Page 50 of Golden Darkness

Kethen headed back to his audience chamber and went through the work that had accumulated over the last few years.

About an hour later, he heard the rustle of fabric and caught her scent. “Pet. You should still be in bed.”

She yawned and shuffled over to him. “Technically, I am.”

He looked at her wrapped in the sheet and snorted. “I suppose you are correct. How are you feeling?”

“Exhausted. Irritated. The usual.”

He used his wing to coax her forward, then settled her on his lap. “I suppose we should get you some clothing. It will have to be done manually. We don’t have any replication or supply units on the surface.”

She grimaced. “Great. What am I supposed to wear, then? I can’t even wear your shirts. They have huge holes in the back.”

“A seamstress has already been requested. It was the second thing I did after ordering some of those smoothies you talk about to be made for you.”

She smiled shyly. “You did?”

Kethen felt taller just looking at how flustered she was. She was draped in the yards of fabric and looked sweet and demure for someone who clawed up his back three or four times nightly. She gave everything to him and held nothing back, and he was delighted when he could make her happy. He grinned. Not being naked in public made her very happy.

A maid rushed in and said, “Overlord, your lady is missing!”

Pet smiled. “I am here. I can only stay in bed so long without him. With him, there is a lot more incentive to stay there.”

The maid stared, nodded, and said, “We will get that beverage for you, Lady.”

The maid darted away, and Pet curled up against him. Her heat would be there in a matter of days. He needed to get everything sorted so he could devote as much time to her as she needed. If she was measured for clothing now, by the time she quickened, her wardrobe would be ready.

He stroked her head until she slept again, and he smiled. Out of all of his instincts, the one that told him this woman was for him, that she would be a partner through the centuries, and they would have children, was the voice within him that was strongest.

He had spoken at length about the topic with Yahn-eth-etha. She wasn’t quite as keen, but she traced his features and marks with her fingers, wondering if they would be indented in his offspring. She liked his marks. Shereallyliked his marks. Her tongue traced the patterns whenever an opportunity presented itself. With her, he felt truly desirable for exactly what he was. Hers.

Chapter Ten

Janessa wandered through her new home, then found Vreeka. “I want to go to the market again.”

“Lady of Kethen, you should ask him.”

She grinned. “He said to wander where I wanted to.”

Vreeka scowled. “I believe he meant in the stronghold.”

“Vreeka, I finally have normal clothing that will let me blend in with the locals, aside from everything else.”

“Lady, no one else is wearingthat.”

She looked down. Low-rise leggings and boots in golden brown and a top that was part jacket and part sports bra covered her. The front was arched so that she was exposed from her ribs to below her navel, and the back was down to her knees, like a weird tuxedo. The locals wore skirts and wrapped tops. Male or female.

She huffed. “Fine. We can stop at the armoury.”

He laughed. “Fair enough. If you are armed, I will feel better.”

Kethen had been working around the clock to reach some deadline that he had in his head. She knew her scent disturbed him when she was around, so she just wanted to step out and give him some peace. She was going to get some of his favourite fruit, and then the next time he wanted to spend time with her, she could peel it and feed it to him. He didn’t eat food in space, but he did eat at home.

In the armoury, she got two of the telescoping blast sticks and wrapped them to her wrists. Vreeka got a blaster, and together, they walked to the market that reminded her of images of Venice back on Earth. It was the part of the city that most reminded her of home.

* * * *

Kethen finished his work and stretched his wings. The scent of Pet was faint, but she was receptive. It was starting. He grinned and got to his feet, intent on caging his Pet in his arms.