Chapter Seven
B ailey felt someone watching her. She looked up to Bosonix and saw his eyes had taken on a familiar tint. She trod water and looked up at him. So, you re here.
The instructor took on a resonant note. I am here, Bailey. Are you ready to come home with me?
I have a list of things for the contract.
He crouched. Whatever you want is yours. I just want you happy and with me.
So, why are you wearing Bosonix?
He is one of mine and offered his body when I asked.
That is creepy, Overseer.
I know. Would you come to the main house so we can negotiate in person?
I have to dry off and get back in the suit.
Alternative clothing is available, but either way, I will wait.
I think the vulnerability might make me go mad.
Bosonix smiled. Then, wear the suit until you don t need it anymore.
She smiled and nodded, swimming toward the spot where she had left the suit. She was wobbly when she got out of the water, and Bosonix wrapped her in a towel, blotting her carefully with a second. He carefully dried her hair, and her tears began to fall.
What is it, treasure?
I had forgotten what it felt like to be cared for.
Ah, treasure, I will remind you each and every day. If you let me.
She sniffled. It s still up for debate.
Bosonix chuckled. I look forward to the debate, precious one.
He carefully dried her and helped her into her bio-suit. When the seals were in place, she smiled. Okay, let me get my tablet with my list of demands, and we will do this in person.
His grin was wide as Bosonix took her hand and led her out of the guesthouse and down to the main temple.
She felt the stumble when they were outside the door, and Symo relinquished control over Bosonix. Are you all right?
The overseer took me over, lady.
I know. I saw his stars in your eyes. He s behind this door.
The door opened, and Symo was there. Hello, Bailey.
She opened her mouth and closed it with a snap. He looked even better than she remembered, and she bit her lip to keep from saying anything stupid. She folded her hands against her abdomen and bowed, holding it for twenty seconds.
When she stood straight, he said, You do not need to bow to me, rare one.
Bosonix was kneeling. Overseer. It is good to see you so far from home.
Thank you for bringing her to me, instructor.
It was my honour. Pardon. I don t remember anything after she started opening her suit.
Symo smiled innocently. Funny that. You are dismissed now, instructor. I will take charge of my lady from here.
The companion blinked and nodded. Of course, Overseer.
He bowed and left, closing the door behind them.
Symo looked at Bailey and caressed her cheek. Let s have some tea and discuss your contract changes.
He took her by the hand and led her to a low table. He helped her sit and took the cushions across from her, reluctantly letting her go.
Symo sighed. You look tired, Bailey.
I am not used to hosting things. I enjoyed it, but I really want to punch Zell in the face or pinch his tail or something.
Symo shook his head. They have to settle between themselves. Attitudes like Zell s are why more hunger was installed in others. His previous consort only supplied sex on a schedule. He assumed that it was that way for all consort class. Now he knows to ask questions.
Bailey sighed. So, um, how have you been?
Busy. You are surprisingly fast and hard to predict.
I try.
I have our contract. Did you want to go over it?
Sure. I have a list of demands. You check this over and feel free to ask questions. She slid her tablet over with the list on it.
He smiled, and they sat in quiet as they read and sipped at their tea. They had been reading for a minute when he said, What is tickling?
Oh, it is stimulation from a mild contact resulting in twitching or uncontrollable laughter.
He paused. You don t enjoy it?
I did. It is now fraught with meaning for me, and I would end up crying.
Symo looked at her and nodded. You loved him.
And the baby. With everything in me. I would have been soft and sweet if they were still alive.
We will create a memorial for them.
You are not worried that I will have nothing left to give you? She looked into his dark eyes with floating stars.
He smiled. You loved once; you can do it again. I will take all the parts that you have left, and I will keep them safe. You can offer them to me when you are ready. We will be together for a very long time. I can wait.
She paused and looked down at the list. I can never refuse you?
If I don t have enough energy to seduce you, then I will ask you to assist. I don t foresee any additional circumstance, but the requirement is standard for my kind.
Understood. I just wanted to get a feel for the why of things.
He smiled. Visiting with Sage?
