Rise of The Fallen

–Elazar– 

Scrubbing my arms clean of dirt I couldn't help but think of the events that took place prior to us coming to the river. Kora was  such a radiant woman and always baffled me with her sincerity and understanding.

Lifting my head I looked around at the treeline checking for any kind of movement before looking back over my shoulder at the small female.

It was mesmerizing to see her standing bare naked in the stream as she bent over washing her long dark hair. Seeing her comb her fingers through the wet strands made my hands itch to feel her mane.

The desire to gently run my hands through her hair and weave a braid was so strong. But I'm not sure if she's ready for that. Looking down to my hands I thought about our past experiences. 

Kora was unlike any woman I've ever met. She was willing to risk getting hurt for my sake and often comforted me when I was distressed. She's shown little to no distaste with my appearance or actions despite how often I fail to show my worth. She even took it upon herself to pleasure me after I had done so for her. Usually female's don't do that until after the hunt…

Was it somehow enjoyable for her? She didn't get upset when I spilled my seed down her throat. I almost panicked a bit fearing I had hurt her in the process. She is just so small… yet she doesn't seem the least bit phased.

Perhaps I am mistaken on how humans interact? They seem so similar to our own kind that it's hard for me to see kora as anything but one of us. Some of her antics and behaviors are strange but being around her for so long I've gotten used to it… almost.

Maybe humans court differently? I've never seen another human female before so I've never truly gotten a chance to see how one would react to a male. Maybe grabbing one's intimate parts such as horns is a way of greeting? No that can't be, she threw a tantrum when we first met and I touched her chest…

Closing my eyes with a sigh I ran one hand through my hair as my tail swayed in the water behind me.

What if human mating rituals are also done differently? 

I hesitated and glanced back at the female behind me. Water droplets fell from her wet strands of hair trailing down her pale body before returning to river current. She's even beautiful in the moonlight.

 Stepping closer and Reaching forward I took a lock of her hair into my fingers, lifting it up to admire the glistening strands and how soft they were. She must go through a lot of effort to take care of her mane to keep it so perfect.   

Leaning down I brought the strand up to my nose to inhale her scent. My eyes closed as I took in the sweet aroma mixed with the river water.

"Kora, does your kind…do they mate differently?"

Looking back to me I could see the surprise in her features as she noticed my proximity. "Look if this is about the blow job, that's just something humans do to have a little fun! It's not some kind of mating ritual or anything!" She chuckled nervously, waving her hands in front of her in a strange motion.

Shaking my head I moved my hand to her cheek and grabbed her hip with the other to pull her closer. "I mean what do humans do to court…I am lost as to where we are with- this?" I wasn't sure how to describe our relationship thus-far.

Kora was quiet as she stood before me, her mouth opened and closed once or twice before she swallowed and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around my torso in an embrace. "You big moron…"

I gazed down at the small human confused as she held onto me for a few minutes before finally pulling away with a giggle. "Was the foreplay and blowjob not a good enough answer?" 

My eyes widened as I saw the playful smile upon kora's lips. swallowing the lump in my throat I brought my hands around her small frame and combed my fingers through her mane. "Then may I braid your hair?"

Her playful features changed to that of confusion and curiosity as she looked at me. "Braid my hair?"

"Yes… it is tradition among our kind to braid the hair of one's partner to solidify the standing of their pairing, marking them so that others shall know of their-"

"That's starting to sound like an engagement ring." She crossed her arms leaning to the side slightly while I thought over her words. 

"That term does not make sense…" I admitted awkwardly. "What is an engagement ring?"

"Well when couples are ready to seal the deal or get together permanently they usually get exchanged first for a period of time by gifting one another these metal rings that go on their fingers to show that they are getting married or together in a sense…"

I considered koras words thoughtfully before crossing my arms over my chest and nodding. "Then yes I wish to braid your hair as a sign of our engagement."

Almost immediately she dropped her arms and looked at me exasperated. "What?! B-but we- we have barely started dating! Actually I'm not even sure if we could consider any of this as dating. When would it have started?!" She sputtered.

I tilted my to the side not understanding the meaning behind 'dating' and Kora wiped her hand over her face before explaining her people's 'dating' ritual and how they go about starting relationships.

