Despite the relative ease with which our human companions accepted both their aged and our more advanced tech, one could feel the crisp taste of wonder at every new instance. I knew it was because once they had grown up aware of it and seen things in their stories, both literary and in vid; both real and imagined.
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that once the pair made it to our keep, they were in for many more surprises.
Our tech was embedded in our way of life, made to blend as seamlessly and unobtrusively as possible with the natural world around us. It was a whole different way of life, one that no doubt would catch them as off guard about it all as the differences in our customs would. We knew far more about them and their lifestyle than they did about us.
Not that they were to blame for that. From the moment the crew of the colony ship encountered our scouts, they’d embarked on a course of action that led to their personal empowerment while deceiving their people. Well, not just their people, but ours as well. We’d thought we were working hand in hand towards a blended community while in reality, they were apparently content playing lords and ladies while everyone else did their bidding. It was disgusting. I sincerely hoped that at the end of it all, we’d not only bring the killer or killers to justice, end the illegal drug trade, and find the missing, but that people like Kelly and Richard would begin forging real change. The humans deserved to know the truth of their arrival and how the settlements were meant to work with us in full cooperation, us mingling as time passed so we became one integrated group working to preserve this world while living in harmony.
“He’s gotten under your skin as much as you’ve gotten under his,” Miljack murmured as he dialed up a mug of tea. “Have you fucked yet?”
I spluttered. “Cut it out. I’m not you, sticking my dick everywhere someone’s willing.”
He looked at me steadily, wearing a serious expression. “That wasn’t a joke. I was asking because, well, you remember the Hand mentioning how attractive an omega you were?”
I did, which had struck me rather odd at the time, but I’d brushed it aside. I’d more or less believed that he was indicating that my looks would possibly help me draw out the killer, but now, I wasn’t so sure.
“What do you know?”
He looked pained. “Nothing concrete, but I got called right after you got on the train. While I was waiting to find out what was going on, I overheard the Hand’s chamberlain talking into a comm. He was saying something about how a union would mean the humans had a voice in our government by proxy, without the inconvenience of those in the Council.”
I blinked, trying to parse what he was implying. “They hoped the sheriff and I would fall for each other and go through a bonding?”
The clatter of a dropped dish had us whirling around. “I-I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop,” Kelly stammered.
“You heard that, then.” Miljack sighed. “Well, probably best that you’re aware of what you might be walking into. With all signs pointing to your Council being not only entitled assholes, but heavily involved in breaking the Accords between us with their illegal drug trade and so on, don’t be surprised if this comes up again.”
“They’ll try to marry us off to each other to alter the political landscape,” I mused.
Kelly licked his lips. “I don’t know what to even think about that. I mean, would you even want, with me, I mean…”
“I am attracted to you, very much,” I reassured him. “We’ve already been over our mutual desire. Do I want to commit to a Bond with you?” I tugged on the end of my braid. “I could think of worse political unions, but I’d only do so if you were completely willing.”
I was unprepared for the way he rushed forward and grabbed my head, going for a kiss.
It was hungry, his lips and tongue letting me know just how much indeed he wanted to have me. I opened up and let him in, my tongue stroking his as he explored my mouth. I damned near came in my pants like a youngling when he caressed a fang. I groaned in pleasure.
“Well, that answers that, then,” Miljack said, interrupting the moment.
We broke apart.
“Sorry,” Kelly mumbled.
“I’m not,” I replied. If they didn’t want us to arrange a union for political purposes, was it still possible for us to pursue this thing between us anyway? Surely we deserved that. I already was entering into a lifelong service to my species, surely I could have a bit of happiness I chose for myself.
As if reading my mind, Miljack reached out and squeezed my hand.
“It’ll be okay, P. You know they’ve never interfered in my trysts, not even this one where he’s trying to get me to give him my Vow.”
I laughed. A more unsuitable Consort I could not imagine. But then again, it was the fact that he was after that future title for his own gain that placed my brother’s latest fling out of the running, even if Miljack had been interested. Which he wasn’t and truth be told, I often wondered if he’d ever settle down.
“Maybe we should talk about this notion,” I said slowly.
“Talk about what?” Richard asked. “Sorry, I was wanting another cup of that tea,” he said, holding up an empty mug. “That was delicious. I hope I can get some to take back home with me.”
Miljack took the mug from him, replacing his own now full mug with Richard’s empty one. Dialing up a refill, he said, “Pilar and Kelly are wanting to talk about their feelings for each other and the possibility of uniting our species.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Certainly shake up the political status quo, wouldn’t it, even before we ascend.”
Richard blinked. “That it would,” he said slowly. “Might not be a bad thing. But can they have kids together? I mean, presuming they want any.”
“Titles aren’t inherited that way,” Kelly informed him. “And um, kids are something I guess we have to talk about after ah, everything else.”
I smiled at him, leaning in to kiss his cheek. He blushed adorably. “Yes, let’s talk. For once, it should be about what we want, rather than us being pushed around by outside forces, regardless of who they are.”
My brother smiled in triumph. “Do it only on your terms, if at all.”
We all nodded in agreement before taking mugs of tea to the table to sit down. We had important personal, and political, matters to discuss. For now, the case itself could wait.
* * *