. 

Then, Eytuza and No'eng flashed through her eyes. Gashed throats and hollow eyes. Her smile faltered into horror, ears pinning back.

Kx'leo found his heart flutter about the warm smile that had been on her face. His tail flicked happily behind him, he can't help but think he'd like to be the reason behind it again. But when her face sours, his ears fall flat. 

There it was again. He was getting tired of this ‘guilt’ feeling.

With a deep breath he climbed onto the ikran, slotting himself behind her. A strong arm around her waist pulled her into him before he spurred the Ikran forward. Kx’leo could feel the way Mawn’a moved perfectly with the creature's ascent. even unbonded, these shifts were second nature. She must have been an incredible rider. 

Wind blew through her hair as they exited the cavern. Her eyes narrowed, bracing against the sun as rocky earth stretched beneath them. It was early, but the sun was already promising a scorching day.

Mawn'a looked down to the ground, blurring between dry grass and hardy shrubs. She felt a silent pull. That little feeling of, if she leaned just far enough, all this could be over with. An ash covered arm came up from her waist and rested in the middle of her chest. Grounding her back from the void. Her eyes snapped back to Kx'leo, but he only stared straight ahead. Stoic as stone. 

The flight was long and sure enough hot. It wasn’t long before grass and shrubs gave way to bright white desolate earth, spotted with the black skeletons of once mighty trees. 

They had stopped once to rest and eat in the shade of a gnarled dead tree, and were off far more quickly then any would have liked. But Kx’leo was ready to present his spoils. 

Mawn'a tried desperately to fight her exhaustion, but her eyes grew heavy and her body heavier before she could brace against it. Kx'leo felt her lean deeper into him, and when he looked down, her face had relaxed into the serenity of the void. 

With very little thought, he readjusted her to be more comfortable, secured perfectly between his braced arms and chest. He would let her sleep. It may be the last she gets for a while, if everything goes according to plan. 

Mawn'a was suddenly jerked awake when the ikran landed with a thud. Heart pounding, she frantically looked around at the village before her. Built into the remains of, what must have been, their home tree. 

The sun had just begun to set and braisers and torches were being lit. Nothing else glowed here. The bioluminescents had been burned out of the land, and its people. The longer she looked, the more chilling the environment became.

At the sounds of the landing Ikran, others began poking their heads out of grey leather tents decorated in bone trinkets that clacked in the wind. An array of people came out to meet the returning raid party, helping to unpack the spoils.

Mawn’a noticed two skinny, dim-eyed workers. On their chest, a brand in the shape of an eye was scarred into them. Slaves. Her stomach twisted, nausea threatening to spill through her burning throat. 

A feral pack of children came running through, screaming and laughing. One child ran by Kx’leo swinging at him with a wild cackle. The man dodged easily, and  didn’t hesitate to playfully yank the child's tail, causing them to squeal in delight before retreating. 

“Do… do they have knives?!" Mawn’a gawked, absolutely whiplashed.

“Yes? How else are they going to learn how to wield one?” Kx’leo chuckled back. She simply scoffed in disbelief.

Mawn'a's reply was stopped in her throat when she spotted a heavily pregnant woman waddling away with a heavy sack, being berated by a returning raider as she went. 

“She shouldn't be carrying all that…” the Talim woman murmured, nodding her head so Kx'leo would look, maybe even do something. Kx'leo huffed, raising an eyeridge at her,

“Yeah and what do you know?” 

“I'm a mi–” he cut her off with his hand slapping around the back of her neck.

“Yeah, yeah…” he shakes her into focus and pushes her forward, stumbling at the front of the raid party, hands still tied. He stands tall and proud behind her, an annoying smirk plastered on his face. 

“Time to decide your fate Tíyawn… the tashik may kill you still. So, I might as well enjoy the walk.” He hummed, voice too warm as he pulled at the base of her tail. Just as expected, she whirled in a guttural hiss before he pushed her forward. A few of the raiders closer to them chuckled, taking far too much entertainment in how the man toyed with his prize.

As they walked through the village, Mawn'a witnessed one new horror after another. Totems made of various bones dotted the village as decoration. Some even had Na’vi skulls, charred and split from blades. 

Off to one side was a bone yard of rotting flesh. A group of branded slaves were busy butchering an Ikran. She fought the bile crawling up her throat.

Just past the graveyard of Eywa’s prayers, they entered the village in full. More Mangkwan joined the parade. Kx'leo strode confidently behind the woman, hand firmly on her neck. Some teased her, others inspected her like a prized kill, barking questions to her captor. What are his plans were for her? He smiled and answered as if she wasn't there, as if she had no say. 

“She will bear me strong children if the tashik allows,” he boasted, flexing his free arm. she tries to spin to hiss at him again, but was redirected firmly. 

“See?” He laughs, forcing her straight with a jerk of his hand. 

“She will be a fun one to break,” another chimed in, slender fingers caressing her bare back. Her growl practically vibrated through her, tail snapping to slap at anyone within range. 

Kx'leo, smiling at her discomfort, began bragging about how she had fought during the raid as hungry eyes raked over her.

But as they neared the center where the largest tent sat, surrounded by the hideous totems, conversation died down quickly.  

The mangkwan who were not part of the raiding party stepped away. Kx'leo pushed her a step forward with him. 

“Tashik,” he called, “we have returned with gifts from our raid.” He announced, voice steady and strong. Those behind him bowed, presenting various goods from Mawn’a ship in their hands. 

A single snap of her tail was all the frustration she was allowed to express before a slender woman sauntered out from the entrance of the tent framed by giant jawbones. She was haloed by a red and black headpiece. Yellow eyes, and sharp lines of black and red. The Tsahík. 

Kx’leo pressed a foot firmly to Mawn’a’s knee, forcing her down into a kneel with a grunt. He followed her position, though pushed her face into the hot ash, low with forced respect. 

The woman's cold gold eyes rake over her raiders, accessing the haul. When they land on Mawn’a, who glares up at her with mismatched eyes, she stills after a tilt of the head. 

“Did I not tell you no captives, Kx'leo?” Varang asked coolly.

“You did Tsahik,” he replies head still bowed.

“Then why is there a talim in front of me, breathing?” Her voice held a deadly edge as she gestured at Mawn'a.

“I wish to use her as breeding stock. She is a strong warrior, as I witnessed when she killed four before my eyes. Her blood will make us stronger,” he answered firmly before looking up to his Tsahik, amber eyes filled with pride. Mawn'a's tail snapped, hating how casually he spoke of her darkest moment.

Varang inspected the bowed woman again, noting her muscles and faint scars, hard-won. She looked back to her raid captain, and jerked her head towards her tent with a silent order. 

Kx'leo hauled his prize up by the arm and marched her toward the tent.

“Going well so far,” Kx’leo whispered in Mawn’a's ear as he pushed her into the flaps.

As they passed Varang, she threw her hand up giving a victorious war cry. The village joined in. The air turned jovial at the signal to relax and enjoy the spoils. 

But the air in the tent was charged with a strange energy, from Kx’leo's excitement to the sharp suspicion of Varang. Another man lounged in the furs on the opposite side. He wore strange clothes. A dreamwalker, Mawn'a realized.

The dreamwalker made eye contact with her, then Kx'leo, and lastly Varang as she ducked in. 

“Aw shit, things are gonna get weird aren't they?” The large man said while standing. His accent was strange and stretched words in odd ways that made Mawn'a's ears flick. Varang looked at him fondly as she approached, her hand gliding across his clothed chest. 

“You are always welcome to stay ma Quaritch,” she cooed, her fingers finding his chin. He gave a small smirk as he grabbed her hand, kissing the back of her knuckles.   

“Thank you for the invitation darlin’, but uh,” he glanced again to Mawn'a, who was wide eyed, hands tied, and grimaced “I need to go check in on Lyle, make sure he's not too deep in the hooch.”  He chuckled his excuse, making his exit with haste.

Now alone, everyone's attention snapped back to Varang. Kx'leo once again forced Mawn'a to kneel as he bowed his own head to the ground.

“Tell me… why this woman? When you could, truly, choose anyone in the village to bare your children?” Varang looked down at Mawn'a from her nose. Mawn'a glared back up at her, working through her shock to stay defiant.

 “She was the only woman to ever come close to killing me. It was by sheer luck she didn't,” he diligently replied into the ground.

Varang circled them, fingers tracing across Mawn'a's chest and shoulder. 

“Have you asked her anything about her duties with the Talim…” her finger traced the base of Mawn'a's kuru. She jerked her head away defiantly, pulling against her restraints. Kx’leo held her binds to the floor like he was stone. Varang continues.

