Page 47 of Accounting for Taste

“No, you are getting Assessor wings.They are lighter and might not enable you to do more than glide, but they are lovely.All the colours available to any species.”

She looked up at him.“Why?”

“Birthright.They could have overwritten your genes, but it is much better to work with them.”

“Right.I think so.”She groaned and stretched.

“You were working as comptroller while I was inside you.”

She flushed guiltily.“Someone had a question.”

“We will have to get you an assistant.”He cuddled her against him and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.“You shall not split your focus while with me.”

“What if I need a distraction to slow down?”

Wenvari chuckled.“Ask me.I would rather you hurtle into pleasure as fast as you can so we can do it again, but I understand how tiring that may be for you.”

“Yeah, foolish mortal that I am.”

“You have gained an extended lifespan.You can live as long as you wish.The longest time that a consort has remained with their Hmrain was over five hundred years.I am betting that you can defy what others have done before and remain with me longer.”

She narrowed his eyes.“You had better be exceptionally entertaining.”

“Or our children will be.That should occupy your focus now and then.”

“I...oh, right.I was rebuilt.”

“With Hmrain eggs and a working womb.”

“Who got their eggs into me?”

“The designers put the cells in that unit.”

“Oh.Delightful.Well, here’s hoping my cycles ease up.”

“I looked forward to your visits to the centre.”

“I know.”

“How do you know that?”

She looked around the room they were in.“You followed me across space.You arranged for me to see my cousin, if only for a little while.”

“Apologies for my impatience.”

“If she leaves Aten, she will do it at the side of her partner, and I know she will come to Wenavik.”

“You have faith in her?”

“I do.We were not very close as adults, but as children, our lives were twined.”

Wenvari nodded.“As much as I would like to remain here, I think we should dress and go for a walk.”

“Probably a good idea.Need to keep my legs moving.”

He smiled.“That is a lovely thought.”

“What?”

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