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The Last Shemale Queen

A sequel to The Seduction of Seleste

First Desire

Chapter 23

Zyanya was frightened and confused. Once they reached the sea of ice, the others started yelling, and then the tall handsome one . . . he fell over dead. Well, at least he looked dead. Really dead. The others, however, seemed to hold out hope that he was alive. The female with the penis fell to her knees crying. Zyanya was shocked when she lifted the dead one easily in her arms - like an empty sack -- and carried his big body against her breasts. The tears leaked down her face nonstop.

"But what's wrong with him?" Zyanya begged of Seleste. He tried not to cling to her tail but could not help it: he knew Seleste and Achai, and the sudden realization hit him that they were all he had left. He kept thinking of his parents falling by the fountain, staring in their own blood . . . and his sister staring with them. When the attack was only beginning, they sent him out the window, had told him to look after his sister, but once outside she had run from him back to their parents . . . and she was murdered and thrown down with them. Hiding behind the houses, Zyanya had watched this in horror and wept. And he hoped the big handsome male was not about to die too. Zyanya thought he was so handsome . . . and so nice . . . and he smelled so good.

"Hush, Zy, and keep moving," was Seleste's reply. "Everything will be alright."

Everything will be alright. Seleste kept saying that like some sort of mantra. Zyanya's face twisted each time she said it. No, everything would not be alright! His parents were dead! His sister was dead! And as he listened to the others talking, he realized it was because of that female with the penis. He suddenly hated her.

They cut across the ice as fast as they could. The shemale kept sobbing and crying, stumbling and falling to one knee. But she never dropped the big handsome one. She got back up without any help, even when she cut herself on the crystal shards. Zyanya would not have helped her up anyway. Serves her right!

They ran and ran, but Zyanya knew it was pointless. They would have eventually made it to the mountains, but the foxes were going to come out on the ice sooner or later. He was right.

They heard the first foxes in the distance, yelling and snarling. Seleste halted and whipped around. Zyanya saw her lift her paw in their direction with a determined frown, but nothing happened. He knew nothing would happen. They had all lost their magic hours ago. Zyanya had felt the energy sap from him, as if his healing powers had been sucked dry, and Seleste and Achai - who'd developed other powers from a corrupt crystal - had lost their powers of telekinesis. Seleste had also lost the ability to levitate. The only one with any abilities was the shemale, who had her arms full carrying the big handsome one.

"They're coming!" Achai cried, panicking.

Zyanya stood beside Achai and thought he had every reason to panic: the foxes were armed to the teeth with spears, swords, knives, and gold crossbows. They halted some distance away, and their leader lifted his paw, shouting for them to aim. They were going to be shot down. Executed in cold blood on the ice.

"Oh god," Seleste whispered. "Get behind me!" she snarled. "Get behind!"

"What?" Tala wailed immediately. "No, M-Mom!"

"I said go!" Seleste shouted.

They watched in horror as she ran toward their attackers.

"MOM!" Achai screamed. He tried to run after Seleste but Zyanya grabbed him.

"Let go of me, Zy!" Achai growled, spit flying from his mouth. "Leggo - leggo, dammit!"

Zyanya sobbed as he held on. "No, I can't let you go - I won't!"

Achai stopped struggling, and Zyanya knew he was bitterly remembering that his friend was bigger and stronger. Zyanya held Achai tight to his chest and was surprised and saddened when Achai nuzzled his face in his neck and wept. He lifted his face again and screamed, "MOM!"

Zyanya flattened his ears and squeezed his eyes shut when he heard the mechanical click of the crossbows releasing. But . . . there was no scream of agony, no sobs from Tala and Achai. Zyanya slowly opened his eyes and gasped: a transparent shield of light had sprung up before them, and the crossbow bolts pinged of it harmlessly. How had Seleste done this? The foxes were just as flabbergasted. They stared uncertainly, then their leader roared for them to fire again. Same deal.

Zyanya heard feet slapping across the ice and his ears pricked forward as yet another fox came running up behind them. Zyanya recognized her: she had stayed at Seleste's home a few times over the years and had once been the royal nursemaid. When the queen discovered that she was caught up in political intrigue, she was banished from the palace, and eventually, from the kingdom itself. Zyanya did not trust her, and what was more, he thought the queen had gone too easy on her: those who tried to usurp the throne were usually executed without trial.

