I'm not worried about leaving Nivi with Harvey. I believe that she would be able to sweet talk herself out of every situation. She knows this world from A to Z and already had plans on how she would boost Harvey into a single-stripped beastman. If my girl couldn't survive with such a cheat, she deserves to die, honestly.
"You think I lied when I said I won't accept anyone else besides you?" I chuckled, clearly amused, "Then why did you even ask me, before others as well? Are you testing me or something?"
We walked side by side as Curtis held a lantern in his hand to light up the path.
"I know no female could ever be safe with one male. I only hope to delay the unavoidable, to reduce the competition, with as many methods as possible. I can accept a female taking in a male for protection, but if she's just bored and looking for a new one, that's when I stop playing nice."
I nudged my elbow onto his arm playfully, "Why didn't you tell Nivi that? You might have received some good male points."
"Yaya, I only want to receive good points from you," Curtis reached out to catch me, prompting me to deflect his hand with my slingshot, the rock barely tickling his hard skin. He retreated his hand with a resigned sigh, "You may not possess Nivi's beauty, her kindness, or her gentle nature, but something tells me you won't object if I were to kill any male you take in."
I leaped back and began to look for a new stack of pebbles, making an extra effort to enjoy this overly peaceful walk, "But I already agreed not to take anyone in, just like you wanted."
"Yaya, come to me. I'll carry you in my arms," he said, resigned. He extended his sturdy shoulder towards me as if I was a scarred kitten, his tone coaxing, "You won't get tired this way, and we will reach my place faster."
I knew why Curtis kept complaining about me during our trip to Camel Hump Valley. My slower speed clearly annoyed him, but honestly, I barely cared about keeping my pace with him. I would have even preferred it if Nivi and Curtis just left me behind.
Everyone kept going on about how I needed males to protect me as if I wasn't already painfully aware. From what did they even want to protect me? The males in the cities and villages were harmless, unbelievingly so. And as for the "real" dangers? Well, the ferals and rootless? Laughable. The bar for women was set so low that even a little care, a touch of understanding, and a hint of kindness could have them melting in your hands.
If it weren't for the scratches and bruises, which was why everyone deemed me as ugly, I would have had an even greater chance to trick a beastman or a feral (ones that weren't on Nivi's list of book husbands, of course).
The reason why all the females behaved so high and mighty was because this world was too safe. So safe that I don't know what to do with this pent-up energy.
"Yaya," I sensed this eerie vibe radiating off Curtis like he was about to unleash something dark. Gone was his coaxing demeanor; instead, he relied on his tail to ensnare me, but I countered his move, forcing him to exert even more power.
I dashed forward, using the terrain to my advantage. With a powerful leap from a stone outcropping, I propelled myself upwards. I lightly touched him to gain momentum, then swiftly mounted his shoulder, my thighs securely around his neck, "Can I sit on your shoulders instead? It's more comfortable this way. The weight distribution will be better, and it'll keep your hands from cramping up."
Curtis expressed his disagreement, "You're warmer and safer in my arms. We can talk easier, too."
I brushed his hair with my fingers before skillfully gathering it into a high ponytail without the necessity of a hair tie, "I heard some scorpion ferals had attacked a village. I want to check if they are still there and give the villagers a helping hand with disposing of them." I showed him an empty vial from my backpack, "I want to collect their poison into this."
Curtis's gaze met mine, and I felt the intensity of it. His hand slid behind my head, his fingers warm against my skin. He didn't have to say anything—his eyes spoke volumes as he gently guided my head downward.
Then, with a slow, purposeful motion, his lips met mine. It wasn't a soft kiss. It was hungry, demanding—a kiss that made it clear what he wanted.
He didn't release me until he felt confident that I had been completely devoured. His breathing was slightly unsteady, his chest moving rapidly. But his voice was controlled, with just a tinge of hoarseness, "That's too dangerous."
I couldn't resist the urge to laugh, so I laughed.
Curtis looked at me, his brows slightly creasing, not knowing why I was laughing, or what I found so amusing.
"I don't understand. What's so funny?" he asked.
"A man who wants to be my one and only mate doesn't get to lecture me about what is and what is not TOO dangerous," I declared, my laughter blooming, "You've basically tried to make me sign a death warrant in my name."
My laughter seemed to work some magic on him, the corners of his mouth lifting. His expression relaxed, his eyes shining with tenderness, "Yaya, I've already explained myself. You know I didn't mean it like that."
"Whatever you meant, Curtis, if you're so set on this death-defying path, remember, you're dragging me along as your mate. We're in this together, for better or worse." I spouted off a stream of lovey-dovey nonsense, mocking our new relationship.
"You...Sss," Curtis kissed me again, cutting me off like he was trying to silence everything I'd just said.
And this time, his strategy worked, effectively muting my laughter and words with his nimble tongue.
╔═══ Author's note ════╗
This time, YY and Curtis aren't "seducing' eachother physically, but mentally. 🐍💀😆
Can you guess if a possible love interest will show up in the next chapter or not? 👀
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