Page 94 of Cosmic Castaway

Kalvoxrencol laughed. “You are deep in love. Hallonnixmin and Gilvaxtin are going to be sorry to have missed this.”

I scoffed. More like they would’ve enjoyed teasing me. When Dontilvynsan decided to search for me, he’d left Hallonnixmin and Gilvaxtin in Monqilcolnen’s care. Our cousin had escorted them home, much to their protests.

“You are no better. Where is Seth?”

“Probably feeding the nightmare pet you brought home, arguing with the Maykians who are calling him the Supreme Human of Earth, or watching our child.”

“Does he ever look away from your kit?”

“No,” he said, leaning back, wings resting on either side of him. “He can’t. We have been gone longer than planned, and it worries him. I believe the doctors in charge of our child are happy about our delay, because Seth normally arrived in the morning at the nesting facility and only left when I dragged him away. Having him beside the baby’s pod is… difficult for them.”

I wondered if Bartholomew would be that clingy. We had not discussed children, but I wanted a child who looked exactly like him. A little baby with his deep brown eyes that had green and golden flecks. His black hair that I was desperate to see long. His smooth pink-golden skin. I took another deep breath of his fragrance as I rubbed on him to scent mark him.

“There were more humans?” Kalvoxrencol asked.

“That’s what my mate says. His close friend was on Xome. I have to retrieve him.”

Kalvoxrencol lifted an eyebrow. “Competition?”

“No,” I said, brushing Bartholomew’s arm. “Friend. Vince.”

His brow crinkled.

“What?”

“I think I’ve heard that name before.”

“Humans do share names, much like we do. Though,” I said, grinning, “my mate has a much better name than yours.”

Kalvoxrencol growled in warning, which I ignored.

“Bartholomew Reginald Lucian Cavendish-Wallingford,” I said with pride. My mate was the best, obviously.

Mouth open, he blinked. “Is he royalty?”

“He says no, but I think he’s lying.”

“He must be with a name like that.”

I laughed, and Bartholomew shifted against me. I kissed his forehead, holding him closer. “I have you, Flower. I’m right here.”

He relaxed, still asleep.

Kalvoxrencol’s tail twisted around mine. “I’m glad you found him.”

“As am I. I can’t imagine life without him.”

“Please don’t scare us again.”

“Didn’t like a taste of what you’ve done to us over the cycles?” I teased, regretting the words the instant they left my mouth.

He jerked back, expression shuttering.

I reached for him. “Pest.”

“It’s alright.”

“‘No,” I said, hugging my littlest brother with one arm. “It’s not. I didn’t mean it. My apologies for scaring you.”

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