Chapter 27
Ahstahl
Exiting the ship, I watch Keelie as she looks around the hangar.
Not the most auspicious place for her first sight out of our ship, but she’ll soon be at our home.
A brief touch from Aercek’s tail makes me smile.
Since meeting our mate, he’s been much more affectionate with me, and I’m thankful for it. I am what our Keelie calls a “hugger.”
Following my frater and mate out of the hanger, I’m glad to see that none of our meddling family groupings are here.
Aercek and I told all of them Keelie was adjusting well, but she didn’t need to be overwhelmed with our extensive relations.
Striding over to our personal transport, I activate the door and step back.
“After you, anima. This belongs to us, and will take us home.”
Hoping in, she shoots me a relieved smile. “Oh, thank goodness! I wasn’t sure what to expect once we got here, but this is great.” Sheepishly, she scrunches her adorable little face and follows with, “Not gonna lie, it wouldn’t have disappointed me if y’all said we were flying to the house.”
Both of us pause for a moment before beaming at her in happiness. Aercek speaks first. “It warms my hearts that you enjoy flight.”
Nodding my head in agreement, I explain further. “We do not use the transporter much, unless we have goods or items to carry. We either fly or walk most places in and around the village.”
Aercek walks around and gets into the pilot seat as I load the last of Keelie’s belongings in the back.
To our surprise, Ketil, Ofeig, and Eyjolf took it upon themselves to empty the cargo bay of the majority of Keelie’s things and shipped them to our home for us.
Aercek and I are extremely grateful for their help, as it’s one less thing for us to have to do to settle our mate.
Closing the back of the transport, I fasten the lock before climbing into my seat next to Aercek.
The flight doesn’t take long, and the small vessel is filled with a comfortable silence.
I’m glad we inserted Keelie’s translator before we disembarked, or else she wouldn’t have been able to read any of the signage she’s perusing on our way home, or understand anything blaring out of the comm speakers within the transport.
Ahstahl and I may have bent a few rules giving her the same upgraded version we have, but our superiors won’t quibble much. If they ever find out.
Before I know it, Aercek is landing at our personal docking station, and I turn to look at Keelie’s first impression of our home. Her face lights up, and I wilt in relief. Aercek clicks his tongue at me in reproach.
“See? I told you she would not be disappointed.”
Hissing at him in annoyance, I scowl. “You are not always correct. Females are not like us. They have far different wants and needs.”
Keelie interjects before Aercek’s heated retort can leave his lips. “Y’all cut that out. There is nothing wrong with your house, and if there’s something I’d like to change or add, I’ll tell y’all about it. Deal?”
Effectively ending our disagreement, she hits the door release and hops out. “Well, come on, slow pokes! I wanna see my new house!”
Aercek and I exit the transport, unlock the front door, and follow behind our mate as she flits from room to room. When she finally reaches our den and darts inside, I glance mischievously over at my frater. “What do you say we introduce our anima tenetur to our den properly?”
Snapping his wings out, Aercek uses them to shove me inside our den and slams the door shut behind us.
I suppose that was a yes.