"Halt!" Zyanya yelled and stood protectively in front of Achai, who blinked at him.

"Zy . . . it's just Nizhoni," Achai said in exasperation.

Zyanya shook his head darkly, and all he could see were the bodies of his parents and sister, staring in pools of blood. "They're all the same," he muttered under his breath.

Seleste came running up. "Zhoni! What are you doing here!"

Tala's eyes filled with grateful tears. "You saved us! Can you help? We need to get away!"

The little fox was breathless, her breath coming in a mist on the cold air. Her white mane tumbled around her as she looked from face to face. She seemed relieved that they were all safe, and Zyanya saw her ruffle Achai's mane fondly.

"I can stall them," Nizhoni said, "as you run."

Zyanya thought she didn't look happy about it. And he knew she was right to feel that way: once she openly attacked her own, Nizhoni would never be able to return to Miras Eii. There would be no looking the other way when she snuck into the palace. The council would have her shot on sight.

"We're not running anywhere without you," Seleste said at once. "Do you understand what you're saying? Attack them, and they will kill you!"

Nizhoni's lip trembled. "Not if I kill them first."

Seleste shook her head slowly. "I know you, Zhoni. You are not a killer."

"But I am," Tala said grimly.

Zyanya looked at her, astonished. Typical! Of course she was a killer - his parents were dead because of her!

"Tala . . ." Seleste shook her head. "No."

"I'm not asking for your permission, Mom!" Tala shouted. With trembling paws, she set the handsome one on the ice, and when she straightened up again, she looked at Nizhoni and said, "Let's go."

"No!" Seleste practically shrieked. She grabbed Tala's arms and squeezed. "If they hurt you, I will not be able to heal you --!"

"I can heal her," Nizhoni said quietly.

"While you're dead?" Seleste demanded.

Tala shook herself free. "We don't have time for this, Mom!" She looked at Achai. "Take care of them?"

Zyanya could not believe it when Achai nodded his head resolutely.

"This is foolishness!" Zyanya burst. "We should just run!"

Tala ignored him, and grabbing Nizhoni's arm, she turned away. Seleste shouted when the shemale and the fox ran toward their pursuers. Achai tried to run after them, but Zyanya grabbed him. The three of them watched in horror as the magical shield disintegrated. The foxes lifted their crossbows to fire but never had the chance: Nizhoni extended her paw and sent flames at them. They fell to their knees, wreathing in agony, clawing at their faces. Perhaps they had never expected that one of their own would use magic on them.

Tala knelt and slammed her fist on the ice. Zyanya and the others staggered to keep their footing as a tremendous crack shook the world. The ice split in a rapid line, until it had opened under the foxes. They plunged into the icy water and it splashed above their heads as they gasped and screamed, fighting to get out.

Nizhoni then stepped forward and extended her paw. Zyanya gasped: the ice sealed over the foxes' heads. Their screams were muffled as their blue silhouettes splashed beneath, scratching desperately to escape. He saw one of them cast a weak fire spell that was doused immediately by the icy water.

When Nizhoni ran to them again, there were tears in her eyes, and Zyanya could not understand why: as far as he was concerned, the foxes deserved it.

Tala didn't look sorry at all, which Zyanya found most sensible - even if he hated her guts. The shemale gathered the handsome one in her arms again. She looked over him sadly as he draped in her grasp like a ragdoll. His lips were blue and he didn't appear to be breathing. Or moving. At all. Zyanya could swear he was dead, and yet . . . the stupid shemale refused to put him down.

Nizhoni was still crying freely.

"Nizhoni," Seleste said sadly, sympathetically. She touched the fox's shoulder. "You did what you had to do . . ."

Zyanya could give less of a damn about Nizhoni's crying. She was only crying because she'd been forced to kill other foxes. Had those foxes been wolves, she wouldn't have given a damn! He loudly reminded everyone that they had to keep going before more foxes came.

"He's right," Nizhoni said, sniffling with tears. "More will come, and I won't be able to stop them. Soon, I will lose my magic."

"Can you help Yato?" the shemale asked breathlessly.

Nizhoni shook her head and flattened her ears. She averted her eyes as she whispered, "He's dead, Tala."

Tala's eyes widened. "What! No!" she snarled through a sudden rush of tears. "No, he's not! Never say that again!" She marched toward Nizhoni, so furiously that the fox took several startled steps back. She halted again and stared at the male in her arms. Her lip trembled. "He c-can't be . . ."

