Page 16 of Golden Darkness
“So, happiness is the goal?”
“Activating my secondary characteristics is the goal.”
“What?”
He rubbed her knuckles with his thumb. “I will explain it when we are alone.”
They entered the dining hall, and the staff looked at them. The staff elbowed each other and grinned. Janessa felt her face warm, and they went to the special seating that would accommodate Kethen’s wings.
He set her down before sitting himself. She settled next to him and yelped when he pulled her against his side.
He chuckled. “Get used to it. I like to feel you as well as see you, pet.”
“Delightful. I feel like my name.”
He leaned down to kiss her softly. She returned the kiss and moaned gently into his mouth. He stroked her cheek with his thumb, and she tangled her tongue with his until he slowly withdrew. He murmured, “You are the only pet I have ever kissed.”
Her senses took in the room around them, and everyone was staring. She knew her face was crimson in seconds.
She shivered and hid her face against him.
“Why are you hiding, pet?”
“They are staring.”
He laughed. “They will get over it. Now, we are here for your sustenance. I have already eaten.”
She mumbled against his chest, “You are not helping.”
He smiled. “Here is your meal.”
She turned her head toward the table, and one of the crew was standing there with a bright smile.
“Enjoy your meal, Mistress.”
She blinked. “Well, that is disturbingly accurate.”
The tray in front of her was covered with tiny dishes of things in mashed form. Looks like she was moving up the food chain to toddler.
She took the first little cup and spoon she had been given and set to work while leaning against Kethen.
She was going to sit up when the captain arrived, but Kethen held her in place, and she continued to eat.
“Overlord, you are looking strong and alert this morning.”
“Thank you, Captain. The crew seems to be righting themselves.”
“It is good to be able to audibly communicate with each other again. Where are we going?”
Kethen asked Janessa, “Where were your people headed?”
“Urathidian mines.”
She was immediately held tight and the expression of horror on the captain’s face confirmed that her destination was not a good one.
Kethen spoke to the captain about releasing the Terrans onto their ship after injecting them with trackers and storing all the Vel-ech in the transport canister.
Janessa made it halfway through her meal before she was full. She put the spoon down, and Kethen picked up a mug and held it to her lips. It was watery juice, but it tasted good, and she was pretty sure it hadn’t come out of him. No strawberries.