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Chapter 10: Solid Astral

Wynn's long lashes fluttered and she slowly came awake, allowing a stranger's paw to guide her into a sitting position. With her black curls cloaking her face either side, she blinked as she looked around, trying to decide if she was dreaming or if this was in fact reality. Everything seemed so clear and yet . . . at the same time it wasn't. There was her father, sitting stern-faced at Inden's side as they sat on watch that dark and drizzling day. She could see her grandparents snuggled together in their sleeping furs, as well as Uncle Keeno, who she smiled to see was drooling slightly in his sleep. She wondered vaguely why her father and Inden had not noticed she was awake.

"Because it's like a dream within a dream," said a familiar voice, and Wynn looked quickly around.

Sylas was kneeling beside her sleeping furs, his white body glowing in the gloom of that rainy morn. His tails floated softly behind him, fanning out the hot and strong musk of his pink cock and balls. Still kneeling as a strange glittery mist danced around his knees, Sylas put his arms behind his head and grinned sideways at Wynn.

"You're in my dreams?" Wynn asked, almost indignant.

Sylas laughed at the cute wrinkle that formed over her nose when she frowned. "It's not really a dream, Wynn. I don't know how to explain," was the answer. The blue eyes traveled around the camp, passing over silent Kilyan and Inden and the sleeping forms of their other companions. Wynn noticed with a silent heave of her breasts the smug look that entered the fox's eyes when he gazed upon Inden.

"It's not really a dream either," Sylas explained. "You see . . . you are asleep right now, Wynn. Your body is. But your soul's awake. You're astral. You're essence. I'm not really here either. In fact . . . I wasn't really in your bedroom the other night. My body is elsewhere. I just send projections of myself over long distances . . . so I can see you."

Wynn couldn't believe it when those white cheeks blushed.

"It's how I've been watching you all these years," Sylas said, averting his eyes. "When I saw you were leaving for the jungle, I figured now was my chance. If you were unhappy in the summer village, the only decent thing I could do was please my lady."

He made his eyebrows dance, and Wynn almost laughed but covered her mouth.

"No, don't worry about it," Sylas said, dropping his paws to his knees. He jerked his head at the others. "They couldn't hear you if you were giving birth."

Wynn's ears pricked forward as she watched her father, who she realized was now talking very reluctantly to Inden. She leaned forward to eavesdrop and realized with a jolt that her body was still in the sleeping furs, curled up and peaceful as it slept. Wynn gazed down in astonishment at her own dark curls, so full and thick and soft as they cloaked her face, her long lashes, her lips, her bosom as it swelled with her slightest breath.

"Beautiful, aren't you?" said Sylas, who had been looking at Wynn's body too.

It was Wynn's turn to be uncomfortable. Plenty of boys had told her she was beautiful, but for some reason, when Sylas said it . . . her heart fluttered it. Gazing into the arduous depths of those blue eyes, she realized it was because, unlike her former beaus, Sylas meant it.

"What - what are you doing here?" Wynn asked to change the subject. She pushed her mane behind her ear, feeling flustered and confused. What was the matter with her? She was never like this. She always had control when it came to males and yet when with Sylas . . . she felt so deliciously weak. She trembled a little when he rubbed her shoulder, and after giving her neck a deep kiss, he whispered in her ear, "To take you away. Remember?"

Wynn closed her eyes. "But . . . Sylas, I - I can't just take off and leave everyone wondering what happened to me --"

"So tell them," Sylas said, still planting those deep kisses. He suddenly stopped when Wynn grew very still, and she heard him say, "You didn't tell them about me." It wasn't a question. Wynn looked at her lap and fiddled with her fingers.

"You didn't tell your father. You didn't tell anyone. Only Inden knows!"

Wynn's cheeks burned when Sylas gave a great nasty, "HA!"

"So," he said, the blue eyes glittering amusement, "you let Inden take the full burden, never daring to tell your father that the winged vagina flew into a rage because I was in the bedroom - or better yet, in you --"

Wynn twisted to face Sylas. "You were listening -!"

"Don't be stupid. Of course I was listening. Just because you couldn't see me, it didn't mean I wasn't there. I was overjoyed when you and the dope finally had the sense to break up. And to know that you failed to stand up for him, that you failed to clear his good name even a fraction by not telling Kilyan I was there - it just proves that --"

"It proves what?" demanded Wynn, springing to her feet.

