Kenji launched himself at Qylar, wrapping his arms tight. “I’m sorry I got pissy. It’s not your fault.”
“Well, it kinda is. Had I not accidentally released those eggs, you could’ve snuck under the Embassy’s radar a little longer.”
“You couldn’t just take the win, hmm?” Kenji asked, grinning up at Qylar. “You just had to remind me I should stay mad at you.”
“I’m taking responsibility. Would you rather I didn’t?”
Kenji chuckled. “I suppose not.
Qylar took Kenji’s hand and led him back to their picnic. Kenji watched the beautiful sight outside the ship. Qylar watched the beautiful sightinsidethe ship. After they were done eating and they’d taken their plates back to the galley, they returned to their blanket. Qylar sat with his back against the solid face of one console and drew Kenji onto his lap.
Kenji rested his head on Qylar’s shoulder. They cuddled and watched the swirling gases of the nebulous clouds for a littlewhile longer. Qylar had to get them back on course, but they could hold off for a little while.
“I appreciate you taking a detour and showing me this,” Kenji said. He pressed a kiss to Qylar’s cheek. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Qylar murmured before pressing his lips to Kenji’s.
CHAPTER 14
Once they were through processing, they exited the hangar and stepped out into a bright, beautiful day amid a wide, open plaza. Kenji’s head was on a swivel, taking in all the sights. Everything wassoblue—from the sky to the hard sidewalk-like surface, to the robes and dresses people wore—and there was watereverywhere.People rushed around them, traveling alone or in small clusters. They were in various forms from human, human with tentacles, or fully tentacled. Most of the later swam instead of walked. Narrow waterways lined the pathways, giving two options for mode of transport in each direction.
Buildings in the distance looked like skyscrapers, but were more round with design elements beautifully curved, reminiscent of water flowing. What looked almost like an outside mall was to the left, with three levels of shops.
It took a moment for the stares to register. Kenji searched the faces of the people they passed and found angry glares—most directed at Qylar. He glanced over and saw the upward tilt of Qylar’s chin, but also the tension in his shoulders and jaw.
Kenji slipped his hand into Qylar’s. Qylar looked down at him, brows furrowed.
“You probably don’t want to do that,” Qylar told him, his voice low.
“I don’t care what they think,” Kenji replied, squeezing Qylar’s hand.
The farther they walked, though, the more stares and whispers came. Kenji did his best to ignore them, but it wasn’t easy, especially as some stopped to awkwardly gawk.
“Uncle Q!”
Kenji’s attention went to a beautiful little girl in a long, pale blue dress running straight at them. Qylar released his hand to kneel and open his arms wide. The little girl leapt into Qylar’s embrace. “I missed you, Uncle Q!”
Qylar stood, squeezing the little girl tight. “I missed you, too, princess.”
A small boy in a dark blue robe raced up next and wrapped his arms around Qylar’s leg. Qylar leaned down and scooped the boy up, too. The boy smiled at Qylar and happily barked like a dog.
“Another puppy?” Qylar asked.
“Paw Patrow,” the little boy declared.
“Did Papa pack your iPad with Paw Patrol?” Qylar asked him.
The little boy nodded and barked again.
Qylar turned to face Kenji, a bright smile on his face. “Kenji, this is Princess Zaadi and Prince Aeloran of House Qlr-Kreegl. Zaadi, Ael… this is my friend, Kenji.”
His friend? What happened to mate?
“Hi,” Kenji said to the kids, adding a little wave.
“Hi,” Zaadi said with a half-smile as she watched him with curiosity.
Aeloran only stared with one eye, hiding most of his face against Qylar’s chest, but Kenji thought he saw a hint of a smile. He grinned at Aeloran, who then hid his entire face, his chubby little hands bunched in the soft, gray sweater Qylar wore.
