Eternal Beasts

Differences in Form

- I take the cholim didn't much care about hiding what had happened after we jumped over, - he said, looking over at Samantha, who was carefully looking him over with those bright yellow eyes, a smile playing over her full lips.

- Not particularly, - the book replied. - But if they find out you've returned, things could tilt quickly towards the bad. -

- Fair enough. Just how long am I supposed to be back here, by the way? And how the hell did Samantha follow me across the dimensional barrier and get herself transformed into a frickin' amazon? -

- Her statue was still in your satchel when you crossed, physically bringing her over, - the book revealed. - Somehow the portal energies must've resonated with her stasis spell enough to bring her out, and in a form that's more acceptable on your world. -

- Okay, I'll buy that. And how long am I staying here? -

- Well, that's a little harder to answer, - the book said thoughtfully. - Your wound is unique. While it surprisingly did little actual damage to your body, your inherent magic and Samantha's magic already in sufficient harmony that their unity protected you from the greater physical harm, the wound goes much deeper than just into your flesh. It penetrated into your mind, and into your soul. Not surprising, really. That dart didn't just have cholim poison on it. It was tainted with the Harbingers' corruption. If you had survived the injury, the magic would've continued to work on your soul and mind. Until, eventually, you would fall to corruption. -

- Like the first Lord of Dragons, - Samantha pointed out, revealing that she was privy to their mental conversation.

- Precisely, - the entity confirmed. - Insidious. And difficult to resist before you were bonded. -

- But the bond didn't protect the Lord of Dragons, - Jared adroitly pointed out.

- No. But he was also tortured over several days to break him first by the prince of the Harbingers that managed to capture him. And he was physically separated from his dragon, which was held elsewhere on Tammen Gall during the torture, - the entity revealed. - Regardless, I think you should be wary of any dark magic coming from the enemy, in case it carries enough taint to bring you down. -

- I can do that, - Jared said as Samantha reached out and squeezed his arm in support and reassurance.

- You will never turn to corruption, my Jared, - she silently promised. - Not while I live and breathe! -

Jared turned to her and smiled.

"Thank you, Samantha. I appreciate that," he said and again she beamed at him, a flood of love and affection coming across the bond to fill his spirit with their warmth.

Without warning his stomach growled loudly. And, in an amusing coincidence, so did Samantha's. She grimaced as she held a hand over her six pack abs.

"I seem to be hungry," she said matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, me too. We need to go out and about and get some food." His expression became thoughtful. "Quick question, though. Where did you awaken, Sam?"

"Into this body?" she asked and Jared nodded. "Here, in this room with you. One moment I was looking through the spirit realm at your essence, wishing with all my heart that you would be okay. And in the next I was standing beside your bed, in this body."

"Okay. And where did you get those clothes?"

Samantha looked down at herself.

"The bottoms I got from your dresser. The top I found hanging on a doorknob a few strides down the hallway," she said, before tugging at the sports bra's lower edge. "But this garment I only put on because I saw other females wearing them. It's very uncomfortable. I'm not sure why female nysim wear them."

- Nysim don't lay eggs, Samantha, - the book interjected to explain. - They have live birth. That is, the babies are born without the protection of an egg and require immediate care, attention, and feeding. And nysim females are given breasts to feed their children during the first years before they are strong enough to fend for themselves. It was a gift from the Maker. -

"Ah," Samantha said, her expression indicating she still didn't understand. "So, if they are so vital to nysim children, why bind them and cover them up?"

"Some nysim women don't," Jared said with a shrug. "Depends on the culture. At least here, on Earth. Some cultures that have religious foundations, wanted to deny that part of a woman's existence. Because yes, they are used to feed children. But they also have other symbolic meanings. Again, depending on the culture."

Samantha leveled that golden yellow gaze at him.

"Like what?" she asked, obviously wanting to take the bra off.

"Like signaling to males that the female is wanting to mate," Jared said, trying to balance being blunt and delicate at the same time. "In many cultures, my own culture included, they also play a part in sexual attraction and pleasure. So those cultures require their females to cover them up so males won't run around, thinking they can mate with whomever they please, just because the female's breasts are uncovered."

"Ah." This time there was real understanding on her face. "It makes me look forward to returning to my true and natural form so I don't have to worry about all of that." Then her brow lifted. "You and I are bonded though, my rider. Would that not negate such rules while we are in each others' private company?"

"Uhh," Jared began before his voice failed him. Could he stand being in a room where Sam would stand there naked, with no doubt flawless breasts in his face all day??

- You are bonded, yes, Samantha, - the entity stepped back in to say, much to Jared's relief. - But you are not a mated pair. So I would think some coverage may be warranted to make sure we follow the rules while we're here. -

"Fine," Samantha growled with a hint of frustration, releasing the bra's lower hem with a snap against her skin. "But I really don't like this thing."

"You know, I might have something that will cover both bases. Getting you out of that bra, which is likely too small for you anyway. And following the local modesty rules."

With Samantha looking on in interest, he carefully stood and, fighting against the whirling in his head, stepped to his dresser. A quick fumble through the drawers and he was pulling out a heavy gray t-shirt with the university's crest on it. Turning, he tossed it to her.

"Here. Ditch the bra and you can wear that instead!" Then he was forced to quickly turn away as Samantha happily peeled off the bra and dropped it to the floor before she pulled the t-shirt over her golden locks.

"Oh yessssss!" she said, doing a happy little dance at the freedom the t-shirt granted her. "So much better, I can't even describe it! Makes having breasts actually tolerable!"

"Awesome," Jared flashed her a smile. Then he was handing her a pair of sweatpants.

"And something a little bit more warm and covering than a pair of my boxers."

Samantha slipped them on and Jared could feel her comfort level climb several degrees.

"Also much better," she said, looking down at the sweats. "Warm, comfortable, yet loose enough for free movement." Samantha looked back up at him with a bright smile. "Thank you, my Jared."

"You are welcome, Samantha," he replied. "Now, if you'll give me a couple minutes, I'm going down the hallway to grab a quick shower then we can go and find some food."

"You are looking unsteady, my Jared," Samantha quickly noted as he wobbled away from the dresser to grab his toiletries from his closet, along with a tower. "Are you sure you don't want me to shower with you to help you stand? Whatever showering is?"

"Nope," Jared said with a wry smile. "That would break more of those rules we were talking about."

"Bah!" she exclaimed with a frown. "So many rules!"

- Don't worry, Samantha, - the book reassured her. - If he needs you, you'll feel it over your bond. -

That immediately perked her up.

"Yes!" she said, her bright smile returning with a rush. "Yes, I will!"