I chuckle just thinking about the memory. He’d brought us all here, a few years ago. It was the first and last time I visited the meadows. I’d forgotten how lovely it was and all the sudden I am buzzing with excitement to show her.
“Come on, I want to show you the surprise now.”
“This wasn’t the surprise? There’s more?” She sounds shocked.
“No, this wasn’t the surprise. I told you there would be flowers. I actually forgot about thedersialsuntil we got here, but I’m glad the same vendor is still here. I thought you would be more freaked out about eating bugs,” I admit.
“Nah. I mean, at first, it was a shock. They were really good, though, and I figure when in Silfan territory, do as the Silfans do!” She grins up at me cheekily.
Her openness, her light-heartedness, never ceases to amaze me. I pull her up from the bench and nuzzle the top of her head, tucking her hand back in its rightful place, and together we walk into the meadows.
14
Destiny
The automatic doors part in front of us and my senses are immediately overwhelmed. The smell of flowers, rich and aromatic, fills my nose, and a cacophony of color fills my vision. I walk forward as if in a dream, my hand tucked securely in the crook of Khur’s massive arm.
Rolling hills covered in flowers go on as far as I can see. Big buzzing insects hop from bloom to bloom and I chuckle a bit at the vision of Khur running from them. Above us, the artificial sky is aquamarine, a little greener than the sky from Earth, and a bright yellow sun shines down on us. I can even feel its warmth on my skin. There’s a gentle breeze that makes the foliage wave around us.
“Khur, it’s beautiful,” I breathe out, not able to find any other words.
“Yes, it is.”
I tear my eyes from the view to look up at the big furry alien who is quickly worming his way into my heart. He is staring down at me like I am the only thing in the world. LikeIam the prettiest thing in the galaxy. I want to reach up and kiss him, run my tongue along thosewicked fangs, but I won’t be trying that again. Not after the disaster of last time. The embarrassment lingers.
“This is amazing. How did they do this? These biomes are all so unique and wonderful.”
“I know a little of the science behind the artificial environment at Little Ulvand, but I’m not sure they used the same methods here. The Silfans have their own engineers.”
“And you all haven’t gotten together to share your ideas? Isn’t that what this whole place is about?”
Khur looks stunned for a minute before replying, “Why haven’t we thought of that? That’s a great idea, Destiny. I need to mention that idea to my team leader, Josep. In the meantime, let's look around. It’s been a long time since I’ve visited the Silfan Meadows and it looks like they’ve added to it since I was here last.”
He gestures towards a gazebo in the distance, partially hidden in a small copse of trees. Content to wander and explore, I run my free hand through the tall grasses and wildflowers as we meander through the meadows.
The gazebo is further than I realized. Distance here, similar to the Dhugaren biome, is strangely deceptive. We walk for almost an hour before finally reaching the structure. We pass citizens of every species as we go, many of them laid out on blankets having picnics. The feeling of nostalgia that washes over me when I see a Silfan family pullingfood from a green woven basket is tinged with a sadness that surprises me. I thought I’d already processed the grief of the loss of Earth, but every once in a while something like a picnic basket shocks me into mourning.
It is good, though, that picnics still exist. Perhaps one day I will take Khur on one. I share my thoughts with Khur easily, telling him all about picnics, which Dhugarens did not do, which makes sense for a race from an ice planet. Not many sunny days there, I suppose.
“I didn’t think to bring a blanket.” Khur’s brow lowers. “I apologize Destiny, I wanted everything to be perfect.”
“None of that, big guy, this is perfect. I love it. It’s the best surprise.” The feeling of wanting to kiss him overcomes me again, but I just reach up and put my hand on his cheek. The gazebo is sheltered by a copse of trees and secluded enough to hide us from view.
“I want to try kissing,” he blurts out, and I know without a doubt, if Dhugarens could blush he would be bright red. For a race that doesn’t get embarrassed much, Khur sure seems to be making a habit of it.
“I…didn’t know Dhugarens kissed?” I ask tentatively. I am not going to embarrass myself again, but I am desperate to feel his lips on mine.
“I’ve recently learned about the act and I’d like to try it,” he reaches for me, his thumb brushing the apple of my cheek, “with you.”
My heart is pounding in my chest, my lips tingling with anticipation.
“Okay. Lean down here then.”
He bends slowly, his eyes wide, his lips pursed around his fangs. I can tell he is nervous, so I stand on my tiptoes to close the distance between us and brush a soft kiss across his bottom lip. He sucks in abreath and I take that as a good sign, pecking little kisses along his lips until I reach one of those fangs and do what I’ve been dreaming of since he rescued me from that lake. I swipe my tongue along the sharp tooth sensually, letting my tongue tease the seam of his mouth.
Khur inhales sharply, pulling back with a wild look in his eyes.
“You licked me,” he says in shock.
