Blue’s heart pounded at his words. Who knew the Prizzoli had such words inside him?
“You remind me of that bird. And it has been a privilege to watch you spread your wings. But I am not sure I know how to fly with you. The guards… we never marry, never join our lives to another’s. We are committed to the Elders and to our people for the entirety of our lives. There are women who… make themselves available when needed, and there are men who do the same for the female guards as needed. But when I say I do not know how to do this, I mean the rest of it.”
“Well, we’ll put it on your list,” Blue said shakily.
His eyes narrowed. He was not amused.
“I apologize. It was a bad joke.” She pulled him down and placed a soft kiss against his cheek, just as she had wanted to do earlier. “We will figure it out. We’ll put you on the schedule. You’ll have to adhere to the same terms as the other two. Tell me something new every day, keep to the neediness words, and kisses. We’ll work up to the rest. But this is a start.”
He nodded, and his arm tightened around her. She laid her cheek against his chest and rested there, enjoying the moment.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
And a piece of the puzzle that was her life clicked into place.
Just then, the door to the apartment slid open. The cubs tumbled in and immediately headed for Blue and Levi, jumping up to pat them with soft paws. Garfield radiated a sense of contentment. His pack was coming together.
Levi didn’t move away. He kept his arms around her, and Blue stayed right where she was. It felt right.
Mo’ata raised a brow, and she nodded. Then he broke into a wide grin. “Good. And I suppose you have a reasonable excuse for not finishing the preparations for dinner, even though it is your night.”
That got Blue moving. “Crap!” She grabbed up the discarded knife and attacked the rest of the opi, throwing the uneven chunks into a cooking dish. Then she grabbed the spice dispenser, dumped salt over the food, and swished it around with her finger.
Behind her, Mo’ata and Levi chuckled. “I will still help with the salad, illi.” Levi pulled the greens from the fridge and searched the drawers until he found one of the serving bowls they’d bought, as well as a cutting board. He brought it all to the small basin mostly used for rinsing and got to work.
Blue studied the controls on the wave-cooker. Unlike the microwaves on Earth, this used sound, and the settings were precise. It was far too easy to overcook—read: burn into unrecognizable charcoal—something if the wrong preset was used. Pucho was different from orinan, was different from opi, was different from boiling water for tea and baking bread. Mo’ata had shown her the settings before he left and it had seemed simple, but now Blue was discombobulated enough all that had flown from her mind. And how the hell did you reheat something? He hadn’t shown her that one.
Grabbing an insulator, she pulled the pucho out, and the rich scent of roasted meat and spices filled the room. Just as she was about to start the opi, Mo’ata grabbed her hand. “That one is for pastas. I am not sure what it would do to the opi.” He sent her a teasing look. “We could try it if you like, but I am hungry enough I think we should save the experiments for later.”
Blue stuck her tongue out at him. “Show me again then?”
Mo’ata swooped in for a quick kiss. His lips were firm, a little thinner than Levi’s, and his taste was darker, richer. The heat Levi had stirred grew. Then he pulled away and pointed to a button on the wave-cooker’s screen. “This one sends you to the base menu.” He pressed it as Blue gathered her scattered thoughts. “And this one brings up the options for vegetables.” He pressed it, barely glancing away from Blue.
She blinked, and his mouth ticked up in a small smirk. Blue peeked around his side to see Levi tearing up lettuce, a small smile flitting at the corners of his mouth as the watched them.
“This one,” Mo’ata said, dragging her attention back, “sets the type of vegetable. Root.” He pressed it, the low beep ringing in Blue’s ears. Who knew pressing buttons was so sexy? “Blue? Pay attention or I will need to show you again, I’m sure.”
She rolled her shoulders and shook her head. “Right.” Blowing out a breath, she glared at the two men. “You are both terrible teases.”
They laughed, the masculine sound filling the room and her heart. Then Forrest came out from the hall, cradling Vivi in his arms, a wide grin on his face. Her chest swelled with the same swirl of giddy joy that had overtaken her when she had managed to return them to Karran and when she and Forrest had kissed the first time. The same sensation had filled her at night while cuddling with Mo’ata and while practicing the kiti with Levi. The wonder of it was never far from her these days, even with everything going on. And in that moment Blue truly knew they could make this work.
