12. Show

CHAPTER 12

Moss

I made my way to the front row and took my seat between two other Arborians, both of which gave me a nod of respect, especially at the sight of the necklace I wore. I had changed into some of my silk robes that had golden details sewn into them. They were soft against my skin, making me feel good.

I glanced around, spotting a couple other officials on the council in the crowd. There was a soft chatter around, the anticipation already growing.

A Galactic Gems sign beamed in the sky with their show time and logo. I looked up, appreciating how it looked against the backdrop of trees and sky.

I was excited to see the entire show. I'd promised myself I'd sit through it all so that I didn't interfere with Max's work. As much as I wanted to always be by his side, I didn't want to annoy him.

After the work day I'd had, this was refreshing. Dealing with Dio had been unpleasant, and the council had not taken his threats lightly. Especially towards me. I simply couldn't understand why the situation had escalated so, except that it seemed he did not like human beings.

I'd asked so many questions, but none of them had given me answers to any sort of real reason for his behavior.

The way he'd looked at me though…

I tried to shove those worries away.

The good news was that his case was out of my hands. I could move on, focus on my own tasks, and get to know Max. I wanted to know everything about him. In the few days we'd known each other, I'd already learned a lot, which pleased me.

What I didn't want to think about yet was how he would be gone in six weeks.

The thought of him leaving made my stomach twist. I didn't want to think about that, and kept shoving it out of my mind, refusing to acknowledge that a serious decision would likely need to be made.

I wanted to court him.

After the show tonight, I would ask him on a date. A real date. One at a place where we'd dine together. And perhaps I would get wine and invite him back home, where I could ravage him.

I shifted in my seat, swallowing hard. Once again I was thankful for the robes I wore and how they kept the world from seeing my tentacle cocks aching and throbbing at just the mere thought of touching him.

A spotlight flashed above, and a second came on, turning the oasis a brilliant aquamarine blue. The lights complimented the natural glow of our crystals.

My eyes swept to the stage at the center of the pool. The curtains were closed for now.

"Welcome to the Galactic Gems Burlesque Show!" Madam Moonie's voice echoed around us.

I had to admit, while that woman slightly terrified me, she was certainly a wonderful entertainer and leader.

"Tonight, we are here to tease, titillate, and entertain. Our gems are here to sparkle, enchant, and entice."

The crowd clapped and hollered, rowdier than the first night. I smiled, relaxing into the atmosphere, and joining in. The lights began to move, creating a rainbow across the stage in a circular motion. It was dazzling.

"Put your hands together for our first performer, the lustrous Lady Luun!"

The clapping continued as the curtains began to draw back.

A single spotlight hit the stage, highlighting a woman that was seated in the air on an apparatus that looked like a crescent moon. It gleamed the same way her glittered leotard did, the crystals beaming beneath the lights.

"Incredible," I whispered.

Every performer seemed to know how to put on a show.

The music started, a cinematic tune that swelled up. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the music sink in. I could feel the vibrations, my ears twitching.

I opened my eyes as Lady Luun began to gracefully unfold from the crescent moon, spinning in the air as she moved. Her long brown hair fell in waves and she moved with the same practiced ease that I'd seen from all of the performers. I watched in amazement as she flipped upside down and then somehow folded her body up, climbing on top of the moon and balancing there in a very precarious way.

There was a collective gasp from the audience as she dropped down the same moment the music changed from cinematic to pop. She held onto the bottom of the lyra, her costume changing as she managed to strip off a piece.

Once again, I was amazed. Every Galactic Gem had their own talent, and they knew how to shine. I could understand why Max felt the pride that he did. Getting into this troupe had to be exceedingly difficult, but he'd done it.

Her performance ended a few minutes later and was followed by Stella Starz. I'd seen and heard Stella before and recognized her as she stepped onto the stage. Her voice was unforgettable. And I knew she was mated to the Lazulian prince I'd met, along with a Tourmalin chancellor.

Her song rose through the venue, echoing into the night sky. The stars glittered above as if clapping to her melody, cheering on the beauty of it. It was provocative and lovely, and left everyone in the crowd breathless, longing, and horny.

When her act ended, Madam Moonie's voice came on again. "Please welcome our next Galactic Gem! An aerialist, a performer, an eclectic rising star—give it up for the Maximalist!"

I clapped and cheered, my voice rising up.

The lights flashed and then dimmed, going dark. While I'd seen Max's performance earlier from afar, nothing had prepared me for how wonderful it would be with the music, costume, and lighting.

The music started as a spotlight lifted up into the air, revealing him there. He held onto a strap, a cape wrapped around his body, disguising everything beneath.

I felt a swell of pride and excitement as the crowd cheered for him.

He's mine. That was all I could think as I watched him. And how fucking wonderful he was.

How had I been so lucky to meet him?

I'd been alive for a long time and there had been many moments where I had doubted fate. But seeing him on stage and how much of a star he was, all I could feel was lucky to have even breathed the same air as him.

He spun and the robe slipped down, revealing the pasties at his nipples.

Nipples I've played with.

I let out a soft hum, shifting in my seat again. I was mesmerized as he moved, his muscles rippling as he turned upside down and into a series of other positions.

