Page 38 of LeX

“Worldending?Let’shope that’s not on the agenda for today,I’vealready lived through that once.Sorry, that didn’t come out right, …IswearLeX,I’mtripping over my own words today.MaybeIshould apologize to everyone in advance when we get to dinner.Atthis rate, it’s a guaranteeIam going to say something wrong.”

“Rylie, we have all been under so much stress on this trip.Youneed to stop pushing yourself and just relax.Iknow we don’t have much practice with it, but we need to take more down time just for us.So, get up, get dressed, and let’s go enjoy some well-needed family time.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

LEX

WhenRyliecomes walkingout of the refreshing chamber,Ialmost drop the holo padIhave in my hand.Shetwirls around, a smile on her face as she walks over to me.

“Whatdo you think?”

“Youare stunning!Forgetit, we are staying here because there is no wayIam going to allow any others to see you in that … garment.”

Hershoulder length, unruly curls are pinned up in a cute twist with only a few random ones flowing around her face.Thedress,Ibelieve it’s called, hugs her small waistline only to flare out just above her knees.Butit’s the heart-shaped neckline that accentuates her ample breasts and brings your eyes up to the light blue, greenish scales now outlining her from the top of her head down her arms.Unlikeme, her lower extremities have remained untouched by the changes thatIinflicted upon her.Shemust have taken my words literally andIsee her smile drop.

“It’stoo much, isn’t it?Itwas just so prettyIcouldn’t resist.I’llgo change.”

Sheturns to head back into the refreshing chamber.Quickly,Ireach out, grabbing her arm lightly. “Youabsolutely will not, you look amazing.Iam just jealous of all the other eyes that will gaze upon you.ButasIam not allowed to keep you locked away,IbelieveIcan share you with the others for a short period of time.”

“Areyou sure?I’mnot used to wearing anything this revealing.”

“Forgiveme for my words and the fact that they made you feel insecure,Rylie.Youare a beautiful female; you should never hide that.LordofLightknowsIam honored to show the world that you are mine.Come, let us go beforeIget myself in trouble again.”

Iam rewarded with a small smile, butIcan’t tell if it’s real or forced.Thisnot knowing is unacceptable to me and without telling her the truth,Ihave no idea how to proceed without these constant missteps.Sheis quiet the entire time we are in the lift and for onceIam grateful to hear voices as we near the dining chamber.

Walkingin the door we stop instantly, both of us taking a moment to appreciate all the work thatSAGEhas put into welcoming us home as the room has been transformed into a hugeNebula.Colorschange all around us as large screens play back some of the more intense moments of our trip.

Agroup seems to have gathered in the corner.SpottingSoL’slarge frame, we make our way over only to findEmbersitting onViN’slap, holding littleAmi.ThemomentEmbersees us she reaches her hand out forRylie’s, taking it in her own as she rocksAmiin her other one.

“Lex,Rylie, thank you both so much for making it possible for me to be here with you all.”

“Ember, you did all the hard stuff on your own.Theamount of pain and discomfort you were in, and never spoke of, just shows your true character.”

“Iknew better than say anything,LeX.ViNwould have flipped out and at the time,Iknew there was nothing he could do to help me.Hehad a job to do, and he didn’t need to be distracted, andIknew he would be, soIkept it to myself.Havingher here now was worth it all, though.”

“Howare you feeling?”

“I’mtired, but other than thatI’mfine.”

“Didyou hear that?Mommais tired, so come here toUnkaSoLand he will snuggle you while we give your mother a break.”

Emberjust laughs as her daughter is snatched out of her arms.

“LookwhatImade for you this rising, it’s your first rattle.”

Weall stand around watching asSoLshowsAmiLynnhow to hold the tiny rattle in her hand, her observant eyes watching him intently.Themoment it’s in her hand she waves it back and forth and we all laugh as she hits him on the chin with it several times.

Embermotions forViNto let her up andIcan’t help but grin when he reluctantly does but still doesn’t let her out of arm’s reach asQwinwalks up to hug her.Allthis time,Amihas been shaking that rattle aggressively andSoLhas started pretending to dodge her attempts at hitting his chin, and each time she does get him, she smiles.

“PapaViN,Ibelieve we are going to have a little fighter on our hands.”

“Yes, but let’s wait on the encouragement until she has a little better control.”ViNgently reaches up, stopping her frantic swinging and her cooing stops, andIswear she growls.

Thenext thing we know, the blanket she is wrapped in is on fire andSoLis slinging it off her in a panic.ViNinstantly reaches for his now completely red-scaled daughter as her fingers spark with tiny flames.Therest of her clothes and her diaper fall to the floor in a fiery ball.Beforeany of us can move, one of the bots swoops in, removing it from the area.Everyoneelse seems to be freaking out, butViNcalmly bounces her in his arms.

“Lookslike you did get some things from dear old dad, huh?Calmmy sweet one, you can beat onUnkaSoLall you want.That’sright, show us those beautiful blue eyes.Iam sorryImade you stop, yes … he is already your favorite.”Bouncingher gently, she starts to fuss again, andEmberreaches up to take her, but hesitates whenViNshakes his head no. “Shush, my little queen of fire, momma cannot hold you when you are like this, you will hurt her.Doyou understand me?Ithink you do.”

Shehiccups a few times, but her cries settle, and we all watch as her body gradually returns to her human state.

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