Chapter 15
BLUE
Later that evening, just as Blue finished loading the dishwasher (which also worked through sound vibrations) a low chime rang. She twisted to see three people pop up on the screen next to the front door: Trevon, Prim, and Duri, the latter two holding boxes with familiar markings—English markings. Trev looked a lot better, from what she could see on the screen, none of that near-zombie cast to his skin. The worry over him that she’d been ignoring up until now eased a bit.
Trevon gave a little wave. “Open up, little star. I have surprises.” His voice was muffled coming through the door, but definitely livelier than the last time she’d heard it.
Blue snorted. What was the hooligan up to now?
She looked to Levi, who was stashing the leftovers in the fridge. “Up to you,” she said. In her mind, this was Levi’s night. They’d even rearranged the schedule so that every three days she spent time with Levi, just as she did Mo’ata and Forrest.
From the heat between them, she suspected it wouldn’t take long for them to go from cuddles to sexy times. Probably not tonight, but…
“Do you want him here?”
Levi’s words pulled her from her musings, and her cheeks colored. “We should probably find out what he wants. ‘Surprises’ from the hooligan can be many things.”
Forrest let out a hoot. “You could say that again.”
He really had changed since their talk and since her nonconfrontation this afternoon with Mika if he was that cheerful about seeing Trevon.
Mo’ata keyed open the door, and Trevon burst in. An almost manic energy rode him, though he was paler than Blue liked.
“Over there.” He pointed at the far wall where the large screen hung. “Unpack it all, and I’ll hook everything up in a minute.” Duri and Prin hurried to the wall and flicked open knives. They busied themselves slicing the boxes along the seams as Trev turned to her.
“Should you be out and about? Weren’t you mostly dead a few days ago?” she asked.
He sauntered to her side and threw an arm over her shoulders, half-spinning her. “I’m resilient like that. And as I said, I come with gifts.” He held up a small card, one that would fit in their tablets. “This if for the investigation. Analysis results of the substance.” He grabbed Blue’s hand and placed the data in it. “And this”—he gestured to the boxes—“is a courting gift. For everyone. We are going to start having movie nights!”
Blue snorted. Was he serious? Movie night? What was he, twelve?
Mo’ata studied the equipment as the guards unpacked it. “I’ve never watched a movie from Earth before.” He picked up a sleek, black box, thoroughly distracted from the news that they had the substance results.
Trevon went to him, dragging Blue along. “That is an Xbox. The latest. We can also play games on it.”
“Oh, what did you bring?” Forrest was up now, crowding in beside Blue.
“No games.” She poked Forrest. “I mean it. You get way too competitive.”
And he did. He didn’t play often, but when he and Kevin had gotten going, they’d been at it for hours. Whole weekends had been eaten up with him engrossed in something called Borderlands while she a
nd Phe were left to their own devices.
Blue had tried to play a couple of times, but she couldn’t quite get into it. Or she couldn’t quite get her brain and her fingers to talk to each other fast enough that she didn’t end up as a blood splatter on the screen every time.
And if she was honest with herself, it was kind of fun to watch, especially when Forrest started yelling at the screen.
He sent her a pleading look.
“Fine,” she said. “You can play. But not tonight. And not on a school night.” She rolled her eyes. “And now I sound like your mother. See what you’ve reduced me to?”
Forrest swooped in for a quick kiss. “I’ll make it up to you.”
Trevon dropped his arm and joined his guards in sorting through cables and converters and devices. “I’ll bring along some shelves and stands the next time I come over.” He nudged a smaller box in Forrest’s direction. “I brought some of my favorite movies. I was thinking Die Hard or maybe Raiders of the Lost Arc for tonight.”
Levi came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle. Trev barely paused as he started plugging things in. In fact, did he grin a little wider?
