Page 78 of Crash Landing
“Up,” he breathed.
I didn’t have a chance to know what that meant before he lifted me by my waist onto the edge of the table, throwing my skirts up and parting my knees.
“Sam.”
“Huh?” I said breathlessly between kisses. “I meet with the council in a couple of days. To discuss our situation.”
“Would they oppose it?”
“I don’t think so. But on the subject of my…” He paused.
“Your swimmers?” I said.
“Sure. On that subject, they’ll want to collect as soon as they can and as much as they can.”
“Saleuk, men used to do that on Earth. They’re called sperm donors. It’s not unusual and it’s anonymous, right?”
“Then you have no issue with it?”
“No.”
His shoulders sagged as if he truly thought I would be upset and I wound my arms around his head, bringing him into my chest. As I slid my fingers over the taut weaves of his braid, I felt a small bead tucked into the strands.
“What’s that?” I asked, prodding it with my fingers.
He raised his head, lifting his hand to reach back and touch the little round ornament like he’d forgotten it was there.
“It’s called a mourning bead.”
My heart sank at the thought of Saleuk losing someone. I imagined what he looked like when he was sad and it shattered me.
“Is it for your family?”
“My brother. He died piloting a ship right beside me before I was put into stasis. Before my parents and sister died, I barely ever saw them. I remember my childhood with them, but my brother and I grew up together in training.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It was a long time ago.”
“You’re still wearing his bead.”
“We always wear them. No matter how much time has passed.”
“I have never seen anyone else with them.”
“Not everyone wears them and if they do, they don’t always advertise it. It’s mostly something Talooth’thenial’tes do.”
The word was jumbled gibberish in my ears. “What?”
“My religion. We’re a small circle, but we believe when people die, they stay where they are most loved. They exist in memories and to never forget, we wear mourning beads.”
“That’s beautiful.”
“Do you have any beliefs of that nature? You say your god’s name often. Who’s name is ‘God,’ which I think is strange.”
“It’s just something people say,” I snorted. “But I don’t believe in God. If I did, I think I’d always be mad at him for the hand I was dealt. Then again, I brought a lot of it on myself. I truly believe we all reap what we sow. I don’t believe in fate or destiny. If I did, I wouldn’t have worked so hard these past couple of years. I just believe in me, I guess.”
Saleuk’s lips curved into a languid smile. “I admire that about you, al’fira.”