Seleste watched her daughter, her eyes also glistening with tears.

Achai suddenly sobbed. He pointed at Nizhoni, "That's a fucking lie! It's not true!" He broke down and Seleste hugged him.

Zyanya watched Achai with soft eyes, wishing he could hold him again. His ears flattened. He hated to see Achai in pain. He thought of his own mother and wished she was there. Nahimana would have known what to do. And Wichahpi, from who Zyanya had inherited his strength and height. Being with his father had always made him feel so safe. He looked out at the desolate ice. He didn't feel anything now.

"He can be revived," Nizhoni said. "But . . ." She hesitated, eying Tala. Then she looked at Seleste, and that seemed to help her decision. "You helped me once, Seleste, when I had been cast out with no where to go. In return, I will help your daughter. And then . . . you will never see me again."

Seleste's ears flattened and she shook her head. She was still holding Achai tight in her slender arms. "Never see you again? But why?"

Nizhoni swallowed hard. "Please trust me."

Zyanya snorted. She had some nerve asking for trust! He wanted to scream that Nizhoni was one of them, that they'd be mad to trust! But he bit his lip and was silent.

Nizhoni turned away. "Come with me."

They ran.

They ran recklessly across the ice, manes and tails streaming. Nizhoni ran light as a deer and fast as one too. Somehow, Seleste managed to keep at her side. Zyanya and the shemale also found it easy to keep up, but Achai was clumsy. Zyanya smiled: he always had been.

Achai fell and cut his knee on the crystal shards. Zyanya could tell he was trying not to cry when Seleste turned to him. He bit his lip to keep it from trembling and put on a brave front. Zyanya, being bigger and taller than Achai, offered to carry him on his back. Achai blushed miserably.

"Let him, little one," Nizhoni said. She smiled wisely as she added, "He is more than willing."

Zyanya glared at the fox irritably. He looked at Achai and his eyes softened. "It'll be faster. I can do it. I'm strong."

Achai bit his lip and his blush brightened. "I know you're strong . . ." he muttered, embarrassed. "Alright."

Zyanya squatted down, wishing the others would stop watching them in amusement. He made his face impassive and hard as stone. They would never see him blush or stammer! He wished Achai was as good at hiding his embarrassment . . .

Achai's arms were trembling when he climbed on Zyanya's back. He locked his skinny thighs around him and hugged his neck tight. Zyanya swallowed hard to feel his soft little cock brushing him. Holding on to Achai's legs, he slowly stood, and the group took off again.

As they ran, Zyanya glanced down: Achai was bleeding freely from his knee. The smaller boy's legs flapped with every step, held as they were around Zyanya's hips. "How is it?" Zyanya whispered, his breath coming in mist.

"Better," Achai whispered in his ear. ". . . thank you for carrying me, Zy."

Zyanya felt Achai's hot breath hit his neck and then . . . he kissed him. Discreetly, softly, Achai kissed Zyanya on the neck. Zyanya's lashes fluttered. He had never kissed him before!

Zyanya cleared his throat and tried to pretend the kiss had not happened. He moved faster and ran to catch up with the shemale, thinking that perhaps Achai would not do such things in front of her. The kiss had made him nervous. Something had begun . . . below his waist.

The mountains were becoming visible in the distance. Zyanya's heart skipped a beat as he realized they were about to leave the sea of ice. He'd never been away from Miras Eii a day in his life! But now he was frightened. Terribly frightened. What was out there? And how could they survive? Zyanya didn't think he could protect Seleste and felt ashamed. He didn't know how to use a spear or a bow or a sword like the fox warriors he had grown up around. He didn't know how to do anything.

As if he sensed his fear, Achai massaged Zyanya's chest. Zyanya bit his lip. Achai had always been able to sense his feelings. He glanced at the shemale and saw she was watching them curiously. When he glared at her, she looked away.

They made it. Zyanya could not believe it! Nizhoni opened the way, and the mountain pass appeared. They ran across the snow through the swirling wind. Zyanya felt the relief washing over him as they dashed up the hard, frozen grass, up the gravely mountain pass, up and far away. The foxes would not dare to come this far. Not with their magic fading. They feared the wolves and the mortal world. The cowards.

"Up higher," Nizhoni panted. "Up this pass here. We'll make camp for the night."

