Page 34 of Ava Stargazer

Bria continued, “He was always popular. But once they could feel the commitment in his mind to you, it stopped. There’s far too many males that are available to pine for those clearly taken.”

In an undertone, leaning closer, Bria added. “They know Rhutg also will not be taking another mate for some time, but he is fun to talk about. Actually, most of the women here already have contracts settled and are just waiting for a fertility cycle to fulfill them—those that have not already been mated. They do that early now because we need to replenish our numbers.”

Ava frowned. “I thought the Tuxa only took the five of you?”

Miral cleared her throat. “They took just the five you rescued, yes. They tried to take more but were not successful.”

Ava remembered the flowers. “Like Violie.”

“Yes. But fighting had been happening for a long time before that. They stole our resources and first tried to wipe us out. Until we learned to fight back. Once we learned how to resist, we took over a few of their ships, then they stole the women you rescued as a parting shot as they retreated.”

“Oh?” Ava said softly while Orla chatted across the table with a few other women.

Sai nodded. “Yes. The Tuxa got that wrong with us as well. We might have been compatible with them ... but we will not have kits if our minds are not in agreement.”

Bria was still frowning. “There are a lot of men not chosen though. There is frustration.” With a whisper she added, “And pressure.”

Sai took a bit more food, pointing at Bria over her plate. “Just ignore it all, Bria. I do. You know you don’t have to do anything. No one can force you.”

Bria said softly, “I feel bad when they keep asking. I just don’t want any men after...”

Sai poked her. “Don’t feel bad. They know and don’t ask me anymore.”

Ava thought of her mother, who very much did not want to have children, but kept having her sisters regardless.There is a difference there for Humans.She ate a bit, thinking, idly noticing the differences between herself and the others. Even their hands were similar, but Ava’s had no claws. And they ate the few meat dishes faster than her, with their sharper teeth.

Most were still taking glances at her, even while eating, but in a gentle, curious way that Ava didn’t mind. She asked aloud, “Do you ever have to take a mate? And have children?”

Ixxi answered, in between eating, “No, but it is usually expected.” Her brow furrowed as she ate. “Your own family pressures you more than anything.”

Around a mouthful of food, Sai said, “They don’t really want to pressure you. They just see it as moving on, or healing, as silly as it is.” Under her breath Sai added. “I think if mine were still alive they would be the same way.”

Ava startled and looked over at her friend’s face, who was looking down at her food and away from them.Still alive?

Without looking up, Sai answered briskly. “Yes. My whole family is gone. I stay here at the communal hall a lot. Just the coar is left, Cam, which is why I will not trade her in for a hover. Not ever.”

Ava didn’t know what to say, how to comfort Sai. But she didn’t need to, because the sparkle returned to Sai's eyes a moment later as she put something on Ava’s plate. “Try this. Just a small bite.”

Ava did and immediately her eyes watered, feeling hot on her tongue as she gulped down water. “Bleh! It . . . burns! I've never . . . only hot foods usually burn, and that is not hot.”

Sai ate the rest of it, in one bite, leaning on her arm with a sneaky expression. “I said just a little. Do you like it?”

Ava shook her head fast, her mouth on fire, and took another big drink of water. “No. Not at all.”

Sai snorted as she handed Ava a napkin for her watering eyes.

Ava finally choked out. “Vox is right, you are a bad influence.”

Sai smirked at her. “I’m the best influence.”

The meal continued and Ava found herself constantly looking over at the small children, thinking idly of what a child with Vox would look like. Half Human. Would it have hair? Or eyes like hers? Erox mentioned Vox’s genes were dominant. Did that mean there would be nothing left to survive at all to show she was their mother? Would a child of theirs be able to read minds? And fit in better than she did?Would it be accepted?

She idly touched the fertility blocker and reached for more food.Still nowhere near ready for that. Nothing that will happen right now.

Ava spent the night there in the women’s housing surrounded by light breathing, in the main room on one of the pillows surrounded by the other women. She watched the sun rise over the flowers painted on the walls and felt . . . bored.

The room felt even more like a sanctuary in the early morning, all the women sleeping, their mental waves subdued to nothing. Ava found solace just watching them, feeling more like a part of the crowd when they slept. That feeling was fleeting though, as everyone began to stir and she felt a touch on her mind from Sai, waking up from next to her.“Ready to go back?”

Ava thought back, not wanting to break the silence,“Yes, but not in a rush.”

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