by Viola Grace
“Me too.” She reached out and took Lilli’s hand. “Me too.”
They let Orriko go and talked for hours about the speculation on the baby’s colouration and how old it would be when they introduced the Heshi to it.
Alder finally wandered in and had a seat.
“How goes the visit, ladies?” Lilli inclined her head. “Bael Whiccan, I am pleased to see that she is in good shape and not stressed by your abduction.”
“I apologise for the stress I induced in your home. It was only my intention to see my mate and get to know her.”
“Did he?” Lilli looked to Scotia.
“Not until after I completed my mission. You know how it goes. Mission first and fun second.” Alder reached out and placed a kiss on her hand. “And now the mission is over, so the fun begins.”
Lilli sighed and put her chin on her fist. “I think I need to head home for a nap. You are welcome to visit anytime, but you may want to bring a sweater.”
Scotia got to her feet, and Lilli got to hers. They hugged and Lilli disappeared.
With a smile, Scotia turned to Alder. “Thanks for letting her come to visit.” He inclined his head and got to his feet. “Come on, Hasja has lunch ready.”
Chapter Eleven
In the next three weeks, Scotia learned that her new talent extended to repulsing bugs and killing the occasional ambush predator in the jungle. She learned to harvest the herbs and seedpods that were used for the majority of the healing creams and lotions.
“The shot that Lilli delivered will not hurt you?” Alder was frowning as he stood with the hypo poised.
“It may make me sick for a few days, but it will keep me from burning every night.”
“I like putting lotion on you.” It had become an evening ritual before she began to feel the burn. The cream also acted as a lube, so things went from soothing to slippery in a hurry.
“You can still put the lotion on, but the pain and the damage to my skin isn’t pleasant. So, this will thicken my epidermis and reduce my ability to burn.”
He nodded and gave her the shot. There was a hiss, a feeling of cool and then a tingle down her thigh. The shot in her backside was going to be felt for the rest of the day, but she didn’t have any problem hanging around the village and getting a local cooking lesson from Hasja and Alora. The two women did more squabbling than teaching, but with Aldeen sitting next to her, Scotia found the information she gleaned fascinating.
She shivered and smoothed her wrap down over her hips. “Well, there is that taken care of.”
“Was it worrying you?”
“Well, damage to human skin can have strange effects. I don’t doubt the abilities of the healers, but I don’t want to give them extra work in a few years.”
Scotia was finally feeling at home on Ikanni.
She was earning her keep and enjoying her life.
The stress of blowing objects was gone. The only thing she had to work on was subsistence farming and preserving of fish and fruit for use during storms or travel. Even though all Ikanni had the talent of transport, few did more than walk a few hours from home.
Alder wrapped his arms around her. “I am glad that you are thinking in terms of years, Scotia. I have been harbouring doubts that you were not going to turn and run back to the stars.”
She turned in his arms. “Why?” She caressed his face and watched him try to formulate the words.
“You did not have a choice. You had a purpose that did not involve your life revolving around Ikanni, unlike Kaia and Lillibeth. You could easily return and resume your earlier life.” She smiled softly at him and flicked the point of his ear with her finger. “Stupid. There is no leaving Ikanni without you, and since you are tied here, I am as well. You are my anchor, and I will be with you as long as you are walking this world. Yes, that is a threat.”
He kissed her and swung her around in a circle.
“The sweetest threat that has ever been uttered.” She laughed and held tight, and when he set her back on her feet, she asked him something that had been bothering her for weeks. “How does everyone know what Thaxis’s bedroom looks like? It is driving him nuts.”
He whispered the answer in her ear, and his hands roamed over her.
She laughed at the explanation and vowed to tell Kaia the next time she saw her.
* * * *
“So, when Thaxis was first put in charge of the town, one of the previous Bael’s lovers took a painting of his bedroom and gave it to her new husband, the Bael of a dessert village. He circulated the painting, and suddenly, everyone knew what the bedroom looked like.” Kaia laughed and put her hand over her belly as she laughed. “That explains it.” Scotia raised her hand. “That isn’t all. It has become a test of manhood to pop into Thaxis’s room and back again. The boys do it as teens and dare each other.”
Snorting loudly, Kaia hooted. “Boy, are they going to be surprised in three months. Thaxis is building a new house for us. The old place is being turned into a shop.”
Scotia giggled. “That will be interesting. I look forward to it.”
“How did you find out?”
“Oh, Alder has caught some young males pulling similar stunts around the village. With a species that can transport at will, scavenger hunts take on a whole new meaning. For a week, I was unable to get dressed in the mornings. All my clothing was considered a trophy.” It was winter at Kaia’s home, and Scotia had thoughtfully put on an Alliance bodysuit with insulation before visiting.
Kaia was not allowed to transport. Thaxis was too worried for her safety and health. Her acceptance of her Heshi had been rushed, and he wasn’t taking any chances with his mate or his child.
Kaia rubbed her abdomen and the bump lightly. “When do you think you will start a family?”
“Oh, I have at least six months before my birth control wears off. That is plenty of time to get used to the rhythm of the ocean and swimming every day.”
Kaia snorted. “The moment this baby is in my arms, I am coming for a nice, long, warm visit.”
“So, that is nine months from now? I will pencil it in my notebook.” She grinned.
“What? I am already four months pregnant.” Scotia looked at Kaia, “Didn’t they tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“It is a thirteen-month gestation for Admaryn. You are going to do an entire year and a month.” Scotia watched Kaia’s expression of horror for a full minute before she burst out laughing. “I can’t believe you fell for that.”
Kaia smacked her, and Scotia went intangible just before impact. “You are sick, Scotia.”
“Yes, and yet, with Lilli, the closest thing you have to a sister out here. Enjoy me.” She flung her arms wide, and they continued their visit until the sun was setting and it was time for Scotia to get home. There was a beach party happening that night, because there was always a beach party. It was cruel to taunt Kaia, so Scotia simply hugged her and left.
With the heat wrapping around her, she walked to her wardrobe and took out a dark navy clothing set.
It was time to wrap her arms around her mate and whisper teasing promises into his pointy ears.
Finding ways to entertain herself without computers, books or tech was surprisingly easy, and Alder was her favourite toy.
Author’s Note
This continues the plot I began in Command and continued in Conflict. The Ikanni are all settled in, but for me the question remains…how did they get there?
Perhaps it will be answered another time… perhaps not.
In two weeks, we find out where Teeny is going on vacation and how a Terran will deal with being swept into an annual mating hunt with herself as the prey in Defiance.
Thanks for reading,
Viola
About the Author
Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there.
She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time.
/>
In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.
Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, her greatest weakness and strength is her evil sense of humour.
Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Author’s Note
About the Author