"Oh yeah?" Myrla pushed a phase that almost made Rankil drop her tray. So, I'm a prude?

I could be wrong.

Damn right you are. Myrla dropped her phase and began to eat. "Now, finish your dinner."

"Aw, My."

"Eat."

Tease.

Myrla rolled her eyes. That's all I'll ever be if you don't eat.

Rankil wolfed down her dinner then set the tray on Myrla's knees. "Finished."

"Well, I'm not."

"Then hurry up."

"Don't rush me."

"Myrla, come on."

"Why are you in such a hurry? Augustus said we're not to do that until you're better healed. No jarring motions, remember?"

"Please?"

"Would it be easier if I slept on the lounger?"

"You want me to beg?"

"Of course not." Myrla finished her meal then stacked their trays beside the bed. "Turn down the lantern."

"Might as well since you won't let me do what I want."

"Don't be hateful."

"Hmph." Rankil dimmed the light then lay with her back to Myrla. "Goodnight."

"Turn over." Myrla touched her shoulder.

"I'm comfortable as I am."

"I'm not, so please turn over." Myrla pushed up on one elbow.

"Geez, My. Can you be any more impossible?" When Rankil brushed Myrla's life braid from her face, Myrla grabbed her hand, placing it in a spot that would show her intentions.

"What?" Rankil rolled over.

"Don't you know?" Myrla moved Rankil's hand to her thigh. "What about this?"

"Myrla Rankils, you're naked under that shirt!"

"As the day I was claimed."

"But you just quoted Augustus' orders. What gives?"

Nothing gives, my beloved. Myrla threw back the covers to straddle her lover, pulling off the shirt as she encouraged Rankil to explore her. Augustus said you weren't to jar yourself. I am much gentler than that.

Is this some of that gentlewoman equality I've heard Wikkib talking about? There were no inhibitions between them now, no uneasiness, only desire to find what they both ached for.

You have a problem with the concept?

Definitely not. Rankil pushed Myrla down, drawing them together with the gentle swirl of her hips, deepening the contact with an arousing phase. Myrla clutched at Rankil's pillow then arched back, moaning as white-hot pleasure shot through her body.

Yes! Rankil's pulse quickened as Myrla pressed harder, grinding them into complete oneness. Yes, My. Yes.

Positively yes, panted Myrla in their mutual link. More.

Much more. Rankil pulled Myrla up until her breast touched her mouth, taking nips timed with the urgent pursuit of her fingers. She caressed the folds surrounding Myrla's clitoris, sliding between them then back, careful but persistent as she pushed against the final barrier between them. It soon gave way with a small shudder that remained lost in the pleasure and Rankil sank one then two fingers into her lover, relishing the wet that greeted her. Much, much more.

So continued the conversation until Myrla collapsed, quite tired and fulfilled, across Rankil's sweating body. "That was stunning." She ran her fingers up Rankil's stomach, stopping to run quick circles around her breasts. "Thank you."

"They say first impressions are the lasting ones. Did I say everything right?"

"And then some." Myrla slid back to Rankil's side, leaving their legs entangled as she placed her head against her lover's shoulder.

"My turn," she whispered and slid her hand between Rankil's legs.

"But-" Rankil's eyes rolled back, every objection concerning broadbacks not needing fading from her mind as Myrla began stroking her, deepening her phase, delivering a quivering peak that she repeated until Rankil lay a hand to her face.

"My head, we'd best-"

Myrla immediately dropped her phase and pulled back, her face awash with concern. "Did I hurt you?"

"No," assured Rankil with a smile. "I'm surprisingly pain free at present. We were just beginning to move too much."

"Oh." Myrla rested again on her chest. "Then I suppose it was best that we quit."

"I suppose." Rankil remained quiet for a moment then became troubled, worried by her lack of experience and the time they'd spent apart. "Was the phase all right? I never, I mean, didn't-"

"It was perfect. Thanks for saving it for me."

They lay in silence a while longer, Myrla reliving the pleasure in her thoughts as Rankil drifted in and out of sleep.

