Page 14 of Orange Lake
“Plus,” I continued. “Most of my kind are monogamous. And we are afraid of contracting diseases when we have sex with many partners.”
Crix tsked while Zirc growled a bit. “Well, I won’t be surprised,” Crix said, changing position by sitting half of his butt on the bed, his arms folded in front of his arms. ”Whatever those who abducted you injected in you has done a slightly better job of strengthening your immune system to safety travel through space. Although we have many diseases that are still incurable, still, I can see traces of your internal organs that you are the verge of dying in the next 4 decades or so.”
To that, Zirc growled louder and tightened his arm around her. Calculating, it should sound right. “Yes, that’s about right if we have the same time frame.”
Crix looked taken aback. “But that’s so young!”
“How long do you guys live?”
“Our average life span is about five hundred years old. Some are lucky enough to be reach their 800 years.”
I was agog.
“How old you are you guys?”
Crix was about to answer that when the door swished open to the side. It was a metal door and it slides to the walls when opened. Very futuristic.
“I thought I want to go in and see what’s keeping you both,” Roqs said with a sly tone addressed to Crix. I think he deliberately did not look at me and Zirc. “I had to keep Jigen from following me here.”
I looked at Roqs. He looked much better. He probably changed his clothes but he still had that elegant style that fits his lean but muscled body. His arms are hidden by long brown sleeves that matched his tunic and pants. Though the style is more earth toned, he has an interesting vest that showcased his muscled chest. The design looked handmade weaved with metallic silver and gray, with some patches of white vines scattered at the edges. It looked striking and made him look important.
He finally looked and addressed me. “How are you Brynn?”
I nodded and said, “I’m okay, thanks. You’re not hurt?”
Roqs chuckled at the same time I heard Zirc growled. He likes to growl a lot today. Zirc moved fast. One moment he was lying beside me, but now he’s up and about but not before he placed pillows to support my back. He moved to Roqs, crossed his arms in front of him, occupying his personal space. I can see his tail twitching. I wasn’t too alarmed because Roqs looked amused. He did not take a defensive stance. Though Zirc is taller, there is something about Roqs that screamed he is an Alpha of some sort. Crix did mention that he is the Alpha of Zirc’s tribe. Zirc has his own level of Alpha within him and it seems to compliment Roqs. From what I heard, I gathered that Zirc and Roqs are lovers. Yet, why are they not mates?
It seemed like they are in their own little world, communicating only with their eyes and body language.
Crix snagged my attention. He leaned forward and said, “Don’t mind them. They’re always like that. And I heard that they haven’t had sex yetwhich should be obvious to anyone with a keen sense of smell.”
I tried to inhale, hoping to catch what he means. I can still smell Zirc’s burned cinnamon and incense.
“Are you all lovers?’” I blurted out. I was dying to ask that question. I saw Roqs and Zirc stiffen but it was Crix who answered.
“Why do you ask?”
“I asked because how can you tell just by smelling them? I can only smell Zirc.” I blushed. I do not want to tell him the details on how I came to find the way his scent affects me.Good thing Crix did not laugh at my joke.
“I found out when I ran tests that your senses are much duller than ours. Most likely because you are exposed to pollutants. I found traces of past diseases and I tried to treat you as much as I can. My best guess is that at the minimum, you will live to be to 300 years old if you try to stay away from danger.”
“What?” I asked incredulous. What did he do with my body? Am I going to have fur like them? A tail?
Crix seemed to have read my thoughts well because he said, “Nothing to worry. I just did the basics. Though living in our planet is harsh, we have enemies both on and off the planet. But most of us live long enough. You are as clean as a manasty. We don’t have common diseases found in most polluted planets. I’d been to one in my youth and I do not want to experience it again,” he said with a slight shudder.
“You are all clean? Even for sexual diseases?”
“Sexual diseases? Your kind have those? Hmm, your planet is more polluted than I thought. But I did what I can. Our galaxy have since long ago got rid of them. It’s good that you’re now living on this planet. Even if you decide to have many lovers, you will not have any sexually transmitted diseases. Those of us who travelled to other planets get thoroughly checked when they return. We have many immunizations, more than the standards by the Council of Tribes. We are a very clean race. And most likely, those bastard traders that have kidnapped you made sure you do not carry any sexual diseases.”
This conversation made me realize that anywhere in the galaxy, survival of the race is very important. And talk about immortality. He’s saying she can now live to be three hundred. Would she like to live that long?
Roqs stepped around Zic and came closer to Crix. Crix inhaled deeply. “Hmm, I see you found yourself comforted by Jigen.” Is that what I think happened?
Roqs had a sly smile on his face. “It was the only way to distract him. He wanted to enter this room. You know he is dying of curiosity. He complains he’s the most scientist of the two of you, but he is left out.”
I wonder how Zirc can stand there just frowning on Roqs. If they are lovers, and want to be mates, how come he’s not furious? So maybe my theory is correct. They are all lovers? And even if they are mated, they can still have sexual relations with others. This planet is a swinger’s paradise! Or for polyamorous relationships.
“Ha ha ha, I will comfort him now then. He knows that he cannot control himself unlike me. Brynn is much safer with me and we all agreed.”