Sylas stood too, looking very pleased and amused. Wynn didn't find any of it a laughing matter. She marched on Sylas, trodding on his feet as she poked him sharply in the chest with her black nail.

"Inden is a good male, Sylas! He's strong and brave and kind! All he's ever done is please my father so that he could be with me! So don't you ever call him a winged vagina again!" Wynn practically snarled the last word and gave Sylas a hard push in the chest that sent him tripping back.

Sylas regained his footing, but he was grinning. "You called him a winged vagina yourself, Wynn."

"I can do that. He's my winged vagina --!" Wynn's eyes flew open wide as the words escaped her mouth and she turned away. She still loved Inden. Of course she did. That's what Sylas was driving at: she hadn't told her father the truth because she was hoping to drive Inden away: she felt so dismally unworthy of him! She wanted Inden to be happy. And he could never be happy with her. It wasn't that she didn't love him. And Sylas knew. Just like he always seemed to know what was in her heart. She silently cursed foxes, but she felt a private thrill when those strong white arms closed around her from behind. She closed her eyes and smiled when Sylas kissed her head.

"I know you love him, Wynn. I've known for a long time."

"Then why are you after me?" Wynn demanded incredulously.

"Because I don't care."

Wynn burst out laughing. Glad to hear that musical sound, Sylas lifted her clear off her feet in a hug, and she giggled as his playful kisses found her neck. He set her on her feet again, and she turned around at once, bouncing up on tiptoe to hug his neck, to kiss him, to force her tongue against his. His paws squeezed her ass in fistfuls as they kissed, and she felt it happen - that hungry little pumping in her clit as Sylas aroused in her the usual rush of desire.

"You know," whispered Wynn as they kissed and touched, "for an astral projection, you sure are solid."

Sylas laughed softly against her lips. "Wanna find out how solid?"

Without waiting for an answer, he lifted Wynn's thigh onto his hip. The first was followed quickly by her second, and then she was clinging to him with arms and legs as he panted to get inside. Her young, strong body twisted against him, their kisses were earnest and their whispers playful and loving as her slender fingers curled in his mane, as his thick cock drove inside. Wynn became so wet her thighs were trembling violently by the time Sylas was ready to come. But he held on, delving into her mind until he knew she was ready to climax, and when the juices of her orgasm washed over him, he let go, and his fiery seed filled her so hot that she screamed.

Breathless and happy, the rain glistening in their fur, they kissed and nibbled each other's lips as Sylas sank to his knees, and still holding Wynn tight, laid her on the cool damp leaves and made love to her a second time.

Wynn awoke some hours later and was stunned to feel a wetness between her thighs. After peeking from her blankets to see if anyone was looking, she reached down and put a finger in her pussy. Oh, god. She was wet. Wet with Sylas' seed! She prayed no one would smell him on her. He had just been an astral projection . . . right? What if Sylas had lied to her?

Trying to remain calm, Wynn slowly sat up. It was night now, and in the flicker of orange firelight, the others were preparing for a last meal before they set out. It was something cold and meaty: leftover soup.

Inden was sitting between Kilyan and Kel and looking oddly relaxed as he ate from his bowl. When Wynn gazed at him with questioning eyes, he avoided her, staring instead at his spoon. Feeling blown off, Wynn looked to her father and realized with a jolt that he had been glaring right at her! He jerked his head for her to sit at his side, and she rose reluctantly from her sleeping furs, rolled them up, and settled between her father and Keeno. Aliona passed her a bowl, and taking the offered food, Wynn felt a sting in the uncomfortable silence. Everyone seemed different somehow, except for Kel - whose mind was preoccupied, it seemed, with other things.

Just looking at her father, Wynn knew there had been some discussion between him and the others while she'd been asleep. That discussion had obviously been about her.

"What is it?" Wynn couldn't stop herself bursting when the silence continued. Her eyes darted between Inden and Kilyan. She even glanced at Keeno for an explanation, but he was obviously focused on feeding his face and not getting involved. Wynn appealed silently to her grandmother, but Aliona also seemed aloof. Wynn understood: as her father, Kilyan must deal with Wynn without the interference of outsiders. It was his place to dictate and punish. His place to bless and reward. And only if his guidance became outrageous were Kel, Aliona, or anyone who was not Wynn's parent to interfere.

