Chapter 46: Recovering Time

Sirius' POV

A slight movement woke me up; dawn had arrived. Marien was next to me, watching me, and her cheeks were slightly pink. She used to have them like this, but there was something else: Her nose was still red. I touched her forehead and noticed the strange temperature.

She had gotten sick.

"Oh, no..."

"Sorry," she murmured. "Maybe I should have dressed."

I kissed her on the forehead and quickly went out to look for my pants, which were about to fall off the corner of the bed. I put them on.

I looked at her to tell her I would be right back, but she blushed even more. This worried me.

I quickly went to my room and grabbed an old pair of pajamas from the drawers. It seemed Mom was not at home. When I returned to Marien, I saw her wrapped in our blanket and approached her.

"Come..." I gently pulled her hand to help her sit up.

I helped her put her shirt on first, and she smiled. I liked that she was happy. I had made her suffer a lot, and I wanted to take care of her and make up for the time. I would even give her a comforting bath if she required it. I helped her with her pants and finally covered her with a thick quilt.

"I'll prepare something for you to make you feel better," I told her, stroking her hair.

"Don't worry. I don't want to be an inconvenience. I think I have a pill in my backpack."

"Those things are not good. The chemicals have too many side effects," I insisted, explaining so carefully, "and you're never an inconvenience." I kissed her and left again.

I ran to the kitchen and started heating water to make that herbal remedy my mother once taught me, especially for colds. Although we rarely got colds, it was handy to know. We were all almost forced to learn how to prepare all kinds of remedies. Cultural matters, I guess.

When I returned, she sat and leaned against the back of the bed. I sat next to her, wrapping my arm around her and pulling her against me.

I gave her the cup.

"What is it?" she curiously asked as she tried to smell it.

I smiled with closed lips. She liked to sniff, not just me.

"Natural remedy," I responded, stroking her arm. "It's better than a pill. Take small sips. It'll make you feel better. You have a light cold, but if it gets worse, we should get human medicine, I guess," I admitted reluctantly.

I checked her wound, which had already healed, although her skin there was slightly warmer. The medicine I had given him had an anti-inflammatory plant, so I hoped that would help. I sighed silently, trying to clear the anger, causing me to think about why they hurt her.

"Uhm. It's bittersweet..." she commented.

She snuggled closer to me, and that helped me calm down.

"Yes."

I rested my cheek on her head, reveling in her sweet aroma as she continued taking sip after sip.

"How's your mom?"

"She went out."

"Has she seen us?" she sounded a little embarrassed. "I mean... From your garden. Us, here sleeping..."

I smiled as I remembered that we had been naked but happily covered with the blanket.

"I don't know. We respect privacy, so she probably didn't come here. Besides, her room overlooks the first garden."

Marien sighed after taking another sip.

"Well... It relieves me." She brought one of her hands to my chest. "How I longed to have you."

I smiled widely and kissed the top of her head. I also suffered without her.

She continued drinking the infusion while the pads of her fingers ran over my skin. When she finished, I took her hand and brought it to my lips.

"You must sleep," I whispered.

"You too."

I made her lie down, wrapped her in the quilt, and hugged her, cuddling her against my body. She closed her eyes with that light and beautiful smile on her face. Everything would be okay now. I was going to take care of her. I wouldn't let them catch me off guard, not again. They were going to pay.

***

Antares and Apus watched me, each with a huge knife.

"Did you already see that your precious human was in cahoots with us?" the first mocked.

"She has betrayed you. How deplorable. I imagine you must hate her a lot now."

"Don't mess with her!" I warned in the middle of a growl. "Whatever she has done, for whatever reason, I hold no grudge against her! I would never!"

"We'll call her so she can cut off your skin. Let's see if you stop trying to talk to her."

They laughed and approached while I growled at them angrily.

"My love, I'm here." A strong hug made me open my eyes. I responded immediately and inhaled Marien's sweet aroma deeply, sending that nightmare away.

Oh, for all the trees!

I breathed hard again while reality returned gradually, and Marien comforted me. In those horrible hallucinations, they made her hurt me. That machine made me believe she was really there, that she had been part of Orion's plan from the beginning, and that she hated me. However, even then, I didn't stop telling her I loved and didn't hate her. In those moments, everything seemed real, but now they were blurry like dreams after waking up.

Marien pulled away a little, sighing, stroked my hair, and kissed my forehead. She was pure sweetness. Orion didn't know her. He was going to regret using her beautiful image to torment me.

"Sorry, I woke you up."

She denied silently with her tender smile.

