“Xnasis!” Xexis huffed, tossing his arms out.
“What? It is within reason that she should be with young by now, you’ve been mated and in frenzy for some time, I just want to ensure you’ve been—”
“We are not even fully prepared for what medical needs my mate has, let alone pregnancy, which, according to Quagmor, is rather extensive and physically taxing. I am not asking the stars for young yet or even considering it until this crisis is over and...well...”
“Well, what?” Xnasis smirked, cocking his head to the side.
“Well, until we are even sure that breeding together is possible. Our mating organs align, but you and I both know that doesn’t mean it is always compatible.”
Xnasis’ pride and smugness seeped out of his face. “I know.”
“I do not mean—”
“I know you did not mean harm, but you are right. The Mphrovic and I will not bear young, so the responsibility falls to you toproduce an heir, and it’s not fair on your Mate to have that responsibility. I did not mean to suggest that is why I was curious.” Xnasis sat forward over his lap, his face softened to a brotherly affection. “I was curious because I want to know you two are taking care of each other. And the Korzavic is curious when he will see tiny younglings scampering around the court.”
Xexis chuckled, warmth spreading in his chest. “I would like for us to have young. I believe she may be amicable to it, she’s never told me otherwise, but I want to discuss that with her.”
“Of course, plus with a human technician to see to her physical health, we will have a better idea of the possibilities. Besides, I am sure Reevar is most anxious to have Vivian available here.”
They shared a boisterous laugh, the sound bouncing off the crystal walls. Xexis’ sides ached from the deep, in the gut, cackles. They stomped and thrashed their bodies back as they fought with the tears welling in their eyes.
And it felt good to finally be back to a healthy relationship with his brother.
Chapter Forty-Six:
Aphroditeslippedupinthe bed, blinking rapidly. The grogginess of a deep slumber was hard fought. Eventually, she regained full consciousness enough to clamber out of bed. After quickly relieving her bladder and slipping into the bath for a selfishly quiet moment, she scrubbed the grime of sleep off her body. Her mouth was caked with gunk, and she nearly had to shave the fuzz off her teeth. Finally, she slipped through the frosted doors and stared out the massive window-wall. Soft light filled the bedroom, as the station faced into space where a sun eons away gave them amber light. The chrome tinted room was cool as air brushed across her slightly damp skin. Buddy bobbed in the air before the massive window, twirling and chirping happily.
“I know, it gets me too buddy.” She wrung out her hair more into the towel before padding softly across the room. Xexis wasn’t there. Curiously, however, she imagined the text on the data pad beside her pillow explained he’d run off to do some Kannatch thing. Aphrodite stood before the closet, trying to figure out what to wear.
Knocking filled the room as someone called into the room, “Mphronatch! Have you risen?”
“Yes, I am not quite dressed,” she squawked, clawing to close the towel around her as the door opened.
In walked a purple-fleshed woman in flowing golden fabric. Her head was smooth, showing off a galaxy of dark colors. A beard of soft, curling tentacles lined a strong jawline and big, yellow eyes that glittered like lights studied Aphrodite. She was tall, impossibly tall, nearly taller than Xnasis and Xexis.Definitely a goddess amongst mortals.Sloped shoulders decorated in glamorous black and gold fabric that seemed to float around her. She clapped two hands in front of her while the bottom two of her hands lightly plucked the front of her gown up from in front of her feet. “Ah, what a pleasant meeting. I am Kinsi, your Mphrovic.”
Aphrodite paled as the queen, Xnasis’ mate, smiled at her kindly. A swarm of smaller people dove into the room. Buddy screamed electrically as he shot across the room, away from the wave of people. Two Vroz zipped to her side and immediately pulled out measuring tapes. “I’m so glad we caught her prior to dressing, Mphrovic. No need to undress then re-dress.”
