Page 86 of Alien Haven

“A lot of room,” Detodev agreed, bringing Ilid back to his surroundings. They’d reached the living room. It was bare of furnishings, but it had lovely paneling and a huge fireplace.

“I hope you’ve hired a maid. Keeping a house of this size clean is going to be a career in itself,” Charity teased.

“Are you applying for the job?” Ilid couldn’t resist the playful jab.

She blew a raspberry. “Dream on. I’ve heard your mother complain what a slob you are. I already have my fair share of assignments, thanks to school.” Realization lit her face. “Oh, I get it. You bought an Amgar-size farmhouse so when you’ve turned one room into a pigsty, you can move to another rather than clean it up.”

Ilid laughed. She never failed to make him smile. No doubt it was part of why he loved her. He was unable to imagine the rest of his life without her. Or any of them.

The moment had arrived to proclaim his intentions. “Actually, I chose such a big home so I can accommodate a nice, old-fashioned clan of four. It has space so we can each have aprivate office, plus a couple left over for any children who come along.”

“We? Children?” Mitag’s voice was choked by hope as he gazed at Ilid, his heart in his eyes.

The Dramok looked from one prospective clanmate to the next, nervousness jittering in his belly. He was too anxious to dare to interpret their wide-eyed expressions, save Mitag’s. “I’d like to promise myself if the three of you if you’d have me as your Dramok. You’re welcome to move in right away and make this your home before we formalize our clanship. Detodev, if you wish to farm the acreage that’s part of the property, you’re welcome to do so. As my Nobek, it’ll be yours as much as mine.”

“Why wait to formalize it?” Charity demanded. “Why can’t we be a clan now?”

For a moment, the air left Ilid’s body. Of his prospective clanmates, he’d thought she’d be the most reluctant to consider his proposal.

“Yes, Ilid. Why wait?” Detodev’s voice was soft, wondering.

They wanted it. They wanted him as their Dramok. It took a moment to swallow the thickness in his throat before he could reply.

“I’d prefer we meet Charity’s father and sister first. I think it’s important we win their approval.” He chuckled. “You three have my parent clan’s endorsement. I see no need to consult Mitag’s former guardians—”

“Thank the ancestors,” the Imdiko mumbled, but his face shone from joy.

“I assume you aren’t concerned about us earning your parent clan’s esteem either, Detodev.”

Detodev had admitted his high-ranking parent clan hadn’t hidden their disappointment in their pacifist son who’d lowered his horizons to remain on Haven as a hired farmhand. Ilid hadthe feeling they wouldn’t be impressed with a bakery manager or an event planner who’d come from a notorious family either.

“Hell, no. We barely speak once a year, and that’s more than enough for me.” The Nobek laughed at the idea. The surprisingly rich, bass sound rolled through the air.

“So it’s down to Charity’s family.” Ilid smiled at her.

She groaned. “The story of my life. Write it on my gravestone: she died waiting for someone’s approval to live as she wished. When will the factIchoose something be good enough?”

“Does that mean you’ll promise yourself to me? Once I talk to your father and sister and earn their consent, will you be my Matara?”

She took his hands in hers. “I’ll be your Matara. Yours and Detodev’s and Mitag’s.”

Mitag damned near squealed his delight.

“Though it means living on Planet Farm Hell?” Detodev teased.

“It’ll soon be Planet Astronomy Heaven,” she informed him loftily. “When they visited, Kalquor’s scientists and the university board were suitably impressed by my presentation and the incredible views an observatory will offer here. While you’re mucking in the manure, I’ll be dancing among the stars.”

“Hence the name Starry Eyes.”

Charity sobered and looked at Ilid. “Seriously, I’ll stay for you guys, observatory or not. Yes, my future Dramok, I promise myself to your clan. With all my heart and all my love.”

His chest felt ready to explode. He glanced at Mitag.

“I promise myself to you and our clan.” The beaming Imdiko blinked hard, as if warding off tears.

Ilid turned to Detodev, who wore a more serious expression. The Nobek nodded. “I promise myself to our future clan. Icall you my Dramok, my Imdiko and my Matara now. You’re clanmates in my heart.”

Ilid spread his arms wide. The wondrous beings who’d become his life gathered close. The men wrapped their arms around him and each other, putting Charity in the middle as the rightful center of their existence. She snuggled between them, kissing them in turn.

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