Epilogue
“Oh darling.”
The petulant feminine voice echoing in the room made Azazel jump.
“I am so hurt you don’t recognize me.”
The woman in his arms covered her mouth with her delicate fingers and giggled.
He gave her a mock glare. “Oh, you find this funny, eh, Toni?” With a rumbling growl, he wrapped her in his arms and rolled her over and over on the soft mattress in a playful wrestle.
Toni’s giggles turned into jubilant laughter.
“Honestly, children.” The effeminate voice admonished in an exasperated tone. “Playtime is over.” The sound of hands clapping came across like a scolding grandmother. “Your presence is required in the main conference room.”
When Azazel found a particular ticklish spot at Toni’s waist, he exclaimed, “Aha!”
Toni squirmed with a protesting howl. “Stop, Az!” She pushed his hands away. “I can’t breathe!”
He would not be deterred. Instead of teasing her stomach and waist, he rolled them over until she was pinned beneath him. He leaned into her neck and blew a raspberry against the pebbling skin there.
The next thing he knew, she’d grabbed the sides of his head and pulled his mouth to hers.
Any attempt at teasing flew away as he sank into the kiss.
Then it hit him. Her lush bare skin lay flush against him, ready for him to dive in.
With eager hands and mouth, he explored as much of her tempting landscape as he could reach until he found himself pulled away, free-floating above the bed. It was if gravity had taken a vacation.
“Elemi!” Toni squealed.
Azazel grabbed the drifting woman and wrapped her in his arms.
She slid her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist with a tight squeeze.
Keeping in mind how touchy the sentient spaceship was, Azazel took care with the words he chose. “I am so sorry we didn’t listen to you, ninlil.” It was hard, but he kept a smile from escaping as he spoke. “We promise to heed you.”
“Humph,” the ship responded. “I do like that ‘Lady of Airspace’ title. Yes, I suppose I’ll forgive you. This time.”
Thankfully, Elemi didn’t turn on the gravity all at once. The gradual return of their normal weight allowed them to touch down onto the floor next to the wide bed with sure footing.
“Well,” Toni snickered. “at least you know where you are now.”
He nodded. “Yes, when my brothers and I went to FiPan to look for you and the other missing women, we came on this ship.” Glancing at the ceiling, he continued. “And a most gracious host she was and is.”
Wow, he sure can lay it on thick.
It startled him when he heard Toni’s thoughts in his mind. While in his beast form, he must’ve opened a clear, private track that allowed him to connect with her. It took him a moment to get familiar with that psychic channel to see how she reacted to it.
Don’t you think it’s better to stay on her good side? He tested the link.
Toni smirked. Yeah, I’d hate for her to shove us out of an airlock.
“Do you remember how to get to the conference center?” Elemi asked, her tone huffy. “Or do I have to assist you?”
“Thank you, Elemi.” Azazel once again fell into the vivid blue of Toni’s eyes. “But that’s unnecessary. Please tell my brothers we will be there in a few moments.”
“Oh, all right.” Elemi said exasperated. “But I warn you. Don’t make me come here looking for you again.”
He sensed when the sentient part of the ship withdrew.
“Um—” Toni glanced down at her naked body. “—think we can find some clothes to wear first?”
By the Goddess, what a wonderful naked body she had. Azazel sucked in a breath, doing his best to divert any carnal thoughts creeping in.
“Let’s see what I can do.” He stepped back, still holding her hand as they faced each other. “Imagine what you’d like to have on, and I’ll create it for you.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
Azazel gave her a reassuring nod. “Absolutely. Close your eyes and visualize your favorite outfit.”
It was easy for him to pick up the clean lines and vivid colors she preferred.
He created a fitted brown leather jacket over a soft, slightly oversized dark-red blouse tucked into tailored blue jeans.
On her feet were low-heeled ankle boots in the same leather as the jacket.
To add a brief flair, he added a bold pair of golden earrings she called urban chic.
He ran his palm over her head to smooth out any tangles, leaving her hair sleek and smooth. “You can open your eyes now.” He urged her in a soft tone.
He held her elbow, and his chest tightened, hoping she liked what he’d done.
He’d clothed himself in his customary long-sleeved tunic with a high collar in a midnight blue with minimalistic embossed details on the trim, pairing it with loose trousers in the same color.
On his wrists, he included a pair of wide leather cuffs the color of deep sepia that matched the shade of his hair.