One of the seamstresses chuckled to the other in Vrozian while one stayed focused on measuring Aphrodite. She would know a seamstress and tailor anywhere. No matter the space, the stars, or the species, a pin cushion attached to the wrist, tape measure, and fabric stuffed in pockets screamed “I sew stuff”. Aphrodite laughed nervously as she tried to cover herself the best she could.
“I apologize for the intrusion, Mphronatch. But I was informed we are to have a banquet soon, as in your people’s tradition. However, I was informed last night. As Mphrovic, I am in charge of all formal events, and I will not have something so significant to your life and your culture be botched simply because it is not understood. I won’t have it. We have time to prepare but only if we get your gown started now.” Kinsi strode further into the room, slipping between Aphrodite and the doorway to the closet. A skinny, gray-skinned, orb-headed person in all black with a golden tiara skittered past the Mphronatch as well. The pairpicked and poked at the clothing within as she was wrapped up and spun in the hands of the seamstresses.
“Yes, I agree, Cinn, she needs more formal attire. I know the Kannatch intends for them to hunt together, but not all days we are dressed for a hunt. What about this one? This will be a fine dinner outfit, don’t you think?” Kinsi plucked a bundle of fabric from the closet as Aphrodite was ripped into a pair of silk shorts and forcibly sat on the edge of the bed. Buddy crawled up behind her, cowering in the dip of the mattress behind her as the swarm of people went to work around the room.
Aphrodite scooped up her little drone and cupped him in her hand for support as she was dressed, pressed, and brushed. After an eternity, Kinsi stood before her, lightly brushing a tendril of hair from her temples. “Fantastic!”
They’d dressed her in a looser fitting dress, that only had two crystal rings to give it definition. One around her throat that she worried wouldn’t fit until she found that it was two halves connected together by some sort of magnet that snapped shut around her throat. The other was around her rib cage just under her breast where the rest of the gown draped around her like a waterfall. Two bell sleeves draped around her arms, hung by crystal rings much like Xexis’. Kinsi wheeled her from the bed to a mirror. The purple queen lightly cupped both her shoulders. “I’m going to keep most of your attire flowy, if you do not mind. I understand that the Kannatch is still in his mating frenzy with you and best not to rip any fabric if we can avoid it.”
Aphrodite sputtered, stumbling forward as the woman chuckled politely behind her palms. With a vigorous nod, careful not to shake the fancy clips in her hair, Aphrodite gasped for air. “I know he’ll appreciate it.”
The swarm of people left the room, scurrying off with their notes or commands from the Mphrovic. All except Cinn, who walked a step behind the two women. Buddy bobbed above Aphrodite’s head for only a moment before immediately exploring the space above Cinn’s head. The person in waiting didn’t seem to mind. Instead smiling up at the octopus shaped drone and smiling a shark toothed smile at the device. Electronic chirping and a twirl from Buddy clued Aphrodite in.Telepathy, oh, right.She’d grown too used to the Vroz, she’d nearly forgotten anyone else existed. That there were hundreds upon thousands of other people out there with varying powers and talents.
“Shall we? I’m sure you’re starved” Kinsi cocked her head sweetly to the side as she purred with her words.
“Oh, yes, one moment.” Aphrodite blushed to the point of turning to a blistered tomato. Scurrying to the bed, she snatched up her data pad. The screen lit up with Xexis’ previous message before it slowly cleared out. A new notification, sent from a data pad to hers instead of a message from Buddy, popped up.
[Good morning, my mate. I am in office for a lengthy amount of time this day. I’ve been informed the Mphrovic is absorbing all your attention today, so I will see you at dinner with the Korzavic tonight if you are unable to visit me in your travels today.]
It took Aphrodite a long time to realize, that most of those words were a mix of Vrozian and English. As if her brain had automatically translated it. She swiped her finger across the screen, watching the words flip all the way to English…then all the way to Vrozian. A proud smile curled up on her lips as she peeked up at Kinsi. “I…I understood his message!”