"Your culture is strange… but similar to our own in many ways. You said people usually must ask or request to 'date' one another correct?"

"Exactly! Only after dating can you ask to be engaged to someone!"

I hummed to myself and nodded. "Then in your terms we have been 'dating' for several days and can be engaged!"

"What?! You never even asked me out! We practically only agreed to it today!" She exclaimed. 

"That is untrue, I have in fact 'asked you out' when I offered you the sha'vira fruit. You accepted my offer and therefore accepted my invitation to 'date'." I stated proudly.

Kora gaped at me, seemingly dumbfounded. She truly had no idea that we were in a relationship?

"That's not how it works with humans! Elazar you can't just assume I'd know the finer details about your culture!"

Lowering my arms I scratched my head with one hand and turned my eyes away to avoid kora's scrutinizing gaze. She is right in that manner, I should have put more thought into it before. Kora is different from my own kind; she does not follow the same traditions or beliefs, but we have already shared gifts and gone through the first few phases of courting! All of my effort cannot be for naught!

I had no words to express my frustration and concerns and kora only stood there waiting for an explanation.

"Marriage usually means we are bound for life, is it the same in your culture?" She questioned.

"Yes." I responded.

"Then tell me why. Why do you want to permanently bind yourself to someone like me?" This caught me off guard and I turned to face her once more. I couldn't understand the expression she wore on her face but it seemed familiar. Almost like guilt. 

Stepping forward grazed her cheek with my hand and gazed into kora's eyes. "Why me. Why not another female from your tribe or your own kind?"

My heart clenched painfully before I pulled Kora against my chest cradling the back of her head with my hand. "You are the only one I need, the only one I want."

She was quiet as her arms wrapped around me. "I gave up on finding someone who would truly want me and care for me, years ago…I thought that I would live out the rest of my life in solitude, especially when I came here. I thought it would be better that way because then I wouldn't get hurt again." She spoke quietly and tightened her grip around me. "I didn't want to be betrayed again so I thought…"

Kora's voice quivered and I held her close waiting for her to continue. With a shaky breath she glanced up at me with a sense of uncertainty. "I'd be lying if I said I was better off alone." 

I gazed down at the small female unsure how to take those words. "Does this mean…you are okay with courting still?" 

She smiled in response and grabbed my hand bringing it back to her head. "Yes…you may also, braid my hair still, If you want."

Leaning down closer to her face I faintly brushed my lips against hers. "It would be my honor." Closing the gap I stole a kiss and my tail coiled happily around her legs as we stood in the shallows of the river with the moonlight bearing down on us.

She returned the kiss fervently, running her hand up my arm to my neck and through my hair. A subtle purr emanated from my chest as we broke the kiss and gazed at each other. Leaning in I nuzzled her head and we stood there silently, basking in one another's company.

"El?" Kora broke the silence.

"What do we do now? About your tribe, about the drakov…"

My tribe and the drakov… currently they are both causes for concern. One hunts her down and wishes to end kora's life, the other threatens all of us. There is no safe place for kora here with all this conflict. But perhaps I can convince my people to turn their attention elsewhere.

"We will find a place for you to hide and I will return to my tribe in the morning. It's dangerous out here but if I can convince them to call off the hunters who are looking for you and redirect their focus to the drakov threat, then it will give us more time to search for a way to prove your innocence."

"You think they will forget about me that easily?" 

"Forget? No. But they will see reason in, that the draven is a much bigger threat right now. We will be able to hide you much easier within my tribe's territory and give you time to heal.

She nodded in understanding as we pulled away from each other. I cupped Kora's cheek and she leaned into my touch with a small smile. 

Kora is everything to me now and I can't see myself without her by my side. So I must do everything I can to protect her… 

Even if it means going to war with the drakov and hunting down a monster.

(Note: sorry everyone for such a long wait on a chapter! (Writers block sucks) but at least you guys got a sneak peak and the first ever look at kora and elazar over on FindNovel.net! 😁 much love to you all and do tell me your thoughts on the story thus far!! Begging for feedback! (Not on Grammar or spelling tho cause I've got that stuff covered!)