ISHI POV:
I stayed perfectly still, I could tell Mika was tired and trying not to fall asleep. The thought of spending a little more time with her was so enticing. Before long she had fallen fast sleep with her head resting in the crook of my arm. I looked down and smiled. If only she could be mine.
I haven't spoken to Layla since that night; I found that a nightly run helps to cool off instead. Today I was turned on beyond belief. We showered together. Seeing her be so shy and obedient made me want to take advantage of her. I will have to be content with what I can get though.
Isola told me that she suspects Mika is one of the ones blessed by the gods, and will have many mates. Since then I have found myself imagining me being one of them. She is learning and growing at an amazing speed as well. I have to keep amping up our training sessions so she continues coming to them. As long as she thinks she is still weak, she won't even think about leaving me.
A content purr escaped my chest before I could stop it. I held perfectly still, hoping it wouldn't wake her. She sighed and her body relaxed in my arms. I smiled and used my free hand to brush her hair back. I wish she were mine.
I sat with her in my arms for well over an hour, I refused to wake her up because I didn't want this moment to end. I was entranced by her and so focused on the spots where we were touching that I didn't even realize someone else had come in.
I felt someone watching us; my instincts kicked in as my hair stood on end, ears went back, and I growled in warning. From around the wall by the door, Layla sauntered in. She and I haven't spoken since that day, but I have noticed her watching me from a distance. I relaxed a little once I saw it was only Layla, but my instinct to protect my little female was still there.
"Is this wha all da fuss as been about?" She said with a judgmental tone, looking at Mika and I as if she understood everything.
A low hiss escaped me as I warned her to be quiet. I found her accent to be particularly annoying today.
She looked incredulous as she continued in a sarcastic tone, "Really? Da great Ishi, infamous for her cold demeanor, as found someone?" She did not lower voice, despite my warning. "You do realize that she as a mate, right?"
I was afraid of her waking Mika so I was already agitated. But this reminder, that Mika has a mate waiting for her, made me even angrier. If Mika wasn't snuggled in my embrace right now I would have jumped up and attacked Layla.
"I said to be quiet." I hissed at her in a warning tone.
"Do tell. Is she the reason why you ave been acting so strange?"
I felt Mika stirring, I held perfectly still. I hoped this wouldn't wake her.
Layla continued, "I tought you might have feelings for me when you came ova e'ery night. I 'ad hoped that I finally broke down your walls. I see now that I was just amusement for ya."
I saw her green eyes glaze over. I regret hurting her feelings but I told her from the beginning that I was never going to be interested in her as a mate. "Layla.." I half whispered, hoping to calm her down so she wouldn't wake Mika.
"I loved you, Ishi. I know you don want to ear it, but it's da truth. You are why I havn't left for the capital yet. But no more. I am leaving for good this time, I can tell when I'm not wanted. Enjoy your new woman."
Layla stalked out of the shower room, slamming the door on her way. I looked down and saw Mika's huge yellow eyes looking up at me, she was blushing again. She sat up straight.
"How much of that did you hear?" I asked cautiously, hoping this wouldn't chase her away.
"Enough of it. I'm sorry, Ishi. Was she your girlfriend?" She said quietly, suddenly avoiding my gaze.
"No. She was never going to be my mate. She's not my type." I said confidently, looking directly at 'my type.'
"Oh.." Mika said while fidgeting next to me.
I realized my arm was still around her and she hadn't tried to move away yet. Maybe this was a good sign?
"What?" I asked her.
"Ummm sorry I fell asleep on you. Looks like the clothes have been dry for a while now." Mika said, hinting at what she must have wanted to ask.
I could tell she was wondering why I didn't wake her up.
"Yeah we both fell asleep. If it weren't for Layla coming in, we might not have woken up until morning." I said.
"Oh." She said. I could feel her relax a little. This irritated me.
"Well, if you are done drooling on me, it's time to go." I said, annoyed.
"Right!" She said as she jumped up from the bench and ran over to gather the clothes.
