Coming of Age Ch. 03

"Unfortunately, it's going to get dark soon, so I can't stop and talk if I want to get these rabbits skinned and roasting before it's too dark to see. Have Angel and Ares returned yet?" Jasmine shook her head, her jet black hair rippling with the motion, her hand going briefly to the shiny black dreg claw around her neck, then smiling and making a small purring sound. The twins looked at each other and giggled, at which Jasmine opened her eyes looking a little flustered and cleared her throat with a nervous chuckle,

"They will be here shortly, they got a little...distracted after their plains boar kill." To this Cirrus laughed,

"I see how it is, send me off to kill rabbits and pick veggies while those two kill one little pig and roll in the grass...well tell them to make it a quickie, that boar will take long enough to roast as it is!" He nodded to Renna, his eyes still twinkling,

"I'll be back with you in a bit, speaking of veggies and rabbits..." He leaned over, grabbing up the string of rabbits, heading over into the trees to clean and put them on a spit to cook.

"While he's doing that, ill take care of these..." Lily grinned, grabbing the bag of wild carrots and flew off towards the lake to wash them, golden wings flashing in the fading sunlight. Renna watched her for a moment, and then turned, looking at Jasmine who was again holding the black dreg claw with a distant look in her eyes, smiling slightly. Releasing the claw to once again hang freely at her neck line, she chuckled softly and met Renna's eyes, giving her a wink.

"Well, got you all dolled up, now I need to go get ready myself. Feel free to wander around, I'll be back in a few minutes." With that, she turned and disappeared back into the tent, leaving her standing there with Raife and Lyla who exchanged looks, both grinning ear to ear.

"Think I'm going to go help Lily get the carrots cleaned up and leave you two love bugs to your selves." She reached over, wrapping her arms around Renna's shoulders and hugged her briefly, then flew off in the direction of the lake to go help her sister. Renna looked up at Raife a bit awkwardly, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole situation. He took a couple of steps, closing the distance between them, wrapping his arms loosely around her waist and kissing her forehead.

"Don't worry, it's gonna be okay.... If you decide to mate to me, they will welcome you with open arms, but if not, they aren't going to bite or throw you out of our camp. You are our guest here, whichever way you decide... No pressure," the last words where whispered in her ear as he leaned over and nuzzled her cheek, brushing his lips gently across her face. As he pulled back, she returned his warm smile, soothed by his softly spoken words.

"Now I need to finish stoking that last fire before the sun disappears completely," As he leaned down to pick up some smaller branches to nurture the fire he had nearly smothered by dropping a large log on it, Renna felt the brush of air as something went streaking past her head, headed straight for Raife....

TO BE CONTINUED...