Chapter 34
Erik
We’re getting used to being guests of President Haggard.
“You’re drinking and vaping again,” I comment as I sit down across from her. “Did you decide not to continue breastfeeding?”
“I really wanted to, but it seems like a waste,” she says. “I read up on the formula they use. It’s way better than breast milk for our babies. Plus, there’s three of them. Sometimes it’s difficult to keep them all fed.”
“Yes, no reason to tax yourself when what they provide is better,” I agree. “Just don’t get too drunk. We’re having a feast tonight, and I’m sure there will be more ale and mead than we can drink.”
“I’m only having one. I spent my morning trying to get all three of them to stop screaming. And of course, they stopped screaming as soon as Ivar got home.” She rolls her eyes and takes a drag from her vape. “If they like him that much, then they can spend some time with him. Mama needs a break.”
“Is Sigurd still out?” I ask, looking around.
“Yeah, he really likes the ship they sent for us to use. Reminds me of how teenage boys used to get excited for sports cars back on Earth,” she laughs.
“They are pretty nice,” I admit. “No matter how fast you go, it feels like you’re floating on air.”
I haven’t hacked anything, but I’ve spent a lot of time going through the history of Midgard 13.
They were warlike for a long time, just like us.
Raiding, pillaging, plundering. Eventually, they caught the attention of the Intergalactic Alliance, and they were enemies for a while, but after fighting to a stalemate several times, they signed a peace treaty.
Since then, they’ve mostly engaged in trade.
It’s hard to argue with the result. Midgard 13 is a peaceful utopia.
“Were you able to touch base with Midgard 21?” Avery asks.
“Yeah, I let them know where we are and that we’re safe. The Intergalactic Alliance warship is still there, but they haven’t tried to communicate. They’re just there. Waiting. I’m not sure what they’ll do when we don’t show up, but there’s nothing we can do from here,” I say.
“Too bad we didn’t come here first,” Avery says, sipping her drink and puffing on her vape. “This place is so much better than Mallow.”
“We would have never made it here without the upgrades Morlock made to our ship,” I say. “This planet is so far away that it wasn’t even worth investigating. And the notes in the Intergalactic Alliance archives hardly do it justice.”
“At least we’re here now,” Avery points out.
“Question is, for how long. They’ve been extremely nice to us. I can’t argue with that,” I admit. “But we’re guests. I assume we won’t be permanent guests.”
“What if they offer to let us live here?” she asks. “Would you be able to stay here permanently? I know Sigurd gets a little stir crazy, but he said the woods nearby are really nice. Plenty of room to run.”
“They are. The run we took yesterday was nice and peaceful. Reminded me of running through the forests on our world, back when the entire pack would go on a hunt,” I say. “There’s no hunting here, but it’s still freeing.”
“And you don’t have to hide who you are. At all,” she says. “Earlier today, I saw some wolves jogging along the sidewalk like people used to do back on Earth.”
“One thing does trouble me, however,” I say hesitantly.
“You’re our mate, Avery. We feel it, and I know you do as well.
None of the people here have that kind of bond.
They marry and call each other mates. They have children.
But half of them don’t even stay together.
They get… divorced. That wasn’t a thing on our world, even if we didn’t bond with our mates like we’ve bonded with you. ”
“It was common on Earth. Divorce,” she says, blowing out a stream of vanilla that lingers in the air. “My parents stayed together, but a lot of my friends weren’t so lucky.”
“Just seems so wrong. How can someone make a vow and not honor it? Does the vow even mean anything?” I question.
“You never got frustrated with your wife? Wanted some time apart?” she asks.
“Of course, but that doesn’t mean I would dishonor our marriage,” I say, shaking my head. “Granted, mine was a political marriage, but still… when I said those vows, I meant them. I honored them as long as she was alive and I mourned her after she was gone.”
“Every world has their nuances, I’m sure,” she says.
“Yeah, but how many of them are true nuances?” I mutter. “And how many of them are just remnants of clones and coded DNA that changed everything?”
“There’s nothing that can be done about it. It happened so long ago. Now that you know the truth, I’m sure you won’t be so quick to follow all the traditions you’re accustomed to, right?” she asks, tilting her head slightly.
“No, there are many things to consider once we get home. If we make it home…” I trail off. “I guess we’ll know more after the feast. Hopefully President Haggard will give us some insight.”
The front door opens and Sigurd walks in.
I can tell from his demeanor that he did more than just cruise around the city in the ship.
