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“There’sa way, my lady,”Holdmurmured and when she looked up at him,Celiasaw that his lovely hazel-green eyes had gone sleepy with lust. “Butmaybe it’s better not to speak of it now,” he added. “Ibelieve we’re almost to theMotherShip.”
“Already?”Celialooked through the front viewscreen and saw a huge, pearly white ship getting larger and larger. “Oh…it’sbeautiful,” she whispered in surprise. “Ididn’t realize howbigit was.”
“It’sa fourth the size of your moon,”Holdtold her. “Enoughroom for all the matedWarriorsand their families as well as theUnmatedWarriorsand the females they call as brides.”
AndnowI’mone of them,Celiathought.Shewondered if she’d made a big mistake, agreeing to come with them up here.She’dnever been so far from home in her life before—not that the idea of “home” meant much to her.Beingraised in theFosterCaresystem, as she had been, home was anywhere she laid down at night.Still, it felt strange to know she was actually off ofEarth—away from the planet where she’d been born and had lived her entire life.
“Dockingnow,”Fiercerumbled andCeliasaw that they were flying into what looked like an enormous hole in the side of theMotherShip.
“There’san atmosphere bubble to keep the oxygen in and the freezing temperatures of space out,”Holdsaid, answering her unspoken question. “Don’tworry—you’ll be safe and warm inside.”
Celialiked that he tried to reassure her—instead of baiting her like his brother did.Howstrange that the two of them insisted on sharing a woman.Shewondered why they evenwantedto do that…and decided it would be better not to ask.
Aslong as they know they’re never going to shareme,she told herself firmly.I’mgoing to be out of here in less than twenty-four-hours so they can just forget that idea!
Shehad no idea how wrong she was.
7
CELIA
“So, doll—how are you liking theMotherShip?”Thewoman sitting besideCeliahad a curvy figure, auburn hair, and a friendly smile. “I’mKat, by the way—Iplanned all this,” she added, indicating the long table filled with succulent food that had been set up in the parkland in the middle of the vast ship.
Someof it was traditionalUSThanksgivingfare—like the enormous roasted turkey and the green bean casserole.Butsome of it was clearly alien—like the bowl of writhing worms that was closer toCelia’splate than she liked.
“Thosearegriezaworms, by the way,”Katsaid, following her gaze. “Youpour that blue oil on them there to kill them.Theytaste just like dark chocolate but they’re pure protein.”
“Oh, really?”Celiastill wasn’t sure she wanted to try some. “That’s, uh, interesting.”
“Thereare alotof interesting things here—never a dull moment with theKindred,”Katsaid helpfully. “Bythe way,Iheard you got brought up to theMotherShipsuddenly and you didn’t pack anything—do you need any clothes?” she asked.
“Oh,Idon’t expect to stay here long,”Celiatold her. “Myfiancé,PeterThielgood, is getting his lawyer involved.See, my name wassupposedto be removed from theDraftlist, but it wasn’t by accident.Butwe’re engaged to be married onChristmasEvesoIreally shouldn’t be here.”
“AChristmasEvewedding—how romantic!”Katsmiled at her.
“Yes, it’s kind of a weird family tradition with my fiancé’s people,”Celiaexplained. “Allof them get married onChristmasEve—all three ofPeter’ssisters have, anyway.Andwe’ll be carrying on the tradition ourselves thisChristmasEve.It’sall planned out,” she added.
“Wellthen,IguessHoldandFierceare going to have an uphill battle trying to convince you to stay here with us instead,”Katremarked.
“Oh, theycan’tconvince me,”Celiasaid firmly. “Imean,I’mengaged and my wedding is barely more than a month away!”
“Amonth can be a long time up here—especially during yourClaimingPeriod,”Katremarked, grinning at her. “Imean, between theHoldingWeekand theBathingweek…not to mention theTastingWeek!ButdidIhearHoldsay that you’re an interior decorator?” she asked, clearly changing the subject.
Celiawas rather relieved to have it changed, though she was intrigued by the different weeksKathad mentioned.HoldingandBathingandTasting?Whatwasthatall about?Butshe decided to let it drop and pursue the new topic of conversation.
“Ohyes—yes,Iama decorator,” she said, smiling. “Why—do you need something decorated?”
“Onlythe whole damnMotherShip!”Katlaughed. “Notreally, butIhavebeen given the job of trying to spruce up some of the common areas like the tram stations,” she said. “Somany of theKindredwarriors still have no clue whatChristmasis all about—we’d like to do some decorations to get everyone in the holiday mood, you know?”
“Oh,Iloveholiday decorating!”Celiaexclaimed, getting excited. “Christmasis my favorite time of the year!”
“Well, if you hang around maybe you can help,”Kattold her. “Imean, if you’re not allowed to go straight back down toEarth, come find me and maybe we can work together.I’llbe sure you get paid, of course,” she added, sounding businesslike. “Wecan’t expect you to work for free.”
“Well…thank you.”Celiasmiled at her.Shecouldn’t help remembering that only that morningMotherFranceshad been insisting that she decorate her friend’s condo for free.Buthere aboard theMotherShip, they clearly realized that someone ought to be paid for their work—that was nice.
“Haveyou met everyone at the table?”Katasked her.
“Er, well…Ihad few introductions fromHoldandFierce.ButIstill don’t really know anyone,”Celiaadmitted.