“Does she have any other skills outside of being a vessel?”

“No, ma Tsahik. She has not been the most… talkative,” Kx'leo drawls peeking his head up, silently asking permission to sit up. She tilts her head, allowing him to lean onto his heels.

 The curve of a red S blade hooked under Mawn'a chin, forcing her gaze upward. 

“Tell me,” Varang hums as she studies fiery mismatched eyes, “ What of you will stay my blade?”

A muscle under Mawn'a's eye twitches as she glares up at the Tsahik. Then she closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and leans down on the blade. Varang is quick to angle it flat so it does not draw blood. 

“Hmm so, brave?” The Tsahik tsks as she leans down, dropping her blade from Mawn'a's neck to be replaced by her fingers. She angles her face, getting a good look at her up close. 

“No, not brave…” She whispers as she keeps searching. Mawn’a rips her head away with a hiss. A sudden slap stings across her face, shocking her, eyes darting back to the older woman. 

“If you are to leave this tent alive, It will do you well to remember… I will be your Tsahik,” Varang states with venom. Mawn’a's ears pin as she resumes her glaring.

“As I said, not very talkative, Tsahik,” Kx'leo chimes in with a smirk, something like pride blooming in his eyes.

“I do not need her to talk,” she stated simply, a black hand snaking behind Mawna's shoulder to pull her kuru forward. Mawn’a looks to the Tsahik, confusion whirling.

“She will tell me all I need to know,” Varang laments as she reaches for her own Kuru. 

Mawn’a’s eyes widened, a gasp catching in her sore throat as she realizes where this was going.

“No!” She croaks, desperately trying to shift away from the threat. 

“Yes,” Varang hisses, bringing the tendrils together roughly. 

Pain erupts through Mawn'a’s head, traveling down her spine in white hot fury. It feels as if hands are clawing through her mind, scratching at her memories. Flying with her father on his ikran when she was small. Another of her mother, teaching her to weave the rope that the ships rely on. Her mentor, walking her through the steps of labor. For a moment the pain eases as Varang retreats back, surprised.

Images flash in Mawn’a's mind; a black hand on a flat stomach, growing rapidly. but as quickly as it happens, Varang resumes her assault. Now digging into the memories of a midwife of the Talim. 

When the connection is broken, Mawn’a collapses to the ground, breathing hard and curling against the remaining aches. A cold chuckle drifts over her.

“You have brought the clan a true gift in this one Kx'leo,” Varang murmurs, hand landing on top of his head, beckoning him to look up at her. His tail thumped excitedly on the ground at the praise.

“And you will get far more than the honor of her body,” she continued. 

His tail stilled, face wrinkled in confusion.

“She will be your mate.”

Both Mawn'a's and Kx'leo's eyes widen at the announcement. Mawn'a's face immediately turns to disgust, her whole body tensing. Kx'leo lifts one hand, still on his knees and almost pleading with his Tsahik,

“Now let's not get–” the curved blade touched beneath his chin, silencing him.

“Her blood will make your legacy stronger,” Varang smiled with a warmth that did not reach her eyes, “and your bond will tie her to us.” the knife flicked up from his chin with a teasing scrape. 

“Show me you can still follow directions. Secure her there,” her eyes pointed to one of the many hooks in the center of the tent. 

Silently, Kx’leo hauls his woman to a nasty hook, forcing her arms high above her head onto it. Her toes can barely reach the ground, tail lashing for balance, teeth gritted and barred in effort to hold her weight on exhausted muscles. 

He turns back to Varang grimly, waiting for his next order.

“Do not sulk, Kx’leo, it is unbecoming of your status. This is a gift, even after your disobedience,” the Tsahik laughs softly before sitting back on a table, legs falling open. 

“Kneel,” she commands, “and remind me why I even consider keeping you.”

The man takes a deep breath, walking to the woman to kneel between her open legs. Mawn’a eyes flicked to the tent's exit, not liking where this was going.

Varang brings her curved blade behind Kx’leo’s neck, pulling him closer to her core.

“ well…” She drawled, “ undress me.” 

Kx'leo pulled her tweng roughly aside with a cocky smirk, and dove in without hesitation, drawing a gasp from Varang.

The musky smell of arousal filled the tent, along with another faint scent. One Mawn'a had trained herself to recognize. Her eyes snapped to the Tsahik with a silent question. The other woman just smiled, holding her gaze as she leaned back and moaned. 

Mawn'a pulled at her binds, feeling them give only slightly. She dared a glance to the exit once more, very much wanting to not be here. 

Kx'leo looked up to his Tashik as he teased her entrance with a knuckle, spreading her arousal across his fingers. She pulled him closer with her blade, letting it bite into his flesh.

He plunged the finger in, messaging the spot that he knew would make her scream. As Varang began to loudly voice her pleasure,  Mawn'a pulled harder at the binds until she felt the cloth ripping at the edges, hoping her captors were too busy to hear. The balls of her feet were able to comfortably rest on the ground after enough subtle struggling. 

Varang slightly opened one eye, watching the captured woman desperately work her way out of the yellow cloth binds, the frantic motions only adding to her enjoyment of the moment. 

She smiled, feeling her core muscles tighten to her release. She pulled Kx'leo deeper agian, letting her blade draw a trickle of red blood. Knowing she was close, he added a second finger. With a shuddering moan and shaking legs, the Tsahik came onto Kx'leo's eager tongue. 

A snap was heard. Kx'leo head whips around behind to see Mawn’a burst away through the tent flap. He stands with a growl, wiping his mouth crudely, body tensing into action. 

Varang quietly resets her tweng and crosses her legs, tail playfully flicking behind her. Her tongue rolls out lazily to catch a drop of blood from her blade. Cold eyes catch shocked amber and she coos,

“Go fetch your mate, Kx'leo.”

As aways thank you for reading and thank you @switchbladerats for sheperading me threw this lol GO READ HER STUFF AND LIKE HER ART !!

Annoyingly true to his word, in an hour the cave was ice, and Mawn’a was shivering violently. She curled around the rapidly cooling embers. There was no way on the Eywa'eveng she'd ever lay on the same mat with him. The ground bit at her exposed skin.

Tears stung at her eyes. She was angry at him, at this whole fucked up situation, but more so at herself. She should have fought harder. The olo'eyktan had told her she was one of the most promising warriors he'd seen in a long time. But she lost. The thought was bitter. 

When she was captured, she should have tried to escape or even kill herself. But she was a coward. She shook silently with a sob, the tears finally streaking down her face. She deserved to be cold. 

It was something that so many of her people would no longer get to experience. It was one of the many things stolen from Eytuza. Eywa only knows now if her sister and nephew were alive. 

For another half hour, she sat silently shivering and crying on the cave floor until her joints hurt from the cold. She reluctantly sits up to look at Kx’leo. He lies peacefully under his blanket. 

No. 

His eyes open, and a lazy grin on his cheeks.

Her tail thumps the ground. 

Kx'leo had been watching her. Waiting for when she was just cold enough. He saw her nipples painfully hard from the biting breeze. The little gasp she had made when he touched her tail played in his head. 

He was done waiting.

Once her head turned back to the coals he silently rose to a crouch and moved towards her. In a swift motion he wrapped his arms and his blanket around her hunched shoulders. The warmth he brought with him was immediate. She yelped, jumping slightly.

 His arms settled heavy around her, holding her bound hands in his. He pulls her ice cold form into his lap with his head resting on her shoulder. Mawn'a stiffened, she leaned forward, her gut twisting at her wanting to melt into his warmth. She refused to look at him, eyes staring straight forward.

“Your freezing, ma’yawntu… if i let you stay out any longer you may get ill,” his lips found her pulse point and nipped. Her breath caught.

With some struggling he got her to the mat. Despite her being tied, she almost got away from him a few times, twisting her body like a writhing ikran. Spooning her from behind, her head rested on one arm while his other held both of her bound wrists in a fiery grip. He had her tail pinned between his legs, since she'd whipped him several times getting to the mat. The end that was free behind his thighs twitched with annoyance, occasionally slapping the back of his legs.

She felt her skin crawl with just how warm  he felt wrapped around her, and it took all her will power to not melt into him. She started to wiggle, feet scraping uselessly on the mat to push her away. His arms locked like a mooring rope pulled tight.  Softening when she stopped pushing away from him. 

Ever so slowly one of his hands drifted down her back, tracing muscle and leaving a trail of fire, until his fingers reached her tail. She stiffened knowing exactly what he was about to try. A finger brushed the top of it. He heard her gulp and felt the involuntary shiver run up her back. She braced herself, knowing she was about to fight a losing battle with her body.

