The three alphas,mythree alphas, watch me indulgently. I shake my head and turn back to Ziam. “Sure, yes, let’s get outside. I’d like to see some of your plants. I noticed you don’t have any in the house.”
He tilts his head. “Would you like some? Pack Traex has many, we can speak to them at the next market day.”
“Market day?” I blurt, grinning. An alien farmers’ market?This is getting better and better.
Atiox stands, a smile on his face as he steps towards me. He stops, hands out, right in front of me. “May I, baby?”
It’s clear he’s asking permission to touch me, and my heart melts at the kindness of the gesture. I nod, silent.
His arms cautiously circle me, and he presses me to his chest in a delicate hug. I bury my face in his pecs, inhaling his caramel-y scent. I feel him place a kiss on my head, and I smile. Turning my face, I look at Lux and Ziam.
“Group hug?” I ask sheepishly.
All three of them purr, like huge cats, and Lux snuggles against my side as Ziam presses himself against my back. The sugary-citrus scent of Lux is almost enough to make my mouth water, and Ziam’s pumpkin scent settles in wonderfully. I let my eyes close.
As soon as I do, I start to feel worked up.
Nope, not having another discussion on them scenting my pussy.
I wiggle gently, and they respond by letting me go, each kissing the top of my head as they do. I press my lips together to keep from smiling.
“Well,” Zee says happily, “Shall we?”
THE RIVER BURBLES MERRILYas it rounds the bend near the patch of forest we’re combing.
“Is the river... swimmable?” I ask, imagining a hot summer day and floating on a tube anchored somewhere while I drink something cold and fruity.
“It is,” Ziam answers, his eyes on the ground as we walk slowly, searching for the orange mushrooms that he’s described to me.
“That’s perfect,” I mutter as I squat down to get a closer look.
“Oh, stars,” Ziam bursts out.
I look up at him and his face is panicked.
“Do you have your inhaler? Do I need to run and get it for you?” He’s frantic, and it’s adorable.
I pat the pocket of my deep green dress. It has a simple, classic square neckline and hugs my curves in the right places before flaring out, drapey and lovely.
“No, I got it. Besides,” I offer, “I have intermittent, non-allergic asthma. Really cold air, stress, that type of thing.”
He frowns, “Sounds random, and thus unpredictable and concerning, Tavi.”
I chuckle. “Honestly, before I went to jail, it was pretty well managed.”
“I’ve seen you use your bronchodilator rescue medication several times since you’ve landed. Are you sure you won’tconsider the surgery we mentioned? Our medics are very advanced compared to yours...” He trails off, letting it hang.
“Yeah, no, thank you. Lungs are rather important, and I’m not taking the chance that something could go wrong. I’ll be alright as long as I have my inhaler.”
He frowns yet again, but leaves it.
We pace slowly through the relatively open forest, parallel to the river. I hear animals chirping and chattering in the distance. It’s very idealistic, even if oddly blue, and I find myself humming. When I spot some mountain peaks in the distance, I almost forget about Earth entirely.
“Oh!” I yell, pointing at a tiny spot of bright orange.
“Great eye, wedari!” Ziam purrs, as we hurry to the patch. He lifts some fallen leaves and reveals more of the mushroom things we’re after. “These prancing fieldworts are only found during the rainy season. Fresh, they fry up wonderfully. I have some at home drying to use in dishes during the sun season.” He pulls out a small knife to cut them and tucks them into his apron as I look around at the sun... um,asun, I guess, notthesun-light streaming down through the leaves.
I smile down at him and hold my hand out. He grins, his blue eyes sparkling and he laces our fingers together as he stands.