The wildness in his eyes suggests he went for a run while he was out.
I can’t blame him. I wouldn’t mind another one myself, but it’s almost time to get ready for the feast.
“Are the babies still doing okay?” Sigurd asks as he walks into the living room. “Did they miss me?”
“They were screaming, but Ivar settled them down,” Avery says, taking a hit from her vape.
“What are you doing with that?” Sigurd asks, gesturing to the cloud. “Thought you were quitting.”
“I did. For a really long time,” she says. “But it’s safe here. Don’t you think I should get to enjoy a few things now that I’m no longer pregnant?”
“I thought it would mess with the breast milk,” Sigurd grunts, leaning down to sniff her drink. “Especially that. Smells like there’s more alcohol than fruit in it.”
“Relax, brother. Everything is okay,” I smirk, chuckling under my breath at his concern. It’s so unlike him, but I guess fatherhood changes a man, even a brute like Sigurd. “Our mate would never do anything to harm our children.”
“Yeah, back off,” Avery teases, giving Sigurd a playful nudge.
“I guess I won’t put you over my knee,” Sigurd rumbles, leaning down and kissing Avery’s head. “Yet.”
“Like you ever need a reason,” Avery says, nuzzling his hand.
“Not my fault your ass looks so good when it’s nice and red,” Sigurd says. “I guess we should get ready for the feast.”
“Yeah, it’s about that time.” I nod in agreement.
Avery walks to the bedroom with us and we have trouble keeping our hands off her, especially when Ivar joins in. But as tempting as it is, we don’t want to be late. We force ourselves not to get carried away and get dressed for the feast.
My brothers and I are wearing black suits, similar to the one President Haggard and his security detail were wearing. Avery is wearing a blue jacket and skirt that hugs her curves in a delicious way. I can’t wait to peel it off her later.
“Well, now we look like everyone else on this world,” Avery says, turning and checking herself out in the mirror. “Just need to do my makeup and hair.”
“We’ll leave you to it.” I turn toward the door. “Need to make sure the babies are ready to go.”
Val offered to send a babysitter after we told her we weren’t interested in letting the Vikingo Robot watch them, but we’re not ready to leave the children all alone quite yet, especially after what happened on Mallow.
We’ll feel better if they’re nearby. If we left them behind, we’d be worried the entire time.
I doubt we’d be able to enjoy the feast.
My brothers and I walk into the nursery. The babies are sleeping and they look quite peaceful. So peaceful I hate to disturb them, but we don’t have a choice.
We gather the baby carriers, pack them with everything we should need, and gently move the babies over to them. Vivar wakes up in the process and screams for a few minutes, but Ivar is able to get him settled. The girls don’t even open their eyes.
“I love our little family,” Ivar murmurs, leaning down to kiss Vivar on the head. “Maybe staying here wouldn’t be so bad.”
“You’d give up your crown?” Sigurd asks. “Abandon our world?”
“I don’t want to, but our children would be happier here. Even if we go home, there’s a lot of work to be done, and not enough people to do it,” Ivar sighs. “It’ll take generations to truly rebuild our home. Many generations before it resembles the one we knew before the plague.”
“Life here is a lot better than the one waiting for us,” I admit. “Especially with an Intergalactic Alliance warship standing between us and our home.”
“For now, we’ll just enjoy the feast,” Ivar says.
We meet Avery in the hallway and the sight of her takes my breath away for a moment. She looks ravishing. Her hair has been styled into two buns with cascading curls and her gorgeous features have been accented by the makeup. We didn’t have that on our world. We only painted our faces for battle.
“Wow,” I say, walking closer to her.
“See how much better I look when you’re not hiding me in a cave or on a farm?” she laughs, leaning against me.
“You were beautiful then and you’re beautiful now,” I counter, leaning down to kiss her.
“Careful, don’t smear my lipstick,” she says with a grin. “I haven’t been able to wear it since I was on Earth. People used to say cherry-red lipstick was my trademark.”
“I like it,” I say, leaning closer. “And I don’t care if it smears.”
I kiss Avery, holding her close as our tongues intertwine. I wish I could take her straight to the bedroom and forget all about the feast, but I’m sure that wouldn’t be good manners. They’re holding it in honor of our arrival. We should at least show up on time.
After I reluctantly pull away, both of my brothers kiss Avery. Her lipstick is a little smeared after we’re done and she has to touch it up before we leave.
“I’ll drive,” Sigurd says as we walk outside.