Smiling, Kx’leo kissed from her ear down to her shoulder, dragging his fangs along her muscle all the while a long finger caressed soft skin on the underside of her tail. She choked back a gasp, choosing to focus on the bite of the cloth into her already raw forearms. Pulling at them, trying to get the pain to override the pleasure.

He felt her pulse pick up through his lips resting on her neck. With a toothy nip to her neck, he wrapped his hand around her tail and gave it a good yank. A strangled moan escaped into the gag, her head falling forward into the mat.

“Dirty, dirty… you like your tail pulled,” he rasped. She turned her face to the mat trying to hide both the blush on her face and a groan.

“No, you do not get to hide,” his arm underneath her head bent so he could grab her chin, forcing her to look at him, thumb pressing into her cheek. He pulls her tail with a sharp tug, then caresses the skin underneath to soothe out the pain. She shuttered, goosebumps running up her arms, and squeezed her eyes shut so she didn't have to see his satisfied grin. 

“Open your eyes, Tíyawn,” he pressed fangs into her shoulder with a silent threat. She shakes her head, fighting him still. He can't help his smile as he bites into her shoulder, drawing blood while giving a good tug down on her tail. Her back arches off his chest as a gasp is ripped from her. Her eyes snapped open. 

She looks up to Kx'leo, eyes pleading with him to stop. He just smiles while caressing her tail. He rested his forehead on hers, sighing as she did her best to keep her body still. Hating how fast he found one of her sensitive spots.

“ if you want me to stop,” he shifted them so that she was laying flat on her back and he hovered over her; one arm bracketing her head while the other rested near her hip. He leaned down, mouth finding the muscle in her neck. A hot tongue rolled over it, sending a flutter through the muscle. He continued, eyes snapping playfully to hers, 

“ Just tell me so.” 

She yelled into her gag knowing the bastard was going to ignore her. He smiled, kissing playfully down from her neck to her sternum. Bound hands pushed uselessly at him, her frustration growing.

“I'm sorry ma’yawntu, I can not hear you,” he chided, pushing her hands up above her head with fluid grace, exposing her chest to him. Right hand pinning her bound wrist above her head effortlessly, while the left playfully walked up her stomach to plant itself next to her chest, holding his weight. Her tail, now free, thrashed angrily between them, slapping his flank. He smiled, her anger only egging him on. 

“Must mean you want me to keep going,” he dipped down, taking a nipple into his mouth, rubbing his tongue around it. He felt like fire wrapped around her cold skin.

Eywa, her back arched on instinct, does he have… a tongue piercing? 

She looked down at him as he let go of her breast with an audible pop. His amber eyes glowing like embers he stared back at her, tongue out, showing her what she was questioning. He slowly licked a hot stripe up between her breasts to bite at her neck again.  

An oblong bone piercing sat in the middle of his tongue, tapered at the end and slightly curved towards the top of his mouth. He came up, staring at her hungrily. She saw two dots of scarification near the tip of his tongue, between the piercing’s entrances. Her eyes rolled back.

Ancestors what have I gotten myself into, she half prayed, half lamented. 

He continued his ministrations with his mouth down her stomach, bone piercing dragging sharp against her skin. She squirmed, trying desperately to get away, hands clenching and unclenching in her binds. Tears welled in her eyes, breaths shaking, hating herself for how her body was reacting to his attention. Her hips stuttered, looking for any kind of friction. Her tewng feeling uncomfortably tight against her skin now.

His arms came down and bracketed her hips as he hovered in the space above her crotch. He looked up at her, and she held eye contact while shaking her head no, tears running down her cheeks. Her arms snapped back down, covering her breasts once again.

Kx’leo just smiled, right hand ticking her hip as a finger slipped under a band of the tewng. Her body went rigged. Mind fighting instinct.

“Do you like this?” He opened his mouth, clinking the piercing against his left fangs, “ I have received high praises for it.”

She pushed her head back on the mat, doing her best to ignore him, tears of shame running hot down the sides of her face.

“You will have to tell me about it when you can speak… or, maybe you will find another way to let me know.” He rumbled through a sick grin with no warmth. 

His finger that hooked under her band gave a sharp tug, undoing her haphazard knot. She tried to scoot away from him, heels scraping in the dirt, but it was more instinct than intent. 

He rose up, sitting back on his heels. The blanket on his shoulders going with him, letting in cold air. Her skin pebbles, drawing a shivering gasp. 

A hand grasps her bound ankles, pulling them up to rest on his right shoulder. She thought about kicking him, but she knew ultimately it didn't matter. This man was going to do what he wanted. And she was tired. 

Tired from grief. Tired from fighting. Tired from traveling. Emotionally and physically, she was done. 

Kx’leo felt the tension melt out of her. He tilted his head curiously, noting her glossy eyes. His grin faltered, slowly fading into a loose scowl. His hands stilled against her thighs, tail snapping behind him in irritation. 

She didn’t react. She just turned her head to the side, focusing on the glowing coals. The way they pulsed with each breath of biting wind. Even her tail had given up its whipping motions. 

How boring. 

Kx’leo resisted a growl. Half the fun of this was the fight. What satisfaction could he possibly receive from a corpse? He pondered for another breath, and then lowered her legs back to the ground. 

The change made her gaze slowly pull back to him, only inwardly shocked by his change of expression. She watched in silence as he lowered his face to her thighs, and kissed. He didn’t bite, or lick. Just a soft kiss that didn’t linger. 

He moved farther up, just over her left hip. Another kiss. 

Her navel. Kiss. 

The valley between her ribs, her collar bone, the bottom of her jaw. Each destination receives a touch far more gentle than she was braced for. Right behind her ear, he whispered. Even his tone had shifted from the hungry predator, to that of a tending guide. 

“Tíyawn,” he rumbled against the shell of her ear. “It is no fun when you submit.”

Her eyes narrowed, ever slightly as they flicked to catch one of his ambers. The edge of his mouth tilted into a smirk. She still did not give him the reaction he craved. 

He raised over her face again, one hand reaching up carefully to cup over her cheek. A rough thumb swiped beneath her eye to interrupt the path of dribbling tears. She didn’t even blink. 

A dramatic sigh left his lips as he tilted his head, mock pout spreading across his features for a moment. 

“Perhaps we can come to an agreement.” He said softly. 

Her eyes met his again. The smallest spark of hope rekindling. 

“Let yourself enjoy this, or at least pretend.” She looked away, her face returning to look at the smoldering embers. The hand on her cheek lowered a fraction to hook a finger under her chin, drawing her back to him. 

“Do this, and I will feed you. Warm you.” His eyes drifted over her face, down to the swell of her breast between them. 

“If you make it convincing, I will not bother you for the rest of the night. You have my word.” 

Her brows knitted together, and he smiled, catching the remark without words. 

“I am aware my word does not mean much to you at this moment. But, it should. I may hurt you, but have I lied to you yet?” 

The smile he had as he said it was repulsive. But… it was true. He backed his threats up with action. She knew that much. When he said no one would touch her, she had a front row seat to what happened when someone tried to break that oath from him. In some sick and twisted way, she could trust him. Somewhat. 

But bigger than the trust, was need. Mawn’a’s stomach ached from lack of a meal. Her joints already stiff from the short moments in the cold. And the exhaustion… the promise of undisturbed rest in itself was mouth watering. 

He could see her contemplate. The far away haze in her eyes as they searched his face for truth. 

“Do we have a deal?” He hummed, face dipping just slightly closer. 

Her ears flicked back, mind still screaming. No, resist. Fight. Do anything else…

Mawn’a nodded. Slowly. Another hot tear dragging down her temple. 

Kx’leo grinned, and angled his face up to kiss the tip of her nose. Still tender. 

“Good girl. Let us try this again, yes?”

Before she could muffle an answer into the cloth, his face was pressed against her chest. His entire body hardened back into the threat it was before, moving with a refueled mission. 

Again, teeth scraped across the soft flesh of her stomach. She let herself sigh from the pressure as he traveled back down the way he came, but this time, biting and sucking purple marks where he lingered. 

As he nears her tewng she brings her legs up,  willingly placing them on his shoulder. Her tail tapped the ground anxiously. Tired eyes make an effort to look at him, still hazy but at least there. He smirks, sitting up. Rough hand caressing her outer thigh.

“Much better Tíyawn,” he teased. She deadpanned him and just huffed resting her head back against the mat.

He chuckled darkly, his hand going lower ghosting over her leather covered core. She squeezes her eyes shut as her hips roll to meet it. Thumb hooking into the top of her loose tewng, he let the next roll pull it down.

