Page 63 of Right on Time

She smiled broadly, swaying her hips along with his. “You know I am. I’ve got the best Gaenthian in the world. I–”

“Just in this world?”

She rolled her eyes. “Fine, in the worlds. I love living in Rome, where fashion and history inspire my jewelry at every turn. I love our mansion and our own little park, where I can work on my creations out in the fresh air.” She slid a hand to the center of his purple-vest-clad chest. “But most of all, I love how you come home earlier, now that this central location makes your flights to meetings across the globe that much shorter.”

Nitiel nodded. The weeks they had lived in her tiny abode had been full of joy, but the long shuttle flights to his in-person meetings had left less time to spend together. He also wouldn’t miss the tiny bed, cramped kitchen, and cleansing chamber, where he had bumped his wings into the furniture on a daily basis.

“Last but not least,” Loe went on, “I can deliver my artwork worldwide… as well as in space!”

“The space courier company accepted your proposal?”

“Yes!” Loe stepped on his foot in her excitement, but she was too light and happy for Nitiel to mind. “I didn’t get the time to tell you, not with the preparation for tonight’s housewarming ball, but I signed a contract with them. When a human on the Jupiter station orders a piece of jewelry from my new website, the company will deliver my creation along with the monthly supplies from Earth. It will be a slow delivery, but a guaranteed delivery nonetheless. Of course, during our periodical trips to the station, we can do some deliveries ourselves. I can’t wait to spread the word!”

“That’s wonderful, Loe.” Nitiel gave her another twirl that got a giggle out of her. Despite having attended several Gaenthian military balls with him as part of his new job, she was still getting used to his kind’s style of dancing. Apparently, it was a combination of several styles on Terra no one danced at balls anymore. “Shayla must be excited too?”

“You bet. She never imagined her investment would expand beyond the planet.” Loe rested her forehead on his chest, shaking with giggles. “Just saying that out loud, hearing how nuts it sounds… I can’t imagine it myself.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I can. I never doubted you would make your dream a reality.” Nitiel had been ready to support that dream financially, but she had wanted to be an independent female, and Shayla had still wanted to invest in the expansion of Loe’s business. Everything had worked out perfectly.

Loe caressed his wing again. “Like I said, you’re the best. I’m the happiest woman in the worlds–”

“Eeee!” The loud squeal made Nitiel and Loe pause their dancing and turn toward the far end of the dance floor.

There, with hands and legs wrapped around her niel’s torso, was Lady Trixie. She looked more colorful than the fairy lights, her hair bright green and her dress the rich red of Vrixiel’s clan.

“Do it again, boo bear!” she demanded loudly, not caring for the guests.

Vrixiel spun around fast with his hands on her waist, keeping her from flying off when she let her legs drop and inertia made them fly perpendicular to the ground. Good thing there weren’t dancers too close, or they would have gotten a kick or two.

Lady Trixie was incorrigible. But the smile she brought to the face of the usually serious Vrixiel was worth it. As was her unorthodox help in getting Nitiel and Loe together.

“Okay, I stay corrected,” Loe said through a smile. “I’m one of the happiest women in the worlds. I’m glad they managed to come for the housewarming ball, what with your friend becoming a Subcommander. Then again, Trixie does not miss a party–”

“Did you say party?” a female voice sounded from behind. “A wedding party?”

Nitiel turned carefully so as not to hit the speaker with his wings. He had learned from experience that Terrans tended to stand too close to Gaenthians for their own good.

“Mom,” he greeted, bowing low. It was hard to address her so informally, but Matilda Davison had insisted on it at their very first meeting two weeks ago. His proposal for a compromise in the form of ‘Lady Mom’ had only caused a fit of giggles in both Loe and her mother.

“Nitie, my sweet boy.” She pinched his bicep through his black shirt, smiling broadly, then turned her attention to Loe. “Tell me I overheard correctly, and you’re making plans to tie the knot with your hunk of a man.”

Loe rolled her eyes. “No, Mom, we were discussing this party. Are you having fun? I haven’t had the time to check on you since the guests started arriving.”

“Yes, yes, this party is spectacular.” Lady Matilda ran a hand through her stylish blond curls. “I’m dressed like a princess, I got to meet the Italian Minister of Defense – don’t worry about me, sweetie. Worry about the lack of a wedding date.”

“Mom. We already told you: we’re not going to rush it. Stop pushing, please.”

Lady Matilda scrunched up her nose, much like Loe did when displeased. “You’ve had two weeks to think about it. How much longer do I have to wait? I have already set my sights on a dress for the ceremony…” Her sharp gaze swiftly refocused on Nitiel. “Nitie, you don’t plan on skipping the wedding, do you? Without a ring on my daughter’s finger, men around here will consider her fair game, just so you know.”

“Mom!” Loe’s cheeks reddened.

Nitiel wrapped his wing closer around his niela. “Mom, you have my word I will wed your daughter as per Terran traditions. Soon. You will be notified in a timely fashion to get the dress. Until then, any male who approaches my Loe with desire and is not deterred by her disinterest, will meet my wing.”

Lady Matilda took in the golden decorations on the tops of his wings; they were an element of the ceremonial dress uniform and resembled the hard plates Gaenthians wore in battle both to shield their wings and to use them as weapons. Then she nodded. “That is acceptable. For now. But do not postpone, I’m not getting any younger!... Now, excuse me while I go talk with the Defense Minister some more.” She plumped her large curls. “He’s a widower like me and close to my age.”

Chloe shook her head but had a smile on. “Go get him, Mom.”

“And you go fix your hair, sweetie. There is a stray curl sticking out of your updo. Bye for now.”

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