Songs of the Sea

Chapter 7-1

Chapter 7

As his mother predicted, Belzer asked Sartin to help her lead the pod. Following them, Ballard took her place as both mother of Alewar and healer. The children swam in the middle, protected and prodded along by their mothers. The other aunts then formed a protective ring around the mothers and children. Wickizer took the West side of the pod, and Thornton swam behind. Barakat, being the next alpha female, brandished a spear and took the east side of the pod.

Right whales made the same journey to the warm waters of Winter Beach every year. The whales never met up with their southern counterparts like the Sea People did. Culture and camaraderie separated the animals from the Sea People.

Buoyed by the pride of leading the pod as future Alewar, Sartin had no problem guiding the family. His skillful packing of the wound helped the healing process immensely. It was Beltram and Little Brandt who caused the most problems on the Winter Journey. Most of the time, they did fine, swimming along with the adults. Although dangerous, Wickizer allowed them to take turns and travel with him on the fringe of the pod. Belzer didn’t say anything, but if either child grabbed the attention of a sperm whale or seal, they’d be easy prey. When the children got tired, they held onto Wickizer’s back and long hair as they traveled.

Although the semi-annual trips were brutal, the Princess provided plentiful and varied food for the Winter Journey and Summer Migration. Schools of fish traveled with them and stationary creatures not found at Home Cove or Winter Beach fueled their bodies for the arduous journeys.

About halfway through the Journey, Sartin took a night watch for Wickizer. Allowing his children to rest with their father seemed to help maintain the endurance needed to make a full day of travel.

The right whales circled the pod at night, and the guards swam outside the ring of whales. Only stars provided light during the four or five days of Dark Night, the most frightening of every moon cycle. The guards had to remain on high alert at all times during Dark Night watches.

Sartin thought he heard Barakat swim up behind him. She grabbed him from behind and locked Sartin in place. When Sartin struggled against the hold, it wasn’t Barakat at all.

“Thornton!” Sartin whispered.

In a playful show of power and affection, Thornton held him there for just a moment and breathed on his neck. Supported by Thornton, Sartin floated in the water.

“We shouldn’t do this in the Dark Night,” Sartin said.

“Shh…” Thornton said. “I’ve already checked. We are safe.”

“It’s not just about safety, it’s about propriety.” Sartin had not seen or talked to Thornton outside of the pod since the night he had been injured. He wanted a mate for life, not a mate under cover of the night.

“That’s why I came tonight. This might be our last time together before Winter Meeting and the Presentation Ceremony.”

Sartin closed his eyes and savored Thornton’s embrace, the press of his d**k against Sartin’s back. It wasn’t sticking out of his body yet, but it was hard. As good as it felt, it wasn’t what Sartin wanted. He wanted a mate proud to swim with him, not ashamed to be Alewar because of his preferences.

Sartin wiggled in an attempt to break the embrace. “Let’s not. It’s not what either of us wants.”

Thornton didn’t move to let go of Sartin, but kept their bodies afloat above the surface. Sartin stopped his attempt to escape Thornton’s escape.

“Are you really going to be like this? It’s the perfect night.” Thornton complained. “The next Dark Night we’ll be at Winter Beach, and we’ll have to go our separate ways.” Thornton continued to bathe Sartin’s neck with soft kisses. Thornton’s strong arms hugged Sartin tighter.

“Unless you mean to take me as your mate, we are not going to do this.” Sartin pushed himself out of Thornton’s embrace with a gentle shove.

“It’s not as simple as you make it out to be,” Thornton said. His tone wasn’t bitter, just matter of fact. He slowed the swish of his tail now that he only had to tread for one.

“Do you love me?”

“I care for you deeply, it’s just that—”

“You couldn’t stand it if they found out you were the passive partner.”

Thornton didn’t answer.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the s*x, but the dominant partner is always the hero.”

“The Story of the Alewars doesn’t mention anything about active or passive partners.” Having just heard the Story a half moon cycle ago, it was fresh in his mind.

“But we all assume Saric is dominant, and Shappell is submissive because that’s the way it’s always been.”

Neither one said anything more. Sad yet defiant, Sartin would have welcomed the release. He didn’t want to give in to Thornton’s desires without the promise of Coupling. His mother had been right all along. Being Alewar was not easy. Both men returned to their guard duties in the Dark Night. Only the splash of flicking tails filled the night as the rest of the pod slept.