Page 92 of I Dated the Lost Song

Vinul sighed. “We know, but you have so many nieces now it isn’t even funny.”

“True, which added to my shopping list, just in case they and their children show up.” She grinned. “Right. Let’s go find our omega and be on our way.”

“Nelith called. She wants us to make our way to Xeva’s island.”

“I thought that island belonged to Revakka.”

“Well, you know that it was Xeva’s the moment she was brought there. Ysma is coming as well.”

“And as we are another island, we may as well join in.”

She got up and looked down at her stomach. “One month to go, and Ifeellike a fucking island.”

He put the basket down, moved behind her, and carefully lifted the weight of her belly. She groaned gratefully and rubbed her palms over his arms. “Thanks, that does wonders for my back.”

“I know. We can’t carry it for you, but I am glad we can at least occasionally take the weight.”

She sighed, he purred, and that is how Sarel found them when he came in to see what the holdup was. Vinul had nearly purred her into a nap and was holding her belly and rocking her from side to side.

Sarel said softly, “Come on, precious. He can do that at home. Is that your present?”

“It is.” She muttered, “From my sister. She was in the next cell, but I thought they killed her after they cut off her wings. She always smelled like chocolate and honey.”

“You remember her?”

Leska nodded. “We were very small, but she would rock me to keep me from crying so they wouldn’t get angry. They took her away when I started to walk.”

Sarel asked softly, “You said they cut her wings off.”

“They did. They brought them back in, and they flapped like they were still on her. They never stopped.” She frowned as she was rocked from side to side.

“Why can you remember now?”

“Feel good, relaxed, can smell her. Her skin was black, and it shone with rainbows. She was beautiful.” She could feel her voice getting dreamy as she was slowly rocked.

“Does she have a name?”

“No. We didn’t have names.” She smiled slightly. “I gave myself a name based on my lab-handing designation.Less care is to be taken with this subject.Leska. I thought it was clever.”

Sarel caressed her cheek. “That makes me sad, but let’s get you home, and we will shower you with all the care you can stand.”

“Sounds good. Bring the presents.”

He chuckled and carried the present; Vinul walked her out with her abdomen supported.

The staff wished her well, and when they headed into the elevator, she caught chocolate and honey. It was strong.

Vinul said, “Yes, we can smell it. She was here.”

Leska smiled, and happy tears trickled down her cheeks. “She’s here. She made it out.”

Sarel wiped her cheeks, and they did their slow march to many grinning gazes until they were out of the building. She waved like a parade float, and Vinul let her walk out under her own steam, if supported.

On the walk outside, Sarel wrapped his free arm around her, and they went home.

* * * *

Hever paid off thesecurity guard with a wink. “Thanks. Secret presents are so freaking hard around here.”

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