Page 2 of Dreaming of an Earth Christmas

“Thank you,” she said when he sat her cup down in front of her. “Can theClawreturn to Verkissat, or do we need to seek out a transport vessel?”

“I’ll check with Z’ahness to see how long such a detour would take. Perhaps it’s better if I request a private transport. Either way, I will ensure we return with enough time to host the Christmas of your dreams, my Kat.” He was stroking her hair now. His fingers got caught in the curls—as they always did. He knew better by now, but she suspected that he simply enjoyed the sensation and the excuse to hold her longer.

“Good.” She lifted her chocolate to her lips, appreciating its warmth. She really did feel better. It felt right to be headed to one of their homes now, and soon they’d be surrounded by others like them—men and women who’d come together despite their differences and had begun to build new lives. “I’m looking forward to it. Do you have time to help me come up with an invitation list?”

V’esthiss slid his arm behind her back and curled his hand over her hip. “Anything for you, lady. We’ll make this one a Christmas to remember.”

The Holly and the Ivy

SSEITH

Sseith of Ka’alanisswatched his mate sleep. Deep in his throat, his rattle hummed with satisfaction. His Carlie lay on their shared bed, naked but for the gleaming red stones of his birthchain. He’d gotten her another, one to match the running water brightness of her unusual blue eyes, but his was the necklace she never removed. It pleased him far more than he’d ever expressed to her.

He slid carefully from their bed, placing his feet on the smooth, stone tiled floor of their temple quarters. Their daughter Violet was hopefully sleeping, being watched in her nursery by one of the attendants. When she’d still been what Carlie called an infant, Violet had remained by their bedside. As wonderful as it was to have a family and to never miss a moment with their daughter—both privileges he’d never believed would be his—he had to admit that he much preferred the present arrangement. It was much more conducive to actual sleeping…and to the seduction of his beautiful mate. He tamped down the rattle that began to form in his throat and hurried across the room to his wardrobe.

Sseith grabbed a pair of his red priest’s trousers and slid his legs through the openings. He walked over to the large desk on the far side of the chambers. His public reception room had a matching desk. It had been earlier that day, sitting at his other workstation, that he’d received the comm from Prince V’esthiss. At first, he’d assumed it was some sort of palace business, and had felt a vague sense of confusion as to why Prince F’athik or King F’ilasth hadn’t contacted him directly themselves. Then he’d opened the comm and had felt a thrill run through him.

The prince’s mate, the human Kat Davis, wanted to invite those in their circle with human mates to a Christmas celebration at the palace, and V’esthiss was counting on the other males to ensure the event was everything their women would wish. His Carlie hadn’t complained, but he knew he’d bungled this celebration in the past.

During their first Christmas together, Violet had still been little enough that she required almost constant care, and Carlie had been reluctant to accept help from the attendants at that time. They’d only just permanently returned to the temple in Verkissat, and he hadn’t realized how important the holiday was to her until he’d found her crying over a malformed sock—a human foot covering—that she’d attempted to knit. She’d fallen into his arms and wet his robes with her tears, and he’d sworn he would do better.

The next Christmas he’d asked what she wanted him to do, and she’d requested a decorated tree. Sseith had thought he’d created an admirable hybrid for her, but apparently it was not what she’d imagined. Although she’d declared the hanging prayer scrolls thanking the Lady for her blessings and marked with his blood to be “sweet,” Carlie had told him that the sha’avik-yalla hybrid he’d developed wasn’t exactly what her people would consider a Christmas tree. She’d regretted telling him the truth—she’d even declared she wanted another tree of the same type for this year’s Christmas, but he knew she was only trying to make him feel better.

This was his chance. Surely with all of the men working together, they’d be able to deliver a Christmas that resembled one their mates would’ve celebrated on Earth. He was certain of it. They were among the most capable men on Xithilene: high priests, clan leaders, a prince, and several Fleet captains. Regardless of his own personal feelings about the military, he could concede that the Fleet produced skilled leaders. Between them, they would be successful, and this year, his Carlie’s eyes would shine with joy. She’d look at him with pride, and then she’d fall into his arms and touch his face with her soft human fingers, and she’d forget any regrets she might have had about leaving her life on Earth behind to join him.