"But . . . Yatokya," the shemale said dully. "We have to help h-him . . ."

"We will," Nizhoni said. She sounded a little irritated.

They followed her up the mountain pass to a cluster of pine trees. Nizhoni decided it was a good place to make camp and started gathering sticks. Seleste helped her.

The shemale knelt with the handsome one in her arms, sniffing quietly as she stared at him. Zyanya knew she was blaming herself for his death. In that moment, when she pressed a trembling kiss on the handsome one's forehead, Zyanya almost felt sorry for her.

Zyanya squatted down to let Achai off his back. Achai staggered off and almost fell. Zyanya caught him by the arm but hastily let go. They avoided each other's eyes as Achai muttered, "Thanks, Zy."

Zyanya watched Achai help his mother gather firewood and had to wonder what that kiss back on the ice had been about. His heart fluttered each time he thought of it. He shook the thoughts away and started gathering rocks for the fire.

When the fire was bright and crackling, Nizhoni took a look at the handsome one, who the shemale had called Yatokya. After the examination, she announced that the handsome one was not beyond recovery. Had he spent more time on the ice, he probably would have really died. He had simply stopped, literally. His body was on pause. And if they did not take him to someone, he would stay that way. And eventually, he would die.

"It's like . . . pre-death," Nizhoni said as the shemale stared miserably at the handsome one in her arms. "He's almost dead but not quite." She looked at Achai, who was sitting between Seleste and Zyanya. "Let me look at your knee, little one."

Zyanya stiffened when Nizhoni came to Achai. The fox knelt down and touched his bloody knee. Looking at her, Zyanya could not help but think of his parents and his sister, whose bodies were probably being piled on a pyre at the very moment. He leapt to his feet and practically exploded with rage. The others watched, astonished, as Zyanya kicked Nizhoni's paw off Achai. He followed up by kicking her viciously in the side. She fell over with a weak cry. He lifted his foot to kick her again, ignoring it when Seleste leapt to her feet and screamed for him to stop.

"Zy!" Achai shouted. "Stop it! Fucking stop it!"

Zyanya grunted as Achai tackled him to the hard grass. Little rocks cut his back, but he barely felt it. All he felt was anger and despair. He struggled wildly, but Achai managed to hold him down. Panting and growling, it took him a moment to realize their cocks were slapping. Fighting down a blush, he struggled all the harder. Achai was angry, but he was blushing as well.

"Get off me, Achai!"

"No!"

"Gerrofff me!"

"Calm the fuck down!"

Zyanya hated himself when he was suddenly blinded by tears. Achai looked at him sympathetically, and he hated it all the more.

"They're dead!" Zyanya shouted and hated the sob in his voice. "They're dead because of vixen _bitches_like her!" He managed to elbow Achai off and sat up. He was glad when Nizhoni whimpered and shrank from him in wonder. Yes. He was strong like a bull. He may not have been able to lift a boulder over his head like the shemale, but he was damn strong. That bitch had better fear him!

Seleste was crouched beside Nizhoni, holding her. Her face hardened as she looked at Zyanya. "Zy," she said firmly, "control yourself!"

Zyanya scowled at her. "You aren't my mother!" he roared through a sob. "Don't play mother with me --" The words halted in Zyanya's mouth when he heard a whimper. He looked over and saw with a frown that he'd hurt Achai. The smaller boy was pulling himself up carefully. He was bloody and scratched and he was cradling his wrist, which trembled violently.

Seleste frowned and went to Achai. "Oh, honey . . . shh, it's alright. Just let Nizhoni see it . . ." She glanced at Zyanya, a silent warning.

Zyanya hugged his knees miserably. He glanced over them to see that the shemale was watching him, sympathetic tears standing in her eyes. He stared at the grass instead, wishing he was dead before he'd ever hurt Achai. He could hear Achai whimpering. Seleste shushed him and told him to be brave. A sudden warm light pulsed, and Zyanya knew Nizhoni had healed him. He bit his lip bitterly. There was a time when he could have healed Achai. But now he could no nothing.

"See? All better, little one," Nizhoni said in a trembling voice. She sounded pained. Thinking of the violent way in which he had kicked her, Zyanya winced guiltily. He supposed he should apologize, but he had no intention of doing so. He'd die first.