She gasps into the gag as cold air hits her slick. A new wave of shame hits her, strangling her heart. Tears continued to roll down her cheeks as a long finger plunges into her without warning, drawing out a short wine. 

His thumb finds her clit and draws lazy circles. Mawn’a's hips move with him, her breaths getting shorter.  She closes her eyes, shutting down her mind and forcing her body to just feel. He hooks his finger up into the spongy part of her walls, making her moan, her legs pushing down on his shoulder, allowing her to arch her back.

Kx’leo is mesmerized by the woman falling apart from his hand. He watched as a soft purple blush creeped its way from her cheeks down onto her chest. He pulled his hand away suddenly, making Mawn’a whine into the gag, snapping her head to look at him.

“Very convincing…” he smiles, licking her from his finger with a pleased exhale. Her chest just heaves, watching him, trying to figure out his next move. 

With a snaking motion he brought her tied ankles into his closet hand, holding the yellow cloth wrapped around them. He pushed her legs until her knees were almost touching her chest. Her ears pinned and she groaned from the stretch, her tail snapped once, loud and frustrated.

“Be a good girl and hold these for me,” Kx'leo grinned, waiting for her bound hands to wrap around the bindings on her ankles. As she complied, his hands ran down the back of her powerful thighs to cup her ass. One cheek for each hand lifting her from the ground just enough to admire flush folds.

She was fighting with her mind to just remain calm and feel, but what she was feeling right now was exposed. Looking out past their little piece of the camp she could feel eyes on her. Her ears flicked hearing a few moans as well from the other side of camp. Misty eyes landed on where Pxiut had been. 

The mangkwan woman locked eyes with Mawn’a, then closed them with a moan as one of her hands squeezed a breast, and the other touched herself under tight leather. 

Mawn’a's tail curled to cover herself, mind and heart racing. Kx'leo let out a low growl of warning. Her eyes just snapped up to him, pleading. For what, she wasn't sure.

“Let them watch, Tíyawn. It was a hard raid. Give them a good show,” his eyes glinted and his smile was all fangs as he lowered himself, tongue hanging out like a panting Ikran. Her breaths came fast, her chest and ribs uncomfortably pushing into her legs. 

His chin pushed her tail away, ignoring how it anxiously flicked. He started a broad, slow, teasing lick from her opening and up to her clit, bone piercing pushing on her folds bringing a pleasant sting to the whole sensation. She gasped, pushing her shoulders down into cold ground.

Eyes never leaving her face, he sucks at her sensitive nub. Watching every little twitch, and stuttering breath ripped from her as he slowly worked her with his tongue. Figuring out what made her squirm the most. 

There. 

 He couldn't help the smug grin as he ground his piercing into the base of her clit and pushed a finger into her, hooking it up to hit that one spot. She screamed through the gag, tail thumping against his ribs.

He was relentless, and the more she moaned and the more her muscles coiled for her release,  the harder he worked her until…

Kx'leo heard her yell ‘fuck’ clearly through the gag as her walls spasmed around his finger. She fell apart as her orgasm washed over her. Her legs falling around Kx’leo’s head and shoulders as her back arched far off the ground. 

Pausing for a second, Kx'leo watched as her eyes came back into focus and her breathing started to even out, then, without mercy; he ate at her again.

She yelped. Bound hands pushing at his bald head and thighs closing, trying to get him off. He growled, ripping his hand from her to pry her thighs as open as they could go against the restraints. 

He could hear her muffled pleas for him to stop, to give her a minute, turning into whimpers and gasps. Then into long, drawn out moans, stopping with choked sobs.  

Each new sound or plea only drove Kx’leo deeper into his lust. Slowly his hips rutted into the ground. Seeking any kind of friction to ease his growing tension. 

He released one hand from her thigh, bringing it down to hook back into her walls.  Messaging the spot that made her see stars. She screamed, feeling her second orgasming coming fast. He growled into her heat. 

The vibration was enough to put her over the edge. Her loud moan was cut with a choking gasp as her whole body trembled, leaving extra slick to dribble down Kx'leo chin and hand. He opened his eyes to watch her almost pained expression as he made her cum again, but this time he did not pause. 

He licked her through her release savoring her juices flowing down his chin. Keeping  the same punishing pace with both his mouth and hand.  Growling and groaning muffled praises to her as she shook her head, tears streaming down her face. The raider was still humping shamelessly into the ground.

Mawn'a felt like her soul was being sucked straight out of her clit, as scared tongue and piercing rolled over it. At his point all she could do was cry in broken gasps, her legs shaking from the unyielding pleasure. Her nails scratched red lines into his scalp. 

She shook her head, ears pressed flat, thighs pushed down on his shoulders, tears flowed down her cheeks. Still trying to wiggle away from him, he added a second finger, increasing the pressure. She cursed into the gag.  His tongue and fingers working as a devastating team to make her cry and shudder, her hips moving at every bit of contact.

Her heart felt like it was going to explode, throbbing painfully in her chest. With no warning, her body spasmed, and her world went white.

Kx’leo heard her give something between a scream and a groan before her whole body snapped tight. He slowed both his tongue and fingers, opening one eye to her; her eyes had practically rolled to the back of her head while her body trembled.  He smiled, bringing his head up and letting his fingers guide her through the aftershocks. 

Her body relaxed, turning to jello. Chest heaving trying to catch her breath. Her mind is hazy and slow.  Her head lulls turning toward Kx'leo. He in turns locks eyes with her licking his fingers. Pupils blown. 

“My turn,” he growls, throwing her legs from over his head, and standing. Without giving her time to think, he grabbed her bound arms pulling her to her knees. He towered above her with the confidence of a mountain. Looking down his nose at her, he smiled. 

She sat on her heels, tail curled close to her hips defensively. Her eyes peered up at him with a shaken disposition. She could still feel sensitive pulses in her core, and the weak throb of tired muscles as she sat. 

His tewng tented right in front of her face, and she tried to get her mind to accept what he was asking. She did not have to think very hard to see it happening. 

With one foot, he nudged her knees wider apart with a pleased grumble. He wanted to watch her drip at the sight of him.  Then, he untied her gag. 

Mawn’a briefly stretched her jaw, almost missing the safety that the fabric gave her in hiding her shame. Her eyes returned to his face when a finger tilted her chin up to meet his gaze. 

“Well, are you going to undress me?” He hummed.

With shaky hands she reached up to where the knot sat on his hips, before she could pull it loose Kx'leo stopped her. She wrinkled her brow in a silent question. He just held up a finger then bent to the mat looking for something. When he stood again he held one of his obsidian knives in his left hand.

“If you bite,” he wrapped her kuru around his hand, the knife pressing from below, “ I will cut.” 

She flicked her eye ridges up and tilted her head sarcastically.

 “Now, where were we…” he drawls with a rough yank to her kuru. She takes a steading breath, slowly coming back into her body, before reaching her hands up again  for the knot.

Just get this done with Mawn’a, she thought to herself pulling the leather down. His cock sprang free. Her heart sank and she closed her eyes.

Eywa, If he is going to have piercings here, could he at least be smaller? For fuck sakes!

She opened her eyes,  frowning, to inspect him, trying to figure out how she was going to do this without hurting herself.  He was large, and that was fine, her problem was the 3 piercings underneath his head running down his shaft. horizontally, shaped the same as the one in his tongue.

“As much as I enjoy the admiration,” Kx’leo shifts his hips forward, his tip pushing into her lips, “you have a favor to return.”

Her eyes got big as she looked up at him. She turned her head away,

“Wait you should–” he didn't let her finish.  His free hand grabbed her braid and he shoved himself into her mouth, piercings and all. She felt the bones scrap across her tongue. She gagged when his tip hit the back of her throat, tied hands flying up to his legs to push him off out of reflex.

“ Relax your throat,” he gritted through his teeth, holding her head where she was despite how she pushed and gagged, “and breathe from your nose.” He thrust the rest of his cock down the throat, the piercings pricking, making her eyes water. She stilled, trying to adjust. Her throat was on fire. Tears and snot began running down her cheeks and chin.

“Fuck,” he groaned, “would you look at that.” his left thumb caressed the bulge he made in her throat, while still holding her kuru at knife point.

He began slowly thrusting into her, savoring the feel of her wet mouth. Every drag of the piercings against her was agony. She doubted if she'd be able to even speak tomorrow.

He'll leave you alone after this. Just get the bastard off.

She tried to look up at him, eyes watering, then hallowed her cheeks. She earned a groan. His hands drifted to either side of her head, holding her in place as his thrusts began to pick up a rhythm.