Yes, he would accept V’esthiss’ invitation on behalf of himself and his family.ThisChristmas would not be a disappointment. The first step in creating the perfect Earth Christmas would be research. He’d already requested information from the newly formed Xithilene-Human Cultural Bureau. He tapped his nails lightly against the surface of his desk as he scanned his viewscreen for other unread comms. He would need that information soon if he wanted this holiday to be a success.

He heard the soft noises of his mate shifting on the bed and glanced over his shoulder. His Carlie still slept, but he didn’t want to leave her alone any longer. He could begin anew with the Christmas project when he woke in the morning. For now, he would tend to his mate. Sseith walked silently back to the bed, pushed down his trousers so that they fell to the floor, and then he climbed back into the bed. The thrum of his low rattle filled the room as he looked at Carlie, and he thanked the Lady for her generosity. He would offer his blood a thousand times over to thank the goddess for the gift that had irrevocably altered his life.

Carlie blinked up at him for a moment before she gave him a sleepy smile that swiftly turned knowing. “Come here, you beautiful man,” she said. “You know I love it when you purr.”

Sseith pulled his mate closer and pressed his mouth over hers, letting her taste the vibrations of his rattle as he breathed deeply of her desire. He groaned. What a blissful thing it was to have a mate like his Carlie.

* * *

Sseith of Ka’alanissdid not enjoy spending his time watching entertainment-vids, but it was a sacrifice he was happy to make for his mate. Several hours of viewing the human media still hadn’t revealed to him the true purpose of this holiday. Carlie had told him it was about family and midwinter, and the birth of a small baby who was actually a god. What those things had to do with cutting down trees, hanging dead plant-life in indoor spaces, and covering gifts with shining papers, he couldn’t say, but he’d been taking notes on his viewscreen. He would not fail his mate this year.

He would need to contact the other men. There were too many tasks for him to complete everything on his own. There simply wasn’t enough time. He still had his duties at the temple, and he wasn’t about to neglect Violet or Carlie in the meantime. He activated his comm device and selected the ID sequence for L’allith of Fassalthi. He hoped the clan leader planned to come to the gathering along with his mate, Marta. He was almost convinced he’d have to send a written comm instead when he heard L’allith’s familiar voice.

“Ka’alaniss? What brings me to your notice, high priest?”

“I assume you received the invitation from Prince V’esthiss—the notice of the human holiday gathering,” said Sseith. He waited to see if L’allith would confirm it, but the other man only grunted in response. “Those of us from civilized portions of the planet choose to use words to express our thoughts, but as you wish, Fassalthi. I need assistance. I know Carlie misses this holiday as it was on Earth, and I suspect it is the same for your Marta.”

This time L’allith made a sound as if he’d just swallowed back his rattle. “Yes. It wasn’t bad the first year, but there was crying the last time this season returned. If you know how to replicate this holiday, I am eager to help you.”

“Good. How soon do you plan to travel to Verkissat? I’d heard you were on leave from the capital,” Sseith replied.

“How many days do we have until this day is celebrated?”

“Seven. It will be difficult to complete our tasks in the time allotted, but I believe it is possible,” said Sseith.

“I’ll need a few more days to settle our affairs here. If there’s anything of use that could be brought from the T’jassi coast, send me a text comm and I’ll do my best to fulfill your request.”

“I’ll comm immediately if anything should come to mind. Lady’s blessing, brother.”

“Lady’s blessing,” L’allith repeated, and then he ended the comm.

Sseith found himself tapping his nails against his desk again, just as he had the night before. Although he could find their information if he wished, he found himself reluctant to comm the two Fleet captains in the group—well, former Fleet captains. Although he and K’thiss could tolerate each other now, he wasn’t eager to ask the man for assistance. He scowled down at the comm device on his wrist and tapped a few commands into his viewscreen instead. He would send him a written message.

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