Page 28 of Homecoming

“Ahheel? I have only met her for a few minutes.”

“She knows how to judge people and when someone is good for the island. She thinks you will be very good for the island.”

She heard a shutter, and Thera was taking photos. Aeryn sighed. “Really?”

“Sure. The two most beautiful people on this launch. You are stunning side by side.”

Exoval smiled. “She is lovely, but I prefer Ambermarle by my side.”

Aeryn chuckled. “That doesn’t need to be said. Makes my second rejection of the day and the morning is still young.”

Exoval frowned. “Who would be dumb enough to reject you?”

“Oh, my mate. The one who arranged for eight strange women to cavort on his vessel and added me as an afterthought.” Aeryn sighed as they pulled up, and she waited as crewmembers assisted the ladies one by one.

She grabbed the packs that Thera had and Orc couldn’t manage. Whey they climbed up the ladder, she was the last person on.

It was the story of her life. The last person where they should be, which means that everyone else was in place first. She was spending her life catching up, and now, she was the last one on board. She took her computer and walked around to the forward deck. There was a table and chairs in the shadows, so she took the memory cards and started uploading them as the vessel got underway.

She felt a tug on the super-thin link with Loken. She tugged back and kept working.

It took three minutes for Loken to find her. He knelt at her side. “Why are you here? The party is back there.”

She looked at him and took a deep breath. “I would swim back to Wonder if I could without attracting notice.”

“Why? Everybody is having fun.”

“I have never really been good with fun. I am better with work.”

“But, your dancing...” He frowned.

“I learned how to do it to fit in as I travelled.” She shrugged. “It’s just something I can do, like riding the wind or making my own waves to follow.” She looked at him. “What does fun feel like?”

He blinked. “Seriously?”

“I know what it looks like, but I don’t know what it feels like.”

“Do you know why not?”

“I sort of remember it before I ran into Sohar, and then, the memories stop.” She swallowed. “Did I do something wrong? I mean, for Sohar to invite those women before me? Did I do something wrong?”

Loken touched her mind, and she shared her howling confusion. He pressed his forehead to hers, and she tasted his breath. He had brushed his teeth.

The bride’s voice was all honey and coaxing. “Loken, come back to the party.”

He didn’t even move. “No. I am staying here.”

The bride tried to copy an omega whine and stamped her foot.

Aeryn said softly, “Ask Exoval for hints on how to whine.”

“Shut up, cow.”

Loken straightened and looked at the bride. “Aeryn, does that happen often?”

“Yes. Too big to be an omega and too attractive to be a beta. Cow happens a lot.” She nodded to Loken. “You can go play with her.”

“No, I don’t think I will.”

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