Page 42 of Temple

“Right. I have just the planet. I have not begun planting anything there yet. You could use it as a refuge for Terran plants and crops.” Zell smiled.

She looked at him in surprise. “You would do that?”

“You didn’t read the contract thoroughly.” Zell sighed as they reached the shuttle.

“I may have been distracted.”

“You are entitled to hobbies, provided that you are guarded while you are engaging in them.” He walked inside the shuttle and nodded. “Symo and his consort will use her shuttle.”

The pilot nodded and waited for them to strap in. The door sealed, and a pressure test started.

“Guarded while farming?” She blinked as he settled her in a seat. She buckled herself in.

“Precisely.” He sat in one of two Hmrain seats and strapped in. “Ready, pilot.”

The pilot didn’t speak. They lifted off and headed skyward, picking up a lot of speed as they carved their way through the atmosphere. Sage wished she had said goodbye to the matron again, but she guessed that the woman understood. She would call her later.

Zell’s warship was on the way to Aten, with plenty of warning to Ra, and Sage was curled up with Zell in his stateroom.

Her shoulder throbbed, but the bite was already healing. She yawned, and Zell chuckled. “Given that I know how much stamina you have, I will be flattered about the yawn.”

She snorted and asked, “So, it’s okay if I sleep?”

He kissed her palm. “It is okay.”

“You are going to be here when I wake up?”

“I will be here.” His soft rumble eased her into sleep.

Sage mumbled, “Are you doing that?”

“Yes. Now rest and let the nanites work.”

“Bully.”

He laughed. “Sleep.”

He had his tablet and used his tail to support it as he worked.

Sage was draped over his chest, and he was stroking her lower back with absent fingers.

She slowed her breathing and slept.

Soft kisses woke her from her rest, and she sighed. She felt a slow caress around her thigh that moved from hip to knee. It felt odd but nice.

Sage opened her eyes, smiled, and gasped as the tail slid into her.

“Oh, I am despising myself for missing out on this look on your face.”

Her eyes focused on his intent expression. “How long was I out?” The tail tip slipped nearly out and then plunged into her. She arched back, and her breath shuddered.

“Ten hours. Symo was right; you are changing. It is so cute.”

He slipped and slid in her again, moving faster. Dazed, she asked, “What?”

Zell lifted a hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “You are taking on my colouring, Sage. No one will be able to mistake you for anything but my consort.”

Her hands were stained with red. She watched him kiss her red fingers from her right to left hand. “How?”

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