"EEEEEEPPPPP." Lyria suddenly squeals and covers her face.
Koda jumps and stays completely still as if he's done something wrong and the slightest movement could make it worse.
"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?" There was clear sincerity and fear in his voice.
"Where's my veil? I need it. Please where is it?" Lyria's voice shook as she spoke. Is she afraid of her own looks?
"To be honest with you, the moment I picked you up from the ground you never had your veil on. I'm not that bothered by your looks. After two days I got used to it and after a week I can look at your face with no problems." Koda speaks with complete honesty. Lyria needs that to let her guard down some.
"Males are attracted by looks and I don't want the attention. I'm not afraid of males, just being overwhelmed by them. Did you see the looks on everyone's faces when my veil came off in the pool? Or the comments and determination those males showed when they noticed me. I don't want any of that. I have my own plans and if my males can't get on board with that then he doesn't deserve to be my male."
"So you want followers?" There's an edge to his voice as he speaks every word with a bit of bitterness.
"Well, no. That's not what I'm looking for either." Lyria's voice lowers as she speaks.
"Then what? All females are required to have at least three litters no matter where you go. That's the law." There's even more bitterness to his voice now.
"I've spent my time dealing with plants and the temple, learning and teaching the younger ones. I've been molded to be the perfect female chief that the thought of what I wanted in my males just hasn't crossed my mind." Lyria turns around and looks Koda in the eyes. "Tell you what. By the time you leave, I'll tell you what I'm looking for in a male. I just need some time to think about it. Talking with those other males with mom made me realize I as well need to know what I want in a male in order to pick carefully." Lyria smiles at Koda and his heart skips a beat.
"I hope you keep your promise. I'm looking forward to your answer." A wicked smile graced his well-defined features.
"I hope you don't mind me observing you. Ryker used to tell me he was practicing for his mate when he was taking care of me. I'm curious if I can look at an outsider the same way."
"As you know we males grow up learning how to take care of females. That everything we do is to better benefit our females. When it comes to you, I got special instructions from Ryker so I don't think there will be much of a difference."
"Still, I think it will be interesting. I'm a curious person and you're the only male I've ever been with one on one." I shrug my shoulders like it was nothing.
Koda's heart was beating out of his chest. She had no idea what her words were doing to poor Koda.
Koda swallows hard. "You should get to bed. I'm sure your brother will be upset by how close we are."
"Why does that matter? You've already seen me naked."
"Yeah, don't bring that up to Ryker. It's a male thing."
"Okay."
After tying my hair up so it won't tangle I lay back down and Koda goes back to cleaning up.
'My eyes are so heavy.' Lyria tries to stay up to wait for Ryker but is slowly losing consciousness.