She squeezed her eyes shut, focusing on getting her throat to relax and take her breaths when he pulled out enough. Her hands came back up to cup his balls, letting his own motions do the work for her. He hissed and threw his head back, fucking into her face in earnest groaning out broken praises.

Choked sobs made their way out of her as she swore the little pieces of bone were making her bleed. His finger tightens on the side of her head and she feels the base of his shaft starting to swell.

Oh thank fuck! His knot is showing, She silently celebrates, not all of her tears from the pain. She drops her hands from his balls and goes to work on his slowly swelling bulb. Ready to be done and asleep. 

He stops and pulls out of her mouth with a pop, breathing hard and eyes clamp shut concentrating on getting his body back under control. 

Mawn'a looks up at him with green and blue eyes, hazy and confused tongue hanging from her mouth. His heart stutters a second. She almost looks sad. He feels… bad… for stopping? His ear pin back confused

No, he takes a deep breath, I want more. But something about that look from her…

She waits a second for him, seeing him have some kind of internal struggle, before she reaches for him, grabbing him roughly above his knot. Pulling him down back to her mouth.

Kx'leo jerks a bit shocked out of his struggle by warm hands,

“Now… hey! whoa,” he pulls her back by her kuru and snaps his hips back. She glares up at him, and gives one furious snap of her tail. 

“Now let's remember who's in charge here,” he holds up her kuru, knife still pressed to it, voice sounding a little more shocked than he intended. She gave him the most sarcastic eyes he'd ever seen.  He narrows his and pulls her kuru lightly. Her eyes close and she sighs with bliss. 

Wiya, he curses mentally.

 A few yips and curses ring out from the camp around them, a few more even encouraging the captive to take over. One voice rings out,

“ Do not stop now! I am so fucking close!” others yell in agreement.

Kx’leo rolls his eyes at his horny clan mates.

“ You hear them Tíyawn?” He looked down at her. She sat, back arched so that her ass and tits poked out. Her mismatched eyes stared up to him like he was the only one in the world, cheeks tear stained; snot and drool still running down her chin. It took everything for him to not shove back into her. She waited for him to continue .

“ I took my time with you. The least you could do is return the favor… lets see your tongue," he growled. Her tongue folded out of her mouth as she stared into his eyes. Never breaking eye contact, she slowly licked her way from his base to his pulsing head, paying special attention to the three piercings as she passed. 

Reaching the very tip, she swirled around it with her tongue, her hand reaching for his dick again. This time only to steady it as she played with his head. Kx'leo hissed in pleasure. 

“Fuuuck,” his shoulders dropped as he rolled his neck, “ you have done this before. More than a few times,” he resists snapping his hips forward when she cautiously takes him in her mouth again, her tongue wrapping around the bottom of his shaft. 

“Maybe I should share you with the rest,” his right hand sits on the top of her head. A few of the onlookers snicker and groan at the statement.

Does this man ever shut up if his mouth is not full? Mawn'a thinks, ears pinned.

Her tongue swirls around him as she hollows her cheeks, doing her best to keep the suction tight. He groans as his hips begin to stutter. She takes a deep breath and lets him jam himself back down her throat. 

The moan that comes from him is down right pathetic. Like a natang in heat, she thinks.

“Shit,” he grits out, “no… no I do not think I will.  This pretty little throat is mine.” he grabs both sides of her head again, jamming himself to the hilt. Right thumb feeling the bulge he makes with every thrust. His tail swishing wildly behind him. 

Mawn’a would have rolled her eyes if she wasn't fighting for her for her life with those fuck ass pericings. She was definitely not going to be able to talk in the morning. 

“Tíyawn, I'm close…” he moans above her. She pops off of him and lays her tongue out flat. Bounds hands reaching for his knot. He curses as her warm hand encircles it, gently rubbing and adding pressure. She looks up at him through clumped eyelashes. 

Stop dragging it out and cum already you bastard. She curses him out in her head while making sad begging eyes at him.

He groans,

“What a fucking pretty way to beg for me.” His right hand comes down and rubs his shaft to add friction where her bound hands can not. 

“show me how bad you want it sevin,” he smirks, pathetically, at her. Staring him dead in the eyes she moans, throat on fire, and squeezes his fully swelled knot. 

He grunts as he shoots his load down her throat. What he didn't expect, was for her to latch back on to him and suck. Swallowing as much as she could. He curses, his legs weak, and ears ringing. 

He stands hunched over her while trying to regain brain function. She releases him with a crude pop. Kx’leo watches as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hands, eyes still glaring dangerously.  Her bound hands gathered the blanket that had pooled around his ankles, trying her best to drape it over her own shoulders. Without much grace, she dropped down and rolled into place on the sleeping mat. No longer having the patience to deal with her bindings. 

He can’t help an amused smile when she turns her back, tail snapping against the sleeping mat in her disdain. 

Her body stills after a few steadying breaths. Asleep, finally. Or at least pretending. 

Fuck, he thinks watching her with raised eye ridges, still catching his breath. she really wanted that rest. 

A few of his clan mates cheer out around him, yelling jabs and jokes. He bends down and grabs his tewng from the ground.

“ That's enough out of you lot!” He throws his hands at the audience. “ we need to make it home by sun down tomorrow. We will be rising before the sun.”

More than a few groans rang out in the cavern at that revelation. He shook his head at their antics while putting on his clothing. 

A man of his word, Kx’leo sunk down with his back leaning against his ikran. He looked over to the sleep form of his pretty little captive with a grin. 

She is an interesting one…

They flew late into the evening until lush forests gave way to desolate rocky mountains. The wind bit at Mawn'a and she subconsciously leaned deeper into the warmth behind her. Kx’leo subtly curved around her, giving her more shelter from the wind. 

They circled the peak of a mountain then descended down into a large cavern. A regular stop for many returning raiders. Kx'leo landed deeper into the cavern, closer to the springs that run through. He was excited at the prospect of a wash. 

He hated the feeling of dried blood and mud on his skin. It was both sticky and restricting in his movements in a way that made his skin crawl. And not to mention, the smell.

With a thud, he jumped from his ikran, looking up to his captive. She sat there unmoving. Just staring ahead, eyes empty. He patted her closest leg to encourage her down. Her body moved on instinct. Landing gracefully from the ikran despite her arms still being bound. 

He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him. Her eyes focused on him out of instinct only. They were dull, the light he saw fighting her, dimmed and hidden. He sighed. A new and strange feeling for him… guilt?

No. She is only tail, to bear children… but at the very least, I can find respect if we are to share blood. 

With hands far too gentle, for a man who had disemboweled another mere hours ago, he led her into the back of the camp. A small pool of clear water came into view. It was just deep enough that they could sit and submerge their shoulders.

Kx'leo reached a blood stained hand out, caressing Mawn’a’s cheek. Her eyes flicked towards the touch. He smiled sweetly, fangs just peaking through.

“Come,” he leaned his head toward the pool, “let us clean from the day. I will help with your clothes.”

Mawn’a body obeyed, too exhausted to fight, but her mind raced. She felt the raider's hands ghost across her skin, figuring out how her outfit was twisted onto her.  Her instincts told her to fight, to jerk away, do anything, but the void in her head was too much. Body and mind remained disconnected.

Somewhere faraway, she was a little surprised he didn't just rip her clothing to shreds. Instead, infuriatingly gentle hands pulled off clothing and accessories. Putting each into an organized pile near the water. 

Against her will, a small bit of appreciation welled in her chest. 

Her tail snapped when, after removing her waist wrap, his hand came back for the ties of her leather riding tewng. Her body and mind finally agreed; that was the line.

Kx'leo smiles thinly at the little bit of fight reigniting in her. One hand holds her binds, pulling them harder into raw skin, while the other reaches again for her last covering. Eyes holding hers in a dare. 

Her mind swims and her body goes taunt. She doesn't want whatever cruel fate he has planned for her. She needs to fight, hiss, or do anything to resist this... Death would be better.

Kx'leo sees her thoughts winding up and twists the leather bindings, forcing a gasp of pain from her as his other hand deftly undid her tewng. Wiya, the disconnected part of her mind thought.  She hissed half heartedly as he pulled the leather away. 

 With a hand snaked around to her back, splayed between her shoulder blades, he pulled her into his chest. He sighed, relishing in the touch of her bare skin against him. He brought his head down, breath ghosting on her ear,

“Do not be brave.”

Eytuza’s last moments flashed through her tensed body. Then Kx'leo, with his hand wrapped around her, felt the fight bleed out of her. With a wobbly breath her shoulders dropped, and her tail went limp. He smiled into her cheek giving it a chaste peck.

