by Viola Grace
“A gown. One that suits your colouring and dignity.”
Tremor sat up and flapped his wings.
Jimra laughed. “He wants to dress up, too.”
Yoris was wary. “You are bringing him?”
“Of course. Consider him your grandson until an actual one comes along.” She smiled brightly.
Her father looked a little unwell.
Huros put his arm around her, and he eased her to her feet. “I think we should leave Master Yoris to his processing of your comment.”
Yoris snapped out of his stupor. “You will call your family?”
“As soon as I am back in Jimra’s quarters.”
They were nearly to the door when Dispatcher Rodwey skidded into the office. She gasped, “Specialist Artu, there is a fire in the capitol, and it is spreading quickly. Can you help?”
She looked down and wrote off another outfit. “Master Yoris, do you have a spare robe?”
He tossed her one from a hook in the hallway. “It is fire proof.”
“I hope I don’t need that.” She passed Tremor to Huros and ran for the window.
She stood on the edge of the pane and turned to Huros. “Meet me in the city?”
He nodded. “On my way.”
Huros and Tremor ran for the door, and it was enough for Jimra. She fell out of the window and propelled herself to the column of smoke in the centre of the city.
She landed on the roof and pulled the heat into her. It wasn’t easy; the small rooms of the shops made it hard to get to all the pockets of fire. She hauled on the flames until there was nothing left in the building aside from two life signs that she had carefully worked around.
She looked up and news skimmers were all around her. She had to send the fire somewhere, so she flew up until she had cleared the followers, and she let the flames go.
Her clothing wasn’t quite destroyed, but she kept the flames around her while she wrapped herself in the long, wide robes while she landed next to Huros and Tremor.
Huros hugged her, rubbing his hands over her in a familiar way that made her raise her eyebrows until she realised he was patting out the flames on her body. Tremor stayed to one side and chirped in encouragement.
The peace officer came up to her. “Thank you...”
“Specialist Artu. This is Master Analyst—”
“Huros. Master Analyst, would you take a look inside and tell us what happened?”
Huros looked at her. “Do you mind?”
“No, please. It has the taste of arson with a touch of unfortunately stored chemical.” She scooped up Tremor, pulled up the robes and followed her mind mate into the burned building.
The peace officer stopped her. “Specialist, while I am thankful for your assistance, please leave this to the analyst. He was the best in the field when he left our people, and I am sure that he has only improved in his skills over time.”
She blinked and left the building. She tried something new and sent Huros an image of herself in the skimmer. He sent her an image of a clock and worked forward three minutes.
Jimra laughed; he would not be long.
She sat, and the remote vid cameras came toward her to get a closer look. She flipped up the hood of the robes and tucked Tremor inside the folds.
Huros came out, gave a report to the peace officer and joined her in the skimmer. He started the vehicle up and the vid cameras scattered.
“Thank you for not making a fuss.”
“You didn’t stop me from doing my job, so I will not stop you from doing yours. If you can analyze what happened, you can do better than I can. All I can determine is where the fire began or if it was started on purpose. Aside from that, I am pretty much useless.”
“You are not. You can also pull the fire from everywhere and render the building charred but stable. You also managed to put out a fire that could have killed thousands and rendered their homes uninhabitable.”
She made a face as they skimmed over the lake. “I am sure they would have been fine.”
“I do not think so. I have read about that kind of fire. It would burn until there was no fuel left, and the smoke it put out would cause immeasurable damage to the environment. You have saved their homes and their very air for generations to come.”
“Unless they light it on fire again.”
“Let’s hope that that does not happen.” He smiled as they cruised over the lake.
“I agree whole heartedly.”
She looked down, and Tremor peeped out at her, his wide black eyes were smiling over his stubby gold beak. She scratched his head, and those dark eyes closed happily.
“We are being assigned couple’s quarters. Are you amenable?”
She blinked and thought of a night without Tremor and Huros. “Yes. We are together now, in one way or another. There is no reason to be apart when it makes us worse.”
“A very practical outlook.” His lips twisted.
She sensed his irritation. She fired back at him with her own frustration and confusion as well as her attraction.
His shoulders tensed and then relaxed. “Fair enough. I am sorry. It was not my intent to burden you with my mind.”
“If it hadn’t been for your mind, we would not have met.”
He chuckled. “I would not be too sure of that. Tremor was already on the way when you and I bonded, and he told his parent that he was going to two people. He was certain he was going to bond to a couple, and that couple is us.”
She looked at Tremor, and he chirped confirmation, sending her a flicker of images that made her dizzy. Her life with Huros had just flashed before her eyes.
“You turn into one of those raptors?”
Tremor chirped confirmation and sent her an image of him in sparkling purple glory with his eyes dark and his claws sharp.
“Very pretty. When does that happen?”
Huros answered. “When he feels secure, which means, when we are settled. Until that time, he will remain in this cuddly form. It makes it easier for him to offer us assistance. He is completely non-threatening.”
