With a huff, Zahra threw on her clothing and searched out the other two women. The light drizzle felt nice on her flushed skin. She turned her face up to the sky and enjoyed the kisses of the rain drops. She absolutely adored this planet. The constant drizzle calmed her war-torn soul, and the peace felt nice after so many years of close calls and watching the men and women around her die.
"There you are." Holly laughed.
Zahra spun towards the laughter.
Holly wiggled her eyebrows. “Been a bit naughty.” She laughed.
“What?” Zahra felt her cheeks heat.
"It's not that big of a garden." Vera rumbled, amusement clear in her voice as she shared a look with Holly.
“Pretty sure anyone in orbit would have heard that roar of pleasure.” Holly covered her mouth with a hand as she snorted with laughter.
Zahra placed a hand over her eyes and ducked her head. They’d heard everything, well, at least something, of what she and Khaazai had done in the gardens. "You two heard?!" Her face felt like it might melt off. Her cheeks felt like a couple of thrusters that’d been left online for too long.
Holly winked with amusement twinkling bright in her eyes.
"Umm, yeah. Kind of hard to miss." Holly broke into peals of laughter, and Zahra's cheeks heated even more as she let out a groan.
"There is no need to feel embarrassed.” Vera reached out and squeezed Zahra’s shoulder. “In our culture, sex is for all to know about. Khaazai honored your traditions when he did not take you publicly at your wedding, despite it being very… uncommon for us."
Thank the stars for that! Zahra would have died in embarrassment if General Bohler had witnessed her wedding night. Being watched was not a turn on for her. Not her kink.
"Well... he may not have taken me... but he still had some fun." Zahra coughed into a fist as she glanced away, unable to meet their eyes as she said the words. And honestly, it’d been a surprise, but a turn on. She enjoyed a little initiative on his side, since she would have never been confident enough to start anything, but she’d also never felt out of control in his presence. If she wasn’t in the mood, he’d stop.
"Oh, my stars! Are you saying he played with you in a room full of people?" Holly choked out, her eyes as wide as dinner plates.
"Played with?" Vera glanced between them. “What does this mean? What is played with?”
"It’s a phrase meaning that he brought me pleasure." Zahra explained quickly, her cheeks bright pink now.
"Ah." Vera rumbled as she inclined her head. "He did not ignore our traditions fully then." She said with a proud tone.
"I've got to know, and," Holly turned to Vera, "I mean no disrespect, but sometimes a girl has to know.'' She turned back to Zahra. "What is he packing?"
"If you want to know so badly, then I suggest you go get yourself a Khuuz’eth." Zahra shot back in good humor. The more they spoke about it, the less embarrassed she felt. Now she could understand how Vera felt it was so normal. If she’d been raised around more sex and nudity, she probably wouldn’t feel quite as embarrassed right now.
It appeared it was now Holly's turn to appear uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Umm, I don't know.” She waved her hands in front of her with a frown. “I think I'll stick with human men. Inter-species relationships can be tricky. Lots of cultural misunderstandings and such.”
"Thanks." Zahra laughed.
"But," Holly held out her hands to Zahra, "you and Khaazai seem to have everything figured out between you."
"Do we?" Zahra shook her head with a snort. "We barely know each other." She pursed her lips, "Even with Vera doing her best to resolve it in one day."
"Me?" Vera's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Why, Zahra, I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure." Zahra rolled her eyes. “Because Khaazai bringing me here had nothing to do with any idea you may have thought of I’m certain.”
"All I want is for you to give him a chance.” Vera argued. “From what I've heard you've cloistered yourself away to work. You haven't treated this union like a true marriage." Vera eyed her straight on, challenging her to deny her words.
When Zahra turned to Holly, the other woman shrugged. "Vera's right. You haven't given him a chance to be a husband. You hid away working, leaving the rest of us to our own devices. But from what I’ve seen, you both work well together. Neither of you will overpower the other emotionally."
"Fine!" Zahra threw her hands into the air. "No more work. I swear! I won’t even look at any technology that Khaazai doesn’t hand to me. Instead, I will invest more energy into my marriage… even if it is a temporary arrangement." She murmured the last part, her heart revolting against the idea of leaving.
"That is all we ask, and if you still decide to leave after the year, we will respect your decision." Vera inclined her head.
"Okay. Now as much as I'm enjoying the rain, my clothes are soaked, and I'm cold." Zahra said as she turned and headed back to the house. She hated that their words were true, but she also hated that she may have cheated Khaazai from a fair chance at a marriage. He clearly aimed to win her over for the long run.