"Zyanya," Seleste said. Before Zyanya could lift his head, Seleste was hugging him. She was hugging him and crying and rubbing his back, stroking his mane. He tried to resist, he tried to stay cold, but eventually . . . he melted against her and wept hard. He was ashamed that Achai was seeing it. And he hated to know that the shemale and the damned fox were watching it too. But he couldn't help it. He let go, sobbing fiercely into the warm soft fur of Seleste's breasts.

"I'm going to look after you now," Seleste told him. "You aren't alone, honey, I promise."

"Y-Yes, I am," Zyanya sobbed. "I want to go home . . ."

"I know, honey . . . I know."

Zyanya squeezed his eyes shut tighter. He couldn't believe those words had left his mouth. What was home? Home was burned to the ground. And if he went there, they would kill him. They would toss him on the pyre with his parents. And he would burn.

"You aren't alone," Seleste repeated firmly. She cupped his face. "Look at me! Do you understand? You aren't alone. I will take care of you."

Zyanya saw Achai crouched behind Seleste, watching him with wet eyes, watching him with fear. He suddenly asked himself what he was doing. His mother would want him to take care of Seleste and Achai. His mother would want him to be strong! And his father would pop him on the tail for attacking someone who had helped him.

"No, Seleste," Zyanya said, and he saw her brows go up, "I'm gonna look after you!"

Seleste smiled.

They slept off the trail, under the pine trees, on leaves they gathered to make nests. The fox curled up alone near the fire, and somehow, Zyanya thought she looked very small and sad. It made him feel even worse about kicking her. The shemale slept with the handsome one's body still in her arms, tired and tearstained, her paws still bloody after Nizhoni had healed them. Seleste and Achai curled up together on their leaves. They invited Zyanya to snuggle with them, but he insisted on sleeping alone.

Not that he could sleep. The gentle breathing of the others eventually rose and fell against the crackling of the fire, but Zyanya stayed awake, staring at the stars, missing his little sister. It suddenly occurred to him that the shemale was Achai's sister. His full sister. They looked so different, he had never realized.

Zyanya glared at Nizhoni, who slept with a troubled frown near the fire. She was hiding something. _Her_kind always were. Before they'd gone to bed, she had announced that she was going to take them to a place. It was there that the handsome one could be revived. They would have to travel through the mountains and to a gate.

Seleste had listened attentively to the fox's plan, without even the slightest suspicion -- as had the shemale and even Achai. But Zyanya . . . he would never trust Nizhoni! It seemed ridiculous to him that she could not simply touch the handsome one and bring him back! Foxes commanded that sort of power. And it was even more ridiculous that Seleste and Achai did not seem to realize this! He wanted to say something to them, but after his attack on Nizhoni, he knew no one would listen to him.

Zyanya curled up on his side and hugged himself. He was surprised to feel a paw squeeze his shoulder. He froze and looked up to find Achai leaning over him. He gulped and looked away.

"I thought you'd be awake," Achai whispered, lying down beside him. "I didn't want you to sleep alone."

Zyanya held back a smile. He stiffened when Achai spooned him. "What are you doing?" he whispered hoarsely.

"We used to sleep together when we were little."

"We aren't little anymore, Achai!" Zyanya's voice was angrier than he meant. Achai started to scoot away, and he grabbed his arm. Achai stiffened nervously. "No," Zyanya whispered, "I'm sorry . . . please stay." He looked over his shoulder to see Achai smile.

Zyanya turned his back again, and Achai spooned him again. His lashes fluttered when Achai rubbed his thin chest in soothing circles. Something was happening below his waist again. A tingling. And heat. It had been happening to him all year, though he'd been afraid to tell his father about it. Each time he was with Achai like this . . . it happened. It came on the strongest when they were bathing together at his house. He had abruptly left, leaving Achai blinking and confused.

"I won't let you hurt alone," Achai whispered sadly after a pause.

Zyanya squeezed his eyes shut. "Don't worry about me."

"I have to."

"I can take care of myself, Achai."

Achai snorted. "The fuck you can."

"Stop swearing. You know it upsets your mother."

"Fuck off."

Zyanya laughed softly.

They fell silent, and Zyanya closed his eyes, trying to ignore the fact that Achai's soft penis was touching his backside, trying to ignore what was happening below his waist. Achai was still rubbing his chest, and suddenly unable to take it any longer, he grabbed his paw and stopped him.

"What?" Achai whispered. "I'm sorry . . . you looked sad."

Zyanya frowned over his shoulder at him. "Why did you kiss me before?"

