Page 100 of Mated By Twilight

Back in her tea dress, Leah led her mates to the front of the ship, to the entrance hall of the theater, and beamed as she stood at the top of the stairs. Looking down at all the gathered people now, she felt like she was somehow a completely different person.

And there were no jeers, no boos, no derision at all.

Only the excitement of the crowd as she led the way down. Her mates flanking her, their hands warm in hers.

Right at the front, beaming at her, proud like she was their own daughter, were Ariell, Netros, and Sorten. Netros had a bouquet of flowers in his hands that he immediately presented to her, making her smile.

“I thought they collected all the gifts at the beginning,” she said, beaming at the unfamiliar blooms. The lavender color reminded her of her mates’ scales, but the sloping petals were in a shape completely dissimilar to Earth blossoms. But they smelled like sweet cereal, and it was great.

“They were,” Sorten chuckled. “We bought and had those delivered at the end of the show so we could give them to you in person.”

“You were so wonderful,” Ariell praised, her expression dreamy and delighted. “I couldn’t believe such a voice came from such a little body. It was incredible!”

Leah laughed, pushing her hair back behind her ear shyly. “Thank you. These are beautiful.”

“They can also be ground and mixed with oil to make a wonderful, fragrant massage oil,” Netros said, looking specifically at Sollit as he said it, like it was more of an instruction than a fun fact. And knowing her mates, that’s exactly what it was.

Leah chuckled as Tillos told them that they had to make their way around the room while Sollit was getting more specific instructions on making the massage oil. It was adorably silly how seriously they took the job of pampering her.

But she did have to go around the room. There were other fans to meet here. They already had plans to have dinner – third meal – with the guys’ parents later.

So, for now, she focused on chatting with the fans. Thanking them for their well wishes and appreciation. The guys stayed with her, though only nearby, not right beside her. They were thanking their own fans only occasionally checking on her.

She didn’t need their confidence to stand in front of people anymore. Her head was high as she moved amongst the others.

And when the crowd parted, allowing her to look through and see Biella among their number, glaring at her with a wild look of fury on her scaley pink face, she wasn’t intimidated. That girl was just a fan, she meant nothing to her mates at all. Leah could smile at her without concern, knowing that they were hers.

“Leah.”

Jumping in surprise, she turned to find Skara at her side, pulling on her.

“Come here. Want to talk to you real quick.”

“Right now?” Leah asked, surprised. Sure, the crowd was thinning already – not everyone wanted to linger to meet them, and those that had met them already were leaving, satisfied. There was still a sizable crowd, of course, but it was trickling out slowly, so they still needed to make their rounds.

“I’ll be quick, I just wanted to let you know now.”

“Know what?”

Skara pulled her into a small alcove, giving them a hint of privacy, before turning to face her.

“Congratulations,” she started, her reptilian face softening as much as it was able. “Your first real performance. How do you feel?”

“Honestly?” Leah beamed, tightening her arms around the bouquet. “Fantastic! I forgot how great it feels to sing on stage. And then to add the acting element? It was like I really was part of a different world.”

“I’m glad,” Skara puffed out her chest. “As your teacher, I’m proud of you. You’ve come a long way from reading lines off a script.”

Leah chuckled, thinking back to their first practice together. “I still have a long way to go.”

“Certainly. But you have the tools now to learn from others. Corvidair, your mates, the other members of the cast.”

Leah frowned. “And you, right?”

Skara shook her head. “No. I’ve fulfilled my purpose and it’s time for me to go home.”

“Huh?”

“It’s always been my dream to perform water plays back on my home planet. But before I did, I wanted to go on my ownsiri’iki.”

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