Chapter 39
Holly
“I think the rainy season is almost over,” Hattie said conversationally, looking up at the canopy far overhead. It was still dripping occasionally, but that was mostly due to the light mist that continued to hang heavy in the air overhead. But it wasn’t true rain for the first time in a while.
“Maybe?” Holly said, turning away from the stall that was selling pretty, clear crystal jewelry – the most common type for the color changing species since it didn’t affect their skin.
Rough and cut and, in some cases, impressively complicated beyond what she thought crystals could be, it was all beautiful, but not really her style.
She and Hattie were out shopping for her traditional claiming dress.
It wasn’t a pretty white gown like she would consider normal for a wedding.
Instead, it was what she would call cavewoman chic.
Fur cape, simple wrap dress, maybe some jewelry if you were being fancy.
It was so basic, the outfit didn’t even have the seals that kept normal clothing on.
It was meant to be removed and used as a base for the nest she would build in Romival’s den.
She and Hattie had already bought most of everything.
Now, they were just looking for anything extra to maybe spice it up a bit.
Pretty shoes were common – either fabric or fur or leather sandals.
The shoes weren’t used as nest material, so they were able to be fancy and pretty without interfering with the rest of the outfit’s intention.
Holly was a bit bummed about the wedding dress thing. Though, in a way, she was actually a little relieved as well. She couldn’t imagine trying to buy a wedding dress without her mother. The fact that she didn’t have to was probably for the best.
Romival was still looking for Earth. But his search had been going on for so long already. She honestly didn’t think he was going to find it. The fact that he wasn’t giving up, even in the futility of it, was enough for her.
“So, do you have like a save the date?” Hattie asked as they walked through the mostly empty marketplace. It wasn’t a busy day. There were still a few people wandering around, but it was too late for the morning crowd and too early for the afternoon one.
Holly and Hattie’s favorite time. It allowed them to shop without worrying about dealing with the fights that invariably broke out every ten minutes or so whenever even a moderately sized group of domini came together.
They weren’t in any danger. They still had their bodyguards. They were hanging back, giving them plenty of space, but they both knew they could be on them in seconds. Since they were being targeted by Sizuka and her clan, they weren’t allowed out by themselves.
Holly didn’t mind that. The guards weren’t obtrusive or anything and it was nice to feel safe and protected.
“It’s not really that formal,” she answered with a smile, her belly fluttering with excitement just at the thought of her impending mating. “He’s thinking next week. Sorry, tenday. I’m really not good at the new terminology.”
Hattie chuckled. “Yeah. I mess it up a lot too. But I’m so excited for you!”
Holly couldn’t keep the smile off her face either.
Being mated on Turv wasn’t the same as being married on Earth.
The latter had a lot of ceremony and culture and tradition baked in, regardless of what kind of wedding you had.
For the domini, there was nothing bureaucratic or overly planned about it at all.
No marriage license, no formal filing, nothing like that.
Her name wouldn’t even be changed because only people who still held their clan and were changing clans had to do so.
They were literally just going to pick a day. Atem would act as guardian for her, waiting while Romival finished preparing his den. Then, her mate would come get her, fight him, fight her, then take her back to said den for nest making and sex.
It wasn’t a bureaucratic thing because it was a biological one.
The domini might enjoy sex with each other for recreation and reproduction, but they only mated once.
Mating increased your chances of conception tenfold and being mated rewired the brains of the domini so that they could only feel sexual desire and release for their mate.
Unlike humans who practiced monogamy by choice, domini monogamy was genetically ingrained and inescapable.
“How are you feeling about it?” Hattie asked, giving her a searching look. “Cold feet? Butterflies?”
“Butterflies. Definitely lots of butterflies. But mostly excited.” Holly held her belly, trying to keep the feelings contained. “It’s like… with Romi, everything is okay. I feel safe and loved and I know that I have a family again.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Hattie beamed. And it was a testament to her character that, despite wanting what Holly had ever since they landed here, there wasn’t even a hint of envy on her face. Only joy for her friend.
“Have you started looking at any other guys?” Holly asked, now wanting nothing more than to see Hattie have her dream come true.
But her friend shook her head happily. “Nope. I’m laying off men for the moment. Males. I’m going to work on myself. And matchmake.”
