Page 16 of Forever

I held up my hair while he put a chunky silver choker around my neck, which matched my dress.

“Stunning.” I didn’t look like me in the mirror but then smiled. I looked Zorloxian and from the way the guests were dressed at the gala, I fit right in.

All the important dignitaries sat among the guests in the grand dining hall. Several had females of other species on their sides. Most were alone and their stoic expressions spoke volumes about their true happiness.

Do’Thortn stood and the palace guards blew into their horns. Everyone in the hall stopped speaking and looked at the headtable and their ruling prince.It gave me chills at the respect they showed to him. Nothing like I’ve seen outside of this room.

“May I introduce my mate, Moxy from Earth. She’s also Earth’s ambassador. It’s official, we filed the binding ceremony yesterday.”

The room erupted in applause and cheers. Do’Thortn held out his hand and I stood by his eyes, smiling at all the inquisitive faces watching me. I gave a curt nod and sat back down, thankful I didn’t have to speak.

“This dress and outfit is so beautiful. I think I’ll wear it to our wedding on Earth. Kenna will love it.”

“We’ll head out after this. I have the ship ready and waiting.”

I grabbed his hand and arm. “You do?” My heart pounded at the thought of getting back to Earth and seeing Kenna again so soon.

“Yes. And on the ship we’ll have our first honeymoon.”

“First?” My brow lifted.

“Well, of course. Earth history literature tells me that’s what humans do. It sounds like a wonderful thing for Zorloxians to adopt.” He grabbed my hand and kissed it.

Sheer excitement filled the air as I packed for our journey home. Decisions flowed into my head and I knew I needed to make good on my new career as Earth’s Ambassador on Zorlox. My darling daughter will come here part time, even if for a month or two.

The trunk clicked shut and two palace guards came in to load it onto the shuttle. We’ll take theZiperto Earth. It offers luxurytravel for those going back and forth including a suite fit for honeymooners.

“Oh, honey, this is wonderful.” The room’s fit for a prince and his princess with a sitting area, a huge bed, a giant dresser, and a bathroom with a shower large enough for two.

CHAPTER 16

Do’Thortn

The two-week flight to Earth went by quickly as Moxy and I had a wonderful honeymoon on the luxury ship. We stayed in bed sleeping in and ravishing each other multiple times a day. Emerging for our meals, Captain Lon’gok eyed us with amusement. He’d taken a partiality to a female named Palo from a neighboring system, a Kakian. She stood nearly to his chest, being from a petite people with pink skin, large green eyes, and long silky golden hair.

“My hearts beat in synchronicity in her presence. I only noticed it when she was on board for a Tarka vacation and happened to walk past me in the dining room. She paused and turned to me, saying she swore she heard me say her name. In fact, I didn’t even know her name. How’s that for a fated mate story?”

“Wonderful, that’s what it is. Funny thing, it doesn’t differentiate the beings, their current legal status, or even if they’re from an entirely different star system than Zorlox. Meeting Do’Thortn completely threw me for a loop.”

“Threw you for a loop?” Captain Lon’gok asked.

Moxy chuckled. “That’s a human expression, means it completely confused and shocked me.”

“Humans don’t have the built in knowing when they find their fated mates?” Captain Lon’gok’s curiosity grew.

“No. We just judge by our hearts and whether we are in love with each other. Or, in my case with my ex-husband, if it’s a good fit for our station in life. Sadly, that’s how most humans are. I daresay, more will find their fated mates among the Zorloxian males. Maybe even someday my daughter Kenna will find hers once she grows up.”

“I believe you are correct, dear Moxy. Fate does play a role, regardless of what anyone thinks or believes. Earth has a population of more females than males and it’s a perfect breeding ground for our Zorloxians to find their mates. It will be interesting to see it play out.”

“And it will be interesting to see the new race of beings coming from the Zorloxian males as well.” Palo rubbed her hand over her belly, showing us her current predicament.

“Wonderful news! When are you due?” Moxy’s enthusiasm brought a smile to everyone.

“I am not sure. We don’t know how long it will take to make a baby with my people and his. Zorloxians are normally a ten month gestation and Kikians are eight months.”

“Then nine months. Humans have ten month gestation, with the start of the tenth month being the due date. Forty Earth weeks.”

Listening to Moxy and Palo exchange pregnancy stories made me realize how much she’d love to have another baby. Nowwasn’t the time to have a baby via a surrogate, but it was something I considered for a future date, and only to make Moxy happy.

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