She lifted her knees and elevated her hips to his inward thrusts. It wasn’t what she had planned to do with her afternoon, but it beat going through the card catalogue.
She was lying across him and watching the moon rise, trailing her fingers against his pale glowing skin.
“So, did you enjoy flying?”
“Yes. It was the second most marvellous experience of my life.”
That surprised her. “Second?”
“Being inside you is the first. It doesn’t matter where or when, the touch of your skin on mine is like coming home.”
At the mention of home, she felt a pang. “I have a small confession to make.”
“Yes?”
“The books.”
“Seventy to go.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Not really. I have the other seventy. I had no idea that some had ended up at the Crossroads or I would have just asked Dira to get them for me.”
He looked at her in surprise. “I was tracking them to a private collector.”
“Me. The moment that they started leaving the possession of the Royal Archive, I started catching them. I have them all now.”
He chuckled. “I was willing to find them for you.”
“I know. It was an excellent condition of our arrangement, but it wasn’t necessary. I just wanted to know that you were willing to put the work in. It was important to me.”
“And it gave you an out if you wanted one.”
She stroked a hand down his chest and patted his hip. “That too.”
He laughed and caught her hand, moving it over his cock and wrapping her fingers around him. “I think you should make it up to me.”
She snickered and leaned up to whisper in his ear. “You do know that my other form is nearly twenty feet longer than yours. I can flatten you like a bug or crop off any parts that are annoying me.”
He released her hand. “Right. So, when do you think you will be interested in children?”
She laughed and stroked his erection. “It depends. What are you going to do for me to offset the inconvenience of the pregnancy?”
“I will have to think of a few things.”
She giggled. “Ask Ygritte. She knows what I want before I do.”
The touching became mutual, and they tangled on the grass once again, this time with Oksana on top. The thought of a little dragon in her arms was appealing, but so was the feel of him inside her. Decisions, decisions. Perhaps she could have both.
Epilogue
Oksana waddled in her court dress, and she skipped the curtsy to the king. He grinned and bowed his head.
“Lady Oksana, it is an honour to see you in our court.”
“Yes, it is. I have a gift for the Royal Archive.”
He raised his brows. “You do?”
Hyther opened the leather bag and produced a huge volume. “Your Majesty, this is the history of the Orwell clan. It was written by Oksana, as a first person observer.”
The king cocked his head. “The Orwells? They are some of the best clerks and calligraphers in the court.”
Oksana smiled. “Urmbret always loved to practice his penmanship. Anyway, with the Orwells’ knowledge and permission, I am sharing this with the fey court. They have large families, long lifespans and a lot of magic. It only took one human way back in their history and they were able to expand into a six-hundred-year lifespan if they want it. Most choose to die when their spouse does.”
The king paused as one of the court flunkies handed him the book. “You are saying that the Orwells have human blood?”
“I am. They also have up to five children in a generation. It is something you might want to consider. There are mages around who would enjoy a fey partner. Your folk don’t need to stick to shifters. There are options if you care to explore them and wait for the long game.” She smiled and winced as her baby kicked.
The king was on his feet in seconds, and his hand was on her belly. She normally punched folks who executed that manoeuver, but Hyther was giving her a pleading gaze.
“It is moving so strongly. Do you think it is a boy or a girl?”
She laughed. “It is a girl. My family is always girls. It is what we are.” She wore her confidence proudly. It was the way things had always been.
Four weeks later, Ygritte looked at the baby and smiled. “Oksana, your daughter is here.”
Oksana smiled weakly and reached for her baby. “Give her here.”
Ygritte handed her over, and she winked at Hyther. “Just so you know, your daughter has a penis.”
Oksana was shocked but there it was, the first baby boy in her family since time had started turning.
“Well, this is going to change the naming.” She stroked her son’s cheek.
“What are you going to name him?” Hyther sat next to her and looked at his son.
“I think Urwin is a good name. Named after the two folks who helped me into this world.”
Hyther grinned and stroked the tiny fist with his finger. “I think it is a great name. Just think you can save all those names for your next child.”
Oksana blinked. “Next one?”
“Of course. Your family always has daughters. I think you should keep trying.”
She laughed. “You want to participate?”
“I can’t let you do all the work.”
Giggles continued as the exhaustion of labour pulled her into sleep. She could stand to have about four sons before her daughter made her appearance. Dira’s daughters would need some options when they grew up.
Author’s Note
This is almost the book that wasn’t. To make a long story short, I broke my brain.
It will get better. I will get my feet under me again, but life with a mental illness holds these joys and I can’t schedule around them. Sorry.
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.
Desperately Seeking Starlight Page 6