Tovis appeared at my side and handed me a cup of something that looked like a small child had been left alone with too many kinds of drinks.I took a hesitant sniff and jerked my head back when the boozy, beer and fruit smell hit me.
Hope snorted.“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
It was going to taste disgusting, but I’d had a hell of a week, and the thought of letting go and just relaxing sounded too good to pass up.I took a long gulp and gagged.Whatever they’d mixed should have never been combined, but it was strong, so I wouldn’t have to drink much of it to get buzzed.
I came up for air, sucked in a breath, and downed the rest of it.
“Ugh,” I shoved the empty cup at Tovis.“No more.”
Hope wandered off to talk to someone and I took in the masses of laughing, drinking, and fighting aliens.Trapped in the spa, I hadn’t even fathomed so many people could be out in the world and thriving.Not humans, sure.But I couldn’t begrudge the turochs their happiness.
The invasion had wrecked my world, but it had opened up theirs.
It was a sea of red, the only variation was the slightly different hues of scarlet and crimson and the occasional patches of purple.I spotted a blue body in the distance and straightened.
“Jiith!”I said, slapping my face as I realized I’d never checked on him.
“He’s resting,” Tovis said.
I felt terrible.“He’s okay, though?”
He hesitated.“He’s very weak, he was in more pain than we realized.But he’s eating and sleeping, and he’s safe.”
My enjoyment of the party dimmed.Things were good here, babies were being born, and somewhere out there, the Kwin was scheming to breed humans and sytos and make more slaves for herself.
“Don’t worry, just for tonight,” Tovis murmured, looping an arm around my waist and tugging me closer.“It’s alright to be happy, Jessa.The problems will be solved tomorrow.”
I sighed.Dwelling on the Kwin wouldn’t change anything.
“I met Taz, Hope and Penny,” I said, reaching for that surge of joy I’d felt finally talking to humans again.“Is that everyone?”
He smiled down at me, clearly happy with the subject change.
“There’s Naomi, but she and her mate live a short distance away.I’m sure you’ll meet Amy once she’s rested.And Penny has two sisters here, as well.”
“Who are they mated to?”I asked, the booze and the dozens of names I’d been told swimming in my head.It would take weeks for me to keep everyone straight.Maybe longer, there were alotof turochs here.
“Lena and Tamra aren’t mated yet.”
I froze.“Are they really young?”Penny looked roughly my age, I could see her having a couple of younger sisters in their early teens.
Tovis cocked his head to the side, a knowing smirk tugging at his full lips.
“They are young, but they’re adults.”
I squeezed my eyes shut and groaned.“So, you know two women, who are friendly with turochs and single.And I accused you of claiming me because I was your only option.”
I slowly bumped my head against his chest a few times.
“I’m sorry again.”
Tovis chuckled, one big hand coming up to cradle the back of my neck and pin my face to his chest.
“I keep telling you, I chose the mate I wanted,” he teased.“Maybe now you’ll believe me?”
“Yeah,” I sighed.“I guess I have to.”
***
