AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ami dropped to all fours and scrambled after it.
“Well, I’m starving,” Arin declared. “I don’t know if Tarak’s gotten caught up with something, but I’m sure he won’t mind if we get stuck in, right Abbey? I don’t want all this to get cold.” She gestured at the generous spread on the table. There was a generous spread of spicy jerk chicken. There was steaming rice and peas and oxtail. There were fried dumplings and steamed cabbage and golden fried plantains.
Abbey got up and started distributing plates. Arin gestured toward the beverage station. “Would you like a beer, Noa?”
Rykal made a face. “I don’t know how you humans can drink that poison.”
I agree.Ash took her hand and guided her toward a seat.I don’t understand how you humans can willingly ingest such a noxious beverage. But I suppose I can, knowing that you humans are all mildly insane.
It was now well known that Kordolians couldn’t tolerate alcohol at all. Even the tiniest amount in their system would make them terribly sick.
“Well, I'm sure there's a whole bunch of yet-undiscovered Kordolian things my physiology won't agree with, either. I don’t mind a cold beer every now and then. I’ll have a Cloud Light. With lime.”
Ash radiated disapproval as Arin handed Noa her drink, the bottle icy cold, the beer golden and light.
Noa inhaled the aromas of the delicious food. What a rare treat. “Wow. Did you order this from Earth?”
“No, it’s from the new orbital mall. They’ve just opened aSunset Dreamsrestaurant there.”
“Sunset Dreams?”
Arin’s eyebrows narrowed. Then she shook her head, as if remembering that Noa had been away from normal life for longer than the rest of them. “Have you heard of that celebrity chef? Ronica Brown? It’s a chain owned by her. Amazing food for the price.”
“Let’s eat,” Abbey said, in the midst of taking a hearty serving of oxtail and spooning it into a polymer children’s bowl decorated with tiny planets and stars. “Tarak said he’ll be here, but he doesn’t want us to wait up for him.”
Noa marveled at how the unofficial leader of the Nine Galaxies could be so unassuming with the people closest to him.
“I don’t expect you to wait around for me when everyone is hungry. I’m not some conceited noble.” Speak of the devil, here was Tarak himself, slipping into the room without warning, still clad in his sleek obsidian battle-armor.
Noa wasn’t the most skilled at detecting presences, but she could generally get a sense of most people when they approached.
Tarak, however, was completely invisible. All of the First Division guys were that way. It wasn’t as if they were trying to sneak up on people. Stealth was simply second nature to them.
He slipped into the seat beside Abbey and curled his arm around her waist, larger than life and dominant and possessive, his presence immediately commanding the room. The General pulled his wife close. He glanced at Rykal, some silent communication passing between them. “The Universe is fraught with time-consuming problems, but I’m pleased that we can commune like this.” He nodded toward Ashrael, his demeanor respectful. “Times change.”
“Indeed,” Ash said wryly.
“And what kind of wild variation on sustenance have you humans decided to subject us to now, hmm?” He gave Abbey the most indulgent look. “A protein bar would have been sufficient.”
"Ugh." Abbey wrinkled her nose. "Don't get me started. I don't know how you survived on eatingjustthose things for so long."
"They're entirely sufficient and nutritionally complete," Tarak said coolly.
A little figure emerged from beneath the table and squirmed her way into Tarak’s lap. “Daddy!”
“Ami.” Tarak gently kissed his daughter on her head. He switched to Kordolian, his voice low and soft and tender, and Ami responded in the same language.
Noa’s knowledge of Kordolian was still basic, but she could pick up certain words. Something to the effect oflook what I got.
Ami showed her daddy the orb.
Tarak held it up with sudden interest. “A worthy gift, my daughter. Make sure you take care of it, hm?”
“Okay.” Ami made herself comfortable and gave the orb to Tarak. “Here, daddy. I’m hungry.” She went straight to her food, creating an instant mess of fork-tender oxtail and gravy. Herka’quibubbled to the surface, bright and happy and innocent.
It affected Noa, putting her in a buoyant mood.
She was here amongst her people, and all was well.