She thought about it and had to agree; if he had come to her as the adult bird, she would have hesitated.
Huros settled the skimmer in the parking area and helped her out without the robe flaring open and exposing her partially clothed body to those passing through the space.
She kept Tremor in her arms and the robes hiked to mid-calf as she pattered through the gardens and pathways to the building that housed her quarters.
“I am just going to shower and change and then head down to the seamstress. Did you have a design in mind for the gown?”
He chuckled. “I will come with you. I have some data analysis to do but that can wait until your gown is underway.”
“I just hope I don’t get called while we are at the dinner.”
Huros laughed. “Good point. I will have them make two.”
Tremor chirped happily.
“And a sash for Tremor. He wants to dress up, too.”
“Done.” Huros put his arm around her, and they entered her building and headed for the lift.
Places to go and gowns to obtain. She also needed another day-off outfit, because the one she was wearing was trashed.
Meeting the rest of her family was a little strange. She was poked, prodded, her hair was examined and swabs were taken for confirmation until she grabbed them and burned them. That was enough proof for her grandmother, Jurim.
Praxos, her grandfather, surrendered to his wife’s decision, and he welcomed her warmly.
Yoris watched protectively until she was back at his side. The rest of the cousins, aunts and uncles came and were introduced to her. Jimra Artu Uramiss.
She wasn’t sure about the last name, but when her family was behind her in the literal sense, Jurim rang a bell and Huros and his family entered the hall.
Tremor was with Huros, and he looked splendid with his jaunty sash faste
ned around him. Tremor flapped his stubby wings happily when he saw her.
Huros’s parents came forward and greeted Jurim and Praxos. There were formal words that Jimra tuned out. She was staring at Huros in his formal tunic and robes, and he was looking at her with admiration.
She sent him her appreciation, and he responded in kind. Their linked minds tuned out all of those around them until they were in a world all their own.
When Huros stepped toward her, she did the same until they held hands, and he leaned down while she leaned up to kiss him.
* * * *
Yoris chuckled, “It seems that all negotiations must be settled. They are firmly linked and nothing is going to shift them.”
The Romack clan surrendered their son to the Uramiss family on the condition that the first child born of the half-Ypra woman bears their name.
Jurim put her hands on her hips. “We have gotten them a license for a maximum of four children. One can indeed bear the name of your family provided that it receives a full share of a Romack family member.”
“Done. Do you think they are going to stop that so we can have dinner?”
“I think we need to give them a few minutes. We will draw up the agreement. I believe the ratification sooner rather than later is the best idea. I have a magistrate ready to come out tonight if you are agreeable.” Jurim Uramiss smiled at the couple who were still locked together in a slow but surprisingly chaste kiss.
The contract was drawn up for a daughter of the Uramiss house taking the Romack son as her husband. The license for children allowed four, and there was a governmental caveat that would increase that option if the first children had talents. The Uramiss family would grow in stature by having more talents than any other prime family.
They pried the couple apart, and dinner was served. Jurim watched her new granddaughter as she ate slowly with her eyes locked on her mind mate.
There was no reason to delay. At the end of the night, the couple signed their contract and it was official.
“I expect you at the monthly dinner, Jimra. You as well, Huros. You are family now.” Jurim kissed them both on their cheeks as they prepared to leave.
Jimra looked to Yoris. “Monthly dinner?”
“You still have two weeks, Jimra. Take your three days. Your new quarters are already prepared, and you have three days to get used to your new husband. Enjoy your quiet time together.” Yoris waved for them to go.
As the couple left, Jurim turned to her son. “You did not know about her?”
“I did not. I don’t even know how Orden got pregnant. I was still subject to the treatment. It should not have been possible, but there she is, and I am glad for it.”
Jurim looked at her son and felt a trickle of pride. “It figures that you would manage to breed and declare for same sex. You always were an over achiever.”
“I take after you, Mother. Good night.”
She hugged him back, and when he departed, the room seemed less bright.
Praxos came up to her and put his arm around her. “Why do you look so sad, Ju?”
“I just want him to find someone. Jimra is a start, but I think he needs to find someone to love. He needs a partner of his own, but I know he won’t find one on Ypra.”
“Darling, you have given him all you could. The Citadel is his best chance of finding love.”
She nodded and leaned against her husband. He had been there for her for the last seventy-five years, and she hoped he would be there for fifty more. She wanted the same for her son.
Chapter Eight
Tremor had the good sense to go off and explore the main room while Huros and Jimra undressed each other. Jimra didn’t blame him, part of her wanted to hide.
The midnight blue dress with the sparkling stars streaking across the bodice fell to the floor, and she undid the clasps of his tunic. He had to sit to remove his boots, and she unpinned the fall of her hair and removed her jewellery.
When they were both naked, they fell to the bed and spent more time in each other’s minds than they did in each other’s body. Jimra hadn’t imagined the strange contrast of having him inside her mind and her body at the same time. She felt the wonder in his own mind as he felt her reactions and the senses of thrusting and retreating blurred when her sex became his and vice versa.
