Page 41 of Purring, Presents, and Parties

“Do we have time to hear some stories?” Royal asked. “Have you seen rainbow skies? What about a dry ocean? Is there cloud wind?”

The child's strange questions made them all laugh. “We have a clear channel for up to a mark,” Tor’s disembodied voice said.

“If we only have a mark, then you better start talking!” Cherish said.

Hesarium

Although Rain and Wind both looked like they wanted to cry, Hesarium could tell his gift was a success. When the call was over, the siblings all hugged in silence, sharing a moment of happiness at having gotten to talk to Georgia.

“If I don’t eat soon, I might die,” Wind announced as he pulled away with a sniff and a quick brush of a hand over his eyes.

“Same,” Cherish agreed, then looked down at Royal. “What about you?”

“My tummy is ready to jump out my throat and eat you!” Royal declared dramatically, making them all chuckle.

“The tent will be open by now,” Hesarium said. “There will be plenty of food for everyone, even though we’re late.”

Wind picked Royal up and swung the little boy on his back. “Let’s go find food!”

“Yaaay!” Royal cheered as Wind led the way out of the compound office with Cherish right next to him.

Rain moved at a slower pace, and Hesarium matched her speed. Reaching out, she tangled her fingers with his.

“That was the best gift you could’ve given me,” she said.

“It was good luck that the transmission could happen tonight,” Hesarium admitted. “I’ve been trying for over twenty rotations to line up comm arrays and coordinate with Toreum andVarlum. The ancestors must have blessed us for it to happen in time for tonight's festivities.”

Rain pulled him to a stop. “I don’t have a gift for you.”

Hesarium let go of her hand to pull her small body against his. “You are my gift, Rain. Every submark of every rotation, you give me happiness. Nothing I’ll ever do will match how much you do for me.”

She sighed and snuggled close. “You’re so damn romantic.”

He started up a loud purr. “I’m only being honest.”

“Maybe we could talk Wind and Cherish into letting Royal spend the night with them in the enclosures,” she murmured. “We could have the cottage all to ourselves.”

“I have gifts for all three of them in the tent,” Hesarium said, as his rumble dipped to the sensual purr. “I’m sure that will curry favor with them.”

“If presents don’t work, I’ll threaten bodily harm,” Rain added cheerfully, making him sound a rumble of amusement.

Bending his knees, Hesarium lifted Rain up and cradled her against his chest. She nestled her head on his shoulder as he carried her toward the sound of voices and laughter.

For a warrior who had expected to live a life of duty, void of kindness and love, he’d been graced with more than he could have ever expected.

Chapter 16

Ari

Ari frowned at her reflection. Leaning closer, she fiddled with the strip of red cloth woven into her hair. It was supposed to be a belt for her wrap, but she’d decided to use it to style her long hair. She liked the effect, but it wasn’t quite right.

She fussed with it until there were tendrils framing her face. Baz had surprised her with the new outfit earlier that day. The green wrap with red trim made her feel festive and also encouraged her to take her time getting ready. They had a few makeup products that one of the new humans knew how to make, so she was wearing a shiny lip gloss, sparkly eyeshadow, and black eyeliner.

For the first time in a while, she was looking forward to something and excited to find out what other surprises Baz had in store for her. Along with the Ident, he’d given her this outfit and promised there was one more item to come.

“You look…different?” Baz said, stepping up behind her to look at her reflection with her.

“It’s called makeup,” she answered, pointing to her eyes. “Isn’t it pretty?”

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