Page 65 of Suncatcher

“Again,” Pearl directed.

Driz did it again. And again. Savoring her skin and the hardening nipple. When Pearl was panting anew, Driz carefully skimmed her knuckles to the splayed junction of her thighs.

“Yes,” Pearl breathed.

Driz dragged one finger up her soft, wet center, and the scent grew even stronger.

Her claws were too sharp. She hastily brought her hand up to her mouth, biting off the tips, before returning. Pearl let out a delicious sound.

Driz repeated the previous motion, careful and slow, not wanting to do the wrong thing or accidentally hurt Pearl. But she must have been bad at it because Pearl muttered, “Oh gods,” and grabbed Driz’s hand. Curling their fingers together, Pearl guided her, showing her how to touch her. Pearl welcomed Driz inside her without hesitation.

Driz couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t think. There was only Pearl.

Driz did exactly as Pearl showed her. And again. And again.

Pearl dropped her head back, exposing the beautiful length of her throat. “Oh gods,” she repeated.

“Does that mean good, or bad?” Driz asked.

“Good,” Pearl panted.

“Good,” Driz agreed, her wings quaking. She needed to please Pearl. To be right for once, instead of wrong. Because this felt more right than anything else in her life.

The stars spun above, and Driz and Pearl mated in their way in the shadow of the old tree.

Pearl’s heart galloped, her scent changing. She rolled her head against the smooth bark, her body tensing with pleasure again, and Driz stifled her roar of satisfaction. Her wings snapped and jittered to fly, but she forced them to still.

“Enough,” Pearl gasped, gripping Driz’s wrist, and she ceased the caress Pearl had showed her.

“Sorry.”

Pearl laughed breathily. “You better not be sorry. Just…hold me for a bit.”

Driz ended up seated at the base of the tree, with Pearl curled in her lap, head on her shoulder and Driz’s wings draped around them both.

Pearl was still breathing hard, one hand lazily trailing over Driz’s sensitive breasts, stoking her desire. Driz needed Pearl again. She needed to make her cry out. She was about to slide her hand back between Pearl’s legs when Pearl spoke.

“Tell me about your family. Your mother,” Pearl whispered.

Driz was surprised by the question, but she would answer whatever Pearl asked. She settled her hand on Pearl’s knee instead. “Her name is Torrent. She is a paler tan than I am, with black veins on her wings.”

“Is that common? For coloring to be different? Or d'you take after your father?”

“I do not know. But Torrent did not birth me.”

Pearl stiffened. “Your birth mother died?”

“I suppose so. Torrent found me alone and took on the responsibility of mother until my fifth Meeting. She had borne young before, so she knew what to do.”

“So you don’t remember a time before?”

Driz shook her head.

Pearl shivered, nestling closer and pressing her lips to the tender spot on Driz’s neck.

“I like that,” Driz stated. “I wish it would stay. But the stone sleep will heal it. You will have to bite me every night.” The idea thoroughly delighted Driz.

But Pearl stiffened again. “It’s late. I should get home.”