Page 49 of Accounting for Drakes

Orwon chuckled. “This was our last chance before the healers recommend that she stay planet-bound.”

“Come in, come in.” Her mother led her to the house that had a dimensional effect. It was huge on the inside.

Nanitha was settled in a chair, and her father got two more as it was obvious that her parents lived alone and liked it.

Her mother sat close and kept a hand on her, pressing for information on her upbringing and adulthood. She mentioned her adoptive family, being sold, making a run for it, and spending blissful centuries eating her way through the stars.

Her father stared. “That really was you? They put alerts on travel in those regions. They recommended against it.”

Orwon smiled. “That is Nanitha. A caution.”

She grinned.

Her mother smiled. “You chose not to bear in your original form?”

“At present, I am close to ten kilometres long. I don’t think he could find it, and I certainly couldn’t feel it.”

Her father laughed. “Thalina got pregnant in her biped form and was stuck during one shift, and from then on, it was egg all the way.”

“Mordon was in my mouth when we were trying to transport you from where labour had hit to our home. We wanted you here, but we were under attack. They fired at me, but when they fired at my jaws, I had to protect my mate. I am sorry, Nanitha.”

Orwon smiled. “It is understandable. She was an idea; your mate depended on you.”

Nanitha smiled. “I really do understand. Did you have more children?”

Thalina shook her head. “No. You were all of our hopes and dreams, and we left you behind. I left you behind.”

Mordon shook his head. “You did nothing wrong. You had to choose.”

Thalina looked at Nanitha. “I think I chose wrong.”

Nanitha smiled. “I survived and have reconstituted most of my shell. It has been transformed into sculptures, tablets, tables, chairs, hair combs, jewellery, and a tea tray, along with several raw samples. Do you have a com?”

Thalina smiled. “We do.”

Nanitha rubbed her belly. “Do you travel?”

Mordon smiled. “We can.”

“We are intruding, and you have much to settle, but I would like you to see your grandchild in their first year. You are invited to stay, and we have a quiet country home not too different from this one. There is a garden, there are fountains, and there is peace.”

Orwon smiled. “Until the three little ones that we have adopted run in, and then, all bets are off.”

Nanitha smiled. “And on that note, we will be off. I hate being away from them, but this was so very important.”

Thalina got up and fell to her knees in front of Nanitha. “Thank you for this chance. Thank you for seeking us out.”

Mordon nodded.

“Nanitha is all about giving chances.” Orwon waited, helped her up then walked carefully with his hand on her back.

They were escorted to their pickup spot, and as Nanitha put on her four-winged form with the two tails, Mordon started to cry as his own four wings and two tails manifested.

They exchanged com data and flew up to their shuttle, returning to the stars.

When they were on their way, Nanitha wiped tears away. “I wonder what they will say when all of our first three are Nekkordan.”

“I think they will enjoy their new grandchildren and enjoy the one that is coming.”

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