The warmth left me as soon as she got up. I couldn't help frowning as I also stood up. She was reaching for the clothes and being extra careful with mine. I couldn't help but want to tease her. I let my towel drop to the ground and I walked over with nothing on, to help her reach. She had thrown my top up over one of the locker doors, however the crochet lace on it was getting caught on the corner and Mika was too short to reach.
I casually walked over, leaning my body against her back as I reached over the head to grab my top. I saw her neck and ears blush bright red when I did this, which made me smirk. I took my clothes and walked away, doing my best to hide the smile on my face.
"Useless." I muttered as I walked away.
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MIKA POV:
My while head must have been red as a tomato! Ishi came over to help me but the height difference resulted in my head being shoved in her boobs. I don't know what's come over me. I find myself feeling embarrassed and flustered… and I felt butterflies in my stomach when she gets close. Even though we have grown closer, i must still be subconsciously afraid of her beating me up.
I kept my back to her as I changed as quickly as I could. My hair was a little messy from the way I fell asleep, so I used my fingers to brush it out as best I could. When I finally found the courage to turn around, Ishi was looking perfect as always, perched on a bench with one leg crossed over the other. She was watching me. I felt my face heat up a little.
She sighed, as if she was annoyed. "Come here and I will fix your hair. You have no grooming skills."
I obediently walked over to her and she instructed me to sit on the bench. She sat on the back of the bench with me seated between her legs. She had a gentle touch when grooming my hair, which made me relax. It was soothing having someone else play with my hair. I was actually a little sad when she said she was all done.
I felt my hair and it was so smooth! It felt like after you go to the hairdresser and you look like a supermodel.
"Wow, Ishi! You are amazing!" I turned around to thank her and had to crane my neck at an awkward angle to see her since she was still seated above me.
She made an odd sound followed by a cough. "We should get going."
"Are you okay Ishi?" I asked, as she leaped up off the bench and landed on the floor, looking flawless. "You aren't feeling sick, are you?" the cough had me worried since it is easy to get sick if you fall asleep with wet hair.
She looked back at me with amusement. "I'm fine. See you tomorrow."
And with that, she left. I left for Isola's after doing one final check for my bag.
I got back to Isola's a little later than usual. To my surprise, she was waiting for me. Usually she's buried in her books and doesn't even notice my coming or going.
"Hey Isola!" I called as I came inside. I saw my bag on the floor by the couch. I must have forgotten it this morning. I could have sworn that I didn't though…
"Finally! I've been waiting for you!" She said, impatiently.
"You have?"
"Yes. I need to do some tests with you tonight. Ishi didn't beat you up too much today, did she? I need you awake and alert."
"No, all good." I said, testing my joints as I spoke.
"Good. Come over here and sit down. I have a few potions for you to take." She gestured to the floor pillows in her 'office.'
"Okay." I said as I weaved my way between the towers of books and other collected junk she had on the floor.
"The first one I'm going to give you is going to drain your vitality. Technically it's more like a poison, but I have altered it to only drain a specific amount. This will tell us if you have reached the threshold." She said eagerly as she shuffled through her piles of junk and grabbed a glass container of dark purple liquid.
"It's poison?" I asked as I took it from her.
"Technically. However it's not going to kill you. I have made a few adjustments to it, so it's safe for consumption." She said, pushing it towards me eagerly.
She really is like a mad scientist.
I looked at her eagerly swishing tail, she was poised in her usual catlike sitting-squat with her notebook and pencil ready.
"Bottoms up." I said as I downed the nasty drink as quick as I could.
It was so gross that I started coughing and nearly threw it back up.
"Would it have killed you to make it taste a little better." I said with disgust.
"No, but it would have altered the formula and taken more time. How do you feel?"
"Uhhh.. the same? I don't feel any different." I replied.
"Okay. Good." She said as she took notes.
"Does it work right away?" I asked
"Depends on you. If you make it through the next hour without vomiting or passing out then it's a success."