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That's just how it is in space, but…I don't like it.
Cat leads me into a large rec room and there's two women sitting there, along with a large mesakkah male. The alien man brushes the hair of the woman seated between his legs, her eyes covered by an odd-looking visor. The other woman has an enormous baby in her arms and is fussing with what looks like the space equivalent of a diaper bag.
"Guys," Cat says. "Aren't you ready? We landed ages ago."
The man looks up from the woman's hair and scowls at Cat. "Iris wants a braid. I'm almost done."
Iris—the woman in the odd visor—smiles sweetly in our direction. "I can skip it if it's a big deal."
"No," says the man that is clearly her mate. "I've got it." He portions her hair into sections and begins to braid.
"Fran?" Cat gives the woman with the baby an exasperated look when she's ignored. "Do you really need all that? We're literally visiting Jerrok's tiny station."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were the expert on babies," Fran jibes back, shoving another small blanket into the bag. "You want to come hold her while I make sure I have everything?"
Cat scoffs. "No."
"Fuck, I do," Zoey says gleefully, stepping forward with her arms out. She takes the baby in her arms and squeezes it up to her cheek, grinning. "Such a sweet little baby. Yes you are," she coos, sounding just like how I talk to Sleipnir. She makes kissy noises to the baby, who's more interested in sucking on her fist. "You want to hold her, Sophie?"
"Me?" I'm horrified at the thought. "No, no…I don't think so. I'm not good with babies."
Zoey shrugs and goes back to cooing over the little one.
"You learn fast enough," Fran says, beaming a tired smile in my direction. "Did I introduce myself? I can't remember. I'm Fran, Kivian's mate, and that's Iris." She points at the woman with the visor, then at her mate. "Alyvos."
"I know," I say, managing a smile. "I'm Sophie. Jerrok's…guest."
"Great. Can we please go check the station out now?" Cat asks. "Tarekh says Jerrok might have some replacement parts squirreled away for the flux receptor and I want to go look."
"What's wrong with the flux receptor we have now?" Zoey asks, her tone defensive.
Fran digs in her diaper bag. "Has anyone seen Jasmine's pacifier? I could have sworn it was in here."
It feels like everyone's talking over one another. Fran continues to speak to no one in particular, Zoey and Cat argue, and Alyvos barks out a few short words at the women as their voices get louder and louder. Jasmine must be the world's most placid baby, because she ignores all of the bickering. Iris does, too. She just sits quietly on the floor as if none of this fazes her in the slightest.
Me, it makes me antsy. I long to be outside with Jerrok, even if he's chatting with the men out there. This just feels…overwhelming. I clear my throat as politely as possible, and then speak up. "I need to go check on my carinoux, to make sure he's still locked up."
Immediately, everyone gets quiet.
"You have a carinoux? Really?" Zoey speaks up, surprised. "When did that happen?"
"And is it safe to bring Jasmine?" Fran jumps to her feet and takes her baby back from Zoey. "Should I stay on the ship?"
"His name is Sleipnir," I say, a little intimidated by all of the attention now focused on me. "And he's attuned to my emotions. He won't hurt a woman. That's why he's with me instead of your brothers," I add, glancing at Zoey. "We found him on a…ahem, run."
"You stole him, you mean," Zoey says cheerfully.
I nod. "I'm watching him while your brothers are in the Slatra system. He's going to be sold the moment they get back." The thought makes me hurt, but there's nothing I can do about it. "And he's locked up in the terrarium right now, so you're perfectly safe." I settled him there earlier when I heard the Jabberwock was pulling in.
Iris's placid expression changes to a melting one. "Oh, a terrarium? I'd love to visit it." She reaches up and touches her mate's hand. "Can we go, Alyvos?"
"Of course." He shoots a look over at me. "Provided the carinoux won't tear me into pieces."
I shake my head. "He's very smart and well behaved. Just a bit of a chewer."
"Let's go, then." Fran slings her bag over her shoulder, juggling the baby in her arms. "I'd love to see a terrarium myself."
I feel like the world's most awkward hostess as I lead the others off the ship and into the hangar. The moment we emerge from the Jabberwock, Jerrok's gaze searches the others until he finds me. He nods at me, but the look in his eyes is heated and makes me feel like he's just as possessive as Alyvos, who continues to hover over Iris.
