Chapter 2.10

Author's Notes: Apologies for the late chapter. I was reading Salvos(https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/37438/salvos-a-monster-evolution-litrpg) last night and by the time I finished editing , my internet was down. Check it out. I love the protagonist and their demon evolutions. I stayed up too late the other binging it.

Neither Flint nor Winona was in a rush to get out of bed the following morning. Instead, they lay bundled up in a bedroll and several blankets. Going to sleep after their amorous activities had been a struggle even though the pair had satiated their hunter for one another and were exhausted. Given the nature of her essence, Winona preferred frigid. She embraced the cold and lived with it while Flint’s body had gotten used to a literal dog pile of warm-bodied canines.

In the end, the pair tired each other to the point that they no longer cared. Winona kept an arm and a leg outside of the covers. In comparison, Flint had half-wrapped himself up like a cabbage roll and stole a part of Winona’s body heat. She didn’t seem to mind Flint’s face tucked into the crook of her neck and his arms wrapped around her breasts—the second warmest part of her body.

It was a night that Flint severely needed. He hadn’t been with a woman in months. While the other builders had no issues going to brothels, Flint hated it. The one attempt ate a chunk of his young savings, and even though his physical needs were met, the experience left him feeling hollow. Flint’s last relationship had ended years ago, and the latest courting hadn’t lasted particularly long either. His night with Winona didn’t compare to any of his past experiences, though. It wasn’t just a matter of their growing connection, but he could feel her. Winona welcomed Flint’s empathic touch as well as his physical embrace. He felt every rise and fall and Winona’s euphoria when she reached her peak.

“I like your hands,” Winona said, tracing her fingers over the inside of Flint’s fingers. “They’re working hands: rough, strong, and warm. I’ve never liked the warmth, but yours, I don’t mind as much.”

Amused by her statement, Flint held his hand up to the dim light leaking in through the cracks in the door. He’d never thought anything extraordinary about them. They were average-sized, featured long skinny fingers and callouses on all along them.

“You took me by surprise, to be honest.,” Flint replied. “I’ve never been with someone…so experienced.”

Winona laughed. “Just because my order consisted of all women didn’t mean we didn’t ensure our needs went unfulfilled. We were often dispatched with soldiers, mages or warriors from other factions too.” Then her eyes narrowed as she smirked at Flint. You do realise I’m well over a century old, right? I’m an adult by high fae standards, but still younger than most.”

“I did forget that.” Flint chuckled.

“We fae aren’t as prudish as humans either,” Winona added. “I reckon it’s got something to do with how much longer we live than you. The elders encourage us to explore our sexualities as we reach adulthood. When we do partner for life, it’s important we know what we want emotionally and sexually.”

“And you haven’t reached that point in life where you find your other half?”

“Other half?” Winona propped herself up on her elbows, smiling at Flint. “I like that phrasing. It’s so much stronger than partner or husband. And yes, I have. However, I just never found what I was looking for.” She pecked his cheek. “High fae family units aren’t conventional by human standards. Our brains and bodies don’t function the same. We don’t pair up but get together in pods. There’s at least four of us in a pod with often a woman in the lead.”

“I think that’s one of the primary issues the Iron Council has with the Wyld,” Flint replied. “Most of the people at the top are angry old men that hate the thought of listening to women.”

“Believe me. It’s not much better with the Wyld. The issues are the same but exhibited differently.” Winona sighed, resting her forehead against Flint’s chest. “Anyway, I’ve never liked the pod set up. The order meant for us to be single for life or pair up with one of our sisters. That’s what most of the elders did anyway. The concept of dealing with an entire group’s emotional needs puts me off too.” She paused and once again kissed Flint. “This feels much more comfortable to me.”

“That explains why the disk isn’t drowning in half breeds like me.” Flint pulled her on top of him, and Winona moved with him, grinning. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m pleased with this too. It’s amusing when you think back to how we started, though.”