"I had already woken up. I was watching you sleep." She continued caressing me.

I smiled widely and took refuge in her neck. I could tell that she no longer had a fever.

"You are better?"

"Yes, thank you... Tho I have sweated a lot."

That made me jump.

"I'll get some clothes before that humidity makes you sick again," I told her as I got out of bed. "Please take off those clothes."

Again, I went for another pair of old pajamas. They were too big for her, but that didn't matter.

I returned to the room and found her under the quilt. She looked at me up and down, very curious and expectantly, which made me smile.

"Is something happening?" I asked as I approached her.

Once I got to her side, she surprised me by wrapping her arms around my neck and kissing me. She pressed her body against mine and pulled, making me fall on top of her.

"Woah," I laughed, leaning on the mattress, "I don't want to hurt your arm."

She shook her head, smiling mischievously, and kissed me. She was naked again. At least she did what I asked, and I was glad she felt so good, but I wanted to make sure she rested and recovered completely.

A phone rang from her backpack, and this time, I was the one who left her on the bed to get it. I took the backpack and sat beside my lady while she took out the phone, completely surprised. It wasn't hers, but a different one. I wrapped my arms around her as she answered.

"Hi. I thought phones didn't have a signal here."

"Yeah, well," it was Max, "say hi to the army technology. So, how is everything?"

Unable to resist, I ran the tip of my nose along her neck and gave occasional soft kisses.

"Excellent," she said, trying to contain her smile.

"I see..."

I purred as I peppered kisses along her shoulder, and she cleared her throat, reacting.

"I have something to tell you," Max continued, "A source told me they know where the governor may be. I'm thinking of going in search of him. We can still convince him to, once and for all, allow life in peace with the Evolved people."

"Well, go."

"Yes, but I need Sirius. He is part of my team. You can't deny me that."

"That's only if he wants."

"Want what?" I asked, pretending not to understand. He would know I was right next to her.

"Tell him, or I'll keep calling," he insisted, "Plus, we'll help him get rid of that guy, Orion."

Um, that could be useful to me.

I gave my girl a light bite on the ear. She shuddered and hurriedly hung up. I would put that aside. There was time to see what I would do with Orion and the government. For now, I wanted to be with my beautiful wife and forget about everyone.

She put down the phone and lunged at me. We kissed slowly, with strength, softness, dedication, and passion. I delighted in caressing her back and moved down to her thighs, which were now on either side of me. I started to turn on. I enjoyed every second that passed. I became intoxicated by her aroma, with her body on mine, skin to skin.

"Make me yours," she asked in a mischievous whisper.

I smiled, ready to please her wishes.

I was so hers, and she was so mine. Her lips and her hands claimed me possessively, and I loved that. She looked at me after a gasp, and the anticipation increased—the expectation of making love, of how intense, physical, and mystical it felt.

We shared knowing smiles. She was unafraid to show me how much she wanted to be with me. I couldn't believe I wouldn't have thought of this before, although I fantasized and felt that my body was screaming for it. Now that I had nothing to fear, that I had confidence in my reactions, and assurance that I was not going to lose control and hurt her, I gave myself the freedom to run through her body slowly—tortuously slow.

"Sirius," she gasped.

Her voice, full of uncontrollable pleasure, turned me on a thousand times more. I looked at her. Her cheeks were blushing redder. Adorable.

"I love it when you say my name that way."

She bit her pretty bottom lip, and I kissed her.

"You don't know how much I love you," she breathed against my lips, "And how much I want you."

"You want me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow and smiling.

"In all the beautiful ways, my loving, hot, handsome husband."

"Do you think I'm handsome?" I never stopped to think about what I was like, but it was perfect if she was attracted to me because she drove me crazy.

I caressed her soft shapes, and she gasped once more; her satisfied smile and eyes shining, full of happiness, were indescribable. With a slight push, she turned me around and was on top. Her skin was burning, but not from fever.

She gave me a tender and short kiss on my lips and moved closer to my ear.

"Of course, I thought about it since I saw you," she whispered. I laughed lightly as my ego rejoiced at her confession. "I would like... to try something..."

"Do as you please," I tempted her.

She smiled mischievously and beautifully and kissed me again, with some force this time. She went down slowly, biting my chin. I gasped softly as the sensations were still very intense. I had felt pain for a long time, and now the feeling of her curves, warmth, and kisses was an explosion of delight.

Her delicious lips continued to go lower. Her delicate hands squeezed my forms. I gasped as I felt her tongue across my lower belly. Her kisses didn't stop on their way down, and I gasped. I wanted to lift my torso to see, but she pushed me, returning me to the mattress.