“Matchmake?”
“Yeah.” A wicked gleam came over her eye. “So, you know I’ve been hanging out with Ryna lately, right? She’s actually really cool. Anyway, so we’re hanging out, talking about Earth, when guess who comes sauntering up?”
“Who?”
“Havali!”
“Havali? You mean First Guardian?”
“Yes!” Hattie squealed. “The really handsome one who prefers to wear white and eggshell colors? Black eyes, hair to his waist, gives off some sexy marble statue vibes?”
Holly laughed at the description. “Yeah. Is he into Ryna or something?”
“No, but he heard me talking to her about Earth and he started asking questions too. So, I answered, you know, not thinking anything of it. Everyone’s curious right?
But then he started asking about our mating rituals and expectations.
And I was like, oh no. He’s cute, don’t get me wrong, but he’s so not my type and I literally just decided to work on myself.
I don’t need sex-on-a-stick to come over and tempt me because I have no self-control.
But then, get this, he starts asking me about Scarlet. ”
Holly gasped. “No!”
“Yes!” Hattie laughed, practically bouncing as she walked. “Asking if I knew if she had a mate or was interested in males. What she likes. That kind of thing.”
“No way! He was that obvious?”
Hattie nodded excitedly. “Since he was being obvious, I thought I’d go ahead and be obvious too. So, I asked him straight up. I’m like, you just trying to smash, or should we be laying a foundation here?”
“What did he say?”
“Well, first he had to figure out that I meant ‘sex’ when I said ‘smash’. So, he asked why it was called that, so like I had to demonstrate with my hands. Anyway, off topic. Point is, he didn’t actually answer me. He changed the subject and then left.”
Holly groaned in frustration. “Dang it! That could mean either one.”
“I don’t even know how Scarlet would feel about a relationship.”
Holly hummed thoughtfully. “She does seem more focused on work. But she never actually-”
“Yellow!”
The two of them jumped, turning at the sharp call. Holly’s happy smile faded immediately upon seeing Valorii and Brava stalking their way. The former looked pissed, the latter’s lip curled in disgust, both of them were fuming.
Hattie crossed her arms as Holly looked around.
They were near the edge, allowing her to see into the shadows of the forest, but there was still plenty of room to run.
Moreover, her guards were already stepping in closer.
Not interfering immediately because just being aggressive wasn’t a huge reason for concern on his planet, but they were ready to intervene in case either female decided to do something stupid.
Even if they weren’t there, she and Hattie both had their combots flitting around their heads, their bright lights able to connect to help in an instant if necessary.
In the time it took for her to take stock of her surroundings, they had caught up to them.
“You ugly, stupid, ecter!” She snarled at her, both hands tense, claws out.
Holly, already well aware that Valorii didn’t like her, was still surprised by the undisguised hatred and anger in her voice and body. So much so that she didn’t even react to the insult. She was mostly just confused by the sudden confrontation.
Hattie scoffed, crossing her arms, confident in their safety. “Don’t you have somewhere else to be? Or are you slacking on work again?”
“Shut your fat mouth, disgusting human,” Valorii snapped at her.
Which set Holly off in turn-
“I’m not dealing with you today, Valorii. Either back off or I’m calling our guards and you can deal with Atem.”
Valorii spit a laugh at her. “Exactly! So weak, you can’t even defend yourself!”
“Better than being so dishonorable, I’d attack a weaker opponent,” Holly smirked. Her jab landed a lot harder, earning a deep, dangerous growl from both of them.
“A lot braver now, aren’t you? I suppose you think you’ve won over me.”
“I literally have no idea what you’re talking about, and I honestly don’t think about you at all when you’re not here.”
“You forced First Scholar to demote me!” She accused on a growl, leveling a claw at her as though she’d love nothing more than to dig it into Holly’s eye.
Immediately, Holly laughed. At her. Making no effort to hide that’s exactly what she was doing as she crossed her arms, looking down on her.
“Cute. But we both know that you lost a challenge. That’s the only way you can lose your rank. And your incompetence is not my problem.”
“The only reason I was challenged is because First Scholar actively tried to find someone to replace me!”
“His campaign wouldn’t have worked if you were worthy of your job. Isn’t that the whole premise of the domini way of life?”