I’m hoping Lord va’Rin can assist us with that.
But first…we ensure the clones will be safe. If we have to stay on board the Little Sister, well, there are worse things. It’s been our home for a long time, and I think it’d be fine. I just want the most secure spot possible for my mate. I want Helen comfortable and relaxed and happy, and I know my brothers want the same for their mates.
The air-sled skims over the rolling hills and farms that dot the land. We glide over field after field of crops, until an enormous, glittering compound comes into view. Lord va’Rin’s home. It’s surrounded by an ornate fence with a lovely walking path and manicured gardens. There are several outlying buildings, of course. Some are for his staff, some are his personal militia, and of course, buildings for his shuttles, his spaceships, and I suspect more than one greenhouse. va’Rin’s home is its own little city, almost as big as Port itself. I can’t begrudge the male, though. He’s been more than generous with the humans who have been settling here, and I know they’re costing him a small fortune.
Still, I hope he has enough of a large fortune left to assist us with our needs.
The air-sled skims to a delicate stop in front of the massive double-doors that lead to Lord va’Rin’s home. The driver nods at us, indicating we should get out. I open the door and hold a hand out to Helen. She puts her fingers into my grip, letting me tug her out of the sled, and then straightens her dress. It’s a filmy yellow creation with no back to speak of and very little front. A loop of fabric loose around her neck barely covers her breasts and then drapes lower into a skirt that ends just above her knees. It exposes a lot of her lovely red skin and I remind myself that Lord va’Rin is happily married and I won’t have to poke anyone’s eyes out for staring at my obscenely beautiful mate.
Hopefully.
CHAPTER 120
HELEN
Lord va’Rin’s house is as pretty as I remember it, but it also makes me nervous. There are so many delicate, breakable objects here that I don’t understand the point of. There’s a vase of crystal that holds flowers and sits on a table and serves no purpose other than that. There’s a heavily embroidered cloth that runs the length of a piece of furniture called a “buffet” and it serves no purpose other than to be pretty.
These sorts of things don’t exist on a ship, and they strike me as highly absurd.
Well, no, I take it back—they exist on Kivian’s ship, but Kivian is also highly absurd. Nice, but absurd.
I do enjoy dressing up, though.
Lord va’Rin’s human servants look happy and well taken care of. I know he employs servants from the local town, and they all say positive things about him. One gushes to us as she leads us through the enormous house about how grateful she is to Lord va’Rin and his mate for saving her from her old master. “Just got married to the love of my life,” she beams. “Didn’t care that he had a tail and claws, just that he’s a good man.” She pauses for a moment, thinking. “Well…cat man. Doesn’t matter.” She waves us on. “Come, my lord’s other guests are in the dining hall enjoying drinks.”
“Other…guests?” Mathiras asks politely as we follow the enthusiastic woman.
She nods and opens a pair of double doors, ushering us inside. “Enjoy your evening.”
When we step inside, I see another couple at the far end of the dining room, delicate glasses of sparkling drinks in their hands. I recognize that shorn head with jewelry studding every bit of his ears and his fancy, capped horns. I also recognize the slim, dark-haired human woman at his side. “Ruth!” I squeal, giddy at the sight of my sister.
She turns, her eyes lighting up at the sight of me. “Helen! Look at you. You’re gorgeous. And that dress!”
I preen, taking her hand and doing a little twirl. “Matty says it’s barely there and he’s going to punch anyone that looks at me too hard.”
“Which means it’s gorgeous and doing its job,” Ruth declares proudly. She holds out her drink. “Want some juice?”
I take a sip of her drink, noticing that Ruth looks amazing, too. She’s wearing a silky-looking bodysuit with a flared leg and a low-slung belt that emphasizes her hips. It’s all black, just like Straik’s clothing, and they look like a matched pair. It’s so cute and makes me so happy for her. I hand back her juice and touch her belly. “Can you feel the baby yet?”
She chuckles, shaking her head. “It’s early yet. Give me a few more months.” My sister eyes me speculatively. “What about you? Any babies yet?”