We both put it in. I am good at starting plants, and she wants to grow them. There are some varietals that I put through accelerated development, and they are doing very well. It smells like home.
He smiled. I believe Zell and I can deal with that.
She smiled and kept going. So, a child or one hundred years?
One hundred years to the next negotiation.
Wow, are you confident.
He grinned. I have seen you in my dreams. I have reason to believe we will be together far longer than you can currently imagine.
How do you know that?
I don t really dream because I don t sleep, and I have been seeking out sleep to see you again.
She looked at him, staring at the black mask that surrounded his eyes and ended in points around his cheeks.
Black hair with silver bands to hold it away from his face, a black jawline, and then stripes working all the way down.
He was wearing a loose, open robe and wide-legged trousers.
His wings were covered in feathers that were as short as scales. They looked soft and fluffy.
Oh.
He smiled. Any thoughts of me in your travels?
Bailey shrugged. I dreamed of falling asleep in your arms, warm and happy. And then I woke with a jolt remembering what is gone, and I feel like a traitor.
I did not choose you because you have loss. I did not choose you because I want to stamp out your memory. Your mate wanted you happy, did he not? You have had years pushing happiness back so you could carry out your little project. Are you content with your progress?
Oh, you mean destroying those who took advantage of women during the time between the impact and pickup?
He smiled. Yes. That. What s your body count?
Seventeen. I am pleased with the results.
It is a good number. Are you ready to settle?
Bailey looked at his calm features and tried to overlay Dennis s face. They were not similar in any way except their soft gazes when they looked at her. That was very familiar.
He took his tablet back and added her stipulations. When he returned the contract to her, it was complete, and he had signed.
Bailey took it and looked at the additions of her keeping her shuttle and her crusade to get chocolate and coffee across the universe.
She looked at him. You are sure about this? There are women out there who aren t scarred up and who are a lot less trouble.
The scars don t bother me, and I like the trouble. It makes me feel. Pursuing you across the stars has been exciting. His smile was sweet. I have met many of my own kind, including Ra. I never thought I would meet Ra or Nebel.
She looked at him, sighed, and signed.
He smiled and took the tablet from her. He did something with his thumb, and the screen flashed and then locked. He slid the tablet into a pocket in his robe. He rose to his feet and held his hand out to her. The matron has allowed us to use her guesthouse to take the fire out.
Fire? She slid her hand into his, and he pulled her to her feet.
What would you call it? He moved her grip to the back of his wrist, and they walked out of the room and back toward the guesthouse.
She glanced back at the contract rooms, but Symo tugged her along. Zell and Sage are currently involved in detailed negotiations.
Her eyes got wide as she realized that it was code and that clothing was optional. Her cheeks were scarlet the rest of the way to the guestroom she had been given, except they passed it and kept walking. Where are we going?
Your bed is too small. The chambers arranged with the matron are larger.
So we are going to-
Begin. We are going to begin. I want to get you healing and our link to strengthen as rapidly as possible. He walked to a door, and it opened at their approach.
Uh, don t break the suit. I don t have anything else to wear. She smiled weakly.
He looked at her. Clothing you is in the clauses. I brought a selection of items for you to wear.
So, you were pretty confident.
I touched your mind once when I bit you, and I never let it go. You just needed time on your own to deal with what you felt when I touched you.
It wasn t the touch; it was the kiss. Maybe the bite when you drank.
He turned her to face him. Will you run this time?
No. I am ready to deal with things. You.
Symo nodded. I will consider that your enthusiastic agreement for our first moment together.
Bailey felt bad, but he bent and kissed her.
Just as she had felt the first time, her toes curled, and her heart pounded.
She felt careful hands at her neckline, parting the suit and slowly prying the seal open.
She kept her focus on the kiss and the scent of him.
Air touched her shoulders, back, chest, and he continued to ease the linked suit away from her body until he broke their kiss and knelt to let the suit slowly exit its connection to her orifices.
The suit was designed for long-term usage, and it took care of all waste for her.
She felt it leaving and gasped when it was free of her. With Symo s help, she stepped out of it and was in front of him with her skin soft from her swim.
Bailey murmured, I should probably shower.