Barbaric

Chapter Twenty-Five

(Delkele's POV)

Why did Delra always have to ruin everything? I mean, for once I was having the time of my life with Jox, with a perfect date to boot...and she had to come in with her judgmental self and ruin my good mood. Why the hell had she even been in Caultor anyway? And with Emylle? I know Emylle said it was to see more of the sights, but when we had gone there, I showed her just about every notable thing I could. I couldn't exactly explain it, but I had a feeling her answer was rooted in a lie, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why.

I sighed wearily and pulled my head cover off of me, taking a moment to hold the fabric in my hands as I took a peek back at Jox, who was on his tablet conversing to Asurah. Or, well, bragging to him about our date.

Seeing him look so enthusiastic made a small smile form on my face, but of course, it fell after my mind drifted back to my sister and Emylle. The way Emylle had placed her hand on Delra's shoulder with familiarity raised some questions within me, and I wanted answers...but while I was deep in my thoughts, I failed to notice Jox approaching me, not until he rested his chin on my shoulder, nearly causing me to jump with fright.

"Is everything alright?" He wondered softly, wrapping his arms around my torso. His cool hand was soothing against the heated flesh of my chest, and I could only deflate into his arms with a hefty sigh. "I'm still wondering why Delra and Emylle were at Caultor. Delra's not the type to just...go places without an ulterior motive, let alone with company."

I felt Jox shrug against me, and let him turn me around in his arms, his blue eyes gazing into mine. "So what if she was? Just let her do her thing, I'm sure Emylle will keep her in line."

I pursed my lips and frowned, keeping my eyes on the other man. "Delra's up to something, I just know it." I tore my gaze away from him and moved over to the bags on my bed, absentmindedly pulling out the gifts Jox bought me. "She's already approached me once about you...telling me to forget about you in favor of my people." I sighed and stopped what I was doing, holding the plush Jox got me in my hands. "She called me selfish." I placed the plush down before turning towards the Glacic man. "I'm just tired of her telling me how I do everything wrong."

I watched Jox approach me, the other man nibbling at his bottom lip as he pulled me into a hug. "Siblings are always difficult," he said, pale hand rubbing the tense muscles of my back, "they're always going to do something to annoy you. Besides, I plan on having a chat with her once she gets back. She has no right to treat you so cruelly." I opened my mouth, ready to object when Jox silenced me, placing a pale finger against my lips. "I'm serious. Maybe I can get down to the roots of why she treats you so rude all the time. If I can figure that out, maybe I could help the two of you piece back your relationship."

I stared down at Jox, feeling a slight bit of hope blossom in my chest. A chance to actually see eye to eye with my sister? Could it even be possible? I mean, we didn't always fight. There was a time we talked like normal, civilized people...maybe with Jox's help we could do that again. As long as Delra was willing, that was. It wouldn't work if she didn't want it to...gods, I think I'm thinking too hard on this.

Finally, after that internal conflict with myself, I pulled myself out of my head and looked at my lover, feeling my heart clench tightly in my chest at the determination in his light blue eyes. I then sighed and rested my forehead against his. "I-If you think it will help...I won't stop you. But I do warn you, Delra is an incredibly stubborn woman, so don't be surprised if anything you say goes through one ear and out the other."

Jox gave me a sweet smile and cupped my cheek, his skin like a cool breeze. "I'll definitely keep that in mind when I talk to her. Now, in the meantime...I really want to see you in the new clothes I got you."

I blushed and scrunched up my face. "Really? Now?"

Jox wiggled his brows and pressed a playful kiss against the tip of my nose, his eyes practically glittering as he turned and grabbed the tunic and harem pants in question before he turned to me. Sighing, I begrudgingly grabbed the clothes and pursed my lips as I took a step back and placed them on a table close to me. I started to reach for the pants I had on, but then paused and glanced back towards Jox, who had been watching me intensely before his gaze widened and pink splashed across his cheeks.

"O-Oh, would you like some privacy?"

I blushed, my face practically burning as I quickly undid the ties of my pants before letting them fall to the ground. "Y-You've seen me in a much more...lewd state," I muttered, shyly keeping my eyes on my new clothes as I pulled them on, the fabric surprisingly soft against my skin. I nibbled at my bottom lip and turned to Jox, whose cheeks were still red as he stared at me. I was a bit far from him, but I swore I could see the desire swirling within those light blue depths, which caused a warmth to coil within me.

"Well?" I wondered out loud, causing Jox to blink out of his head. "How do I look?"

Jox's brows rose as he approached me, his fingers gently trailing down the front of my tunic. "It definitely fits you well." His gaze then met mine, the desire more prominent now that he was eye to eye with me. "Then again, you could wear literally anything and still be incredibly attractive. Or nothing at all."

I blushed darkly and nibbled at my bottom lip, Jox's eyes following the action before he gently grabbed the back of my neck and pulled me into a sweet kiss, his lips soft against mine. After a moment, I pulled away slightly and stared into his eyes, a soft of...calmness washing over me as my lover kept his arms wrapped loosely around me. "I do want to thank you, though. For all of the gifts...a-and our lunch. I wasn't lying when I told you no one ever did anything like that for me, so, I'm incredibly grateful and I hope to one day return the favor."

Jox's lips twitched as he pecked me on the chin, his hands moving from the small of my back to my waist, his fingers gently toying with the hem of my tunic. "Well, I like to spoil those that I love, and I'm glad you appreciate your efforts. And, if everything goes right, then you'll have the rest of your days to look forward to random gifts and frequent dates." He winked, causing me to chuckle and blush before he pulled me back into a kiss, his lips melding perfectly against mine.

Feeling loved, I hummed into the kiss and began walking forward, causing Jox to walk backwards until the backs of his knees hit the bed. He gasped as he fell back against the covers, but quickly recovered as I climbed onto his lap, pulling him in for another kiss. Heat began to coil in the pit of my stomach as our tongues glided together in a passionate dance, Jox's hands a comfortable weight on my hips as we kissed. My heart thundered against my chest as Jox's hands braved their way under my tunic, his fingers cool against my bare skin.

Despite Delra making an unsatisfactory visit towards the end of our date...I had an incredible time today, being there with Jox. Just his presence seemed to brighten my days and...I was excited to see more. I was excited to see what the future would bring, being by his side, and for once in my long life, I felt as if I finally had something to hope for.

-----Smut scene in Frozen Treats-----