"This is how you can contact me, and it gives you access to credits to use with the vendors." Hope tried to pay attention to Viper as he showed her the various features on the comm. Hope found herself mostly staring at his green eyes and the way his mouth moved, rather than the words he said.
"What?" Viper said as he noticed her expression.
"Nothing." Hope wrapped her arms around him and snuggled into his chest. "Thank you. I was just planning to look."
"Try to find a scarf for your head. Your little nose and cheeks are still red from staying out in the sun too much yesterday." Viper suggested sniffing her hair as he squeezed her to him.
So caring and thoughtful.
"That's probably a good idea."
"Sorry I can't go with you." Viper tipped her chin up and frowned.
He had a meeting with his father and some public relations' adviser. Hope was sure it was going to be dull and frustrating as they discussed the prejudiced group they called the Purists.
"No worries." Hope stood up on her tip-toes to give him a kiss.
Viper lowered his mouth to hers. Hope poured all of herself into that kiss. She wasn't ready yet to admit out loud what she felt for him, but somehow she wanted him to know. Viper tasted delicious and spicy that drugging chemical expression of his desire for her. It was distracting how it warmed her to the core.
"Take your dagger." Viper grunted when he reluctantly pulled back.
"Oh yeah. "
Hope jogged back to the bedroom, put it on, then headed for the door. She blew Viper a kiss then took off to catch the shuttle.
Wouldn't you know, there was Ophidian.
"I should've known Viper would send extra security." Hope smiled to herself.
"Oh yay! You did take today off.!" Hope squealed at seeing Tara.
Her girlfriend practically had to be beat with a stick to take a break every now and then.
"I wanted to see the market and have some girl time." Tara said excitedly.
"Where's JP?"
"He went last time, so he decided to stay at camp and work at the infirmary."
"Hello Ophidian." Hope said.
"Greetings Uxorem Hope, Tara."
"Hi" Tara said as she smiled shyly at Ophidian.
Tara gave him a subtle look that made Hope think she was checking him out. Tara turned to get on the shuttle and Hope was pretty sure Ophidian checked out her ass.
"Well, well, well what was going on between those two?" Hope wondered.
She would have to remember to grill Tara about it later. They took their seats with Ophidian across the aisle.
"So O, did Viper put you up to guarding us?"
"You are my Uxorem and Viper is not only my Prognatus but also my brother. It is an honor to make sure you are safe."
"Well thank you." Hope said as they watched the scenery start to pass.
"I was thinking of getting a dress." Tara mused. "And maybe a cool trinket to decorate our pod."
"Oh that's a good idea. I'm supposed to get something to keep from burning, like a scarf."
"You did get a bit of sun yesterday." Tara looked at her assessingly, always the doctor.
"Yeah well you tan so well it's disgusting. You look like a goddess of the Mediterranean." Hope scowled at her girlfriend.
"Whatever!"
The shuttle ran on its own course like a monorail, minus the tracks, arriving at their destination in no time. As it stopped at the station, they were immediately inundated by the numerous colorful stalls filled with wares. It reminded Hope of a street bazaar. The large group of human refugees that had accompanied them broke up into smaller ones and dispersed among the different booths. Tara, Ophidian and Hope started down one side of the street. The buildings were made of red, yellow or orange colored stone rising up several stories, though none were taller than five floors. The windows trended towards round, and the glass was thick.
"We occasionally get sand storms in the dry season, so the thick glass repels flying debris." Ophidian noted Hope's curious stare.
There were booths in front of larger stores or the vendors home. Colorful tents and awnings shaded shoppers as they went from one boutique to the next. Hope looked through a stall filled with jewelry. The old couple running it were cute. They whispered to each other as they looked at the trio. Like most of the Anguis they were curious and welcoming to the humans. The elderly man got up, came forward and bowed his head.
"Welcome." He greeted them.
"Thank you. I love what you have here."
