Page 1 of A Layperry's Hope
Chapter One
Ghenie
I run my fingers over the pillow beside me, staring at the light blue material. The smell of its last occupant has been gone for a year, but I swear I can still smell him if I concentrate hard enough.
I’ve been awake for a while but unable to get myself out of bed yet. There’s much to do today. I have things to prepare. I have to make sure Maribel is up and ready to go. I have to make sure I’m presentable. I have to prepare my mind and make sure I’m able to keep everyone out of my mind despite the fact that I’ll be surrounded by my people.
I am already exhausted and the day hasn’t started yet.
A year ago, another ship departedDeltourah, the planet that is my home. That ship had some of my people aboard, such as Gendry. It wasn’t justLayperrythough. There was also Christian, a human who came here during the very first HumanLayperryExchange. He decided, at the end of his three years, to return to Earth instead of staying here.
Even just thinking his name has my heart seizing in my chest. It’s been a year since he left but I still ache at the very pit of my soul.
We will all be in the town square, waiting for the ship to arrive. We will give them a proper welcome, celebrating the return of our brothers while also welcoming all those new to our planet. As theToralleh, or the leader of my people, it is my duty to be there to welcome them.
The whispers are loud today, pressing against the back of my mind. The burden I carry on my shoulders is heavy, but it is a duty I welcome and cherish. The Ancestors speak to me and in return, I impart wisdom and rules onto our people. I help guide our people into the future. I keep them safe, I keep them in order, I love them with not only all the love I possess but all the love the Ancestors possess as well.
I sit up, feeling guilty once again for occupying this house. After Christian left, I was a mess. I’d never felt such pain before in my entire life. To feel close to him, I moved into the house he lived in while he was here, the one across the road from Miles and Timalah. I sleep in his bed, I lie on his couch, I eat dinner at his table. All the while, I miss him.
Just as I am debating pulling the covers back over my head, Maribel begins to make noises in the bassinet beside the bed. Sitting up, I stretch my arms over my head until my spine gives a satisfying crack. Then I reach over and pull my daughter out of the bassinet.
“Good morning,” I say softly. I quickly remove my shirt and bring her to my chest, allowing her to have some breakfast from my body. “Today is such a big day, darling,” I tell her as I run my hands over her back. “There’s a chance your other father will be joining us once more. It is a very small chance but a chance nonetheless.”
Just saying it out loud leaves me breathless. I’ve never felt longing like this so strongly, even when I interface with our Ancestors. It is overwhelming and it takes all of my strength not to lose myself in the feeling.
Miles is my neighbor now. He’s human and mated with my closest advisor, Timalah. He’s been Ancestor sent since Maribel has arrived. He’s helped me learn everything I need to know about raising my human daughter. He also happens to be Christian’s best friend. He is certain Christian will be on the ship today.
I do my best not to hope, yet hope has a funny way of wiggling its way into places even when it’s not wanted.
Once Maribel has drunk her full, I make sure to get her changed and dressed for the day. Then I put my own clothes on, choosing my normal leather pants and vest. Then I take my long scarf, using it to make a little backpack for Maribel to sit in.
Normally, human babies are too small for something like this, but Maribel is growing so quickly. She’s already so strong, able to keep her head up. Maybe it’s because she hasLayperryparentage or maybe she is just special.
Once she’s in place on my back, I head outside. The air is cool against my skin, smelling fresh and light as I breathe it in. My shoulders relax slightly as I begin my trek into town.
The voices at the back of my head are murmuring with excitement. New visitors. Fresh faces. Old friends returned. Prosper, joy, health. I do my best to tune them out, trying to focus on my part in all this.
The closer I get to the center of town, the louder the voices get. TheLayperrypeople are all connected telepathically. We can feel and sense each other while also having the ability to project speech into each other’s heads. Those who form close bonds have a stronger link, such as brothers in arms, or mates.
Because I am theToralleh, the one appointed by our Ancestors to lead our people, I have a strong link with every singleLayperry. I have a connection to all of them, living and dead. The inside of my mind is a constant buzzing of voices that I’ve learned to live with. Sometimes it gets to be too much, but years of practice have given me the ability to shut them away when needed.
Though I’ve shut myself away from the voices, that doesn’t stop the sensations of emotions from running through the links I share with people. I feel excitement, trepidation, worry, and awe. So many things from so many people. It is amazing I can keep my head on straight most days.
“It is about time for them to arrive,” Timalah says, placing a hand on my shoulder. He gives me a gentle squeeze, his emotions coming towards me in soft, reassuring waves. He is my right hand man and without him and his wisdom, I would have drowned long ago.
“Hello, darling,” Miles says, cooing at Maribel on my back. “She’s so freaking cute when she’s conked out like this. Milk coma.”
A smile spreads across my face as warmth pools in the pit of my stomach. She is my heart and joy, the one who helps wash away the worries when things feel like they’re getting to be too much. I love her more than I thought possible despite all the love already inside my chest for my people. I give myself fully to them, but Maribel? Maribel is mine and mine alone.
Well, mine and Christian’s.
“There it is!”
There are murmurs all around me, emotions welling up inside everyone. I feel like a leaf bobbing in a body of water. I suck in a long breath, just feeling it, letting it consume me for a moment before getting my head above water and allowing myself solace in the depths of my mind. I close myself off to my people so Ican properly welcome this ship. If I’m also keeping them from feeling my fear and excitement, then that is only an added bonus to closing off the link.
I wait until the ship is fully settled and the doors slide open. A ramp drops down. At the bottom of the ramp is where I stand, ready to receive all those who have joined us.
“Hello,” I say warmly to the two humans who come down first. They both have beautiful brown skin, their eyes shining with excitement and awe. “Welcome toDeltourah.This is our capital city,Shentellah. I am very pleased to meet you. I am Ghenie.”
