Page 134 of Trove’s Purpose

A beast of a thousand flavors. He was interested in trying it.

It was a great time. He was having a lot of fun. Grace’s toast was just another delightful moment as he enjoyed his female’s very well planned and orchestrated feast.

Once everyone had drank in their honor – all of their honor, collectively, though also a little bit in Hyde’s honor as well since it was also a toast for him – they returned to their food. The chatter and laughter at the table felt good.

For a moment, Trove just basked in it. Looking around. Seeing his brothers. Admiring his new sisters. Adoring his mate.

This.

This was what they had fought and struggled so long for.

This was why they had been so desperate to leave Rik-Vane. For moments like this, where they were all relaxed. Safe. Full bellies. Smiles – except Vytln, who’s lack of a scowl basically accounted for a smile anyway.

Tanin watched over them with Garnet on his lap. He took the food that she gave him, didn’t really contribute much unless asked a direct question, and just monitored his crew. His quills were flat and smooth; he was relaxed. He didn’t have to be on guard. He didn’t have to be strong to keep them in check, because they were content and obedient, and content in their obedience.

Sway and Grace were staring lovingly into each other’s eyes. Haven was tinkering with something under the table, like a youngling who had snuck a toy to the meal, while everyone else pretended not to notice, to let her think she was doing something devious. She was mischievous at times, and she giggled about it, having a great time, while Vytln just watched her. Seemingly content to just observe his mate as she entertained herself.

Chee and Goldie were talking. Since Hyde had promised to help build Alred a body, Goldie was all in on completing the jobs for him. She was almost impatient for it, in fact. Alred had created a miniature version of his light form, and he had it sitting on her shoulder, involving it in the conversation as he spoke in a falsely high voice, like he really was that tiny. A show that he put on for no reason except the amusement of Goldie, because it certainly wasn’t necessary. Though the pair were not mated, and wouldn’t be so long as Alred remained a technological being, their closeness could not be denied by anyone.

That left Rok and Sorbet and Tebros without their mates. Which was somehow, suddenly, the most terrible thing Trove could imagine.

He was this happy with his mate. He knew his brothers had to be equally as happy with their own mates. He needed those three to be just as happy. To experience this thing that he didn’t think they knew yet that they were fighting for.

Because there was no way they could know. None of them even knew that something this peaceful, this wonderful could exist because they didn’t have it yet.

He needed this for them.

Where were their mates? Would Hyde know? They only needed two. Rok, naturally, needed one, but Sorbet and Tebros were avanava males. Avanava males were only born as twins, and the twins would share a female. Something about how their genders were determined, he didn’t really know a lot about it. The only thing he knew was that the twins would mate one female together.

Maybe they should use True Match. Or something. Anything.

“What’s that look on your face?” Chee asked suddenly.

He started and turned to her, away from his brothers, and grinned. “Just thinking. Do you know any females that might be interested in Rok or the twins?”

Chee blinked, then started laughing. “I don’t think so.”

“None of your friends back on Earth?”

“Well, the others were all either old or already married or both. So, they probably wouldn’t be interested in a mate. Or leaving Earth. Funny enough, it’s not nearly as appealing a prospect as those of us here might make you believe.”

“They need females of their own,” Trove hummed thoughtfully.

“I don’t think they’re interested.”

“What makes you say that?”

“The look on their faces,” she snickered, looking past him.

He turned again. Tebros was next to him, Sorbet just beside his brother. The two had been so absorbed in whatever stew they had been given, Trove honestly didn’t think they were paying any attention to what was going on.

That was on him, really. He should have known better. The twins were never unaware of what was going on around them.

And judging by the looks on their faces, they did not appreciate Trove suddenly deciding to play matchmaker for them.

He smiled at them harmlessly. “I just think you two need a female.”

“No,” Sorbet said simply. He almost always spoke for both of them. Trove could probably remember all the times Tebros had said words on one hand. And also counted how many words he said each time on that same hand.