Oh, for all the trees on earth...!

***

She took a deep breath, stroking my hair. I rubbed my nose against her cheek, purring.

"I love you."

"I love you," I replied, smiling.

We turned, and she kissed me again. Had I already said that I loved romping in bed with her? Yes, I loved it. Her hand walked over my skin. I remembered that magical moment when I joined with her, that very intense sensation.

"You're so... hot," I murmured.

She smiled.

"No. You are."

Huh?

"I mean... inside." I reacted while she laughed. "Okay, you have to explain to me what you mean when you call me hot or sexy."

She nodded. At least I knew she wasn't bothered by my questions or weird comments. She fell to my side, and I wrapped her arms around her, refusing to let go.

"You are my elixir of life," she whispered.

I had also come back to life with her. We revived together. We were endless kisses and caresses, enjoying the silence and each other.

"My Marien, you make me forget everything..."

"You too."

My stomach also began to revive and now dared to demand food again.

"Do you want to eat something?" I asked. She nodded, and I gave her a sweet kiss. They would never be enough. "Then let's go..."

She finally put on the clothes I had brought before she performed her adorable attack. I stared at her dumbfounded, and she smiled mischievously as she noticed. I hugged her tight, breathing deeply through her hair, and took her hand to go out.

Already in the kitchen, we both drink water. I was really thirsty, and I thought maybe it was from spreading my intense kisses over her skin. I heard her chuckle and raised an eyebrow in question.

She denied it silently.

"It's nothing," she said. "I'm happy."

"Me too."

We heated meat and some lentils and sat together to eat, shoulder to shoulder. I gave her a fleeting glance. My beauty had become such a part of my life that I no longer contemplated being alone.

"So... Max wants to go after the governor?" My question surprised her.

"Uh... Of course, I should've assumed that you could hear him speak." She looked at me, smiling. "I thought you weren't paying attention."

"Well," I looked into her pretty, innocent eyes, "Not only do I pay constant attention to my surroundings, but to you too. My ear is focused on what you say and, consequently, on what they tell you as well."

"Wow," she laughed barely, "You make me feel flattered."

"You fascinate me."

Her cheeks turned slightly red, and she stared at her plate of food, clearing her throat.

"Eat before I end up doing something to you here in your dining room," she warned.

She turned me on, and memories of what had happened came back. How can I not think about what she did after kissing my chest? And that shy, mischievous smile she put on afterward? How can I explain what I felt when her delicious kisses reached further... lower?

The looks, the taste of her body, how she let me know that she enjoyed. The words, the knowing smiles, her gasps. Her legs around me, her feminine shapes brushing against my chest, my hands squeezing her curves...

Heat rose to my cheeks quickly. Our eyes met again, and the passion burned. I raised an eyebrow with obvious interest.

"I wouldn't mind," I purred, "I loved everything we did back there."

She smiled.

"You're insatiable." She bit my lower lip. "You're going to leave me dry."

I let out a short laugh. What? She was the one who had taken everything from me.

Then I heard a familiar walk coming to the house.

"You are saved from being attacked now because my mother is about to arrive."

That made her move away slightly, tense and a little embarrassed, but she didn't have to. This was her home now, too—at least temporarily.

My mother opened the door.

"How are you?" she greeted with a slight smile.

"Good night."

"There's some meat there," I said. "Would you like me to dish up a little for you?"

"Yes, thanks."

Before going to the kitchen, I noticed my Marien was still embarrassed, so I caressed her cheek and smiled tenderly. She returned the gesture, and her concern faded.

My mother sat across from us for dinner.

"Will you return to that city?"

"Yes, there are pending stuff to do," I responded.

She looked at her wooden fork and looked back at me.

"Orion made me believe that he had killed you," she put aside her cutlery, and I pressed my lips together, feeling my stomach close. She had also suffered unjustly. "When he told me, I... I attacked him and scratched his face."

"Mom," I was surprised, then I remembered that she was a huntress... and my mother.

"Nobody expected it, but I wouldn't stay doing anything. They had to separate me from him, and your father agreed to take the punishment in my place. That's why he hasn't been here, but don't worry, I visited him, and they will release him." She sighed in frustration. "Why did you let yourself be captured so easily?"

"I'm sorry," I looked down with sudden embarrassment. However, I looked at her again to explain. "If I didn't, he was going to murder innocent people because of me. He attacked my father. He has made you suffer by making you believe he had killed me. He does not care about what the leaders say. So now I'll finish him off," I said coldly.

"But look what he did to you."