Hope's attention was captured by a long tooth hanging from a gold chain and debated getting it for Viper.
"Is it a gift if you're using the person's own money to buy it for them?" She wondered.
Then again she'd be helping to support the cute old couple.
"Tell me about this charm." She asked the old man.
"It is the canine of an extinct wild feline. It's very old." The gray haired man replied as he pulled it out of the velvet-lined box.
"What do you think O. Would Viper like it?"
"I am sure that he would Uxorem."
The moment Ophidian said her title the old man's eyes widened, and he bowed deeply making Hope worry he'd fall over.
"My apologies Uxorem, I did not know." The man said and his wife followed suit. "You wish to get this for the Prognatus? Please just take it." He said with a bright smile, the creases around his eyes deepening.
"I couldn't just take it. You are here to make a living, so please name your price." Hope insisted slightly embarrassed by the situation. "Please."
"Sixty four credits." He replied pressing the necklace encouragingly into her hand.
Hope looked at Ophidian unsure if they were trying to charge her too little because they were being nice. Ophidian nodded it was okay, so she handed the little old man Viper's comm-unit to transfer the money.
"Oh that's nice." Tara examined the necklace. "Viper gave you a sweet comm-unit too."
"I wish you well." Hope said with a bow to the couple as they left and continued on their way. "Yeah Viper wanted me to be able to get ahold of him."
Word traveled fast that the new Uxorem was out in the city and a crowd started to build. The three of them traveled down one street but the market ended. At the far end of the district was a crowd of Anguis being held back by guards. Hope couldn't hear what they said as they shouted.
Instead of attempting to move through the crowd Ophidian led Hope and Tara back through a small park where families and Anguis children played. Hope liked how the Anguis included a lot of green space in and amongst their buildings. No one appeared to have a yard in the city, but there was a public garden between every row of buildings.
A little girl ran up to them and held out a little flower for both Hope and Tara.
"Thank you." Hope smiled at her grinning cherubic face.
The child handed off her gift then ran back to the jungle gym and started to monkey up it. Her parents smiled kindly and Hope nodded in greeting.
The children were small, pudgy, charming versions of the adults. Much like human children they were little balls of excitement. The children were so happy and boisterous, not nearly as reserved as the adults. Even their skin color undulated in excitement as they played. It was funny how similar children all over the universe were. Carefree and awesome.
The playground had numerous interesting panels decorated with wild colors and patterns. The tots would run up to them and mimic the outlandish pattern with their amazing ability to change colors. They took great delight in it, like a game of hide and seek.
Hope giggled as they scampered about.
"Too cute." Tara grinned.
"They will learn to control themselves better as they grow." Ophidian commented.
Hope decided that was probably the reason for the funny colored playground panels, to help teach that skill. Viper was certainly a master of disguise.
"Viper and I played a similar game in the arboretum on the ship." Hope smiled as
she remembered how beautiful the garden had looked.
Ophidian considered Hope for a moment.
"I have seen a change for the better in Prognatus Viper." Ophidian smiled.
"Really how so?" Hope asked curious of what he was talking about.
"Before the Morbo attacked the Anguis, Viper wasn't nearly as serious. Like many of our people, the loss of much of his family changed him. But Viper took on a greater burden than most. He's made it his mission as the Prognatus, and our future Rex, to see to it that the universe is purged of the Morbo."
"That's an awfully heavy weight to shoulder." Hope frowned.
Hope knew Viper took the loss of her planet personal, she could only imagine how he handled his own family's murder. Viper was a good man, he gave up a lot to serve not just his own people, but the entire known universe. Viper deserved some happiness himself. Hope's heart swelled at the thought that she brought him a measure of respite.
"I never realized how important such frivolous things were." Ophidian smiled at the playing children.
Hope nodded.
