I crack a small grin at her misunderstanding. “I could do with something to drink, but I really just need sleep.”
“Then we will get you a drink and take you right back to your myza.” She nods at her words, tugging me along as Suevans stop and stare at the sight of us. Me, really, the lone human out and about.
I tug my dress further over my chest, suddenly self-conscious of all the skin I’m showing.
“What are you lot staring at?” Cephi snaps out, waving her hand. “Move along. This human’s mated already.”
There are a few grumbles and a few amused looks, but the flow of Suevans continues around us, and Cephi harrumphs, tugging me along to a stand at the end of the lane. Flower garlands hang heavy across the front of his cart, and my mouth waters at the fragrant smell.
“Two,” Cephi orders, and within seconds, we each have a massive drink in our hands.
It looks so much like a fancy tropical drink I once ordered on a much-needed vacation that a blast of homesickness nearly stuns me. The exterior is reminiscent of a coconut shell, but larger and bright turquoise. A few pink petals bob in the icy slurry, and Cephi watches me from over her own drink.
“It is good, Ni-Kee. You will like it.”
“Thank you,” I tell her. “It was very kind of you to come with me and help introduce me to Edrobaz.”
“What else would I do?” She shrugs, affronted. “You are my daughter now. We will shop together as often as you like. And I will spoil the children you give my son relentlessly, as is traditional.”
I snort, then take a deep swig of the drink to avoid saying anything else. Anything like, I don’t know if I want kids, because let’s face it; I am not ready to have that conversation with my surprise of a mother-in-law.
The icy drink explodes across my tongue, sweet and tangy, somewhere between a lime and a watermelon. It’s really good, and I drink deeply, enjoying it after days of only stale, sulfurous water.
“You like this?” Cephi asks, squinting down at me.
“Definitely.”
“Good. Now let’s take you back to the myza so you may regain your strength and begin making me grandbabies.”
I better pace myself on the drink. If she keeps bringing up babies, I’m going to have to do something to keep my mouth busy or I’m going to get myself in trouble.
Cephi continues to talk, telling me the history of Edrobaz as I follow her through the city. I half-listen, thinking about what she said about babies.
What would it be like to have babies here? On an alien planet, with an alien warlord who ruthlessly stole my heart?
Would they have green, scaly skin like him, or my own soft human skin? Tails?
By the time we make it back to Draz’s myza, my feet are aching, and I’m swaying with exhaustion. Sweat beads along my neck and the small of my back. Thank goodness the dress breathes. It would be unbearably hot in my normal uniform.
I stand at the door, nearly half-dead with the need to sleep, and Cephi opens it easily, then tugs me into a gentle hug.
“It makes an old female like me very happy to finally have a daughter,” she tells me, pulling back to hold me at arms’ length, inspecting my face. Her eyes shine with honesty and emotion, and I’m suddenly overwhelmed with a surge of gratitude.
“Thank you,” I tell her, and her eyes widen with surprise as I tug her into another hug. “I didn’t expect to have another mother, but I’m glad I’ve found one.”
“Tchah, that’s enough of that,” she says, but looks pleased. She pushes me through the door. “Now get some sleep.”
I do as she says, hustling through the bedroom door. The zoleh squeals as she sees me, pouncing and curling up on my chest. I run my fingers through her soft fur, and I pass out as soon as my eyes close.
CHAPTER FORTY
DRAZ
The myza is quiet and dark when I get home, a cool respite after the scorching heat of the afternoon sun throughout the streets of Edrobaz. Packages pile high beside the door, proof that Ni-Kee and my mother had a fruitful day of shopping.
It gladdens my heart, to think of the two of them haggling with vendors and laughing as they took the upper hand in negotiations. I can only imagine that the two of them made a fearsome pair in the marketplace.
I cannot wait to see my mate. I’ve only been away from her a few short hours, but her absence chafes. Will I never have enough of her?
I think not.
The door to the mating room sways under my hand, opening easily. The last of the sunshine filters through the round openings, casting beams of light onto the bed.
Ni-Kee sleeps in the same clothes she left the house in this morning. Her hair spreads across the pillows, one arm flopped over her eyes as though she couldn’t even be bothered to get comfortable before falling asleep. The zoleh’s curled up in her hair, and neither stir as I walk into the room.
My poor, sweet mate. A smile curves my lips.
The rise and fall of her chest is slow and even, her mouth slightly parted.
I cannot resist this human female. Her skin begs to be touched, the pert peaks of her nipples asking for my mouth on them. I am obsessed with the taste of her, the luscious honey of her arousal.
Resisting the urge to run my fingers over that smooth skin, I quietly walk into the bathing room instead. Cool water pours overhead, and I take my time, sudsing my long hair and thinking on the day.
“Hi.” Ni-Kee’s voice startles me from my reverie, and I look up to find her smiling at me, her face still soft with sleep.
“My love,” I say, affection and arousal riding me hard. The luxurious fabric of the dress clings to her erotic human curves, enhancing her already perfect body.
“Why did you leave me?” Her voice isn’t accusatory, not quite, but there’s an edge to it. “I thought you were going to wait for me, and then your mother was outside instead.”
“You told me you wanted to spend time alone with your human females. I also had business to attend to.” I shrug, confused. “Are you upset with me?”
She sighs, running her hands through her hair. “No, not upset. I just… Can you tell me what you plan to do next time? I just think we need to do better communicating. I didn’t even know you had a mother.”
“Where else would I have come from?”
“I don’t know.” She throws her hands in the air, clearly annoyed. “An egg?”
“An egg?” I choke out a laugh, water streaming into my eyes. A thought occurs to me, and I bite off my laugh. “Are humans born from eggs?”
“What? No! Why would we be born from eggs?”
“Why else would you think Suevans come from eggs?”
“Because you have scales!” She pinches the bridge of her nose. “No. This wasn’t even about hatching—”
“We do not hatch. Is that what humans call birth? How curious.” I turn the thought over in my head. Perhaps the scientists were wrong about the compatibility of our species. Not that I care, not for myself, anyway. Ni-Kee is mine.
“No, we don’t call it hatching. Ugh! All I am trying to say is that I was surprised that you were gone, and then I didn’t even know Cephi was your mother until she let it slip. The whole thing made me feel a little uncomfortable and like I was being tested. And I don’t want that.”
“My mother was unkind to you?”
“No, no, she was fine. It was just a surprise.” She’s waving a hand around, agitated.