“Do you mean when I stuck a spear in you and in my rage missed your heart? To be honest, I was surprised you let me live after that. Was it because you were hot for me?”

Flint laughed. “No. You were mad that I killed one of your subordinates. I would’ve done the same if you hurt any of the dogs. I did find you attractive from the start, but I truly warmed up to you the night before the slavers attacked. The fury in your eyes when you noticed the slave brands did it for me.”

Winona kissed him again, and her right hand wandered down his torso. “The first time I felt something was when you adjusted Adam’s manacles, applied the ointment and bandaged them.” Flint felt a hunger for her awaken in him too. “I knew I wanted you after you defeated the slavers. When you treated my people the same as the humans, confirmed my decision to pursue something.” Winona paused. “I’ll admit. My blood oath was meant to push the boundary and test you. Perhaps I should apologise for that—”

“You shouldn’t,” Flint said, cutting her off. “I recognised it as an act to reassure the fae, and it worked. You did well.”

Before they could proceed, the hut’s wooden door crashed to the ground, and Bjorn’s giant head peeked in. He padded in, carrying two pups in his mouth and his tail wagging. Maya followed, carrying two more. Winona scrambled off Flint, and he quickly pulled the covers up, so the pups didn’t end up on his bare lap.

The canine couple gently placed the pups on Flint’s lap before rushing out to gather the rest. Before long, Maya had presented the entire litter to him. She sat next to the half-covered pair, wagging her tail eagerly. She glanced between the pups and him and radiating pride and excitement. Flint scratched her behind the ear, but Maya nudged his hand away and pushed it towards the pups.

“Yes. They’re beautiful.” He laughed, looking down at the little wriggling sausages. Even though they were newborns, the smallest of them was bigger than Flint’s forearm. He rubbed one of their bellies, and the girl wriggled, kicking with her little legs.

“Their eyes are already open!” Winona exclaimed. Flint was pleased that the interruption hadn’t soured her mood. Instead, her smile stretched from ear to ear. “The pups are barely over a day old, and their eyes are already open. By Luna’s glow, how the hell is that possible?”

“I reckon it’s the same with the plants,” Flint said. “If the [Totem of Nurture] can speed up their growth and the goats, it probably affects us too. We just grow slower than the rest.”

Winona’s brows furrowed. “Will the totem make us age quicker too?”

“I don’t know,” Flint replied. “It’s called [Totem of Nurture]. The Heartstone doesn’t call it maturing or ageing. I reckon it’s meant to provide a place for growth.”

Flint couldn’t tell whether she was still listening to him or not. Her eyes remained focused on the giant wiggling sausages on her lap. He didn’t blame her. They were attention-grabbing. Flint used the time to give Maya a little head scratch.

“I’m proud of you, Maya,” he whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’re the best girl, and these are your best wee pups.”

Bjorn got a little pat as well. He lashed Flint’s face with such force it almost knocked him onto his back again. “You did well too, Bjorn.”

The contentment Flint felt then didn’t compare to anything he had experienced before. He found himself in the midst of the moment he had imagined for his future when leaving the iron army. He had his pack and a powerful woman by his side. The only thing missing was the isolated home in the middle of nowhere. But, as soon as the pair stepped out of the hut, they’d be anything but isolated. Flint could already hear brownie and human chatter outside. He didn’t want the moment to end.

Unfortunately, the Woodson Fort’s residents didn’t care about what Flint wanted. He had work to do, and since he hadn’t reported for his duties, they came looking for him. Ed rushed into the shelter, breathing heavily.

“Mr Flint! We—”

Ed stopped mid-sentence. His cheeks reddened, and he diverted his eyes from the pair. They were only covered from the waist down, after all.

“We need you uphill, Mr Flint.”

“What’s wrong? We found someone in the sewers.” Ed paused. He glanced at them before looking away. “Might be for the best if you come too, Miss Winona.”

“Give us a moment.” Flint sighed. “I’ll be right out.”

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