“Good girl,” he murmured. She scowled against the gesture. 

He dropped his arms from her and stepped back to work on his own simple tewng. It quickly dropped from his hips to be folded and placed beside her clothing. Without much thought her eyes roamed him. Noting two bone rings, pierced into each side of his scrotum. 

Ancestors, how many of these fucking things does he have? Again a distant part of her thought.

Kx’leo stepped down into the pool, the water resting just above his knees. He turned back and offered a hand to help her step in. She silently refused, stepping into what was thigh deep water for her.

 She closes her eyes to appreciate the cool water on her sore muscles, when big hands turn her. She snaps her eyes open, to look at Kx'leo, her lips thin and her ears pinned back. Infuriatingly to her, he seemed charmed by this.

“I am going to untie these,” he grabs the bindings with one finger, looking her in the eyes he continues, “ Remember where you are. And if you try to run…” he let the threat hang in the air watching with malicious glee as her mind ran with it, imagining what he may do.

Slowly holding her eye contact he undid the binds. She couldn't help the sigh that escaped her when the leather slipped from her raw skin. She rolled her wrists, releasing some tension. 

Kx’leo held both her hands in each of his, bringing her arms out to finally enjoy the whole view. Amber eyes slowly look over her, memorizing every curve of muscle and how her tanhi twinkle in the dim light. The swirling of her stripes coming down to accentuate the slight curve of her breasts. 

He feels himself getting excited, and takes a deep breath. Best to bathe first he tells himself. Noticing his… growing… excitement, Mawn’a quickly turns and ducks into the water. While he walks by to the edge of the pool to reach into a pouch by his tewng. He pulls out a few small berries and a rag. She recognizes them as washing bells. A plant that grows in the old home of the Olangi clan.

He crushes one of the little red berries into the rag while dipping it into water so that it begins to sud. Slowly he starts to wash off mud and blood, glad to be gone of its stickiness and stench, letting the spicy smell of the berry settle on him instead. 

Mawn'a watches him silently as grey blue skin is revealed from under the ash paint. Several prominent scars catch the dim light drawing attention to lithe muscles. Any other situation and I might have actually been attracted to him, she muses bitterly. 

He notices her staring and raises his eyeridges suggestively. She shoots daggers at him and turns away. Earning a laugh from her captor. 

While he washes, Mawn'a lets herself just sink into cold water. Relishing how it numbs both her aching body and heart. She closes her eyes letting the day's events replay. She feels tears sting again. How does one even process this, she hugs herself sinking deeper into the water. 

She jumps and spins, splashing water in an arc when a warm hand touches her back. Kx'leo looks at her one hand raised where it was touching her back, holding the rag with a fresh berry. Her chest heaves and her legs shake from exhaustion.

“Mawey. Let me wash you,” he hummed, deep voice temptingly inviting. She hugs herself tighter looking down into the water. He sighs, frustrated, and pulls her to him. 

“You smell,” he chides, rubbing the cloth on her back. Her ears pin flat and her tail gives a twitch of annoyance. He snorts, cleaning lower. When he gently brushes her tail she stifles a gasp. His hand pauses making a mental note. Then continues softly scrubbing back up to her shoulders and neck.

He turns her to face him and grabs one of her arms to wash. She hesitates,  body stiffening. His eyes snap to her once in warning, she goes limp letting him continue.

Kx'leo diligently washes her with a reverence and softness she could not comprehend. When he got to her face tears began to fall. She was confused and upset by this sudden softness. He cooed and wiped away the tears with water.

“Sit on the ledge,” he ordered in a whisper. Numbly, she obliged. He scrubs both legs, making himself swoon while looking at the blushed folds of her cunt. He licks his lips, wondering what she tastes like. Now is not the time, he reminds himself knowing if he started that he would not stop. And not wanting to earn more of the Tsahik's wrath, he ushered her back into the water to rinse. 

It felt better to be clean. To have the days grime washed away, even if the grief and fear stays rooted in her chest. She looked at her clothes, frowning. She almost thinks about speaking when, as if reading her thoughts, Kx’leo moves through the water towards her,

“Here, rinse your clothes,” he collected both their things and turned back to her, “use the berry for the stubborn stains.” 

He placed a berry in her hand and stepped away to clean his own clothes. She looked down at her colorful clothes; stained with violence that would not come out, but at least they would fade. Holding back more tears, she got to work scrubbing the blood of her home out of her clothing.

Once both were done with their task they went to leave the spring. Kx'leo stepped out and opted to put his leather tewng on, knowing it would dry better on his body. 

Mawn'a hesitated at the edge of the pool, again remembering the other raiders milling about the camp. Her body froze, and her eyes flicked up to her captor. 

He noticed the way she jolted still, looking up to him with wide mismatched eyes. His heart fluttered, and he smirked. Offering a hand, he pulls her up into him, his free hand curling possessively into her braids.

“ None of them will touch you, unless I allow it. You are mine. And I do not share,” he growled in her ear. A shiver ran down her spine that didn’t match the deep frown on her lips. He took a deep breath and continued, “you should at least put on your tewng while the rest dries.”

She nods while he steps back, giving her space. With shaking hands, she quickly tied her under layer on, feeling even minutely less vulnerable. She took the time to gather her trinkets and accessories at that moment. 

Her finger glides over a pearlescent shell on a bracelet, a Metkayina woman had gifted it to her after they had shared the night. She had winked, handing it to her, hinting at excitement for the flotilla's return. She didn't want to leave that day. Her stomach ached and her throat burned.

Kx'leo clears his throat, snapping her back to her horrid reality. She looks at him, wet clothes and her few remaining memories from a life she lived, only hours ago, clutched to her chest. Her captor jerked his head silently demanding she follow as he strode confidently back to his Ikran. She jogged to catch up. Doing her best to keep her tail from curling between her legs.

She felt the camp's eyes boring holes into her back.  Each set held different intentions. A shiver ran down her spine. She did her best to not think about what those were.

Right as they got back to the Ikran another called Kx’leo’s name, his ears pinned and his tail snapped in annoyance. He stared hard at Mawn'a and hissed, 

“Stay.” Pointing at the ikran. She pressed her back into the creature, trying to be small. To the creature's credit, it cooed and opened a wing for her to sink into. She petted her side, watching the imposing female close her eyes, melting at a gentle touch.

“How long do you think it will last?” a rough woman's voice made her ear twitch. She looked to her left with just her eyes. Two raiders, one woman and one man, stood a few meters away from her and the ikran. Staring intensely.

“Do you think he intends to break her?” The man gave a nasty smile. Then licks his lips, “maybe he'll let me help.”

Mawn’a presses deeper into the ikran's wing. Trying her best to disappear into the beast.

“Please, he'd snap your neck for even suggesting,” the woman barked back. Then quieter, stalking around so that Mawn’a would have to turn her head into the ikran avoid her,

“I wonder how long until the hope rots out of her.”

“Ahh she'll learn her place quickly," the man waved his hand dismissing her. Mawn'a continued to pet the ikran doing her best to ignore them.

“You think she'll last the night?” The man squatted down, tail flicking back and forth playfully. 

“If she doesn't, I'll be disappointed,” the woman answered, “he likes his play things durable.” Her tail snapped at the last word, fangs glinting.

“She hasn't begged yet,” the man mused, almost disappointed.

“Let him work,” it was the woman's turn to be dismissive. “they always do,” she said casually, like she was discussing where animals like to graze.

“She's too quiet," the man tilted his head, still squatting, still watching. 

“No, no… listen,” the woman puts a hand behind her ear and playfully leans towards Mawn’a a bit, “ she's still hoping.” 

The pair snickered. Mawn'a ears pinned to her skull, anger flaring.

“Who do you think of sevin?” Mawn’a’s eyes snap up to the woman at the question. The woman grins at the attention and continues mocking, lowering herself down like she is going to pounce, “who do you hope is coming for you?”

“We'll kill them too!” The man boasted.

Right as Mawn'a opened her mouth to hiss. A deeper rumble sounds from next to her—  and it wasn't the ikran. 

All three heads snap to Kx'leo. Making eye contact with the woman, he hisses menacingly, tail snapping behind him. 

The man immediately pins his ear in submission, slinking back behind the woman. She stands her ground, ears held forward and body forced to look relaxed. 

“Who gave you permission to be back here Pxiut?” He growled and looming forward. She fluttered her jaw. With a long slow blink she spoke.

“Varang tells us no captives, and yet?” She raised a palm towards Mawn’a, passing the quiet yet dangerous question.

“You have no right to question my decisions,” he stands tall with a cocky grin, “ after all, Varang chose me to lead, over you.” 

