Page 13 of First

“Sees what? Our arrival? My true form?”

He couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were watching them, that danger lurked behind every tree, every shadow. His hand instinctively reached for the hilt of his energized sword, the familiar weight of the weapon a source of comfort in this strange, unfamiliar world. Foolish to pull a weapon at this point. He never would have as an Intergalactic Warrior. He’d been much more cool-headed during his centuries monitoring the Nine Galaxies. Of course, back then he didn’t have a mate to consider.

Winn would also disapprove since a weapon would attract unwanted attention and possibly compromise the mission. He could feel her gaze on him, amixture of apprehension and determination.

“Jo’Nay,” she said, her voice firm but gentle. “Remember our original agreement?”

“No weapons. No Vettian displays. Blend in. Be human.”

“Exactly.”

He drew in a deep breath, forcing himself to relax. She was right, of course. Their mission was simple: acquire a substantial quantity of apples and return to the ship. Adisplay of Vettian weaponry would only complicate matters.

“The sword,” Winn prompted, her gaze unwavering. “Put it away.”

He hesitated for a moment, the weight of the weapon a reassuring presence against his thigh. He nodded curtly. “As you wish.” He had to trust Winn. She understood this world.

“Good.” She offered him a reassuring smile. “Now, how about a game? It might help you relax.”

“A game?”

“A human diversion,”Rory supplied.

“I know what a game is, Rory. But what purpose could that possibly serve?” He cocked his head, his brow furrowing in confusion. “Explain how this game will help me relax.”

“This particular human diversion is a way to get to know each other better,” she said, her voice laced with a hint of mischief. “We’ve shared so much already, but there are still things we don’t know about each other. Plus,” she added, aslight grimace twisting her features, “it might help with the nausea.”

Alarm shot through him. “You are nauseous?”

“I suspect it’s the baby making himself known.”

“Nausea is a pregnancy symptom?” The thought, both terrifying and exhilarating, sent a jolt of protectiveness through him. Her well-being was paramount and he would do anything to ensure her safety and comfort.

She wrinkled her nose in response. “Nausea is definitely a pregnancy symptom. Ijust didn’t expect it this soon.”

He nodded. “If this game will help ease your discomfort, Iam willing to play. What are the rules?”

“Simple,” she replied, her voice regaining its usual brightness. “We take turns sharing stories from our pasts. Anything, really. Afunny memory, astrange experience, atime you learned something really important.”

He found himself intrigued despite his initial skepticism. This game would prove an adequate distraction while they disclosed interesting tidbits about themselves. Not only that, but he would learn more about Winn while sharing a part of himself. “What we reveal will build our trust and forge more of a connection?”

“That’s the idea.”

As they walked toward the marketplace, the scent of fresh produce and the cacophony of human voices washing over him, Jo’Nay searched for a memory to share. He wanted to reveal something meaningful, something that hinted at the complexities of his past without exposing the dangerous truths he carried. Did he dare tell her about one of his most significant childhood memories? Would it upset her? Or would it possibly draw them closer.

Conform or be destroyed. The lesson ingrained from childhood.

The image, vivid and disturbing, flashed through his mind. He had been a youngling then, anaïve child, not even six Earth years old, his understanding of the world limited to the rigid doctrines of Vettian society. He had not yet shown his prime colors, the colors that would separate him from his family and put him into the Intergalactic Warriors program.

But he had seen a close friend acquire the rare Prime coloring, with its white hair and purple eyes. He had watched the boy fight the IW indoctrination and heard the warning from those in charge of the program.

“I witnessed something… troubling,” he began, his voice low and measured. “When I was a youngling, another Vettian child was taken away by guards.”

“Taken away?” Winn asked, her voice tinged with concern. “Why? What was special about him?”

He hesitated, weighing his options. Reveal the truth? Risk her judgment? Trust her with this knowledge? He pushed himself to offer honesty. Transparency. After all, were those qualities not the foundation of a relationship?

Jo’Nay forced out the bitter words. “Far’th became a Prime several of your Earth months before my own change.”

---