Page 8 of A Treat For Her Mates

“Uh, okay,” I say and he slaps the glasses into my hand. I slide them into place, and the whole world goes blue.

“Ready?” V’Lor calls back, his glasses already on.

“Ready!” H’Aart calls back, and I kind of just nod.

V’Lor hits a button on the side of the ship and a crunching sound like ice breaking as the ship lights up. Not light Christmas lights or neon, but like there are veins of glowing crystals pulsing over the surface of the craft.

“OMG, what’s that?” I gasp.

“The ship’s engine,” V’Lor answers like it’s no big deal.

“I don’t understand,”

“Of course you don’t, humans don’t have this technology,” H’Aart bumps my shoulder like he’s just told a joke.

I shoot him a dirty look and he shrugs.

“Just tell me how it works! You said I could look under the hood too.”

“You’re really interested?” V’Lor asks from where he’s standing by the ship.

“Yes! Give me all the details.”

The corners of V’Lor’s lips curve up like I’ve just said the magic words.

“Come closer,” he slides back a small panel that reveals the crystals beneath the surface. “I’ll explain everything.”

I can sense H’Aart rolling his eyes as I rush to V’Lor’s side.

Chapter 6: V’Lor

H’Aart is bored, but I don’t care. Miranda is loving every minute of it. Fancy told us that Miranda liked engines, but I didn’t understand how much. I’ve never met anyone who could listen this long to my speech about crystalline engine technology, except fellow enthusiasts. Miranda is an enthusiast! She is listening to every detail and asking sharp follow-up questions. Like she truly cares. Because she does!

At one point, H’Aart patted me on the shoulder and headed inside. He’s heard all this before, and according to him, once is enough. Fine. I’m happy here talking to Miranda. Her warm brown eyes gleam in the crystal light, but beyond that, her inner spirit lights her face. She’s beautiful, and not just because of her lovely shape. It’s because of who she is.

I sigh inwardly. Fancy’s mates explained how powerfully attractive humans are, but Miranda has proven their words. The strength and immediacy of my feelings for her shocks me, makes me question my sanity.

Of course, it was like that with H’Aart as well, the instant pull and connection. It’s how our people know that a true match has been made. But I didn’t think we’d find our third, especially not with a human on earth. I know H’Aart must feel it too, but perhaps not as strongly as I do. For us to take on another mate, we both need to be in perfect alignment. I need to ask him, need to find out if we can make an offer for Miranda.

Normally I would create a wooing plan. Court her over weeks and months to let him know we would love and cherish her always. But that’s not an option. We have so little time here before we need to return. After all, the spacegate only opens once every few months. There’s no way we could stay here.

It’s painfully obvious we’re not human, and our leaders have not officially made a pact with the earthlings. So, if you want to get technical about it, we’re here illegally. This Halloween holiday has given us cover, as Fancy said it would, but it’s clear that we must leave before the night ends. Is there any chance that Miranda would agree to leave her home behind and make a new life with us? Would she wait for us if we had to return months or years from now?

As if summoned by my thoughts, H’Aart opens the hatch and peeks out.

“Are you two almost done? Miranda probably needs a toilet and some food and water.”

Fancy explained to us that human’s biocylces work faster than ours, and that it’s important to let her take care of her needs. I turn to Miranda, and she looks embarrassed.

“Of course. Do you need those things, Miranda?” I ask her gently.

“Uh, yeah. I do,” she answers.

“You should have told me. We have human food for you. Fancy helped us plan for our visit.”

“Thank you,” she says and takes my hand as I lead her through the hatch. Hers is small and warm in mine. I never want to let her go.

She turns and smiles at me in wonder like she’s thinking the same thing. H’Aart clears his throat and smirks at us. I frown at him. Now is not the time for teasing. Or maybe…I guide Miranda to the facilities as I ponder how to proceed. When she closes the door, I turn H’Aart.

---