Note: All NC-17 material is hidden under links so you do not have to read it if you don't want to. It won't detract from the story and no other pertinent information is given during it. There are two internal links to the NC-17 parts within the story.
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Chapter Eight
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Star's Fire kissed him, pulling him closer. "Tomorrow night they'll giggle but we'll put up with it."
"As do we all," Eta agreed. "Later on, I'll teach you how to touch me and get me ready to have you."
"You mean like I'd work myself into a woman to have children?" Eta nodded. "We can do that?"
"You can. It takes a bit of stuff to make it slippery."
"Someone mentioned oil or fat." Eta grinned and nodded. "Then we'll talk about that later." He yawned. "We should rest. They'll be in early to separate us for bathing and things." Eta took a kiss and snuggled against his shoulder, making him a happy husband.
Sata waited until he heard them sleeping to look up at the sky though the smoke hole. "I am not living with them, I'd never get any sleep or peace," he told himself. He covered his head again because he knew he'd have to help Star's Fire tomorrow with the bathing and dressing rituals. Just like when he was little and he had bathed and clothed him for his mother.
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Eta walked out to where Star's Fire sat in front of the elders, sitting on his right. Star's Fire smiled and kissed him, getting a good one back. And a moan that made the elders giggle. "You summoned me, my husband?" he asked with a grin.
"I did summon you to be mine. Elders, this is my mate, Eta."
"The clan does like him, Star's Fire. He makes you a good wife. Hopefully he'll be able to keep you out of trouble," the shaman said, moving closer to pray over them. They were holding hands and staying calm so that was nice. Even when someone fired an arrow at them they stayed calm. Eta simply got up and grabbed Sata's knife, throwing it at Tapa, who went down with a very severe wound in his thigh. Then he sat down again and took another kiss. The shaman looked at him.
"A possessive wife is sometimes a good thing. It will keep you both out of trouble." Both boys blushed so he smiled and looked at the elders. Sata was glaring back there. "Let your mother. It is her job to correct her sons when their minds go with the North Winds." Sata nodded, taking his knife back when someone pulled it from his brother's leg. He finished and stepped back. "Star's Fire, Eta, you have a serious decision to make. As you are both hunters for your groups, you have the right to decide which group you will live with. Do you know which one you'll choose?"
"I'd miss it if I didn't get any more of those berries," Star's Fire said with a grin for his mate. "I'd like to live with his people if the elders agree."
"They do count on him more so it is agreeable to us," the senior elder agreed with a nod. Tapa moaned so his mother went to gather him and shut him up. She wasn't missing her son's wedding. "Eta, do you agree?"
"I do but I see no reason to keep Star's Fire from visiting his family as often as he wants. Especially if we run into each other while hunting."
"That is good of you. They will accept him?" He looked at Sata, who nodded. "Then that is settled." He looked at the gathered people. "These two are mated. Let no one of any group tear them apart until it is time for them to visit the spirits for good. If one should try I pity them when their children go to retrieve him for they are very fierce hunters." The group burst out laughing and came to congratulate the new couple. They led them to the feast. It was good food and they were allowed to sneak off early. Eta did his wifely duties by feeding his mate his dinner then eating his own to show that he served him and his family's needs. Star's Fire smiled and snuck kisses since he had learned to like them so much. When they got down to the last of the meal, they snuck off while everyone tried hard not to look and grin at their backs.
Sata looked at the elders. "They won't mind giggling. They didn't last night. If you want to stand outside their tent to giggle, do so."
"We heard. I had no idea Eta was that loud," his mother said dryly.
"That was your son, Mother. Not his wife." She giggled and swatted him. The others went to celebrate with their own families so he got to work helping her clean up. He could hear giggling from over there and shook his head. "Star's Fire must have done something cute. I'm glad I live in another tent at the village." She swatted him gently but went to tend to Tapa in the back, behind a pile of things so no one saw him. Sata stayed out of it. He wasn't going to deal with his brother or his wrong thinking.
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Eta's oldest son watched his father mount up the next morning with a wince. "Father, did he spank you for being a naughty wife?" he taunted with a smirk.
"I'm sure you've made your wife sore by now," he taunted back.
"Many times. Need a pillow? She often does."
Star's Fire scowled at him. "He's not that sore." His mate gave him a look and nodded that he was. Too bad they hadn't carried any with them but he'd help him with that later. He moved up beside his brother, getting a nod back. "Thank you for getting my horse ready."
"I wanted to see you ride behind him today but Maris might be embarrassed." Star's Fire blushed at that. "We are going home, correct? No stopping to steal anyone else a mate?" They shook their heads. He leaned down to kiss his mother on the forehead. "Be safe and watch out for Tapa to become more bird-minded, Mother. Visit when you want." She nodded. Star's Fire did the same, whispering in her ear. They rode off, Star's Fire next to Eta, holding hands with him. "You two act like newly married youth," he teased.
"We are newly married youth," Eta reminded him.
"Good point." He grinned at the boys, who were riding ahead with Maris. "Watch out for your sister. We don't want to chase down the one who steals her for a wife," he called after them.
"She found one or two she liked," Star's Fire offered.
"Mother agreed, she has good taste." They kept going, letting him shake his head at the soreness Eta was showing. "Should I beat lessons in being gentle to his wife into him, Eta?"
"No, it's my own fault I'm sore this morning. If it was warmer I'd go soak in a river."
"Wait until it's summer to do that," Star's Fire teased. "I can make us a bath to use when we get back in a few days."
"That might be nice. We'll have to marry in front of our tribe now."
"Of course we will. That's why the children are going ahead of us, to warn them that you'll need a wedding feast." Sata laughed and rode ahead as well. They moved closer to kiss and kept riding home. It was a good time to be going home.