Page 15 of The Twelve Nights of Halloheen

“Anything you wish,” Tisuran vowed as he flopped down on his back. She pushed his arm out so she could snuggle up against his side. Throwing a leg over his belly, she rested her head against his shoulder and draped her arm over his chest.

“I can do that for you anytime you want,” Tisuran said after she’d gotten herself settled. He lifted his head and awkwardly leaned over to rub his cheek against the top of her head, purring loudly the entire time. Maple filled the air, making her sigh with contentment before he dropped his head back down to rest on the floor.

“I know I want to do that again,” she promised him.

Her leg was a little high for her hip joint, so she lowered it slightly and encountered Tisuran’s erection straining the front of his pants. Clumsily sitting up, she frowned down at his crotch.

“I’ve been selfish. I can use my hand or mouth on you,” she offered.

Tisuran placed a gentle hand on her arm and urged her to settle back down. “No,loreline.Don’t concern yourself with my wants and needs right now. This time and place is for you.”

“I think that’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me,” she whispered. “Thank you.”

“You’ve already thanked me,” he responded with a gentle rumble. “By having faith in me.”

Isla

Much later, they returned to the party after a quick trip to a cleansing unit. Even with a wash up, Isla knew she smelled strongly of maple and got a few knowing looks. She didn’t care. They wouldn’t judge her, and some might even pat her on the back for picking one of the Talins. Besides, so many people were already partially or mostly drunk, they probably wouldn’t even remember the evening.

Everyone was encouraged to imbibe during the Night of Joy because everything’s funnier when you’re intoxicated!

Akra was standing in front of the dais, her neck covered in beads and being presented with an elaborate drinking cup. She was grinning from ear to ear and everyone was cheering.

“Looks like Akra won!” Isla said as she clapped. “I’m not surprised. She’s really clever!”

“Are you disappointed you didn’t get to compete?” Tisuran asked.

“Not even a little,” Isla said as the applause and rattling died down. She looked up at Tisuran. “In fact—”

“Isla!” The sound of Akra calling her name stopped her mid-sentence. She looked over to find everyone had cleared a path so she could see right to the dais.

The entire room was staring at her. “Uh, what?”

There was a tittering of laughter and a few amused rumbles as Zia motioned her forward. ‘The king and queen have something to give you,’ she tapped with an imperious expression.

Highly intrigued and only slightly nervous, she moved to stand next to Akra in front of the dais, Tisuran right behind her. Zia stood tall and tapped, addressing the entire room.

‘I wanted to take this opportunity, on the fourth night of Halloheen, to acknowledge someone important. Every human and Talin on Sorana brings important skills and knowledge to the colony. Every single one of you makes this place better, but sometimes we forget that a place isn’t buildings, roads, paths, and tech. Those things are important, but they are here for the inhabitants, not the other way around. We’ve all been so busy building that we’ve forgotten why we’re building—for each other. Every day, Isla makes sure there is laughter and love. She’s the one who guards our hearts and happiness. It’s because of her we’re celebrating and reconnecting as families, friends, and a cohesive community. I’m afraid that most of her efforts have gone unnoticed until now.’

Tears filled Isla’s eyes, and she blinked hard, trying to keep them at bay. She wasn’t sure she deserved such praise, but Zia looked adamant and when she glanced around, everyone was nodding their agreement.

‘I would like to start a new tradition on the Night of Joy,’ Zia continued as Palforma reached under his seat to retrieve a box. With effortless grace, he jumped off the dais. Opening the box, he drew out a tiara, very similar to the one he’d gotten Zia not long after they’d arrived on Sorana. It was beautiful, filled with gold and amber colored gems that glittered in the room’s artificial light.

‘I declare you Princess of Joy!’ Zia tapped, and everyone roared their approval.

Palforma placed the tiara on her head, and Zia spoke to the audience. ‘I invite everyone here to speak up and show Isla that she’s seen. Show her how she’s impacted this community, both on Wimol and here on Sorana.’

Only seconds after Zia said this, someone stepped forward to speak. Then another person. Then another. It seemed everyone had something to say, and all Isla could do was watch it unfold because her powers of speech had completely fled.

Between her earth-shattering orgasm earlier and the tremendous amount of goodwill she was receiving now, Isla felt overwhelmed. But not in a bad way. She felt a little lightheaded, but she refused to find a seat.

A warm, solid presence was at her back. “Lean against me,” Tisuran whispered in her ear. “I won’t put my hands on you, but borrow my strength to enjoy the accolades. You deserve everything said about you!”

Isla didn’t think the evening could get any better, but Tisuran proved her wrong. How did a girl get so lucky?

Chapter 6

Isla’s guide to The Twelve Nights of Halloheen (Excerpt)

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