They were a quiet reminder of where he came from as a slave and the strength he’d gained since then.
With an absent thought, he wove his long hair into its customary single braid.
Toni’s squeal of delight after she took in his creation was everything he’d hoped for. She rushed to him with arms wide open, embracing him in a tight hug.
“I’m so glad you approve.” He stroked the soft hair at the top of her head, and her earrings clinked delicately. “Now, we’d better see my brothers before we upset Elemi again.”
Walking beside Azazel as they headed to the conference room, Toni took in as much of the ship Elemi as she could. With a joyous sense of freedom, she clasped his hand in hers. Her face warmed at the appreciative glance he gave her as he tightened his hold.
The golden streaks in his brown eyes seemed to widen. “By the way, where’s JR14?”
“Oh, he’s fine.” Toni waved her hand. “He’s with his, um, brothers at the command center. I guess they’re all reporting to their… father?” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m still trying to figure out how a droid has brothers and a father.”
“Yeah.” Azazel chuckled. “It takes some getting used to. Hey—” He smiled at her. “—since I don’t remember coming on board, did the ship Elemi introduce herself to you?”
Tearing her gaze from his, Toni looked around at the shimmering walls that had a translucent sheen.
“Yes and no. Since I met her in her robot form, I feel like I know her already.” She grasped his forearm with her other hand. “Besides, I was so worried about you, I couldn’t pay attention to anything else.”
She frowned at the blurred memory of rushing into the bedchamber.
After laying Azazel on his back on the soft mattress, his brother Asmodel grasped his face between his palms and closed his eyes.
After a few tense moments, he opened his hazel eyes with a slight grin.
He looked at Abalim before focusing on Arakiba.
Struggling not to stomp her foot in frustration, Toni didn’t wait for him to look at her.
“Well?” she demanded, her fists on her hips. “Is he okay?”
“He’s just fine,” came Asmodel’s annoyingly calm announcement. “Like we told you before, shapeshifting, especially for the first time, takes a lot out of a person.” He stood from his kneeling position by the bed. “He just needs to rest to gain his strength.”
With that last tidbit, the three of them left her alone with a sleeping Azazel.
No one had to tell her to take advantage of the downtime. It was hard to say a grateful goodbye to the Sensos suit, but she didn’t want to sleep in it. Once she was naked, she climbed into bed next to the sleeping Azazel. She might not have shapeshifted, but exhaustion claimed her as well.
Now, walking next to her lover, she took the time to notice aspects of Elemi she hadn’t paid attention to before.
Each step had the faintest give, like it met and supported her weight.
What she liked best was how every footfall made the minute bio-luminescent threads through it flicker as if they danced with each step.
And the air! Toni took in an appreciative breath. A soothing scent of jasmine with an undertone of spicy ylang-ylang graced the cozy atmosphere. Her favorite.
“What do you think they want to talk to us about?” She bit her bottom lip. God, they’d better not try to separate them. No way would she let that happen.
“I’m sure they’re going to fill us in on what happened after we left the Krystalii ship.
” Azazel lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles, keeping her hand over his firm chest. “But what I’m hoping is they’ll provide us with something to eat.
” At that announcement, his stomach growled.
“I’m starving.” He put his hand over his flat stomach and gave her a sheepish grin.
When her stomach echoed his rumble, they both laughed.
“Yeah, I’m with you there.” Toni grinned and skipped backward, facing him, holding his hand with both of hers. “Come on, let’s hurry before it’s all gone.”
“As my lady commands.” Azazel bowed before he swooped her into his arms.
She squealed with delight, wrapping her arms around his neck as he hurried them down the corridor.
They were still laughing when he skidded to a halt at an open doorway.
“Finally,” Elemi’s testy tone announced. “They’re here.”
Toni’s mouth fell open as conversations stopped. Filling the space was a group of people she’d had no idea were on the ship with them.
“Oh, look.” Azazel set her down on her feet and nodded at the opposite wall in the large room. “There’s food.” He grabbed her hand and headed to the buffet line against the wall with single-minded intent. “Let’s eat.”
Toni leaned in and whispered as she trotted next to him. “Who are all these people?”
Azazel glanced over his shoulder, then shrugged. “Right now, I don’t care. I have something more important on my mind. Like eating.”
“Toni?” A woman rushed to her and engulfed her in a hard hug. “Oh my God!” She pulled away and studied her. “Are you okay?”