“That isn’t possible.I don’t have the infrastructure anymore.”
“Psychosomatic?”
“Maybe.”She shrugged.“As long as I have tasks, I can manage it, but I have run out of tasks.Zephyr’s too good at cleaning.”
Sergei nodded.“Is there more ice cream?”
“Yes.We also have pastry.”
“Both?”He smiled.
“Yup.Back in a minute.”
“I will come with and make tea.”
She nodded, and they went inside while Zephyr was a hundred feet tall and naked.Hemma had seen it before.
The next morning, the family came home, and Khytten and Salat’s brood came with them.It went from silent to raucous in a moment.Hemma stayed on her feet, and when she had a moment, she drew Keska aside and explained what was going on with Zera and the governments that had suddenly learned where she was.Well, the alphas who had learned about where she was.
“How do you feel about this?”
“I want to be whole, and I am terrified of what it means.”Hemma twisted her fingers together.
“You in a down cycle?”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry.I keep forgetting you get set off by it.”
“Yeah.I normally don’t have to socialize like this.”
Keska hugged her.“Take the time.Get the healing.Decide what you want to do after that.You will be a lot stronger and faster.”
She laughed.“That would be new.”
“I didn’t realize how thoroughly they took you apart.”
“Yeah, I heal, but I don’t seal well.Like sticky notes.”
“Which is why they stitched and burned your gills.”
“Yup.Okay.So, tomorrow morning, I will go to Z-Corp, and Zephyr said she will make sure you and the others eat.”
Keska laughed.“Thanks.Do you think you will go on and try dating?”
“I might, but they are making sure that the guys are set to courtship only.And they have to be a physical match.”
Keska nodded, smiling.“Don’t forget the birth control.”
“I didn’t.”
“Good.”
“So, what’s for dinner?”
“We are grilling so that you can watch the kids around the pool.Ekbert is the designated lifeguard.If Zephyr does it, she empties the pool.Oh, she and Trisk have started connecting.”
“The Renovik singer?”