"Rankil?" Myrla's whisper roused Rankil from the depths of her contentedness.

"Yes?"

"Next time I believe you should wear the helmet. A little jarring might be fun." Myrla ran her leg up Rankil's, pausing at the rise of her hip before trailing back down.

"You know," replied Rankil. "It just might at that." She lay awake long after Myrla fell asleep against her, reliving the events that had brought them together then tore them apart just to bring them together again. This time would be enduring, Rankil was certain. They were respected members of a community, a community whose numbers were growing exponentially, a community on the brink of phenomenal change.

"Well, Rankil dankle," Rankil whispered to herself as healing sleep finally took hold. "You're one misplaced sister who won't be lost again." She kissed the top of Myrla's head. "You're pretty damn lucky, pretty damn lucky indeed."

Taelach Words, Clans and Slang Defined.

Adner Colony. Small colony in the Tekkroon clan named for Andrea Adner, an early Tekkroon clan leader.

Aut. Taelach slang for Autlach.

Autlach. Indigenous species to Saria II, the second planet orbiting Sixty-One Cygni, short and stocky humanoid species with dark features.

battle braid. Taelach marker of battle victories and military rank worn in the hair.

birther. A Taelach trained in assisting Autlach women in giving birth to a Taelach child, slang term used to indicate an Autlach woman giving birth to a Taelach child.

blood marking. Tekkroon commitment ceremony (nuptials).

Bowriver Colony. Small colony in the Tekkroon clan named after the Bow River, the underground river which surfaces in the Tekkroon lands.

broadback. Woman who pursues a more masculine role in Taelach society.

gentlewoman. Woman who pursues a more feminine role in Taelach society.

Gretchencliff Colony. Largest of the Tekkroon clan colonies, named after Gretchen Taelakowski, founder of the Tekkroon clan.

grotto. Small cave or cavern used by Taelachs as a private residence.

ground mat. Small cloth and grass rugs used by the Taelach for sitting.

hopper. Rabbit-like creature hunted for its meat and fur.

Hunt. An organized pursuit and capture of Taelachs by Autlachs.

inking. A tattoo.

isolation cavern. Large caves used by the Tekkroon to temporarily quarantine Taelachs seeking asylum or membership within the clan.

knee skirt. Garment worn by Taelachs too young to choose broadback or gentlewoman status.

letcher bear. Large mammal indigenous to Saria II known for its soft fur and nauseating stench.

life braid. Taelach marker of family and clan affiliation worn in the hair.

mate challenge. Taelach custom where one may object to or defend a claim for another's affections using strict protocol.

McDougal Colony. Tekkroon clan colony named after Zuli.

McDougal a human refuge on Saria II and early supporter of the Taelach. milker. Nassie used to provide milk.

Mother Maker. Taelach religious figure, comparable to Gaia.

nassie. Three-toed llama-like mammals used by the Taelach and Autlach for meat, wool, riding and as beasts of burden.

phase. Telepathic process used by the Taelach.

pilta. Sarian tobacco-like plant with a slight narcotic effect.

The Pit. Tekkroon clan psychiatric facilities.

Powder Barrier. Elite of Tekkroon clan military forces, named for the black powder long-rifles they carry.

Raskhallak. Popular Autlach deity that openly condemns the Taelach.

recognition. Tekkroon clan ceremony that establishes a woman as a broadback.

Saria II. Second planet orbiting Sixty-One Cygni.

sister. Term of endearment and/or respect used by Taelachs when addressing other Taelachs.

Serpents. A small Taelach clan known for its fighting skills and stringent moral doctrine.

Sixty-One Cygni. A yellow dwarf star in the Milky Way thought to be similar to Earth's sun.

Taelach. A subspecies of the Autlach who are all are born female, pale-skinned, willowy in build, sterile and telepathic.

Tekkroon. The largest and technologically superior of the Taelach clans.

whitehair. Autlach derogatory slang for the Taelach.

winnolla. An Autlach male or female, generally of rare musical or artistic talent, who lives among the Taelach.

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