“You’re right, Levi,” I said, packing up my notebook.
“I am?”
“A first-hand account would be more valuable than pestering you for information,” I agreed. “But I need to plan and consider all possibilities before I dive in.”
“Right,” Levi said slowly. “Well, I’m all for whatever you decide. Can I go back to, uh—”
I dismissed him with a wave of my hand. “Yes, go back to your hedonistic pleasures.”
Before he could argue that his afternoon activity wasn’t sex when it clearly was, I turned around and left.
“Gah!”
The little voice stopped me in my tracks.
Behind me were the two Maeleons babysitting Dai’zee and the infant Maeleon herself, still lying in the yard. Their eyeswere open and they all seemed alert after their photosynthesis-session-slash-nap.
I kneeled in front of Dai’zee and offered her my finger. I’d always been neutral about children, mostly because I never considered having my own, but I enjoyed spending time with ones that belonged to others.
Dai’zee’s eyes caught mine. They were bright green, and sohuman.She had Levi’s eyes, except more intelligent. I’d trust this infant to pilot a spacecraft over her human father any day.
Dai’zee glanced thoughtfully at my finger, then reached out to grab it with her small green hands.
Suddenly, the truth struck me like an electric jolt.
Gaining the knowledge I desired wouldn’t be as simple as an average lab experiment. If I went through with this, there would be a pregnancy and a baby at the end of the tunnel. I’d be responsible for a tiny, precious life.
Could I handle the duty of bearing and raising a child?
Dai’zee flashed a fang-filled grin at me and giggled before releasing my finger.
I smiled. “Thank you. You’ve given me a lot to think about.”
She blew a raspberry.
2 /Linn’ar
When Jaeyoung interacted sweetlywith Dai’zee, I realized he was perfect.
Of course, I’d already known that. The first time I laid eyes on him, I was compelled and intrigued beyond anything I’d felt in my whole existence.
He was smart, attractive, and beneath the prickly, sharp-tongued exterior, there was a squishy softness inside of him. I saw it in the way he worked hard to heal others, and the way he cooed at Dai’zee.
I wanted to coax it further out of him.
But would he let me?
When Jaeyoung left to return to his den, I trailed behind him. I couldn’t tell if he realized I was following him or not. He was deep in thought, puzzling out theories and ideas. He always had one foot deep in his research. It was one of his many fascinating qualities. Perhaps Jaeyoung wasn’t the only being who wanted to study the unknown...
As he walked ahead of me, I curiously outstretched my hand, hovering behind his back. What would it feel like to trace the curve of his spine? To feel his soft, smooth human skin beneath my claws? Would he react, or remain stoic and silent?
I remembered the night he unknowingly overdosed on aphrodisiac fruit. He refused my offer of assistance every single time I gave it.
I was distraught all evening. I wished desperately that he’d let me help him—to override his frustration with sweet pleasure.
A flame lit below my belly.
Perhaps it wasn’t too late. Jaeyoung lived here now on Eukaria, and so far, he’d shown no interest in other Maeleons. He was hopelessly dedicated to his work. Oh, how I worried about him... Did he take enough breaks? Did he drink enough water?
