Page 70 of The Pregnancy Pact

Colors streaked across the sky, in time with the planet’s twin setting suns. They were vibrant, enthralling, and heartbreaking at the same time. I didn’t want to see the day end, because it meant the suns were going down, taking their warmth with them. On the other hand, I was curious to see what this planet would look like at night, as I hadn’t paid any attention the previous nightfall.

“Lorelai?”

A calm, familiar voice made me spin. A twinge creased in my belly. Goodness, he was gorgeous. My mouth went dry, even though I told myself I was an idiot, acting like a teenager with a crush rather than a grown ass woman and mother of two.

“Ellax. How did it go?” I asked. I heard the tightness in my voice as the realization hit me of what he’d been dealing with. Far more important than wondering about sunsets, nighttime views, or even my attraction to my alien husband.

“It is difficult to say.” He strode out onto the balcony, his silver skin catching the red and violet rays of the setting suns. Walking to the railing, he grasped it with both hands and breathed in. I watched him closely. He seemed to be bracing himself.

“Bad news?” I asked around a pang of fear in my throat.

Ellax, staring gravely at the green, distant mountains, shook his head.

“Good news, then?”

Rather than answer, he replied, “Considering your fear of heights, I was surprised to find you out here. We are very high in the air.”

“Oh.” I chuckled nervously, walking closer to him. “I found out I’m fine as long as I don’t get near the railing. I tried that and instantly started feeling dizzy and lightheaded. But if I stay close to the house, or to the middle of the balcony, I can enjoy the warmth and sunlight. It’s really nice.”

“Ah. Would you consider standing near the railing if you stood with me?”

“Um, why? So you can throw me over the railing and be done with me and all your problems because of me?”

At this, he turned his head, a smile quirking his lips.

“I assure you, if I were to murder you, it would create more problems for me. I would then be forced to seek out another wife to give me an heir and draw up another pregnancy pact. I am quite weary of those matters.”

“I can think of an Asterion female right now who’d be thrilled if I were out of the way and you offered her a pregnancy pact,” I said, folding my arms. I couldn’t deny feeling piqued over that matter.

“Who is that? Sirena?”

“Wait.” Now my hands went to my hips as I leaned towards him. “You knew she liked you?”

“Sirena likes power,” Ellax responded gravely. “She hoped to create a powerful wedge in the Council by marrying me, a fellow Elder and a Lead Advisor. I’ve no interest in Sirena, else I would never have gone to Earth to convince Caide to return to this planet. I would have simply remained here and wed her.”

“Oh.” My irritation deflated like a pricked balloon. That made sense. “Why didn’t you want to marry her?” I asked, curious. “She’s very pretty. She’s younger than me. She implied you two have slept together in the past. She—”

“I do not care to spend my evening discussing Sirena, Lorelai. Not when I have matters to discuss with you. Come here.”

I blinked, taken aback by the demand. In fact, I retreated a step, until Ellax turned completely, extending an arm in invitation.

“Please,” he added.

I bit my lower lip, gauging the distance to the ground, the solidity of the balcony railing, my new husband’s motives, and the arm that was open, as if waiting to embrace me. Not to mention his demand, and what would happen if I chose to disobey.

It’s fine, I reassured myself. He’s got a point. What’s he going to do, drop you over the railing? He could have killed you a hundred times by now if that was his plan.

Cautiously, fighting against my fear and natural instincts every step of the way, I walked towards him, focusing on his face rather than the open air on the opposite side of the railing. He watched me steadily and, when I was close enough, reached out to slide an arm around me, pulling me into his arms, against his chest. Then he held me. Simply held me.

“This felt good last night,” he admitted. “I wanted to practice it more.”

I couldn’t help a nervous giggle. “Practice? You don’t practice hugging.”

“I disagree. I am very much enjoying practicing holding you.”

He felt good. He smelled good. And maybe he had a point. A long hug, a comforting embrace, seemed like such a simple thing, but when was the last time I’d done it with Charlie? Or Ellax with his former wife? That must have been what he meant. It was, actually, nice to stand there practicing holding each other. In fact, it was something I could very much get used to, I thought, pressing closer into him. In response, his arms tightened about me even further as I snuggled against his chest, turning my cheek to his shirt, shocked to discover how lovely the moment truly was.

“Lorelai?”

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