Exiting the ship, I watch Keelie as she looks around the hangar. Not the most auspicious place for her first sight out of our ship, but she’ll soon be at our home. A brief touch from Aercek’s tail makes me smile. Since meeting our mate, he’s been much more affectionate with me, and I’m thankful for it. I am what our Keelie calls a “hugger.”
Following myfraterand mate out of the hanger, I’m glad to see that none of our meddling family groupings are here. Aercek and I told all of them Keelie was adjusting well, but she didn’t need to be overwhelmed with our extensive relations. Striding over to our personal transport, I activate the door and step back. “After you,anima. This belongs to us, and will take us home.”
Hoping in, she shoots me a relieved smile. “Oh, thank goodness! I wasn’t sure what to expect once we got here, but this is great.” Sheepishly, she scrunches her adorable little face and follows with, “Not gonna lie, it wouldn’t have disappointed me if y’all said we were flying to the house.”
Both of us pause for a moment before beaming at her in happiness. Aercek speaks first. “It warms my hearts that you enjoy flight.”
Nodding my head in agreement, I explain further. “We do not use the transporter much, unless we have goods or items to carry. We either fly or walk most places in and around the village.”
Aercek walks around and gets into the pilot seat as I load the last of Keelie’s belongings in the back. To our surprise, Ketil, Ofeig, and Eyjolf took it upon themselves to empty the cargo bay of the majority of Keelie’s things and shipped them to our home for us. Aercek and I are extremely grateful for their help, as it’s one less thing for us to have to do to settle our mate. Closing the back of the transport, I fasten the lock before climbing into my seat next to Aercek.
The flight doesn’t take long, and the small vessel is filled with a comfortable silence. I’m glad we inserted Keelie’s translator before we disembarked, or else she wouldn’t have been able to read any of the signage she’s perusing on our way home, or understand anything blaring out of the comm speakers within the transport. Ahstahl and I may have bent a few rules giving her the same upgraded version we have, but our superiors won’t quibble much. If they ever find out.
Before I know it, Aercek is landing at our personal docking station, and I turn to look at Keelie’s first impression of our home. Her face lights up, and I wilt in relief. Aercek clicks his tongue at me in reproach.
“See? I told you she would not be disappointed.”
Hissing at him in annoyance, I scowl. “You are not always correct. Females are not like us. They have far different wants and needs.”
Keelie interjects before Aercek’s heated retort can leave his lips. “Y’all cut that out. There is nothing wrong with your house, and if there’s something I’d like to change or add, I’ll tell y’all about it. Deal?”
Effectively ending our disagreement, she hits the door release and hops out. “Well, come on, slow pokes! I wanna see my new house!”
Aercek and I exit the transport, unlock the front door, and follow behind our mate as she flits from room to room. When she finally reaches our den and darts inside, I glance mischievously over at myfrater. “What do you say we introduce ouranima teneturto our den properly?”
Snapping his wings out, Aercek uses them to shove me inside our den and slams the door shut behind us.
I suppose that was a yes.
Chapter 28
Keelie
TWO EARTH MONTHS LATER
Entering our home, I kick off my shoes next to the front door—sighing in relief—and holler for my mates.
“Aercek! Ahstahl! Where are y’all? You’re not going to believe what I heard at the market today!”
Setting my bag down, I skip into the living room and flop down on the sofa, glad to be off my feet for a bit. I’m still not quite used to walkingeverywheresince I’m one of the few wingless people in our village. Ahstahl walks out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a rag before tossing it on the dining room table, and Aereck emerges from his weapons room. Ahsthal reaches me first and sits beside me, pulling my feet into his lap to rub them.
“What’s got you in a tizzy,amica mea?”
My heart melts every time they call memy lovein their native language. I haven’t told either of them that I love them out loud yet, but there’s no doubt in my mind that I do. I’ve decided that today’s the day I’m going to tell them, but first there’s tea to spill.
“Ofeig, Ketil, and Eyjolf just got back from their latest trip to Earth… and they have a mate with them! It’s all anyone can talk about at the market.”
Aercek joins us on the couch, draping his wings over the back and putting his arm around me.
“Really? That is excellent news. Those three eejits have been looking for their mate for many seasons.”
Smacking his chest with the back of my hand, I chastise him. “Be nice. Outside Ahstahl, those three are your closest friends, whether you’ll admit it out loud or not.”
He huffs and rolls his eyes. “I’ll admit nothing of the sort,amica mea.”
And that’s the perfect opening. “Speaking of having something to admit.” Placing one of my hands on each of their chests over their hearts, I look up at both of them with all the love I feel.
“I love y’all more than I ever thought I could love someone after losing Wayne. There is a part of me that will always love him, but he wouldn’t have wanted me to be alone and loveless for the rest of my life. I may have been his first and yours second, but this love of ours—it’s ours forever. You two have opened my heart back up, and it’s full of the love I feel for you both.”