"Wynn," Kilyan said, stirring his spoon idly in his bowl, "Inden has shared something with us that you failed to mention."

Wynn sat frozen, glaring at Inden's averted face.

"How long has Sylas been following us?" Kilyan demanded.

Wynn's green eyes remained fixed on Inden, smoldering with rage. "So you shortened my leash, did you, Inden?" she said through tight lips. "You couldn't have me, so no one could?"

"Wynn," Kilyan barked, "you will talk to your father and only your father! What else have you kept from us? Have you some plans with Sylas? I have to know."

"Why?" Wynn demanded. "So you can take him away from me too?"

Kilyan's expression hardened, but Wynn knew she was safe: Kilyan was not going to risk everyone's safety by whipping Wynn in the night on the edge of the wastelands. She smiled triumphantly, but her anger shone bright as she rose to her feet and announced,

"Sylas was in my bed twice the night before. But that wasn't the first time he ever touched me! He gave me pleasure when we were children! Outside, beneath the swing, beneath the moon. And he's been watching over me ever since, waiting for the moment when he could take me away. He said he wants to. And when he comes for me, I just might go with him."

Inden's head snapped up. "Over my dead body!"

"Sylas just might arrange that!" Wynn taunted, sticking her paws on her hips. She lifted her chin, her tail swinging in agitation behind her. "Anyway, what do you care? I'm not good enough for perfect, pure Inden. I'm just the village slut!"

Inden winced and dropped his bowl as Wynn's words slapped him like a bucket of ice. He leapt to his feet in a flurry of feathers and barked at her, "Can you really blame me, Wynn? Can you blame me for calling you that after all you've put me through? After I did nothing for years but love you --"

"Ha! You don't know what love is, Inden! How can you? You spent your whole life watching pigheaded males rape and destroy females --"

"Shut up!" Inden warned, closing his eyes.

"You say another word to me, Inden, and I'll leave with Sylas this very night --"

"You won't!" Inden vowed, stabbing a finger at her across the fire. "This I swear on my mother's grave!"

"Enough!" Kilyan finally snapped. He gestured for Inden to sit down. Inden's chest was heaving from the argument, but he obeyed, snatching his dropped bowl angrily from the mud.

"You aren't going anywhere," Kilyan informed his daughter, "because I watch over you day and night. I haven't slept since we left the summer village, Wynn. I've been watching you! And when I'm not watching you, your grandfather will be watching you - and I pity Sylas if he attempts to take you on your grandfather's watch."

Wynn looked as if she wanted to talk back but instead bit her lip and clenched her fist.

Kilyan rose to his feet, and looking down at his daughter, he ordered, "Now get packed. We're heading out."

The fierce wind had let up by the time they were ready to set out, and traveling, of course, became much easier. In the dark velvet night, the group set across the wastelands, keen and alert for any merchants on the prowl. But Kel felt ashamed of himself for his lack of "keenness and alertness." Since the night of Zaldon's heartrending message, he hadn't been able to think of anything else. He'd thought of writing Enya a letter to find out if everything was okay, but that would have taken ages, and besides, he did not want to get the children involved. The children. He smiled to himself. Enya and Yuri, Roan and Theo were anything but children now. But they would always be little pups to Kel, who had once bounced Enya, Roan, and even Yuri on his knee. He just wanted to know, to understand what on earth was going through Zaldon's mind. For years they had happily shared one bed, one love, one trust. For years it had been this way. And those years had been the happiest of Kel's life. But suddenly out of the blue, Zaldon was ending it. Without an explanation, without a tear. It was beyond shocking. For it had never entered Kel's mind that Zaldon could ever stop loving him.

"Kel?" Aliona whispered as she and her husband walked before the others. She had noticed her husband's worried frown out of the corner of her eye - the same worried frown she had enjoyed kissing into nonexistence for so many years. She was amused to realize he had been hiding it from the young ones all this time.

Kel glanced apologetically at his wife and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Aliona, I --"

"I understand, Kel. But stop worrying. Whatever's going on, we'll get to the bottom of it. Zaldon loves you. No matter what he says, he loves you. Don't ever forget that."

They smiled at each other.

"What would I do without you, Aliona?"

"Probably starve," answered his wife in the old jibe, and Kel laughed.

