Page 22 of Breaking Ties

“So do I, and it is getting annoying.”

Eliana laughed. “You are not what I imagined the oracle to be.”

“I do not pretend to be other than what I am. I have been telling anyone who asks what their bondmates look like. They are filing requests with the administration.”

“Oh, that won’t go over well.”

“I know. Don’t care.” She sipped at her tea.

“What do you want as the oracle?”

“A place to simply be. To have a garden, perhaps a family. Nothing extravagant, though I am liking these outfits. I have had to fight for quite a while and just want to relax for a few moments.”

Eliana paused. “Oracle, will you see what my life holds?”

“Let me finish my tea. This one is going to take a while. You live a very long time. What are you looking for, specifically?”

“Will I feel love again?”

“Ah. That is worth searching.”

She got up and sat next to Eliana, lifted her hand, and touched her middle finger to the Hmrain’s forehead.

The years moved slowly, and the great-grandchildren came. That was love. She moved beyond and smiled. “Seventy-five years beyond this point, there is a defender who arrives on your home world for planetary defense. He is a second-generation Hmrain born to a Terran-Hmrain union. His skin is dark blue, and his wings are both feather and fluff. He laughs a lot, loves his family, and has room in his heart for a beautiful overseer with her heart in her eyes.”

Eliana was dazed. “Do we have children?”

“Your son gets brothers and sisters. Your second children take to the stars and make their matches there with plenty of visits home.”

The Hmrain smiled, and she was happy. The vaguely sad air was gone. “My love’s name is engraved all over my world, but the possibility of another life is something that I look forward to.”

“Good. The past is a place to visit, not live.”

“Thank you, Oracle. This visit has done more for me than all of the therapists on my worlds.”

“It was my pleasure. Now, if you want to keep things easy, claim Avery and introduce her to her new life.”

“I will. I have already summoned an administrator from the bond department. They will be appalled by the contract, but I will make the funds worth the effort. Is three million appropriate?”

“Absolutely. Not everyone has Nebel’s deep pockets, but he and Lily are doing very well. He made his Terran fly.”

Eliana smiled and hugged Aubrey before wishing her an excellent day and offered, “If Vress doesn’t suit you, I have more grandsons on other worlds.”

“Thank you, Lady. I will keep that in mind. Karek is also willing to seek out a mate for me, as is Elder Ra. I do love having options.” She returned the hug, and when she left, Eliana was sitting in astonishment. Not everyone could drop the name of the eldest Hmrain of them all.

Chapter Five

Aubrey was in her room at her terminal when she got the notice that Avery was off the station. It had taken sixteen hours, and because Avery hadn’t gotten the contract education, she didn’t know that the five-year contract was reserved for rented help. She would learn, and it would come as a nasty shock.

Aubrey got a notification, and she smiled as she answered. “Hello, Harwin.”

“Aubrey, you are looking—”

“Blind?”

“Are you?”

“No, but the future is rushing and roiling around me. So many futures, so much life and death, and I am seeing it all. It’s giving me a bit of a headache.”