21. Molly
The rest of the reception went quickly and—thankfully—without any further incident. Molly was almost able to forget the unpleasantness caused by her drunk coworker and before she knew it, she and Torus had changed out of their wedding clothes and into more casual wear and were headed to the Docking Bay with Commander Sylvan.
“That was a beautiful Joining ceremony,” Commander Sylvan remarked as they walked along. He and Torus were both slowing their pace so Molly could keep up, which was nice. “And very real-looking too,” he added approvingly.
“Thank you. Molly and I have agreed to do everything we can to appear like a ‘real couple,’” Torus rumbled.
“You’re doing an excellent job,” Sylvan told him. “The way you were looking into each other’s eyes and staying so close to each other during the whole reception—I would have sworn you were actually a Bonded pair.”
“The TET device helps,” Molly offered, smiling shyly. She touched the tiny clear chip at her right temple reflexively. “I can really hear Torus’s thoughts and feel his feelings. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
Commander Sylvan looked interested.
“So do you think it does a good job of mimicking a real Soul Bond?” he asked.
Torus frowned.
“It’s hard to say, since I’ve never had a Soul Bond with anyone before. I think the communication might be lacking something—some depth maybe. But speaking as someone who has never been Bonded, it feels quite real to me.”
“Excellent!” Commander Sylvan looked pleased. “Those are prototypes, you know and they’re very valuable. Their circuits are made from Lovicium—a very rare element that’s extremely hard to acquire. So please be careful with them.”
“We will,” Torus assured him.
By this time, they had reached the Docking Bay. Torus’s ship was parked near the front—it was much bigger than the other Kindred shuttles in the large, open space.
“Have fun at your honeymoon destination,” Commander Sylvan told them. “We put you in a bungalow on the beach. Unfortunately, we don’t have any built to Jorgen Kindred size,” he added, speaking to Torus. “But this particular one was built with Twin Kindred in mind and there are high ceilings and a big bed, so you should feel comfortable.”
“Thank you—I appreciate you considering my size when you chose our accommodations’,” Torus said, nodding. “I’m sure Molly and I will be quite comfortable there.”
“Enjoy your stay,” Commander Sylvan said. “Go out and visit as many tourist destinations as possible—let the human Press see you together. And be sure to act as though you’re deeply in love every minute.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem.” Torus put an arm around Molly’s shoulders and she leaned against his side instinctively. She couldn’t help thinking that she’d never been with any man who made her feel so completely safe and protected. It wasn’t just Torus’s size and strength, either—it was the feelings of caring and protectiveness she felt coming from him, like a warm current that was always on.
“Of course I want to protect you, sweetheart. Didn’t I just swear a vow to guard you with my life?” he sent.
Molly realized she’d been projecting her thoughts again. She really had to work on that!
“Don’t worry about it too much,” Torus sent through their link. “That thought was fainter, at least. I think you’re getting better at keeping your thoughts behind the wall. It’s just going to take a while since you seem to be a natural projector.”
“Thank you, but it’s still embarrassing,” Molly sent back.
“You never have to be embarrassed with me,” he murmured in her mind. “Just relax and be yourself, little bird.”
At that point Commander Sylvan was saying his final goodbyes so they both nodded and Torus held out his arm for a warrior’s clasp.
“Thank you for standing behind me in this,” he said to Commander Sylvan as they clasped arms. “I appreciate your support—for both myself and for Molly.”
“Of course!” Commander Sylvan said. “The Kindred of the Mother Ship will always support any female in need and any male who comes to her aid. Now go enjoy your ‘honeymoon.’ Councilor Paige will be in touch with you when you’re needed at the trial.”
They nodded and thanked him again and then Torus opened the passenger side door of his shuttle. Unfortunately, it was far too high for Molly to climb up into it.
“Wow,” she said, looking up. “It’s like trying to get into one of those lifted trucks!”
“Here…” Torus leaned down and placed his hands around her waist. “May I help you up?” he murmured in her ear.
Molly felt a little shiver go through her at having him so close again. She loved it when they were nearly on the same level!
“Yes, please,” she said. “Er, if you don’t mind. I’m not exactly light, I’m afraid.”
“What are you talking about?” Torus lifted her with no apparent effort and put her in the cockpit. “I could lift you all day.”