She blinked when the rush of heat finally faded and pleasure completed its drumbeats inside her. Jimra ran a hand through her hair, and she looked at him. “What the hell was that?”
He chuckled. “I think we need to learn to lock our minds. They tangle so easily in this situation. I believe we would enjoy it more if we didn’t know everything that was happening for the entire coupling.”
She ran a hand down his chest and stroked him. “Would you care to try again?”
Jimra closed her mind as best she could, and this time, things worked much better. She could still feel it when she gave him pleasure, and she made sure to pass along the same information, so it provided them both with the anticipation and uncertainty that heightened the experience.
The moment they curled together, Tremor joined them, hopping up his stepped bed at the end of their mattress. He waddled over and took his place in the curve of her body while Huros wrapped his arm around her.
“One weird, happy family.” She smiled and stroked Tremor.
Huros hadn’t worn protection, but Jimra didn’t want a baby right now. She hoped that her lack of cooperation was enough.
“I feel complete, and I didn’t realise that anything was missing.” He stroked her hair and sighed against her ear.
She smiled. “I feel the same.”
Tremor chirped his confirmation that he was, finally, where he needed to be.
Jimra had to ask, “So, what happens tomorrow?”
“Let tomorrow take care of itself. Tonight, I want to hold my wife with our Yaluthu curled against us.”
Jimra couldn’t argue with that. Three minds slowly entered the patterns of sleep, and together, they rested to store energy for the next day.
She woke up to Huros kissing her shoulder, and Tremor was far away in their new expanded quarters.
She turned to face her husband and followed his lead with a few twists. Jimra rolled him over and took the lead with the satisfaction she reached shared by both of them.
Huros appeared a little surprised when she cuddled against him. “You are very good at this.”
“I can feel what you need, what you want. We are still a little more firmly meshed than we were yesterday.”
Huros smiled, and he ran his hand over her spine. “I look forward to returning the favour.”
“Fortunately, we have a long life ahead of us. I don’t know how it works, but Tremor gave me a series of images that indicate we will move forward together for many years. Also, he will turn into a stunning dark purple bird with a penchant for sashes. Though, I think that last one might just be wishing.”
He chuckled and stroked his hand down her back again. “Probably. He seems to have a definite penchant for fashion.”
She smiled and relaxed. “He does. He picked out the final colour for my gown and demanded a matching sash.”
“Demanded?”
“That is what the seamstress said. He hopped up to her and chose his colour on the monitor.”
“We have a few things to discuss.”
She sighed. “We do.”
“How will you feel about me coming with you on all your assignments and you coming with me on mine?”
“I will get used to it. I don’t know if I will be of assistance on your assignments, but I know you can help me with planning on mine.”
“You would be surprised at how often I need a bodyguard. No one likes hearing about the flaws in their schemes and plans.” He smiled.
She chuckled. “I suppose that it would make you a target. Well, husband, I have your back.”
She wrapped her arm around him and slid her hand d
own his back to pat his butt.
“Will you let me know when you are ready to work on having a family?”
“We are a family.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do. I am pretty sure that my body has begun the process of retaining your cells, but I am not sure.”
His eyes widened. “So soon?”
“We didn’t use protection, so it is entirely possible. The more times we come together, the more certain the process is.”
He winced. “Do you mind?”
She made a face. “I would have preferred more time, but neither of us were thinking about it last night or this morning.”
He sighed and stroked her back. “I would apologise, but I am not really sorry. No one gets authorisation for four children. It simply doesn’t happen.”
She smiled. “I am guessing that it is because of Yoris’s previous job as the Guardian of Ypra.”
“Probably. The younger we are when we have the children, the more time we will have to enjoy them.”
She chuckled. “We will need larger quarters.”
“I think we will need to move to a piece of property away from the Citadel. This isn’t an environment for children.”
That was something she hadn’t expected. “No. We are staying here. The fabricators can make us larger quarters.”
He gave her a wary look. “Why?”
“Because Yoris needs family, and I am his family. I think he will enjoy having grandchildren. Also, for a child without pure bloodlines, this is the safest place in the world.”
He blinked. “I forgot.”
She chuckled and curled around him. “I know. You have completely accepted me, and I appreciate it, but your world does not enjoy having aliens on it.”
“Your vid in the capitol has done a lot to having folk warming up to you. When it is made public that you are an Uramiss, it will go much more quickly, but I see what you mean. If our children do not appear to be Ypran, they may have issues.”
She debated telling him about the one detail that would make all the difference. If she could continue to steal cells off him for the next seven months, the child would come out looking Ypran. From what her mother had told her, men were funny about that kind of thing, because in addition to semen, the cells were stolen from his body by the slightly abrasive lining of her vaginal canal. They weren’t cells that he would miss, but men were funny about their reproductive organs.