“All the time,” Aphrodite corrected.
“Vroz are passionate,” Xexis proclaimed, tossing a hand to the air. Aphrodite tried not to flinch as Xexis spoke again. “On a hunt and in bed, the Vroz are—”
“Ooookay, that’s enough,” Aphrodite put a hand over his pincers and smiled at Vivian. Her friend stared at her with wide eyes. Aphrodite mouthed ‘ignore him’. Then she turned to face Xexis. “We should go find Xnasis and figure out what the plan is now or something not here, let Reevar recover.”
“Since he’s still under the effects of the anesthesia, I’d say you’re probably staying the night. Big guy’s gonna need time to get his strength back before he’s clear for take off.”
“She thinksI’m big!” Reevar sang, his head flopping back against the bed.
Vivian stared at Reevar in confusion before returning her attention to Aphrodite. “I’ll send a heads up to the Vroz communication line when he’s fully lucid and recovered.”
“Good luck with that.” Aphrodite waved to Vivian before leading Xexis out of the room. He licked her palm furiously. Finally, she huffed and ripped it from his mouth. “Seriously?”
“Why were you upset that I was proclaiming the Vroz? I was trying to help.” Xexis nodded to the guards as an acknowledgement. The guards whirled on their large, dinosaur-shaped feet, and stomped through the medical bay. Xexis and Aphrodite followed after them.
“Because humans aren’t as proud about their sexual prowess as the Vroz.” She shook her head, hugging his arm against her. “I am very proud of your prowess and passion, but Vivian’s gonna have to adjust. I just hope Reevar doesn’t slip up and say something goofy while he’s coming down off the anesthesia.”
Because I’m not even sure if Vivian wants a mate—hell, I didn’t know if Vivian ever dated after college.Things changed in the last 7 years. She was flooded with the memory of her roommate discussing how she was never getting married unless the person was rich, good in the sack, and emotionally mature.
“Would you say Reevar is wealthy?” Aphrodite blurted out.
“I am missing context, but sure?” Xexis eyed her suspiciously. “He is a hunter, and once he’s mated he can choose where to claim his living, either on the station or on the home world. Hunting is very rewarding in more than just honor, but I do not believe Reevar has debts? Why?”
“No reason.” Well, that was basically three out of three. “He’ll be fine.”
She hugged Xexis’ arm as they wound through the medical bay and out into the spinning rings. They were led upstairs and into a ring that took ID scanning to step into it. Floating platforms full of people spun up and down behind them slowly as Xexis then Aphrodite were hit with a blue scanner beam. Then, after a long day, they were let into a large living space with three rooms off the main room. Xexis visibly relaxed as he slumped down into a beanbag like chair. Aphrodite dropped into his lap and lay against him.
The intention wasn’t to fall asleep. However, Xexis drifted near immediately, and she dozed in and out of consciousness till she was dragged completely under.
Aphroditeawoketoasoft hand wiggling her shoulder caps. She blinked bleary eyes till Xnasis came into view. His eyes crinkled and pincers wiggled playfully, “Mphronatch, come.”
She clambered to her feet, careful to let her slumbering mate stay. Xnasis offered an arm to her and led her through the living space. Prior to sitting down, she hadn’t examined it. Like a suite in a hotel, it had a kitchen space, a couch and beanbag chair lounging area, a dining room table that also worked as a desk, three rooms, and a balcony. The room was clean and clear of personal effects. The only thing that held any significance to the Vroz was the carpet had designs much like all their clothing. Sharp, knife's edge drawings.
The glass door to the balcony slid open and they were on a small platform that reached the crystal keeping everything inside the station. It felt like she could reach out her hands and touch the stars. Aphrodite stepped forward, slipping from Xnasis’ arms and touched the cool surface. The rings and floating hangar spaces danced between the stars around them.
“You like the view?” Xnasis teased.
“It’s amazing,” she breathed, stepping back from the glass.
“It’s my favorite place to come and think.” Xnasis folded his arms over his slender chest. He stared out past the rings. The glimmer was gone and instead his features were washed with contemplation. The crown prince tapped his fingers against his bicep. His pincers writhed pensively. “Earlier, when you asked if they got back up, this was because you believe the pest controlling the bodies is able to reanimate the dead?”
“Yes.” She twisted to face him fully. “Max was dead, Xnasis. I watched Danny stab him in the brain and kill him. I’m certain.”
“That explains the report that never made it to our desks that the human Council woman was dead. They said it was a mistake, that she had a heart attack, but I think they were attempting to cover up the infiltration. However, I can not guarantee how deep the infection goes.” His face pinched in fury.
Aphrodite put a hand to his bicep tenderly and watched his face melt to a softer, pensive expression. He glanced at her for a moment. Studying her face, he searched for something. Then his gaze returned to the stars. “Fate is always deadly accurate.”
“Oh? And how is that?” She chuckled, taking her hand back.
“In the time my sibling has mated you, Xexis has become the Kannatch I knew he was capable of being. Before you, Xexis was wild, unrestrained, unfocused. Yet, one day he stumbles upon you in a forest and everything changes. He is doing paperwork, he’s studying languages diligently, he’s delegating hunts to other hunters and being strict on protocols. Xexis even began asking me about expectations, rules, domains, and then now? He is investigating? Instead of just hunting? He’s thinking before he strikes and is strategic. He is the Kannatch.”
She frowned. “Then why did you not trust him?”
Xnasis let out an airy chuckle, “Because I am to be Korzavic, and I still see him as I did. In some moments, he’s still a youngling. I’m still teaching him to hold a blade, and how to climb trees with his bare hands. Then in others, I am nearly Korzavic and he is already Kannatch. And I’m bleeding with him as he grieves his mistakes and failures.”
Nodding, she stood quietly, searching the stars with Xnasis. They stood arm to arm, watching the rings orbit the station. Ships were no longer coming, but many were leaving. Aphrodite wasn’t a politician, but she could see the strain of being princes, being officials, and siblings was heavy. She put a hand to Xnasis’ bicep before excusing herself back inside. Xnasis reached and took a hold of her hand. She stopped, giving him a chance to explain. He stared pensively out into the stars but his grip tightened on hers.
“For what it is worth, you are proving to be a natural Mphronatch.” He released her hand before a weak chuckle broke through his mouth. “Not that there was any question. You were clearly made to be his Mphronatch.”