Achai looked at him sheepishly. His white cheeks were starting to flame the tiniest bit. "Because . . . I was happy you were carrying me . . . You haven't carried me in forever."

Zyanya looked away again. That was true. They used to carry each other around when they were little, just to goof off. Being the stronger of the two of them, it was usually Zyanya who carried Achai on his back. But then . . . those strange feelings had begun. One day when he came home from one of their play sessions, he was red in the face, his penis was a little stiff, and his mother laughed and said her little boy was growing up. She had then begun to cry, leaving him to assume that what was happening to his penis . . . was bad.

"Why did you stop?" Achai whispered sadly.

Because something keeps happening to my dick! Zyanya didn't answer. He didn't know what to say.

"Were you scared I would kiss you?" Achai whispered miserably. "I won't anymore . . ."

Achai sounded so wretched that Zyanya grabbed his paw and squeezed it. "No, Achai. You didn't do anything wrong. I promise."

A pause.

"So . . . you liked it when I kissed you? I've been thinking about it."

". . . thinking about what?" Zyanya asked carefully. His eyes slid to their corners as he waited for answer.

"On your mouth," Achai whispered. "But I was scared you'd . . . get mad. Like now."

"I'm not mad," Zyanya said softly.

"Oh! Good." It was just two words, but Zyanya could hear the immense relief in them.

"Achai . . ." Zyanya took a breath. "The truth is . . . something happens to me when . . . you're near."

"What? What happens?" Achai asked curiously.

"Something happens . . ." Zyanya lowered his voice. "To my penis!"

"Oooh," Achai said, as if he had realized something.

"What? What is it?" Zyanya asked miserably.

Achai laughed softly. "But that's normal! I saw it happen to Tala and Yatokya. They were downstairs touching each other . . . and their penises were hard."

Zyanya flushed crimson. "Then what happened?"

"I dunno. Tala got mad and hit Yato, I think. I didn't see because I ran back to my room when she started crying."

"Then it is bad . . ."

"No! Tala was just scared. It's not bad at all. It . . . it means you like me . . ."

Zyanya swallowed hard. "I do like you." He closed his eyes and shivered when Achai placed a careful kiss on his neck. Then . . . he felt the blood rushing to his groin. He hunched over, wincing and blushing as it happened: he got hard.

"A-Ahhhh...."

"Wow," Achai whispered, peering over his shoulder. "It's huge . . ."

"Don't say that . . ."

"I'm hard too, Zy . . ."

"What!"

Achai scooted closer, and Zyanya's heart beat hard when he felt the hot slap of his erection against his backside. He squeezed his eyes shut and whimpered a little when Achai slowly began to fondle him. He gritted his teeth.

"Don't be afraid . . ."

"But it's getting worse!"

"Doesn't it feel good? Mine feels good."

"Achai . . ."

"I want to do what Yatokya did with Tala. I want you touch mine too."

Zyanya's eyes sprang open. "Here? By the fire? No, no . . . stop, Achai . . ."

Achai sadly let Zyanya go. He heaved a sigh of relief and turned on his back to look at him. He went very still. Achai was indeed hard. His little pink cock had swelled up twice the size while erect.

Achai looked at Zyanya helplessly. "You won't touch me? Ever . . .?"

Zyanya smiled. "One day. Not tonight."

"I want to sleep on top of you . . . like we did when we were small . . ."

"Okay," Zyanya whispered, knowing that their cocks would touch when this happened. They did. He bit his lip as Achai, smaller and skinnier, got comfortable on top of him. Their hard dicks kept brushing. Achai looked Zyanya in the eye as his moved his hips against him, slowly rubbing his dick on his. Zyanya couldn't believe how bold, how blatant Achai was in his desires. But then, Achai had never been shy.

"Tala squirted when Yato touched her," Achai whispered. "You think if I keep rubbing on you . . .?" He snapped his hips harder.

Zyanya grimaced, going red in the face. "Ahh . . . A-Ahh! Achai, don't! I don't want to - squirt - with them near . . ."

Achai reluctantly stopped. After a pause, he whispered, "Are we . . . mated now?"

"I think we'd have to mate first."

"No . . ." Achai frowned. "I mean . . . are we . . .?"

Zyanya slowly smiled as Achai's meaning became clear. His answer was to stroke his mane and kiss his head. They fell asleep together. Smiling.