She twisted to look up at Levi. “It’s your night. Do you want to watch a movie? We can ignore this invasion if you want. Your choice.”
Levi froze, then shrugged. “If the others would like to watch, I am not adverse. I, too, have never seen an Earth movie. Actually, I have never seen a movie. The Prizzoli prefer live playacting, and there was never time for me to view the programs here on Karran.” He tugged Blue back. “And I will let you decide the movie if you sit with me.” He claimed a spot on the short sofa.
Pausing only to set the data card on the side table where she’d left her tablet, Blue curled up next to him. Levi reached back and pulled the blue, knitted blanket they’d picked up yesterday from the back of the sofa and arranged it over them.
“What about the analysis?” She found it strange that Mo’ata, at least, had not jumped on the information.
He took a seat in the chair beside the sofa, leaving Trevon to finish setting things up. The Family head moved with quick and efficient movements, his piercings flashing in the low evening light.
He put them back in. It was strangely reassuring. He didn’t look like himself without them.
Forrest watched it all with keen interest. He and Trev started a low conversation, the quiet hum of their voices just reaching Blue and lulling her.
“I will look at it later,” Mo’ata finally answered, “after the movie, and get it forwarded to those who need to see it. Zeynar is… a perceptive man. I know you had your sleep-in this morning, but we all need a little bit of a break before we begin again tomorrow. He arrived at a good time.” Mo’ata studied Trevon.
What was he thinking? There was a speculative look there she couldn’t interpret.
“Do not think on it too hard,” Levi whispered in her ear.
She half turned toward him, trying to keep an eye on Mo’ata and Trev. “Think about what?”
“What is going to happen. Some things you cannot plan for.”
She looked at him fully then. There was a soft smile on his face. “Like what?”
He just shrugged and leaned down to give her a soft kiss. “I like that I am able to do this now.”
She returned the gesture. “I really like it too.”
Finally, everything was set up. Duri retreated to the dining table and Prin to the wall nearest the main bedrooms. Forrest, despite there being room on the other side of Levi, decided not to sit on the couch and claimed the area of the floor just in front of Blue, his shoulder pressed to the cushions and his head in easy reach of her hand. Vivi crowded next to him.
Trevon stretched himself out on the rug and held up a hand. “A few rules for watching movies. First, there is no talking. I mean it. Save your questions for later.”
Duri nodded wisely. “Pax asked a question during the Independence Day movie and has been banished from watching for four months now.”
Trevon glared at the guard. “Second, because I brought the movies, you have to provide the snacks. I will forgive this one time because you didn’t know I was coming. Third, we will rotate who picks the movie.”
He waited until each person in the room indicated their agreement. “Good. Those are the rules of movie night. I think they are fairly lenient, so please do not break them.”
Blue raised her hand.
“Yes?”
“What if we have to use the bathroom?”
“I will concede this point. If you have to use the restroom, we can pause the movie. But that is the only speaking allowed.”
“Okay.” Blue wasn’t sure if she was amused, annoyed, or grateful. She didn’t like anyone talking during movies either. Trev just seemed so… serious about it. Very un-Trev like.
“Good. Prin?” Trev flipped onto his stomach as Prin dimmed the lights, and they began.
Trevon had put in Raiders of the Lost Ark. She’d already seen it, so she entertained herself with watching, not the movie, but the guys’ reactions to it and petting what she could reach of Forrest’s hair. Mo’ata seemed most affected when Indiana fell in the pit of snakes, and Levi chuckled when Marion punched the hero, earning him a glare from Trevon. When the Nazi’s faces melted off she could have sworn there were growls of pleasure from more than just the cubs. No one cheered, though, too aware of Trev’s rules. Who knew the guys would get so invested?
When it ended and the lights came back on, it was hard to keep her eyes open. Half-asleep, she waved Trevon and Prin goodnight. Mo’ata and the Family head spent a few seconds discussing something intense at the door, and then Duri stayed behind. Looks like I have a permanent guard. Blue yawned.