The woman hissed again, body tensing.

“What happens to her is between the Tsahik and I,” Kx'leo continued, voice low and holding an edge of promised violence, “go back to your sleeping mats. Now.”

The woman glared, first at Mawn'a, then looked past Kx’leo, going to bump her shoulder into him as she passed. His hand caught her throat. He squeezed hard enough to make her gasp. His eyes were cold as he spoke, “this is your warning Pxiut. Test me, and I will kill you,” he relaxed his hand letting her take a shuddering breath, “ you are well aware that I need no blades to do so.” 

They watched the pair rush to the opposite side of the cavern. The woman's, Pxiut, tail lashed the whole way until they settled around a small fire with others laughing. A few reached up, slapping the twos backs while others pointed, laughing harder.

Kx'leo just growled until they were back at their fire.

No one will touch what is mine. 

He forgot to think about the fact he had shared his play-things before. 

 His posture stayed tense as he he sat down legs criss crossed, tail flicking behind him. 

“There are 3 jars of paint in the saddle bag above you. Bring them.” he pointed. Mawn'a stared at him. Debating on her next move.

“Say please,” her voice was husky from the days grief but the sarcasm still came through.

Kx’leo whole body stilled tail mid-sway,

“What?”

She brought her chin up. Maybe the anger made her brave. 

“ Say please.” she repeated sing songish. The raid leader blinked his eyes purely out of shock. This woman has not spoken for hours. Her home lies burned. And she chooses to tease? He thinks. 

Mawn'a watches, unmoving and intently, with cold eyes.

He closes his eyes briefly, a grin growing on his face. His eyes dark when they opened, 

“What did I tell you about being brave, Hmm?”

She met his eyes with a glint in her own. Neither move for a second, waiting on the other. Breaking the tension with a disappointed sigh, Kx’leo stands. As he approaches, Mawn’a closes her eyes, bracing for pain, flinching into his ikran. 

She cracks an eye when, instead of the pull on her kuru, she only felt his heavy presence block her in. Looking up, she sees him staring down, digging through his saddle bag. Unable to help it, she exhaled when he stepped back holding the three stone jars of paint.

Unceremoniously he plops himself down a few strides away, and opens the paints.

“There is wood over there,” again he pointed to a spot not far away, “ will you gather some for a fire?”

A question. Not an order… I can live with that, she thinks knowing that saying no is still not an option.

She nods and forces herself to straighten as she grabs a few logs and starters. Setting about building a fire, she watched Kx'leo apply his paint meticulously. He applied the gray ash paint from the largest jar spreading it across his whole body, using a stick and spongy plant to decorate places he could not reach. 

As she set about getting the fire going with some flint she found near the pile, he was applying the red to his arms, shoulder and neck, letting the end frame his sharp jaw.

The fire grew steady as she hung her clothing to dry, also giving a bit of a privacy screen between her and the rest of the camp. She could see everyone still, but it was something. 

By the time she had hung the last piece, the now violence stained yellow cloak, Kx'leo was applying the last color, black. She sat across from the fire, relishing the warmth. Kx’leo eyed her as he painted a black armband on his left arm to frame several bone rings. His ears drooped a little.

“How old is your son?” He tried to ask conversationally, but sounded more morose than anything.

“My— what now?” Mawn’a ears perked up in shock.

“Your son? When I,” he cleared his throat sheepishly, “ you know… you uh, said he had a son…?”

“My Sister's mate,” Mawn’a felt something dangerous break in her. Kx’leo’s ears jumped up.

“ when you killed. My Sister's. Mate,” she growled, standing.“ What, you can't even admit that you killed him! You disemboweled him!” She yelled. 

She has a point… strange. He thought for a moment, before the revelation settled more securely. 

The camp became deathly quiet. A few raiders looked worried, some surprised, most were just entertained.

“You are not claimed?” Kx’leo asks quietly, joining her to stand.  She throws her hands up.

“ what, no?! You thought,” horror dawns on her face, “you though Eytuza was my… AND YOU DID THAT?!” She rounds the fire, getting ready to fight him again when he suddenly sweeps her up into his arms. 

“That is wonderful news, ma yawntu!” He cackled as he spun her. Mawn'a was shocked for a second, then the anger bled through. Her chest burned.

“I AM NOT YOUR ANYTHING! YOU SON OF A BITCH! PUT ME DOWN!” She yelled fist pounding hard into his shoulders. He just laughed as if her hits were nothing, even though angry red welts were forming.

“ FUCK YOU!” she continued to hit and kick trying to break free from his grasp. 

Kx'leo just smiled. She is unmated! This is going so much better than I’d hoped! 

She broke from his grasp and tried to run to the exit of the cave. She made it as far as her yellow cloak before he was on her, grappling her to the ground. 

Quickly, he had her straddled by her waist with her hands pinned in one of his above her head. She hissed and continued fighting, on the verge of breaking free. He reached for the nearest thing, her cloak, and used his teeth and free hand to rip a long strip off. Her mother had made her that for completing her Iknimaya. Her eyes stung  as tears began falling again.

“You son of a bitch!” She hic upped as he tied her hands tightly with the cloth. He ripped another long strip. “ I'll kill you,” she half growled and half sobbed, trying to twist away. He moved down to her legs, binding her ankles like it was second nature.

“I will fucking kill you!” She strained as hard as she could against the ties. He smiles at her and rips another two thick strips, enjoying her tears and anger. 

“ I think we have disturbed the camp enough, ma yawntu,” he bent down, grabbed her face and stuffed the strip of her yellow cloak into her mouth using the other to secure it around her head. She screamed into the gag furiously, but subdued.

Kx’leo picked her up and carried her to his sleeping mat, placing her down gently on the thin blankets. Then he sat next to her to finish his painting. 

“Did I miss any spots?” He asks, trying to look at his back. She glares at him. 

He shrugs and moves to the fire. Cooking himself a meal. The rich smell of meat wafts over to her and her stomach growls. Kx'leo looks back at her.

“If you want some, speak up now.” He smiles, bringing a hand up to his ear, waiting for her. She bites the gag and looks past him, ears pinning to her head. 

“Suit yourself,” he turns back to cooking, tail wagging.

After his meal of just meat, he stretched his arms over his head, and checked that his paint was dry. Satisfied that it will stay, he turned the log off of the fire so that just coals burned. With a swagger, he walked back to her on the mat. 

Sitting next to her, he simply caresses her jaw, looking lovesick. Her tail hits the mat in irritation and she jerks her chin away. He chuckles and shuffles underneath the blanket. His arm stayed up as he patted the mat with the other. Without words, he knew she had told him to drop dead, by her glare alone. He gave a mock frown and held his hand up.

“As you wish. Though,” his eyes rake over her almost completely naked body, “it gets cold up here pretty quick."

She turns her back to him, goosebumps forming on her arms, and stubbornly scoots toward the still warm coals. He huffs and lays down, knowing the cold will get her. And the more desperate she is, the more fun she is.

Mawn’a’s hands and legs were bound with thick leather cording, tied tight enough to bite.  The man, Kx'leo, carried her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing.

  As they walked her eyes frantically searched the dead. She saw many friends, but not the family she was looking for. Her sister, her mate, and their new born son. There was a bittersweet relief. 

Eventually Kx’leo throws her against his Ikran. The massive, decorated creature was strangely quiet. 

“Don't move.” he spat at her, looking down his nose. She held up her bound hands raising her eye ridges in a sarcastic show of defeat. He scoffed with a smirk, then walked away to bark orders.

“Mawn'a…” Someone whispered her name. 

Her head snapped over to a group of Talim, also tied and kneeling. Her sisters mate looked at her, eyes wide.

“Eytuza!” She whispered back. Then frantically added, “ are Naní and Hufwe’re with you?” 

He shook his head. Again, a bittersweet relief. Maybe. Just maybe they are safe.

“I take it you haven't seen them anywhere either?” he sighed, looking up while fighting unshed tears. She shook her head subtly, then the heavy worry hit her. 

Her eyes frantically looked at the others. They said they weren't taking captives… 

She could feel the color drain from her face.

“have they said anything to you?” She whispered, eyeing the Mangkwan that loaded their stolen goods into packs.

“ They've questioned a few of us. Typical where are the other flotillas stuff,” he shrugged, “wha–” 

The heavy presence of Kx’leo washes over them making Eytuza snap his mouth shut and look straight ahead. She looks up at the ash painted male, seeing him frown at her, then to the captives.

“W- wait! Please! Don't hurt them!” she shuffled to her knees, “whatever you want from me, it's yours, just… just  please.”