I knew he was strong. But seeing him do things that defied my imagination entranced me. Every movement was practiced and measured. The way his muscles rippled as he defied gravity amazed me.

I grinned, clapping as the robe finally slipped all the way free, revealing nothing but the glittering mask over his cock.

It appeared like that was all he wore.

The crowd lost it as he came down to the stage, dancing and moving with the music.

Something caught his foot and he stumbled forward, his knees hitting the stage hard. No one else noticed though and he didn't miss a beat, even if I felt the echo of pain through our connection.

Fuck.

That meant it had hurt.

That also meant…

I blushed, heat creeping up my spine as I realized how deeply connected the two of us still were.

Typically once a heat finished, that connection disappeared unless it was finalized by a mating bond.

I bit my lower lip as I continued to watch him. He kept dancing and moving, thrusting his hips.

Even from this distance, I felt him looking at me. I smiled, clapping as the end of his performance neared. He came to the edge of the stage, grabbing onto the nose of the mask as the last beat hit, and the lights flipped off.

Everyone clapped and cheered. The roar of the crowd was deafening, full of energy and excitement. I leaned forward, squinting through the dark to watch him get off stage.

He was limping.

I couldn't stay put. I let out a low growl as Madam Moonie's voice came on again, but I couldn't hear her. I was already moving, standing and heading for the back of the venue. Within a couple of minutes, I was taking the back way towards their ‘backstage' area.

Several security guards waited ahead. I drew out my identification as I came to them.

"I'm here to see Max," I said.

"Madam Moonie already cleared you," one of them grunted, stepping aside. "Figured you'd be on your way."

I nodded and rushed past them, my heart hammering. Max was okay, right? What if he wasn't? I'd felt the pain through the bond.

I saw Stella and rushed towards her. Her mates stood next to her, both of them appearing concerned.

"Is Max okay?" I asked.

"He'll be okay," she answered quickly. She reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Breathe. We have injuries sometimes and we keep healing pods on standby. I'm shocked you even noticed, he concealed it well."

"I heard his bone crack," Zin muttered.

Terror washed through me.

Zin winced. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. He'll be out soon, I'm sure. Uh…This is our mate, Toras."

I gave the tall magenta tentacled Tourmalin a nod, but I was struggling to remain calm.

"I felt his pain," I said. "But he kept performing."

"Well, the show must go on," Stella sighed. "And Max is stubborn. And he knows how to take a fall. He's an aerialist, and from my understanding, a well practiced one."

"His mate will not accept that answer," Toras said very seriously.

Mate. I swallowed hard as all three of them looked at me, waiting for me to disagree.

But at the moment, I didn't.

I wished more than anything we were mated because then I'd be able to speak to him easier through our mental connection.

Another approached us and I recognized her as the first performer, Lady Luun. Her hair was drawn back in a bun and she'd changed out of her performance wear. "He'll be okay," she said. "He just twisted his knee and bruised the cap. He'll be out in a couple minutes. Also, hi."

I gave her a nod, my ears flicking as music rose through the venue again. I could hear the crowd laughing and cheering. I glanced up, even if my attention was still on waiting for Max.

"How many performers are there?" I asked.

"There are nine of us," Stella answered. "Myself, Lady Luun, Little Miss Mercury, the Maximalist, the Milky Maid, Betty Battlestar, Nebula Van Dazzle, Fiona Firefly, and Zodiac."

"Technically Madam Moonie is a performer too," Lady said with a grin. "Although her performances are like mythical creatures. Rarely seen and you have to be special to see her in person."

"I've seen videos," Stella said, giving Lady a smirk. "There's a reason she's our captain."

I was getting antsy. I was taller than everyone here, except for perhaps Zin, and looked over their heads as I waited for Max. Within a couple of minutes, I spotted his bright orange hair and took off towards him.

His eyes lit up when he saw me. He held up his hands and started to speak, but I scooped him up, letting out a low growl.

"I'm okay," he breathed out. "Hey. I'm okay, I'm okay."

"I felt your pain," I growled.

He grabbed hold of my face, forcing me to look at him. He planted a kiss on my lips, and that soothed some of my immediate worries.

"You didn't have to leave the show," he said, pouting. "I'm okay. This happens sometimes. I tripped over my stupid robe. The healing pods patched me up."

I finally breathed out, feeling myself relax.

He kissed me again. "Put me down, though. Everyone is staring."

"I thought you liked being the star," I teased.

He snorted as I let him down. Before I could say another word, he grabbed my hand and led me towards the edge of the waters. We could just see the performer on stage, the music swelling.

"I wanted you to see the whole show," he sighed.

"I loved everything I did see," I told him. "Truly. Everyone here is so talented. And the things you can do with your body…"

Max looked up at me with a smirk. "You like what I can do with my body, huh?"

I blushed hard and shook my head, looking back towards the stage. He kept snickering, which only made me blush more.

"I'll remember this," I mumbled.

"I hope you do," he chuckled.

I swallowed hard, sliding my gaze over to him again. "Hey Max?"

My heart started to pound.

"Yes?"

"Will you…will you go on a date with me?"

He startled, looking up again. "A date?"

"Yes," I whispered. "A date."

Max grinned at me in a way that made me feel like he was the center of my entire universe. "Of course I'll go on a date with you."