Chapter Eight #4
“Ra liked to party, and the designers were worried about what kind of folks he was attracting. You were not Hmrain-compatible out of the box, but after you got out of the assessment unit, old DNA woke up. Really old, like you are related to someone who partied in Egypt when the ancient cities were new.”
Elly blinked. “Oh, well, that explains the two percent sub-Saharan Africa.”
Priya smiled. “My family was a little closer, but yeah.”
Alyssa smiled sadly. “You are going to stay here?”
Elly, Priya, and Isla nodded. “We are.”
Priya said, “My family was so happy to see me. They are planning new careers for me.”
Elly nodded. “Same.”
Isla looked over her shoulder at Halon. “We know what I am planning.”
Whisper nodded. “Good. Now, let Harwin and Ra know. It’s kind of important that you are registered for life on Aten.”
The ladies walked over to Ra and Harwin and expressed their need to remain on Aten.
Aubrey and Vress walked in, and the oracle smiled. “Okay, that makes sense now.”
Whisper snorted, and Aubrey grinned. “Aw, look at you all grown up!”
Whisper said, “Eventually I am going to be able to make you fly like Peter Pan.”
Aubrey walked up to her. “But that is not today.” She booped her nose.
“Funny, oh great and powerful Oz.”
Aubrey blinked and then laughed. “I like that.”
“Knew you would. So how long are we staying?”
“One night. Harwin has arranged guest accommodations here.”
“Oh, nice.”
Nerigot kept an arm around her waist. “You will be with me.”
“Why?” Whisper turned to glare at him.
“Because until you are trained, you are dangerous to yourself and others.”
“I have never been a danger to myself.”
He said softly, “You are floating again.”
“Dammit!” She looked down, and she was a few inches off the ground again.
He laughed and held her close. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
Whisper growled but relaxed against him.
* * * *
Aubrey looked over at Whisper and smiled. “How far will they be from us?”
“With the right ship. A week.”
“Can we visit?”
“Not until you are settled as the oracle.”
“Hmm. So, when?”
“In a year? She should be stable enough as an acolyte and no longer dangerous to those around her. If her training allows, you can communicate with her on open coms.”
“Does Nerigot have to agree to that?”
Vress chuckled. “Yes.”
She got behind him and pushed. “Go ask him.”
Vress looked at her like she was crazy. She waved him on. “Go!”
He shook his head and stalked over to Nerigot. Aubrey walked behind him, and he spoke a language she didn’t have yet. Nerigot blinked, smiled, and continued in the same language.
Whisper grinned. “What did you want him to get?”
“Open coms and allow you to visit, or me to visit in a year. Like weirdo pen pals.”
Whisper smiled. “Maybe once every ten days. I get the feeling we are both going to be very busy.”
“Yeah, I just wanted to see if he would ask for me. He did, so he is so getting laid tonight.” Aubrey grinned.
Vress turned to her with a creaking slowness, moved in a rapid snap, picked her up, and flew her to the room that Ra had offered earlier.
Aubrey was laughing as he settled them in the room. His mouth crashed down on hers, and clothing went flying.
When Aubrey finally was able to raise her head, her body was throbbing, especially her inner thigh where he had gotten a snack. “So what was with the tornado?”
“That was the first time you have made a sexual invitation in public. I was not about to waste the opportunity.” He caressed her shoulders and made a happy sound.
She laughed. “If this is the reaction to the invitation, I will use them sparingly. Perhaps I will create a sort of embossed affair so there is no mistake. Make it nice and formal.”
He chuckled and ran a hand down her body. “I had never thought I would be demanded to become the consort of an oracle, but here you are, and here I am.”
“And the others are finding what they need, and Whisper is a wizard. That is just too much fun. Did Nerigot agree to the open coms?”
“Yes. He heard her mentioning once every ten days, and he agreed to it.”
“Good. It will help me not feel alone.”
“There is Alyssa.”
“Yes, but her mate is going to be on the ship a lot of the time, and she might go with him. That’s what the captain was saying. She sees the stars, and I see the inside of people’s futures.”
“Well, he is from a highborn family. He might do a year or two more and then go home. If she has a child, they will go to Ress and live their lives. That is a much closer friend.”
“And the rest of the ladies will be here on Aten. Harwin can already contact me anywhere.”
“And you will not answer her calls if I am enjoying you.”
“Correct. She doesn’t answer for the same reason.”
He smiled. “Sensible.”
“So are you happy you made it over to the station?”
“It was worth the effort. I regret the amount of time that you and the others spent in cold sleep, but it was necessary.”
She looked at him with a sigh. “How long were we out, specifically?”
“More than a year, less than five. I had to calm Harwin when she began calling you. She didn’t tell you?”
“She said you should tell me so that the screaming and Hmrain beating would be confined.”
He chuckled. “Are you thinking of attacking me?”
“I am wondering if you can breathe through a pillow.”
“Well, you know that I can still my breathing for a very long time.”
Aubrey blushed. “I am familiar with that, yes.”
He lay on his back and pulled her so she straddled his face. “Smother away.”
She looked down, braced her hands on the headboard, and lowered herself onto his mouth. He asked for it, and she could see it was actually in his future. Who was she to fight fate?