He shakes his head and bends down to be eye level with her, his hand tracing her jaw. 

“You have nothing left to give that is not already mine by conquest.” 

She shook her head furiously, tears falling, knowing what he's about to order. Kx'leo straightens and turns away from her, jerking his head at the other captives and begins to give an order. 

Mawn’a frantically looks for anything she can do to stop him. Then her eyes land on his ash covered ass, and she lunges forward.

“Varang ordered no cap–argh! Fuck!” he jerks from the impact. Mawn’a sinks both sets of fangs into his right cheek. Hard enough she tastes blood.

Kx’leo grabs her hair and pulls. She bites down harder, blood pooling in her mouth. With a grunt, his hand firmly plants around the base of her kuru and yanks.

 She screams at the white hot pain, releasing him.  Before either could think, a body slams into Kx’leo.

“Get your hands off her, you bastard!” Eytuza shouts. Bound wrists or not, he throws his full weight forward. His shoulder slams into Kx’leo hard enough to wrench him sideways, tearing Mawn’a from his grip.

   She collapses where she is, scrambling uselessly against her bindings. Kx’leo stumbles only a moment before turning, his lips pulled back in an ugly snarl. 

A growl rumbles in his throat as he closes the distance. The Raiders fist finds Eytuza in the gut, stealing the breath from his lungs in a choked gasp. His body folds around the impact. 

Before he can even try to recover, a sharp crack splits his senses as Kx’leo’s knee drives into his nose, snapping his head back. Eytuza hits the ground hard. His body refuses to obey him, curling in on instinct as pain radiates through his ribs and skull. 

“Stop— please, just stop!” Mawn’a’s voice breaks, raw and desperate. She struggles against the restraints, twisting toward them.

 “Please— don’t—” Kx’leo doesn’t even look at her at first. He exhales slowly, rolling his shoulders as if annoyed more than anything. Then a crooked smile spreads across his face, dark and amused.

 “You see?” he mutters, almost conversationally, sending the side of his foot into Eytuza back in a rough kick.

  “This is what comes of bravery without sense.” Kx’leo crouches, gripping a fistful of the man’s kuru and wrenching him upright. Eytuza’s head lolls for a moment before he forces his eyes open, growling through bloody teeth. 

The curved obsidian blade glints faintly as Kx’leo unsheathes it, bringing it into view. Mawn’a shakes her head, panic flooding her voice.  

“No—please, he has a son…” 

Kx’leo doesn’t break eye contact with her as he drives the blade into Eytuza’s gut, the wet slashing sound, deafening. Eytuza jerks sharply, a strangled sound forcing its way past his lips in a scream. His body tenses, but he cannot move away from the warrior's hold. 

Mawn’a didn’t hear her own scream. But she felt the way it scraped across her throat, harsher than the smoke in the air. Her eyes squeeze close, tears trying to wash away the scene. 

This isn’t happening, this can’t be happening… 

The blade slides free from the Talim man’s torso, allowing blood and bile alike to wash over his skin, soaking into his clothes. Bright oranges, now tainted with the dark stains of brutality. Kx’leo tilts his head, disappointed. 

“No,” he says too softly. 

“You don’t get to look away.” He shifts his grip, dragging the edge of the blade up beneath Eytuza’s chin, forcing his head back as he still gasps for breath. Then, almost gently he muses; 

“Give your hero the respect of your attention.” Mawn’a’s mind screamed no. Every part of her retreating into the instincts necessary for survival. But she could not run. She could not fight. And neither could Eytuza. 

She could feel the eyes of her sister's husband on her, desperate and begging. Despite all other thoughts, her eyes crack open. She blinks the tears away. They continue to well anyway. Kx’leo’s grin sharpens, satisfaction flashing across his face. 

“Good girl.” He hums. His expression twists, the softness vanishing in an instant. With a sharp inhale through his nose, and a simple flex of muscle, the obsidian blade bites into flesh. 

The wound opens clean across Eytuza’s throat, more blood claiming paths down his chest. He jerks against the quick agony, and opens his mouth to scream. No sound comes. Only the wheeze of a severed wind pipe. 

The color drains from his face. The light in his eyes seems impossibly empty. For a moment, there’s only Mawn’a’s broken sobbing filling the space. 

Kx’leo shoves his hand forward, letting the body crumple against the damp grave site. 

He steps back, breathing steady, watching with cold detachment as Eytuza’s movements fade into stillness. 

         He steps forward with no urgency, and crouches in front of Mawn’a once more. His head tilted, studying the way the tears and snot drags lines through the dirt and blood on her face. He almost looked like he was admiring something sacred. 

        His hand lifts the blade, laying the flat edge against Mawn’a’s cheek. She doesn’t respond. Her breath is still fast and broken, her body trembling with the effort as he just watches her.

         Then he slowly drags the flat edge across her skin, turning it to the other side halfway through. Wiping Eytuza’s blood off of his blade against her beautifully raw cheeks. Then he smiled, much too beautifully. His hand came up with reverence, wiping through the tears under her eye.

      “Do not worry. I will take good care of what he has left behind.”

         She opens her mouth to say something but nothing comes. Just ragged breaths. She stares at Eytuza's dull eyes.

 I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry. She crumples into herself, begging forgiveness from her family. 

          Kx'leo just sneers as he watches the woman curl around the man's body. Her soul shattered. He eyes the tear stains running down her face, enjoying the view. Whatever claim that man had on her was broken now. She was his. Closing his eyes he takes a deep breath, calming himself.

    He has a job to do.

       Kx’leo stands, his muscles loose and satisfied now as he turns to the remaining captives. Some cry. A few are stone faced, not willing to flinch away from their fate even now

      Mawn’a lifts her head, something between a gasp and a sob caught in her throat. She forces herself to make eye contact with each of her friends, her crewmates, feeling her soul slip further away from her body in a desperate bid to protect itself.

A quick jerk of his head, and the raiders surge forward with low sounds of excitement. 

The first to have their throat slit is Ti’wan. She was a navigator, and Eytuza’s mentor. Her face relaxed into the finality of death as her body hit the dirt. 

Relím was stoic. His mouth pulled into a tight line and head lifted. He only managed two sharp inhales through his nose before blood filled his lungs. She rode often with him on patrol. He had today off.

Ol’pey was an elder carpenter. He had built many ships in his lifetime. That’s what he was looking at when the blade met his throat; the ship that he helped build, turning to char and rubble. She had helped deliver 2 of his grandchildren on that ship. 

Saleyo was accomplished for being a young adult. A quartermaster. He always ensured that his crew were taken care of before he ever allowed himself rest. He looked to his younger brother to his right. The boy was crying. Ka’tir, his name was. A deckhand, who always had way too much fun setting sails. Mawn’a was only an apprentice when she helped deliver him. His older brother had almost fainted.

Saleyo whispered a prayer to his brother, just before both of their throats sprayed between them. Saleyo used the last of his strength to curl his body, pressing his forehead against his young brother's gurgling corpse.

  She thinks of her sister. Would she do the same?

Her friends. Her people. 

Lifeless heaps in pools of red. 

 Mawn’a didn’t look away, but she was not there. 

 It was as if she was in the bow of her mind, watching everything through cracks in the wood. The only thing she could feel was her breath. How it felt so wasted on her, still pulling when she should be another body on the dirt. Feeding the roots

After the five captives were dealt with Kx’leo did his last rounds. Ensuring that everything from the packs to the remaining raiders were prepared the way he liked them to be.

  Once things were to his high standard he returned to his prize. She still sat crumpled. Forehead pressed into the dead man's chest.

 Anger burned in his, at the sight. Why cling to a dead man, he thought bitterly. 

  He  squatted down tail swaying anxiously and grabbed the thick braid on the top of her head wrenching her away from the cooling body to look at him. She was gone. No sound left her. Her mismatched blue and green eyes stared almost lifelessly ahead. Her mouth agape slightly. 

     Perhaps I pushed it too far… killing her mate in front of her like that, he thought, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. The thought made him double take inwardly. 

What? Since when do I waste time questioning blood I’ve spilled?

      She'll pull through, he continues stubbornly feeling the exhilaration of the raid sour a bit from the notion that his prize had already been claimed. 

       Roughly, he hauled her up onto his ikran's saddle and untied the binding on her legs. Her feet limply dangle from the saddle she looks down at him with empty eyes, barely acknowledging what he'd done.

      With one last angry look at the dead, he climbed on behind her, pulling her to his chest. With a shout he launched into the air; the other mangkwan followed with their own shouts and yips.

Mawn’a watched as the burning remains of her home slowly disappeared into the twilight.