Deadly Star, page 13
Lily smiled as she leaned against Nebel. “That is very pretty. Do we leave after the performance?”
“We do. It has been interesting catching up, but we have a ten-day journey home, and I really prefer for you to be walking Bellen.”
“Jealous or paranoid?”
“Cautious. I like you at home. You are more relaxed there and can take to the skies with your entourage.”
She sighed. “That is probably true, but it was very nice to come along on the delivery trip. Thanks for that.”
“It was my pleasure. In your current state, I would never leave you unattended.”
Lily felt a blush on her face. “Right. Thanks for that as well. This particular situation is a little unexpected.”
He lifted her hand to his lips. “It is delightful. Thanks to the way you make me exhaust myself, I am enjoying restorative sleep. It is quite nice to see your expression when I wake and tease you from sleep.”
“It is a nice way to wake up, but I am still convinced you are going to wear that piercing out.” He always started in the same place, and after a few months, she had gotten used to waking up with his head between her thighs in the shelter of golden feathers. His wings were remarkably flexible.
He chuckled. “Your strength of form guarantees that nothing is going to wear out. I am confident.”
She smiled and applauded with the others for Reeda’s performance.
“Did you like seeing the others of your kind?”
“The girls? Yeah. I guess it was fine. My appearance freaked them out. Their bond mates smacked them when they expressed it. They were shocked by getting their butts paddled. So, a startling night all around for the girls.”
Nebel snorted. “It is a common enough means of non-damaging discipline. They will know to mind their tongues the next time we visit.”
“Will there be a next time?”
“I am confident that any child born to Nova will have an urge for technology, and Heboren will encourage it.”
Lily smiled and stroked his cheek. “I think your child will run around with a data pad and stylus, designing new toys.”
“I look forward to seeing them.” His voice was a soft rumble.
She looked down at the barely noticeable curve of her abdomen. “Me, too. The researchers are already trying to guess the attributes that will emerge when he does.”
He paused. “It is male?”
“Yeah. I thought you were peeping in on all my scans.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I had to run final engine tests during the last visit, and you said you were fine, so...”
She chuckled. “I was fine. But, for future reference, when I say fine, I mean I know something you don’t know.”
He pulled her onto his lap and whispered, “Male?”
“Male.” She held her fingers apart to indicate the current size. “This big right now and starting to develop his swimming pool.”
Nebel held her head and pressed his lips to hers. Lily had thought that making out was a thing of the past when her world ended, but it was a favourite occupation of her Hmrain, and she was happy to play along. Tongues met and slid. He kept an arm around her waist, and soon, she was rubbing her torso against his, and the piercings did what they were supposed to be and caused her body to heat up rapidly.
He lifted his head. “Want to head home?”
Lily nodded. “Let’s make our farewells and head back to the ship.”
He chuckled. “Yes. That seems like the best course of action.”
He got to his feet with her in his arms.
Nova was grinning as they approached. Lily smiled. “Sorry, we have to get going.”
Nova laughed. “You look like you are only clothed because of social convention.”
“That’s true. Self-control is in short supply right now.” Lily smiled. “Fortunately, I work from home now.”
Nebel chuckled. “And my precious Lily is a full-time job. Brother, I wish you a healthy consort and offspring.”
“And you as well, brother.” Heboren chuckled. “It seems we have both been fortunate. Very fortunate.”
Lily was leaning against Nebel’s chest. “Nova, I will try to find something nice for the baby.”
Nova grinned. “I will do the same. It was great to see you.”
“I agree.”
Nebel chuckled, walked away, bent, and launched them skyward. Lily had her wings tucked in tight, and as he flew them back to the ship, she remained cuddled up. The shuttle opened as they descended, and the drones came with them into the ship. Nebel helped her get the wings off and hung them on the charging plate.
While he was helping her, the shuttle lifted and pulled them up through the atmosphere. In their quarters, she pulled him on top of her and chuckled. “Thanks for taking care of me, Nebel.”
He groaned and pressed his head between her breasts. “I am not done taking care of you. Thank me later. Or rather, let me thank you.”
She laughed and felt her clothing released and removed. The ship rumbled and passed through layers of atmosphere with the careful motion of a vessel programmed not to shake the occupants.
Lily was going to enjoy the trip. It was her last time off Bellen before the baby showed himself. Their last time without endless calls and planning meetings for new projects.
In just over half a Terran year, they would be parents, and a renegotiation of her contract would have to be made. Nebel was already drafting it. She had seen the original document, and he was trying to extend it to two hundred years with no exit protocols. The price was the net profits of items sold by the Bellen trade commission for a decade or the financial equivalent.
She would have to warn him that he needed to account for more children. She wanted a big family. After all, she had all the time in the world.
Author’s Note
No note. Just me waving with flapping hands in hello. Brain is currently resetting so I can write... it just takes more time.
Thanks for reading,
Viola Grace
About the Author
Viola Grace (aka Zenina Masters) is a Canadian sci-fi/paranormal romance writer with ambitions to keep writing for the rest of her life. She specializes in short stories because the thrill of discovery, of all those firsts, is what keeps her writing.
An artist who enjoys a story that catches you up, whirls you around, and sets you down with a smile on your face is all she endeavours to be. She prefers to leave the drama to those who are better suited to it, she always goes for the cheap laugh.
In real life, she is now engaged in beekeeping, and her adventures can be found on the YouTube channel, Mystery Bees Apiary. Just look for the cartoon kittens.
Viola Grace, Deadly Star