Then Mo’ata knelt before her. “You can go through the information tomorrow, after school. For now, sleep. It is a very important day tomorrow.” He glanced at Levi, who still sat beside her, and nodded.
“Come, illi.” He rose and pulled her to her feet, keeping her close. Then he escorted her to her room, gave her a last kiss and turned to go.
“You don’t want to stay? Cuddles are part of the deal.” The pillow muffled her words. It was a good pillow, just the right amount of fluffy and firm.
“Not tonight.” He bowed. “We have time, now, do we not?”
She smiled. They did have time.
She must have been more tired than she thought. She wasn’t even sure if she said the words aloud.
Chapter 16
BLUE
First day. You can do this.
Blue glanced down at the printed schedule and then up at the number on the door. The markings matched. She tugged on her uniform jacket. The material was thick, similar to wool, and a blue-and-green-shot lavender. Her pants and shirt were black and formfitting enough she was glad to back to training, despite her seemingly constant state of soreness. There was also a skirt option for the summer, but she suspected she’d be wearing the pants all year round.
Her Common was coming along very well. She was able to hold her own in most conversations and her recognition of the written language was progressing at a rapid rate, but she still confused the figures sometimes.
“This looks like the right one,” Forrest said from behind her and reached around her side to grasp the lever and push the door open.
A boy, he couldn’t have been more than fourteen, was seated at a low table, a tablet propped up in front of him. The room was small, more of a cubicle, with bare walls and a concrete floor.
His gray eyes were somber as his gaze traveled over them. “Come in,” he said. In English. “I’ve got a good idea of where you are at from your files. You really should have spent at least another month in remedial placements, but my dean wants to make your dean happy, so here we are.” He waved at the chairs across from him and turned his attention back to the tablet.
“How old are you?” Forrest asked, pulling out the seat closest to the door.
Blue took the other chair.
“Your dean?” she asked.
The boy glanced back up. “I am nineteen. I am a research assistant in the Department of Foreign Studies. You two are my newest project.” He tapped the screen in front of him a few times and spun the tablet to face them. “For the first hour we will work on your Common and understanding of Karran and Alliance culture. The second hour will be spent in Earth studies. This was the compromise. In exchange for my time, you will contribute to our knowledge of Earth culture.” At this a light of enthusiasm entered his eyes. “It is actually a rare opportunity. We receive and compile the reports from the agents, of course, but they are never as good as a native’s view.”
Blue and Forrest exchanged a look. Was he serious with this? “Um,” she said, leaning forward a bit. “You do realize that we’re from one small part of Earth. We don’t know everything about everything about Earth.”
“Oh, but that is perfect. You will have more details to add to the database that way.” He tapped the edge of the tablet. “Now, let’s get started. My name is Daniel by the way.”
They nodded at him, and then the next hour or so passed swiftly but gruelingly. He took them through vocabulary, basics such as time, use of the comms, and public transports, accounts, money values in, and conversion rates between, the different worlds, identification cards—where they were needed and who had the authority to ask for them—and the locations of guard stations through the city.
Blue’s mind was swimming by the time they switched to talk of Earth. A lot of what Daniel had shown them she already knew, but the detail he imparted was amazing. She’d have to review the information a few times before it really sank in, she was sure. And he hadn’t even delved into the Alliance or other worlds yet, only the details of everyday life.
Four hundred and two days to the year, gravity slightly lighter than Earth’s—though the difference was barely noticeable—weeks were ten days long with break days every four days, each day had twenty-five hours, each hour one-hundred minutes. Accounts required an access card and fingerprint confirmation for smaller purchase access, and larger purchases required either a blood or retinal match. Money was mostly electronic. Every store and stall and booth had equipment to process payments. Banks weren’t separate institutions but instead run by a branch of the government. Transports could be both public and private. The larger ones ran in set routes and were cheaper. The smaller ones operated more like taxis. The north quadrants of the city were reserved for the more affluent—councilmen, ambassadors, higher officials, and successful merchants—while the central and southern areas were home to shops, students, and travelers. The rest was either residential or warehouses where goods and staples were stored before use or shipment.
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