Scorched (Mates for the Raskarrans Book 3) by Heather Fox

Author:Heather Fox [Fox, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Prospect and Raven
Published: 2021-09-10T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Vantos

We were lucky to reach the cave before the storm started in earnest. Bad enough to be caught in the downpour, but at least we are in shelter now the thunder and lightning have begun. Not that it seems to make any difference to Rachel. She shakes and trembles in my arms as the thunder rolls outside, her little face burrowing into my neck. I feel every tremor of fear that passes through her, each whimper escaping her mouth spoken against my skin.

“Does the sky not storm on your world?” I ask, stroking her hair in an attempt to soothe her. It is still damp from the rain, not as soft and silky as normal. I follow the path of her back down, ending with my hand resting against her hip. My top is bunched up, her soft, smooth legs revealed beneath it. My mouth goes dry as she hooks her legs over mine, burrowing even closer to me, another flinch rocking her as lightning illuminates the cave once more, her little hands jamming over her ears in anticipation of the thunder.

I place my own hand over hers, shielding her ear from the noise, the other is pressed against my heartspace, which thunders in its own way at her closeness. I hope it drowns out the worst of the thunderclap for her, that she is less frightened for it.

When the rumble finishes, I remove my hand, speaking to her in soothing tones.

“It is okay. The storm is some distance from us. We do not need to fear it. It is just loud and bright. It will pass before long. I knew it was coming - it is the temperature. When it drops suddenly, you know the heavy rains are about to start. You can smell the approaching rain on the air, also. When I climbed the tree, I could see the storm clouds gathering. That is why I ran with you through the trees, to bring you to these caves so you would feel safer. You think it is loud now, here, but you should try enduring such a storm in a tent.”

I chuckle to myself, remembering many a night endured on watch, wet through to my very bones as I watched the lightning arcing across the sky.

“Sometimes, the rain falls so heavily, that the fabric of the tent can no longer keep it out. I have slept many cold, uncomfortable nights, wishing for my hut as rain water dripped on my head.”

I know she does not understand my words, but I hope she can read the lack of fear in my tone, in my calmness. I stroke her back, my other hand resting against her thigh, my thumb brushing the soft flesh there. My tail has looped around her leg without my command, my body instinctively seeking to comfort her.

Another flash, another ripple of thunder. Rachel still flinches and trembles. I keep talking to her of nothing. I tell her stories of the time when I was a youngling, my sisters still babes in our mother’s arms.

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