Chapter 79: Do you remember how you pleaded with me?

"I’ll get you water," Fenric said. "So, to on without me."I didn’t want him to go. We could get water later. I’m sure what’s going to happen there won’t take long.

Once I’m done, we could both go find water to drink and then wash up as well.

The strong stench of sex was still coming off us like a perfume.

Anyone could tell we just had a hot mating session.

"Can’t you... Go with me?"

I didn’t want to go alone.

In this place where no one was on my side, I wanted him to be by my side. That was the only way I’d feel secure.

No one knows what might happen along the line and I...

"I’ll protect you, Arinya." Kaelor suddenly said and I stiffened. "I’m your big brother. So there’s nothing to worry about."

Do I have to say it?

Among everyone in this tribe, the one I am most wary of is you, whose intentions are unclear... Whose thoughts are shut off, closed, hidden, and probably dangerous.

So, why do you think I’ll feel safe with you just because you say you’ll protect me and you’re my big brother?

My head was lowered but I secretly glanced at him.

What do you want from me and... What is this complicated feeling on my chest towards you?

It’s not like it’s warning me to be wary, but it is warning me about something.

"I’m so happy that you want me to be by your side, Arinya," Fenric said, taking my hand and pressing it to his lips.

Ah, that’s the same hand I used to finger myself. Did he do it on purpose?

After kissing it, he sniffed it and grinned.

"But if your brother is by your side, I don’t think I have anything to worry about. Though, it still troubles me. I’ll find water and come back as soon as I can." He said and I bit the inside of my lips.

I didn’t want him to go.

But I should just trust that nothing will happen and... I glanced back at Kaelor... He won’t try to stir up trouble as my other siblings do.

"Then, hurry up," I said and he quickly bolted away.

I was left there, standing with Kaelor.

"So," I said, turning to him. "Let’s go."

He nodded and began to lead the way.

At first, we stayed a little distance apart, him walking in front and me walking behind him.

We were at the edge of the village, so before we could encounter folks, we’d have to take two turns.

Gosh, why is the village so big when the folks living here aren’t even that many?

Are they just preparing for their future generations?

Anyways, I feel sleepy.

I rubbed my eyes and then yawned.

After this is done, I should take a nice bath and fall asleep in either of my husband’s arms.

The weather is hot so it’ll be great sleeping in Damar’s embrace since his body always has a cool temperature.

"Arinya," Kaelor called but I was a bit lost in my thoughts until he stopped and I bumped into him.

"Ow, what happened?" I asked, rubbing my nose and then he turned.

We were currently at the second turn, just about to enter the busy parts of the village but he suddenly stopped.

"You seem happy with Fenric." He said and I felt that warning feeling again.

"Um, yes," I said.

"He makes you happy, right? He’s a good spouse." He said and something about that smile on his face made my heart ache.

"Yes," I answered but the ache wouldn’t cease.

It was a dull ache, not compared to a needle prick. Instead, it was like someone poking at a healing wound with a blunt needle.

"You know, I was very worried about you. I know I didn’t take good care of you and I didn’t stop the village from bullying you, but I had you in my heart. I was always worried sick that you were crying every day." He explained and my heart throbbed.

I tried not to show any expression but my eyes exposed me, softening painfully, like someone had spread open my secrets.

"Do you remember what we talked about before I left the last time?" He asked. "Do you remember how you pleaded with me?"

I did that? I mean, Arinya did that?

Now that he was mentioning it, little fuzzy memories began to surface but they weren’t clear.

"You were crying so much my heart ached. You talked about how no one loved you, how no one liked you, and how they always bullied you. You grabbed my arm, not wanting to let go, and said you wanted to go with me, but I couldn’t take you on a dangerous journey."

So you left Arinya in this village filled with hungry and angry tigers?

"I feared that they would harm you here, but I feared I would lose you completely if I took you out there, since there are so many dangers around. I..." He took a step towards me. "I didn’t want you to die."

I gulped, my heart racing and echoing feelings I didn’t understand.

"But then when you pulled me down and then got on top of me," wait, wait, this isn’t what I’m thinking, is it?

I retraced my steps as the memories slowly came back.

Sure enough, what he said happened.

Arinya cried bitterly, begging him not to go or at least take her with him this time, she cried knowing she would die by the hands of her own father and beastkin. She would rather die out there, in between a fantastic adventure as she saw the world, than die in a cave for something she did not do. Just because she was unloved and misunderstood.

She was desperate.

The only one who loved and cared for her was Kaelor. And her heart had begun to yearn for him.

Wait, hold on! Yearn for him?

If she could not be loved by any other male, then she wanted to get the love from the only male who showed her care, even if he was her brother.

Wait, that’s messed up. That really happened?

Is that why I keep having these strange feelings?

I stepped back again but this time, I stepped on an unstable rock that just happened to be there and lost my footing.

Kaelor caught me, his arms wrapped around my waist and his eyes locked on my uneasy ones.

"When you kissed me, did you know how that would make me feel? My sister, whom I cared about, desired me as a male. It made me worry even more, and I thought it was better to leave until you cleared your head. I wanted to find a suitable male for you, and I did but... Right now, my heart feels empty."

No, no, don’t feel empty.

You should be happy for me. You finally found a male for the sister you worried about. Don’t feel anything else, okay?

But things were going against my wishes.

Kaelor looked at me with eyes that held not just affection for his sister but longing.

I gulped, noticing as he leaned in slowly.

I needed to push him away but this darn body won’t move. It just won’t let me do what I want.

I... I can’t kiss Kaelor.

I never knew the plot went in this direction, but this is way off my grid. Incest is not something I want to include in my fun sex-hazardous life.