“Oh!” Molly felt rather breathless after being swooped up into the air.
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome, beautiful.” Torus gave her a warm, sleepy smile that made Molly feel like melting. “Now let’s get you buckled in, all right?”
He reached across her and took the straps, deftly buckling the 5-point harness to hold her in place. He had to adjust everything considerably though, since the seat she was sitting in was meant for a nine-foot-tall warrior, not a human woman of average height. She felt like a little kid sitting in an adult’s chair, but then, since the entire Kindred Mother Ship was built for huge alien warriors, she was kind of used to it.
Torus came around the pilot’s side and got himself strapped in as well.
“All right,” he said, turning to Molly. “Are you ready for our ‘honeymoon?’”
She nodded.
“Let’s do it! I’ve always wanted to see Florida.”
“You have?” He frowned. “Why didn’t you go before?”
“Well, it was too expensive for one. And my parents thought it was ‘too worldly.’”
“Too ‘worldly?’” he asked, looking confused.
“It’s hard to explain. Basically they were afraid having too much fun might corrupt us—me and my brother and sisters,” she said.
Torus frowned as he started the engines and prepared the ship for lift-off.
“That seems like a strange fear to have.”
“It’s pretty common with people like my folks,” Molly told him. “They’re super religious and extremely strict. They’re afraid that having fun might lead to sinning—you know, like sexual immorality?”
“Sexual immorality?” Torus shot her a confused look as he piloted the ship up and out through the atmosphere shield. “What do you mean by that?”
“Oh you know—like having sex out of wedlock. Or, er, masturbating.” Molly cleared her throat, suddenly sorry that she’d started this topic of conversation.
He shook his head, still looking mystified.
“What’s wrong with self-pleasure? Everyone does it—it helps relieve excess sexual tension.”
Molly had a brief memory of the dream she’d had the night before—with Torus stroking his huge shaft and moaning her name. She shoved it hurriedly away into the back of her mind before she could accidentally send it to him.
“That’s not what my parents believe at all,” she told him. “I was taught growing up that my body was only for my husband’s pleasure—not for mine. ‘Touching yourself’ was considered dirty and wrong and sinful.”
“But that’s denying a basic instinct that all species who reproduce sexually have,” Torus argued. “Why shouldn’t you be able to enjoy your own body?”
Molly shook her head.
“Because it’s ‘evil.’ That’s one reason they got so upset when Zach sent them that video,” she added, feeling her cheeks get hot. “Even though I was married at the time it was taken, they still considered it to be wrong and sinful that I was, you know, touching myself.”
Her cheeks were on fire by this time and she couldn’t help wondering what Torus would think of her.
“I think you’re beautiful and that you’ve been taught some very strange things,” he sent thought their link, shooting her a glance.
“Oh…um…” Molly put her hands to her hot cheeks.
“I saw the video and I don’t think less of you for it,” he added out loud. “And I don’t understand why your fellow humans would censure you for it. Why does sex have to be dirty and wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Molly shook her head. “It just is. At least, according to a lot of people on Earth.” As she spoke, the Earth was actually visible in the viewscreen, rushing towards them like a blue and white ball.
“It’ shouldn’t be, though,” Torus said, frowning. “I understand how it would be humiliating for you, for other people to see that video, but do you know what I saw when I watched it?”
Molly shook her head, afraid to talk.
He turned his head and looked at her more fully.
“I saw a gorgeous Elite giving herself pleasure,” he murmured. “There was nothing dirty or wrong about it—nothing ‘sinful.’ It was natural and beautiful. You shouldn’t be ashamed of it—in my culture, you wouldn’t have to be.”
“Thank you,” Molly said. “But I’m afraid my culture is puritanical and judgmental.”
“That’s what I’m learning.” Torus nodded and frowned. “Otherwise we wouldn’t be going through this scenario—not that I mind spending time together,” he added, giving her one of his rare smiles. “I’m actually really looking forward to getting to know you better, little bird. Though in some ways, I feel like I know you already.”
“Well…thank you.” Molly gave him a tentative smile. “I’m looking forward to our time together too.”
“Then let’s go see what our bungalow in Florida looks like,” he rumbled. “And let’s hope it’s not as hot and humid as it was the last time I visited.”