Page 40 of May the Stars Have Mercy
“It fled while I was distracted with your beauty.” He squeezed her. “It has not struck again, but it continues to be a hunt we keep at the back of our minds.”
She hummed in acknowledgement, trying to imagine what would have happened if Xexis got there too late.Would I actually have been in a horror movie, killed by some mysterious creature?That was a rabbit hole she wasn’t ready to explore. Instead, as they wove down another hall, headed back toward the hangars, she spoke again teasingly. “So, you were distracted by me, huh?”
His pincers stood proudly, chest puffed out. “I saw my mate reading to her drone on that log and I watched. The knowledge filled me as I listened to you read out loud. I’ve never enjoyed the sounds of someone’s laughter so much.”
Leaning into him, she tried not to melt. “I wish you had come out and said hello.”
“Ah, yes, and risk being shot by my mate like your crew was with your ancient weapon? No thank you, those weapons have stood the test of time for a reason.” He shook his head.
“I would not have shot you!” She huffed. He glanced down at her in disbelief. She scowled, glaring ahead of them at the small crowd forming near the elevator.Thankfully not a sea of people awaiting their return.She grumbled, “It’s just a small taser.”
“Sharp, tingly, unpleasant, and it makes my skin itch,” he growled.
Aphrodite would have retorted something except the second she opened her mouth, a Vroz in cream robes was upon them. “Xexis! Old friend!”
Aphrodite slipped aside as the taller and rounder stranger engulfed the Kannatch in a bear hug. All four arms draped in soft cream fabric, black words and sharp designs were etched into the sleeves. He had a soft gut and a warm embrace, something Aphrodite felt as he called out her title and engulfed her as well.Vroz are really huggy people.She slapped his back affectionately, glancing at Xexis for confirmation it was Quagmor.
“Quagmor, please don’t block my mate’s breathers, she’s just growing accustomed to them.” Xexis teased, smirking at his mate. She was released softly and sat back on her feet. Her breathers angrily whirled back to life as she filled her lungs once more.
“My apologies, Mphronatch, I am overwhelmed with joy at your presence. It has been a long time coming.” He cupped her face in two hands and squished her cheeks. “What a startling beauty, Xexis’ holograms were not able to encompass all the light in your eyes!”
“Quagmor,” Xexis warned.
Quagmor dropped her face and glared at Xexis teasingly, his pincers curling in a taunting manner. “Oh please, you giant sack of air, do not growl at me. Who was it that translated text after text for you to break that ship into pieces so it would be a challenge for your mate? Or who watched through those instructional videos on how to please—”
Xexis launched, ripping Quagmor into a headlock. Aphrodite yelped in surprise as Xexis and Quagmor wrestled to the ground. They swung at each other, roaring with laughter. Quagmor bit Xexis at one point. Xexis punched him in the throat and left Quagmor wheezing through his breathers. Quagmor slapped a hand to the ground, “Mercy!”
“Mercy is for the weak!” Xexis laughed, tugging on his friend harder.
“Well, I. Am. Weak. So, mercy, you massiveWyt!” Quagmor slapped at her mate with abandon.
Aphrodite raised her eyebrows as Xexis jabbed a finger at her. “Do not learn that word!”
“Oh, I’ll teach your mate all the mean words to call you in bed so you can know even an ounce of humility!Otcynitch Mehrc Ki Wyt!”
Xexis punched Quagmor in the head before rolling off his friend. “Don’t learn that either, Aphrodite.”
“What’swyt?” She smirked. Xexis squinted at her, pincers curled inward with a twinge of fury. She stuck her tongue out at him. He stepped toward her, and a giddy bubble of laughter spilled from her lips. “What are you going to do if I say it?”
“Careful, Mphronatch,” Xnasis, who had up till this point, been discussing with his crowd of people near the elevator, chuckled. He stepped away from his assistants to stand beside her. He quirked a brow at his brother, smugness oozing from him. “Wouldn’t want the Kannatch to hunt you through the hangar and stall this missionmore than we already have…waiting for you two to wake?”
Aphrodite flushed, laughing nervously. “No, of course not.”
She lied. Flat out lied. Shevery muchwanted to be chased through the hangar by her hungry mate. The flicker in his eyes told her he knew that’s what she wanted. Despite their vigorous hunt the night before, her appetite was back stronger than ever.
“Apologies, Xnasis, we will…behave,” Xexis rumbled as he stepped up to his mate. Her insides shivered.Behave or what?She considered finding out. However, there was the part of her conscious mind reminding her,you’re in front of royal dignitaries, you horny bastard, get it together. She threw an arm through Xexis’ and nodded vigorously in agreement with his statement. Xnasislooked unconvinced. Her mate bent to whisper in her ear, “We can misbehave later.”
She twisted her face, catching him inches away. Kissing between his brows, she purred, “I can’twaitto learn morenaughtywords in your tongue.”
“I’ll teach you naughty words with my tongue.”
“Xexis,” Xnasis warned, motioning for the group to head to the elevator.
“Right, apologies.” Xexis and Aphrodite shared a knowing glance before she was whisked across the hall and into the slow-moving elevator. Xnasis and his crowd of people loitered at the front, chatting amongst themselves. Quagmor took up her opposite arm and slung it through his.
“So, now begins the best thing I’m ever going to ask: my Mphronatch, may I have the honor of learning Anglo-saxis from you?”
She sputtered, trying to hide her laughter behind her hands. An assistant glared over their shoulder at her, but she kept her attention on Quagmor. With an embarrassed grimace, she nodded, “I would love to, what do you want to know?”