The group walked in the usual line with several feet between each of them, so Aliona felt it safe to say, "Kel . . . I don't like what happened at supper tonight."

Kel's face darkened. Wynn was walking several feet behind them, her eyes downcast as she thought no doubt of her plight, and behind her walked Kilyan and Keeno side by side, and behind them bringing up the rear once again was Inden.

"Wynn is Kilyan's burden and joy," Kel answered his wife with a weak laugh. "I know he's at an age where I should mind my own business, but I've been trying to give Wynn and Inden little opportunities to be alone, some private moments where they wouldn't have to argue in front of the rest of us. I guess I failed."

Aliona smiled and shook her head. "No, Kel. Those two have been bickering for years and will continue to bicker whether alone or in front of us. It makes no difference: Wynn and Inden are like fire and ice, constantly at war despite their love."

"Yes, and I fear Inden will remain in awe of that fire until it consumes him," was Kel's answer.

They traveled on as the rain continued its ceaseless patter, drumming down their fur, drumming on their hearts and icy to its touch. Black clouds swarmed the sky, but the moon and stars broke through what little patches gaped in the thundering wall. The stars winked and twinkled within swirls of black, and the moon strained to press its white light upon the still and silent desert lands. Withered trees stood in silhouette, reaching like skeletal claws for the sky, and the curly hills that Kilyan remembered taking shelter under so many years ago still stood like the shoes of elves in the moonlight.

They walked all night, until the scared pillars appeared in the distance. Impressive and solid, they towered against the sky, but were as yet still so far away. Another hour, two, and they came upon the scared stones, upon which the symbols of sun warriors long dead had been carved. Kel thought for one horrible second that he might see Zaldon's name scratched among the others, but he quickly reminded himself that Zaldon was not considered a warrior within the sun village but a grand sorcerer.

Only death could have kept them apart. That's what Kel had told himself after the day Zaldon put that ring on his finger. Only death would ever keep those big white arms from enfolding him now! And the more he thought of it, the more it seemed that only death could have made Zaldon send such a message. No, it couldn't be . . . Kel would rather Zaldon didn't love him than push him away because death was rearing its head! But, good god, what could Zaldon be dying of? Kel's mind raced to come up with a less painful solution, but before he had a chance to really think about it, Kilyan's voice rang out, "Who's out there!"

Kel halted, gesturing for Aliona to get back. A strange light was bobbing in the distance, bobbing between the scared stones like a ghostly sphere. It was a white light, soft, and feathery. Not harsh on the eyes at all. And it smelled of something . . . magical. It was the way Zaldon smelled after transporting himself: that husky, sweet-smelling smoke.

"Nontikmah," Kel heard Inden whisper.

The others looked at the prince, who blushed a little and said with averted eyes, "That's how she - I remember her smell . . . that's all."

"I bet that's not all," grumbled Wynn under her breath, who remembered Inden's doting look when the vixen flicked one of her tails under his chin six years ago.

"Nontikmah?" repeated Kilyan, confused. "But what would she be doing . . .?"

Before Kilyan could continue voicing his musings, the bobbing white light drew nearer. Kel lifted his spear and barked for the stranger to show themselves.

"Dad, wait," Kilyan said, but Keeno grabbed his arm as he was moving forward. "Keeno -!"

"We don't know that it's her, Kilyan!" Keeno warned his friend. "So don't do anything stupid. At least not until we know it's safe."

Kilyan rolled his eyes but joined the other males in raising his spear. Kel called out for the stranger to reveal themselves, warning that they would be impaled if they failed to do so.

"On the count of three!" Kel called. "One . . ."

The light suddenly zipped so near that Kilyan could have touched it, for it halted right before him. Before the others had time to react, it burst in a toss of teeny white sparks. The group shielded their eyes as the shape of a slender white vixen became apparent in the sudden bright shower. It was Nontikmah just as Kilyan remembered her: the same bright blue eyes, the same generous bosom, teeny waist, and round hips. Her only change was she possessed a total of fifteen tails now, but what really drew Kilyan's attention was the strained look on her face: Nontikmah had bags under eyes! Her once bouncy and beautiful mane was now limp and ragged. Her glowing white fur was filthy, as if she had been crawling through the mud, through the rain. There was seaweed tangled in her tails, her breath smelled like fish, and worst of all, the blue eyes were bloodshot and pulsing with veins.

