Page 95 of Needed in the Night
“Yes, I’m sure it’s thebrandyshe likes to have on the beach after her shift.” Brae chortled. “See you later, Mikas.” He launched himself off my shoulder and disappeared into the night in search of the area’s tastiest insects.
Unlike the bars and clubs on Fortusia and those on Jakora close to the port, establishments on the Angel Coast closed generally around 0100 or 0200 hours. The area was less tourist-oriented and at least half to two-thirds of our guests were local residents. It was, in my opinion, an ideal situation, because it meant Isla and I returned to our little home by 0200 or 0300 at the latest nearly every night—sometimes earlier.
Tonight, Isla and I took a blanket, our dinner, and a bottle of Bacorian brandy to our usual little secluded cove on the beach. As much as we loved Silver Sails, the quiet of an empty beach and the gentle sounds of waves were a welcome respite from the pressures and noise of our workplace.
The only ache in my hearts was that even on a mild night Isla had to bring a second blanket to keep herself warm. She always reminded me we should be grateful the poison’s only lingering aftereffect was sensitivity to temperature, and Iwasgrateful, but it was a never-ending reminder of what I had almost lost.
We made love under the stars and moons, and then I settled her on top of me with a blanket draped over us and my arms holding her close. She nestled her head against my chest and made little contented sounds as we caught our breath.
Another benefit of this stretch of beach was its view of thenight sky without interference from light pollution. In deference to local residents and late-night beachgoers, ordinances required non-essential lights to be dimmed or shut off after the bars and restaurants closed.
“Tell me which moons we’re seeing tonight,” Isla murmured.
“The small moon just there is Kyri,” I said, running my fingers through her soft hair. “The gray moon without an atmosphere is Lirai. And the large purple moon is called Iosa.”
“I’d like to visit some of the moons.” She snuggled deeper under the blanket. I tucked it more tightly around her. “I’ve heard Iosa is lovely when it’s not hurricane season. Can we go?”
“Someday,” I promised, raising my head to kiss her hair. “There are no resorts there and only a small population, but the oceans are lavender like here and the wilderness is unspoiled. It would be beautiful and quiet, I think.”
“Sounds like it.” She let out a contented sigh. “I miss Fortusia, but we live in paradise, don’t we?”
Isla was my paradise, but Jakora was certainly one too. “Yes, it is wonderful.” I reached into the bottom of the bag that had contained our meal. “I have a gift for you.”
She chuckled. “Another one? You already gave me…” She counted on her fingers. “Three?”
I nipped her fingertips with my teeth. “Onlythree. Not my best effort.”
“I’m always more interested in quality over quantity.” She rubbed her nose against my chest. “And every one of those was of the highest quality—especially your bite.”
“I very much enjoyed my bite as well.” I caressed her wonderfully soft thigh, which was draped over my hip. My cocks leapt at the thought of the little marks my fangs left in her skin. “I am sorry you have to stay quiet when we make love on the beach. I would much rather hear you scream.”
“Greedy man, I scream enough for you at home. And we don’t want everyone in the area knowing what we’re doingdown here.” She rested her chin on my sternum and looked up at me, her eyes twinkling. “What was that you said about a gift?”
I sat up, leaned against a stone, and settled her in my lap wrapped in the blanket.
She took the package and studied it. “No sign of where it’s from or what it is,” she said, frowning at me. “Give me a hint.”
I shook my head. “No hints. Open it.”
Scowling, she found the latches and raised the lid. She gasped.
The first item in the case was a wooden box. Wide-eyed, she opened it and withdrew a cloth pouch. “Mikas! Is this what I think it is?”
“Yes.” I kissed her temple. “Go on.”
From the pouch she took a delicate hand-carved crystal perfume bottle in the shape of a miniorinae, a purple flower native to Jakora. The flower’s stamen was the stopper. When she freed the stopper and lifted the glass rod, a wonderful fragrance filled the air.
“Oh,” she breathed, closing her eyes to inhale. “It’s the scent ofusagain…but with Jakoran florals. Oh, Mikas.” She applied the perfume to her wrists and stoppered the bottle carefully before setting it in her lap and kissing me deeply. “Thank you. This is the most wonderful gift. All the way from Madame Ycari on Fortusia!”
“To celebrate our first year on Jakora.” I nestled her head under my chin. “Now the rest of what is in the package.”
“What?” She blinked at me. “There can’t be more. This is already too much.”
“My love, nothing is ever too much.” I nudged her arm. “Lift the divider and look at what is underneath.”
She found the release and popped open the lower section of the case. And shrieked.
“Jampas!” She bounced on my lap in glee, holding up the caseso I could see the bright red berries, preserved for the long journey from Fortusia to Jakora. “Mikas,jampas!”
