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“Oh, sure. No, I get it.” I squirmed in my seat.
“If inspiration strikes,” he said with a wicked grin, “we could find a darkened alcove or just return here.”
We could, could we? I suddenly knew what was going to rule my brain for the next twenty-four hours.
CHAPTER 13
PYSINA
Indulging the prince-consort’s wishes by officiating his wedding was no hardship and that it clearly delighted the royal couple pleased me as well. My fellow Norlons were polite and reserved as befitted a royal mating ceremony, despite the script not calling for their involvement in supporting the new couple. On the whole, though, it was a nice service that left everyone smiling as we changed venues from the spiritual center to the garden deck with a clear view of Earth.
Well, everyone was smiling except Owen. He’d waited for me as everyone filed out into the corridors, and I could easily scent his nervousness as I joined him. When I took his hand, he gripped mine rather tightly. I knew he had no issues regarding sex with me, but I probably shouldn’t have mentioned that orgies were common during the celebration after the ceremony. Owen had been twitchy ever since.
“We can make an appearance,” I said quietly as we walked, “and congratulate the prince and prince-consort before we leave. Staying isn’t required.”
“Oh, no, I want to go to the party.” He looked up at me with concern. “Unless you don’t?”
“You seem nervous.”
He shrugged and his cheeks colored. “I was never a partier, so I’ve never done something wild or in public. This feels like anything could happen, and I don’t know what I’ll do when it does.”
“Ah. Nervous excitement.” I had to wonder if he was interested in allowing me to mate him, if that was one of the wild things that might happen.
“Well, yeah, I guess so. Because I’ve always wanted to experience stuff like this without the restrictions that have always been on me.”
“Because of your father,” I guessed.
“Right.”
I gave his hand a squeeze. “Now you’re free.”
Owen smiled up at me as we entered the garden through an arch of twinkling lights.
The newly mated couple was on a dais, seated on thrones, and accepting well-wishes from the line of people ringing the walled side of the room. Many others held drinks and food and were gathered on the other side where a wall of tinted windows allowed views of Earth. Plants of all sorts grew from raised beds throughout the room and tiny lights were the only illumination. It was a lovely and intimate setting for a mating celebration.
I waited with Owen to congratulate the new couple, passing the time by answering as many of his questions as I could about the plants around us. I hadn’t truly considered that Earth and Nor would have different flora, but it made sense that they would. Apparently, purple leaves and flowers as big as my head were rare and exotic on Earth, but I knew those plants had been chosen for the ship because they were so common on Nor that everyone would recognize them. The garden deck was meant to be a place of quiet contemplation and peace and so it was designed to be comforting.
“Hey, Owen,” the prince-consort greeted warmly when we stood before them. “And Captain Langarus, you were awesome.” He came down to hug us both.
“Thank you,” I said. “It was an honor.”
“The ceremony was beautiful,” Owen gushed. “Prince Ye Lena, your vows were just…” He put a hand over his heart and made a little whining noise. “They were perfect.”
The couple clasped hands and beamed at each other before the prince said, “Thank you. My words were from my heart.”
Owen made another whimpering noise and leaned into me. He loved love, and I wrapped an arm around him as we took our leave so the next group could offer their thoughts to the couple.
I led Owen over to procure a glass of fedesmia from the prince’s own family stock and enough food so that the effects of the drink wouldn’t impair Owen too quickly. Music played through hidden speakers, the volume low for now and only instrumental.
“We’re over Canada, right?” Owen asked as he gazed out the window.
“We are. As we both rotate into night, the windows will darken to ease the brightness of the sun. Soon the only light in here will be the ones hidden amongst the plants.”
He looked me in the eyes and a blush crept over his cheeks as he grinned, letting me know he understood why I’d mentioned any of that. Not long from now, as everyone relaxed, inhibitions would fall away and many would take advantage of the darkness. Would Owen?
I hoped he would. I wanted him to have every freedom denied him in his old life. If he wanted to dance and drink and gamble, I would do my best to keep up and fund his fun. But most of all, if he wanted to allow me to claim him in front of all of these people, I would do my utmost to give him his every desire.
Once the greetings concluded, the music volume increased and dancing began. Gaming tables came out and the hollers of winners and losers rang through the room. Owen was terrible at gambling, but he had so much fun trying that I didn’t mind continuing to put up credits. Plus, whatever we lost would fund donations to the injured and the families of those lost in the explosion, so I was doubly happy to provide.
