Page 61 of Golden Darkness

He smiled sheepishly, “I wanted to keep it for a surprise, but your scent got faint in the salon, and I got worried.”

She pushed him into an alcove in the market. “Say my name again.”

He smiled and caressed her cheek. “Hello, Janessa.”

She jumped up and kissed him. “I have really wanted to hear that. You got the language when I got the nails?”

He grinned. “I did. Yavor bought the language file with the colonists.”

She snorted. “Serves you right for obtaining stolen goods.”

He laughed. “I have arranged some jewellery for you. They have excellent artisans here on Yavor’s station.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I am marking my stolen property.” He kissed her and set her on her feet. They made their way to the aisle of the artisans.

Janessa wasn’t going to be marked, but she wanted to know what he had in mind.

The artisan smiled widely. “So, is this the... little lady?”

Janessa snickered and inclined her head. “Both descriptors depend on who I am standing next to.”

He nodded and brought a number of trays out that contained expansive necklaces, earrings that could probably catch a satellite signal, and bracelets with runners that attached to fingers.

She looked at Kethen. “Are you trying to weigh me down so I don’t run, or do you just want a lot of jingles when I do run?”

He shrugged. “Either. Both. Some of these have trace minerals that are rare and can be easily tracked by me.” He smiled as he looked over the jewel cases. “Whether you want them or not, you are going to be wearing them.”

She looked at him and prodded him in the chest. “You are not going to be gilding me.”

He ran his hands down her arms before settling his palm over her belly. “I am going to give you gifts for quickening, gifts for every week you have been pregnant, and some for just being my mate.”

She growled, and he kissed her but kept his hand on her belly. She sulked, but he returned to his negotiating with the artisan.

Janessa looked around and saw her friend and a blue Hmrain, who must have been Yavor. They walked toward her, and she grinned. “Hey, Iris, you look great.”

Iris looked her up and down and said, “I didn’t see the hair banding or that your hair was butt length or that you are housing another person.”

Janessa paused, and she slumped. Kethen caught her with one arm and finished his transaction.

“Yup. We are doing our final rounds before we settle back at home, and I am swarmed by the staff again. They are very intense, and I just wanted some fresh air before I ended up locked up. So, Kethen agreed to not chuck me out of his ship when I stowed away.” Her exaggeration made Iris smile.

Kethen snorted and played along. “As if I would pitch you out, Pet.”

Janessa yawned. “I had no idea I would be so sleepy. This little critter exhausts me and the baby, too.”

He slipped the object he had just purchased around her neck. Janessa was a little irritated at the collar.

Yavor nodded to Kethen. “Come on, brother, let’s sit and let our mates discuss whatever they wish to discuss.”

Kethen nodded. “Beware. Pet’s appetites have doubled.”

Janessa punched her mate. “Overshare! What did we say about that?”

“That I thought your reactions were funny?” He took her fist and lifted it for a kiss.

She growled and stomped on his foot.