Chapter Four
Trin woke and feltrested, relaxed, and toasty warm.She smiled and then sat up when she remembered where she was.
Birun said, “Good morning, Trin.Sleep well?”
Her hair was loose, and she pushed it away from her face.“I...yes.Thank you.”
She pushed the bedding back and walked past Birun on her way to the restroom.When she was showered, relieved, and dressed, she walked back into his bedroom and said, “Can I go for breakfast?”
He nodded and got to his feet.“I will join you.”
She looked up and blinked.“Did you get bigger while I was sleeping?”
He chuckled.“No.I had a perception filter projecting so that I didn’t upset you.”
“You are the same size as Kethen.”
“Slightly larger, but we were built within five hundred years of each other.”
She nodded.“Right.I forgot that.It is really amazing that you all got independent DNA prints.The children born to one are not even close to those born to another.The similarities of focused power, strength, and longevity notwithstanding.”
He laughed.“We can discuss my strength and power over breakfast.”
Trin blushed and nodded.They went out a different door and walked down the hall.She wanted to run but walked with him.She could run another day.It wasn’t like she wouldn’t be here a while.
Birun said softly, “You can run.”
Trin looked at him and darted away.She ran through the halls with a grin and then heard a rhythmicwhooshbehind her, and Birun flew past with a grin.She ran faster, and as he landed and settled in front of the dispenser, she tried to stop and slid into him with a thud.
“Oops.Sorry, Honourable Birun.”Trin was standing plastered to him with his arms around her arm and backside.
He laughed.“Well, I did say you were free to make contact.I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.”
She felt the heat in her face.“I haven’t had a lot of space to run.I know I am rather old for it, but it was always something I enjoyed.”
“Old?You are just three decades old.”
“Running is considered to be something children do, if they do it the way I do.I just run to run.I like to be able to take up space.”
He stroked a hand down her arm and patted her backside.“Take up all the space you like and collide with me anytime you want.”
The dark skirt on her bodysuit wasn’t really a deterrent to the heat of his hand.
“Um, I interrupted you ordering breakfast?”
He grinned.“You did.Let me go ahead, and you can order your own while I wait.”
He removed the hand from her arm but kept the hand on her butt while he tapped in his order.
“Um, is there a reason your hand is on me?”
He was chuckling.“Yes.I am keeping you warm.”
“The run warmed me up.”Her hands were pressed against his chest, and she cocked her head at him.
