Chapter 21 #2
“Cool, huh? That’s for when we go to Iceeen.
It’s freezing there, like nipple freezing.
I always find myself someone to snuggle up with when we’re there too, if you know what I mean.
” She gives me a cheeky wink. I know exactly what she means.
“The lightning cats we have with the show have their own big suite, and it’s apparently kept at a lower temperature than everywhere else on the ship.
I’ve never seen it because that Natalia is a raving bitch and won’t let anyone near the rest of them, but rumor has it that their room is all frost and snow.
Anyway, let’s go and get an Achom! It’s hot and yummy and will give you a burst of energy.
It’s made from the anal secretions of the Silax worm, but don’t let that fool you! ”
I must turn slightly green at the description because she just laughs again and drags me along to a café where we take a seat.
“Trust me. It tastes like a blend of Earth coffee and chocolate but has a kick to it like there’s a dash of chili and vodka.”
She orders two on a screen built into the table, and within a minute or two, a hatch opens in the middle and they rise up out of it.
“What do we do for money? I didn't think to ask the grandpas about it because I haven't needed it up until now.” I start to panic, the thought of how dependent I am hitting me for the first time. I hate not having a way to take care of myself, but I’ve been a bit distracted up until this point.
“I haven't got any. How am I going to pay for this?”
Her hand on mine, she gives me a gentle squeeze and a smile.
“Relax. Everything like food and drink is included. As for shopping, well, we all get paid a wage, and I can’t imagine you would be any different.
The boss men have probably added you to their account too.
All the information should be available through that. ” She points to the watch on my wrist.
My panic ebbs, and I make a note to talk to the grandpas about it.
“Okay, thanks. It’s all just a lot, you know?
” I take a cautious sip of my drink, and wow, it’s amazing, like a mocha with a kick.
“Finding out about all of this, and then learning I’m not even from Earth and now the mating on top of that.
” The words just slip out of my mouth, and it’s only when I see her reaction that I stop and think about what I said.
“You’re mated? Holy fuck! When did that happen?
Who is it? Was it good?” She fires the questions at me without giving me a chance to answer.
“Didn’t you know about the five tries before you buy rule?
How have you managed to have sex with someone five times while I haven’t even been able to grab a meet with you? ”
“Ah yeah, I did, but it sort of just happened. His beast kind of took over and forced the mating. I know how that sounds, trust me, but honestly, I’m not upset.
I mean, I was, but when I thought about it, I realized I’m actually really excited.
Let’s face it, he’s sexy as fuck, has mad dick skills, and he’s sweet and kind and loving.
I could end up with a lot worse.” I’m rambling slightly, but it doesn't seem to matter to her. My brain and maybe even those first stirrings in my heart are almost desperate for her to not judge Caspian. The situation is complicated and doesn’t look the best from the outside, but I’ve already seen such good signs of the man that he is.
I want to know more, and all these little glimpses have just confirmed that he and I could be good together.
I have a lot to learn, but he seems like he will be ready and willing to give me things that I need and haven’t found yet in my other relationships.
“Oh my god, a beast means it’s a shifter.
Which shifter? I saw you with Dylan and Caspian the first night, and gossip around the ship says that you’d been hanging out until you had a falling out.
” Movement behind her catches my eye, and I look around the little café for the first time.
It’s set up mostly like an Earth business would be, minus the servers because everything happens automatically.
But there’s a cozy little fire toward the back of the shop, probably for ambience because the ship’s not cold or anything.
Surrounding the fire are heaps of cozy-looking double pods, like mostly enclosed booths.
Sitting in one of these pods is Dylan and another guy, the two of them in some kind of intimate conversation.
I’m happy for him; he looks like he’s flirting with the guy, so he must like him.
He glances up, catching my eye, but he only returns my wave with one of those impersonal bro nods.
Ouch, that hurts. Seeing my face drop, Mags turns around. “Oh, look at that. Dylan the manwhore is on the prowl.” She turns back to me, rolling her eyes. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s a great guy, but wow, he knows how to love them and leave them. He changes his partners like he changes his moods.”
Huh, maybe I misjudged him altogether. He was the first friendly face I saw, and I latched on to him like the new girl at school. I guess that friendship wasn’t as genuine as I thought, but I can’t imagine what I did to piss him off.
I decide to let it go. Although I thought we’d be good friends, he has no reason to be pissed at me about anything.
I’m sad, but not heartbroken about it. I just hope he doesn't cause problems for Caspian. Caspian’s family now, and nobody fucks with my family.
According to the grandpas, anyone who messes with my mate can easily find themselves replaced.
My watch beeps, and I look at the message flashing across the screen. I’ve got twenty minutes until I’m supposed to meet Caspian at the Aquilian pool.
“Hey, Mags, this has been fun and I definitely want to do it again, but I need to meet Caspian. Can you show me the way to the Aquilian pool?”
She jumps up. “Of course, let’s go to the elevators. It’s up a floor.” She takes off, and I hurry after her, not wanting to get lost. “Is it Caspian who’s your mate?” she asks in an excited voice once I catch up and the two of us are heading up in the elevator.
“Ah, yeah.”
She grabs hold of my hand and squeals in excitement. “Wow, that’s awesome. You’ll have to tell me all about it. What was the mating like? Do you remember every blissful second of it?”
I blush a little at the memory. “No, not really, my mind was pretty much mush.”
“Oh! Do tell?” she asks, curiosity in her eyes.
“The man has mad fucking sex skills. I swear I’ve never been dicked so well in my life. I didn't know those kinds of orgasms were possible. Seriously, it’s no hardship to have those for the rest of my life.”
Her mouth drops open in shock before we both dissolve into peals of laughter just as the doors open, showing a room filled with water.
“Holy shit.” The giggles disappear as I take in the sight in front of me.
There is a section just in front of the elevator to step out onto, and from what I can see, it runs the rims of the walls.
Apart from that, the whole room is like an ocean with a few houses floating as their own islands.
“How does this work? How does the water not go everywhere if there’s space turbulence or whatever? ”
“There’s a special gravity field that holds all the water down while allowing bodies to pass through it.
” She looks around the pool. “I thought that maybe Nixie would be here. Unlike most mermaids, she’s friendly with other races.
She regularly takes her human form and comes hang out, but I can’t see her. ”
Right now, the water is still, not a ripple to be seen.
“It looks like they're all gone. I’m going to leave you here since Caspian should be here any minute. I’ll catch up with you at dinner.
I want to hear all about what it was like to meet his beast.” She leans in and gives me a kiss on the cheek before stepping back into the elevator.
Once she’s gone and I’m all alone, I realize how quiet the room is too. No lapping sounds because the water is so still. There’s no wind or anything because of the artificial environment.
Stepping up to the edge of the pool, I toe off one of my shoes and dip my foot into the water.
It’s warm and balmy, like a tropical beach, and I pull off the rest of my clothes, so I can go for a swim.
I told Caspian I didn't have a swimsuit with me, and he suggested I swim naked.
I wasn't keen on that, knowing that other creatures live in this area, so we compromised. Underwear, it is.
Sitting down on the edge, I swing my legs into the pool, but before I can do anything else, there’s a frenzy of motion and something launches itself out of the water. I have just enough time to suck in a lungful of air before I’m dragged under.
Fuck my life.