The trio moved on looking around the market district, taking in the shops and gardens. Hope enjoyed the abstract statues and took comfort in the cooling mist that wafted from the fountains that dotted the numerous island green spaces. All the while the streets continued to fill with overly curious citizens.
By lunch time Hope was socially exhausted from all the smiling and greeting of strangers. It was freaky being recognized by so many strangers. They found a restaurant and sat in an out of the way corner. There was a large screen nestled on the cafe wall showing what was going on, on Anguis Prime and Anguis Minor. Hope watched as the Anguis version of news showed the new human colony, discussing the numbers of other human refugees that would soon arrive.
Hope felt a deep sense of relief as she thought about her sister that would be part of that group.
"I hate the Purists." Ophidian growled as he stared at the screen.
Hope glanced up from her drink to see an older Anguis man with a sour face on the large screen. It was the Purist leader Wyvern.
Hope didn't judge the Anguis harshly because it had a few bad apples. She was pretty sure the Anguis would've been even less welcome on Earth than humans were here. In fact some of the revived humans were down right nasty when dealing with the Anguis.
"Everyone has its racists." Hope shook her head. "I still think we should put the ungrateful humans in our bunch back to sleep. They'd probably be happier and it would certainly put a stop to all their hateful belly aching. What do you think Tara?"
"Hope you know that's not ethical." Tara shoved her.
"Ethics schmethics."
Ophidian chuckled at their antics. "No Tara is right." He smiled at Tara. "More would just turn up. Idiots are everywhere."
Hope turned back to the screen. The Purist faction leader was ranting about how the Anguis were foolishly wasting resources that might be better served shoring up Anguis defense against future attack. The man didn't appreciate the Anguis assisting several species' colonies, but he focused most of his ire on her people since their refugee camp was located on Anguis Minor.
Hope realized the crowd of people she'd seen at the far end of the street earlier were probably Purist protesters as she listened to Wyvern rail against humans.
"It is bad enough that we are supporting yet another species which is clearly weaker and has little to contribute to our society, but now our new Uxorem is a human foreigner." The racist spat out the word human like it was a curse. "I have sources that inform me that the foreign Uxorem refuses to acknowledge the mating which is a slap in the face to any of us who can only hope to find a mate. But if this insult weren't enough, I also have proof that our Prognatus allows the human female to dominate him." Wyvern growled in disgust.
Hope watched as the image of her and Viper wandering the courtyard at the camp changed to the one in their private quarters on the ship. Viper was tied up as Hope rode him like a bucking bronco.
"How the hell?" Hope gasped.
"Disgusting!" The Purist continued. "I ask you, is this the kind of leader that will bring the Anguis into the next millennium?"
Hope just sat there with her jaw hanging open.
"Holy Shit Hope!" Tara exclaimed.
"I am sorry ladies but we need to leave." Ophidian stood up and started escorting them out.
The Anguis were staring in shock as the three of them exited the restaurant and headed back towards the shuttle.
"Great, just great." Hope groaned.
She was a pariah among the Anguis and now featured in her very own porno.
"Well that's an image I'll never get out of my mind." Tara tried to tease.
"This is not good at all! That man basically painted me as public enemy number one, and Viper as hen pecked, lacking a backbone." Hope worried her lip.
Anguis was a society where men were men. Something like this could really damage Viper and his family's image.
"I know, I'm sorry." Tara replied.
"It's worse than that. Someone on the ship is leaking security footage to the Purists." Ophidian growled.
He'd gone from casual but alert to a hyper-vigilant, scary bodyguard. Hope was reminded of the secret service as she hung her head and scurried behind Ophidian into the shuttle.
Hope turned to the shuttle window and watched the scenery pass as tears streamed down her cheeks. Being discriminated against because of something you can't control hurt enough. Add having your dirty laundry aired on television and it quickly soured your day. But the worst part was how it affected Viper. This was the last thing he deserved.