"He didn't do this to me alone. He was a coward. Furthermore, by doing this to me, he also hurt her." I saw my Marien briefly. "And I don't forgive him for that. I'll have help, so don't worry."

She took a deep breath and nodded slightly.

"Then I will be calm."

She took the fork and continued with her dinner. I sighed, too, and did the same. I could tell that Marien was thoughtful, so I smiled sweetly at her.

"Are you okay?"

I could see how her face lit up again, and she smiled, too, nodding.

"This smells delicious," she murmured before taking a bite.

She seemed tense, maybe because of what Mom had said, but everything would be okay. I wasn't going to let this happen again. I wasn't going to let the most important women in my life suffer like this—not again. They deserved to live in peace.

Returning to the room, I closed the curtains, as that also seemed to worry Marien earlier. She was afraid we had been seen. I knew we hadn't, but I wanted to comfort her. She was a little reserved, but that was fine. I was like that, too; that's how I had been raised.

However, when alone with her, it was very different...

"So you don't feel ashamed," I explained.

"Thank you," she said, smiling as she approached me.

"Although you should know that you have nothing to worry about. This room is new. It's for us while they build our own house; that is why this one's in another area." I put my arms around her waist to be as close to her as I liked.

"Oh, I see." She looked down. "Ern, don't you think maybe your mother got angry when she smelled us?"

...Uh...

I stayed still for a second.

"Why do you say that? She wasn't angry. She was worried."

"Well, I can't smell it, but I'm sure we smell like..." Her eyes went to the side as her cheeks turned slightly pink.

I still didn't understand, but maybe it related to her human scent.

"Our world is full of aromas of all kinds," I tried to calm her. "Don't worry. Plus, you smell delicious." I took advantage and carefully pressed her against me to kiss the top of her head.

"Yes, but she..." she insisted, "She knows this particular smell." She looked up, and I knew her eyes were trying to tell me something.

"What do you mean?"

She sighed, tilting her face back slightly, and smiled, slightly turning away and raising her hands. She shook her head, and her hands rested on my chest.

"You know?" Her naughty hands slipped under my shirt, and I smiled. "What we do... I know we make love, and there are many ways to do it, like you said that time on our date," she was explaining to me, and just thinking about it and remembering it made me feel that warmth, so I took off the garment and her face lit up, her eyes traveled over me eagerly. I hugged her again and placed soft kisses on her neck. "What we do is called sex," she whispered. "Or... sexual relations."

She gasped after another of my kisses. She fascinated me.

I lifted her in my arms and took her to bed. I sat her on the mattress and knelt, placing my hands on either side of her so I could lean towards and sniff her. Her scent drove me crazy, although now it had something more.

"My scent is impregnated in you," I purred with my ego at its peak since it was like my trademark. It indicated to anyone who sniffed her that I had been with her and that I had been very, veeery intimate with her. "I think I know what you meant." I laughed silently. "So...sex, huh?" I kissed her and managed to murmur something else against her beautiful lips. "Sounds kind of like sexy..." I frowned and opened my eyes wide, realizing. "Oh..."

My lady laughed again and nodded.

"Sexy kinda means you're attractive, and I would like to have sex with you, or I could. Well, something like that."

I pursed my lips, remembering.

"Then, it's only good if you're the one who calls me that."

"Did anyone else?" Her tone of voice dropped slightly.

"Yes. I have heard other women calling me that way, in the distance, you know, because I can hear well. And Tania. Also, Max said if I accepted the car they would give me, you would think I was sexy."

Marien laughed, relieving me, as I thought it would make her jealous or sad.

"I can't blame them."

"I'm all yours," I assured her.

Maybe it was the idea I had been raised with that your partner could be very jealous, but perhaps it wasn't always like that. Marien knew well that she had nothing to fear. I was hers, eternally. She was my beautiful, smart lady.

I approached her lips, carefully sneaking my hands under her pajamas, caressing the soft skin of her abdomen. I gave her a fleeting kiss and moved away to lift her garment, which she facilitated by raising her arms, ready for me to undress her.

My smile widened at the beautiful sight. I let out, almost without thinking, a very slight growl that sounded more like a loud purr, and I devoured her lips. She laughed between my kisses and eagerly reciprocated.

I had changed, yet I remained the same. It was a bit strange, but it was perfect. I had changed along with her. We molded ourselves for each other. I was connected to her with every fiber of my being.

I purred as I ate her out with kisses. She moaned softly, and I was fascinated; I wanted to kiss her so much tonight, for all the nights I missed doing it before returning to the city, to reality.