Ginny

GINNY

I wind my arm around Asteron's waist. Given the size of my stomach and his enormous bulk, I can't hug him how I used to.

"Thank you," I whisper as our transport ship lifts off the ground.

"What for?" He looks down at me, his dark eyes tranquil.

"For looking into the situation with the Habosu and Britannia . You didn't have to do that."

"Did you not want me to?" he queries.

"Yes, but…"

Asteron stops my words with a kiss which takes all my thoughts and tosses them out onto the tundra below us as the transport moves from the densely forested valley around the lodge and on to Mazos.

He cradles my head between his two huge hands. "I would pluck the moons of Xnos from the sky if you asked me to, my queen, so why do you think I would not help you and your species escape the grasp of one of the most unpleasant species in the galaxy?"

"It's hardly your fight, is it?"

"Anything which you care about is my fight, little queen. No matter what, I am always by your side."

I wonder if it's possible for a heart to burst and still be alive. Asteron's strong, handsome bovine face is more serious than it's ever been.

"And I'm with you, no matter what," I say in a rasping whisper because I can't trust my voice not to break.

Asteron nuzzles into my hair. "I could not have asked for a better queen," he says, almost to himself. "Can I leave you with Daeldan while I seek out Minoran? Do you mind?"

"Do I mind spending time, on my own, in the heart of the retail district of Mazos? Can your coffers support such a thing?" I laugh.

"The royal coffers are healthy and deep, little queen." Asteron's voice is deep and sends me spiraling. "Anything you want, it's yours. I will leave you with your guard."

"I wouldn't expect any less."

I look past Asteron to the three Xnosson warriors tasked as my personal guard. One older warrior, Dalus, with a scar across his eye, and two younger ones, Seus and Ageas, ever eager. They all snap to attention under my gaze.

"But I doubt they'll be needed."

Asteron rumbles underneath my touch. "The clans have been quiet of late, and reasonable. I have hope, my queen."

And when I look in his eyes, I can see it.

"Look at you!" Kilina trills as I enter the salon. She grabs my arms and holds them out, gazing at my bump. "So big now!"

"Thanks for reminding me." I groan-laugh. "Don't I know it."

"But this looks stunning on you." She plucks at the dark blue dress I threw on because it's the only thing which fits.

"I could do with more like it. I'm only going to get bigger," I beg.

"Then we need to begin," she replies, eyeing my guard who have entered the salon behind me. "Without the weaponry perhaps?"

"Don't give me that. I've seen the way you look at Dalus," I whisper.

Xnosson's can't actually blush, but I swear Kilina does.

"That is neither here nor there," she rushes out, but does glance in Dalus' direction. "You need to get undressed, my queen."

"I suppose." I release a dramatic sigh and turn to the guard. "Can you wait outside?"

Dalus drops his head, his horns shining. "We are ordered by the king not to leave your side, my queen," he rasps.

I think Kilina very nearly swoons.

"I appreciate that, but I have to get undressed in order to get fitted, and I doubt very much your king wanted you to see me naked. In fact, I'm very sure he'd not be happy about that at all," I reply sweetly.

Dalus looks at the other two warriors, who shift from foot to foot uneasily.

"We will wait outside. But should there be any issue, we will come in. Make sure the door is not locked."

"That can be done." I look at Kilina, who nods. "But if you hear any female squeaking, it's most probably me inspecting a new set of underwear, so if you're going to burst in to protect my person, make sure you're certain you need to be a hero." I chuckle.

My guard troops out, and I catch Kilina giving Dalus' backside a significant butt check.

"You should speak to him. He's not mated," I urge her once the door is closed.

"Oh! I couldn't do that!" Kilina exclaims, scurrying off across the salon, flapping her hands and tapping her hooves in agitation.

I take a deep breath. This is going to be fun.