She almost felt better as they made it back to the colony. The thought of seeing Viper again calmed her as the three of them entered the meeting area of the community center. Hope stopped as they walked through the doors of the conference room. Viper, Adder and Hyla sat looking tense.
"What was that? You let her bind you and mount you! I must insist that you put your foot down and have the mating ceremony Viper!" Hyla screeched. It was as excited as Hope had ever witnessed a woman of their species get.
"I refuse to press the issue mother." Viper said angrily. "I want to find amare with my mate!"
The way Viper said amare, it hinted at an emotion he was looking for in his relationship. Hope instantly hearkened back to her worries earlier that day. She didn't want to lose Viper, but what if he already felt there was something missing, and was only doing what was expected of him? Hope felt certain they had that something special. Was she the only one? The thought that he found her lacking hurt deeply?
Hyla huffed in reply.
Adder shook his head.
"Filius, the Anguis are a giving people. For the most part they are willing to help other species even though it costs us. It is proving to be a shock though that their Prognatus has found a mate among a foreign species. Add to that fact that you have not formally mated and your unusual interaction." Adder explained. "I am afraid this may turn the tide against us and the humans. I fear it could adversely affect the human colonist, especially when the new refugees arrive."
Hope put her hand to her mouth to stifle her dismay. She didn't think Viper should be compelled to mate her any more she should him, especially if he didn't feel amare for her, whatever that was. But the situation was worse than Hope anticipated. Not only was Viper's family's leadership in question but the safety of her fellow humans was in jeopardy.
If they held the ceremony, the Anguis people would be appeased, her people would be safe. Hope's heart ached. It seemed there was only one way forward.
Viper, Adder and Hyla looked her way. If looks could kill, she would've dropped dead at Hyla's feet. She'd thought on the shuttle that this day couldn't possibly get any worse, she was wrong.
13 A Match Made in the Heavens
Viper
"Hope!" Viper called out in dismay.
Her eyes were red, and he knew she had been crying, the unusual human custom that only occurred
when they were sad or hurt always leveled him. Hope didn't need to overhear what just occurred here. He looked to Ophidian.
"It was all over the vids in the restaurant at the market. We also had protesters at the west end." His Imperator reported.
"Dammit. Ophidian, I trust only you to look into the security breach." Viper growled.
He took Hope's hand and led her to a seat at the table, then poured her a glass of water. She looked paler than usual and more delicate, almost lost as she sat staring blankly.
"I'm sure that our advisors can do something. We'll hold a public conference." Adder stated soberly.
"I'll do it." Hope said quietly and Viper was glad she was willing to speak to the people.
Many Anguis were intrigued even riveted by the unusual humans. As much as Viper didn't want Hope in the spotlight she was their spokesman by default.
"Thank you for being willing to do the conference." Viper said as his thumb caressed the back of her hand.
"Not that. I agree to do the ceremony with you." Hope replied as she looked at him.
"Finally she makes sense!" Viper's mother announced.
"Hope lets discuss this in private." Viper wanted to make it official with Hope, but this wasn't the way. She'd been forced into mating him, he wouldn't have her forced into the ceremony that cemented it.
"There's nothing to discuss." Hope replied, defeat in her voice.
"I want to be with you Hope, but for the right reasons, when you are willing. This would be as bad as our first night together. Dammit, I won't tie you to me like this!"
"We said one day at a time well that day has come Viper." Hope said sternly.
Viper just shook his head.
"We're going to give you two a minute." Adder said as he and the others made their exit.
Viper pulled Hope to her feet and wrapped his arms around her.
"What are you thinking little Lepus?"
"I don't want you to be forced to settle for me. I always wanted more from a relationship. The sum of our relationship shouldn't be based solely on the desperate need to fuck."
"I understand and agree." Viper replied, he turned Hope to face him, looking deep into her watery blue eyes. "I am not settling for you. I've never fully explained the nature of Anguis mating. I'm sorry for that. I didn't want to scare you away."
Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1) Page 17
