Severin’s mouth twitched.
Ravik didn’t smile, but some of the darkness eased from his face.
Dr.Verityxstepped closer to the examination table and gestured toward the padded surface.
“For today,Iwill begin with the growth serum and take baseline readings.Nointimate treatment needs to occur in the laboratory—yet.Afterthe serum is administered,Irecommend rest in the guest suitee with both males nearby.Ifyour symptoms intensify, you should receive more cream and physical comfort as needed.”
Cassie stared at him.
“As needed,” she repeated.
“Yes,” he said.“Yourbody will likely tell you what it requires before my instruments do.”
“That is exactly whatI’mafraid of,” she said.
The doctor nodded as though this was completely reasonable.
“Understandable.Butyour body has been quite intelligent so far.”
Cassie raised her eyebrows—no one had ever called her body intelligent before.Toofat, yes.Toocurvy.Tooold.Toomuch.Toohot-flashy.Toowet down there, according toSskarth, which was possibly one of the many reasons she hoped her lizard husband was currently having a miserable day somewhere far away from her.
But intelligent?Powerful?Extraordinary?Thosewere all new.
She looked again at the milking table.Itstill made her nervous.Thenipple cups and tubes and soft restraints—if that was what the supports were—still made her feel exposed and embarrassed and more than a little overwhelmed.Butshe also felt something else now—purpose.Maybeeven hope.
“So let me see ifIunderstand,” she said slowly.“Mybody is fighting theHungerVirusby using the pathway the virus tried to hijack.Ravik’sseed gives my body the attack markers.Severin’sseed and essence markers give it the carrier and healing markers.Mymouth primes the blood, my vagina activates the reproductive-to-breast pathway, and maybe my rectal pathway helps stabilize the broad-spectrum vaccine if we need it.Thenmy breasts make nectar that can be collected and turned into a vaccine.”
Dr.Verityx’sfeathers fluffed with obvious delight and his head turned all the way around in a 360 degree spin just like an owl’s.Itwas disconcerting to watch—in aExorcistmeets wildlife kind of way—butCassiethought it was probably just his way of showing excitement or delight.
“Precisely!Verygood,Cassandra.Youare anexcellentstudent!”he exclaimed.
Cassie gave a weak laugh.
“Well thanks.I’msure my high school science teacher would be proud of me.”
Severin actually laughed then, softly and with real warmth.
Ravik’s mouth twitched, though he was almost about to smile.
For a moment, the tension between them eased—only for a moment but it madeCassiebreathe a little easier.
ThenDr.Verityxclapped his feathered hands together with a soft fluttering sound.
“Now then,” he said brightly.“Shallwe begin with the mammary activation serum?”Heheld up a syringe filled with pure gold liquid.“Ihave your first dose right here.
Cassie looked at the padded table, the glowing equipment, the bird-like assistants politely pretending not to listen, and the two enormousKindredmales who were both watching her with concern in their eyes.
Her heart started pounding and her breasts gave another faint ache, almost as though her body was gearing up to do what had to be done.
She took a deep breath and rolled up her sleeve for the needle.
“Yes,” she said nodding.“Let’sdo it.”
What else could she do?
56
SEVERIN
