“I am still scarred.That isn’t changing.”
“But you are now blooded Zowoth.That puts you into a different social category.”
“I thought you couldn’t go after warriors under your command.”
“There is always an exception for the bright ones.”
“Really?”
“Of course.No one can stand between matched partners.”
She listened to the words, and in Zowoth, the wordsmatched partnerstranslated tolife and soul bonded.
“So, before this, I was just a pet?”
“After our coupling, when I saw you in the court, you glowed to my eyes.That is why I flew into a rage when I saw you were injured.I wanted to destroy the one who had hurt you, but it was your own hand driven by my blindness.”
“Well, I found a nice job and am having fun in space.No confinement.No panic that the walls will crush me.”
“So, you will not return to the court?”
“Absolutely not.Not unless you want me to slaughter people until I get second ranking.”
Aken-Var nodded.“I see.There is only one option for me then.”
She didn’t ask about what the option’s name was.
“I will remain at your side.When you want me, I will be at your side in a moment.”
“The fuck you will.”She scowled at him as they walked into a food court area where the ladies were waiting.
Delia was with Skylar, and she stood up.“Mom!”
Margo opened her arms, and her daughter was against her a heartbeat later.“I have a tenacious attachment to life.It’s a hard habit to break.”
Delia held her tight.
Aken-Var cleared his throat.“Who is this?”
Margo turned to him.“This is the soul of my daughter.She has gotten shorter since I had that headache, but she is the core of my heart and always will be.”
Delia turned to stare at Aken-Var.“You really don’t wear a shirt, do you?”
His eyes widened, and then he grinned.“The links to my people run me hot.Shirts get in the way.”
“Huh.Well, my mom likes your body, so you just have to be less of an arrogant vacuum-sucker, and she will forgive you.”
He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder.“You are solid.”
“The Terran Dyturan is right over there.”Delia pointed.“She is storing me, and I came out of her.”
Skylar chuckled.“Margo and I have both transported her, but now she is firmly attached to her parent again.Margo, she is haunting you.”
Margo looked at Delia.“Why you little minx.Do you know what kind of power draw it is?”
Delia grinned.“I am taking the edge off your grief.It is what is powering me.”
Aken-Var stared.“I have not heard of this kind of thing before.”