"Wow, Kilyan," whispered Keeno under his breath, "if this is your idea of hot, you've some serious explaining to do." For Kilyan had once described Nontikmah to Keeno on patrol duty, describing her as the piece she had been six years ago.

Kilyan stood taken aback, his brows drawn together in concern. He dropped his spear when Nontikmah moaned his name and suddenly threw herself into his arms. She blubbered and sobbed, speaking quickly, weakly, and incoherently. Kilyan held her as the sobbed words spilled out, and as Nontikmah went on in her broken explanation, the group could only catch snatches of what she was saying: "Sylas . . . exiled . . . lost . . . fell, all gone . . ."

"What was that about Sylas?" said Aliona sharply.

Kilyan guided Nontikmah to a stone pillar and helped her sit against it. The others gathered round as he squatted at her side and held her paw, as Aliona patted the dazed fox's face with a damp cloth and wiped it clean.

"You're looking for Sylas, aren't you?" said Kilyan, squeezing the witch's paw.

Nontikmah nodded weakly against the stone.

"Did he run away?" asked Kilyan gently.

Inden, who was hovering darkly in the back, barked out, "Did he run away to kidnap someone's female?"

"Inden!" Wynn hissed, and before Inden could snap something back, Kel said over him, "Don't you two start. Now is not the time."

Nontikmah's listless blue eyes drifted to Wynn and she smiled. "So it's true. My son's great love has grown into a beautiful female."

"Of course she has!" said Aliona, laughing in amazement.

"Forgive me," said Nontikmah breathlessly. She took the cloth from Aliona and weakly dabbed the mud from her face with it. "Time is different to us. In fact, we almost have no concept of it but for our tails . . . The girl is . . . sixteen now?"

"Yes. The girl is," said Wynn, folding her arms.

"Wynn!" Kilyan scolded, but Nontikmah only laughed.

"It's alright, Kilyan. She has spirit. She'll need it if she is to be the mother of my grandpups."

Everyone stared at Nontikmah, and Wynn's mouth fell open.

"Whobuddee whaddee?" said Keeno, shocked.

"What is going on here?" snarled Inden, forcing his way past Wynn. "Where's Sylas? Why has he run from you? And why are you hurt and in this sad condition? How can he let this befall his own mother? Why, if I had a mother --" Inden stopped himself in embarrassment when he realized how emotional his rant was becoming. He bit his lip and took a step back as Nontikmah laughed.

"Prince Inden of the winged warriors. You have become bold over the years. Perhaps from spending too much time in the presence of Wild Wynn?"

"Nontikmah," Kilyan said, drawing her attention back to the present matter.

Nontikmah sighed and looked down, her white mane falling forward to tumble in one pretty eye. "Should I bother asking if any of you have ever heard of Miras Eii?"

Everyone's ears pricked forward and they glanced at each other. Kel thought to himself, "Zaldon has probably heard of it . . ." but Wynn said with folded arms, "I have." They all looked quickly at her, and standing behind her, Inden scowled.

"It's where the foxes gather - not that your kind necessarily believes in packs," went on Wynn. "It's like . . . your capital or something."

"Very good," said Nontikmah, giving Wynn a dark smile. Her head was tilted down, and her blue eyes read of a growing admiration for the girl. "Miras Eii is where roaming foxes can find sanctuary, can disappear from this troublesome plane of existence and into one of peace and harmony. Miras Eii is connected to every fox, and without it, our immortality would perish. Its source of power lies in the very center, on the sacrificial bed where one chosen from mortal kind is brought into our kith. This must happen so that our immortality continues, and it takes place once every century. This century . . . it is my son's turn."

Inden's eyes widened with realization. "He's not taking Wynn from me - us! I m-mean us . . ."

Nontikmah smiled sympathetically at Inden. "I'm sorry, young one. . . . It's already done."

Inden grabbed Wynn's shoulders and examined her face. "What has he done to her?" he said miserably. "What has that bastard d-done?"

"What you wouldn't!" Wynn snapped, twisting away.

Kilyan tensed to hear those words. He turned to Nontikmah. "What is it exactly that Sylas is supposed to do? And why him? Why must he choose a wolf from mortal kind?"

Nontikmah lifted her chin. "Because, Kilyan. It is his birthright."