Chapter 35

Kal readjusted the hoodie I wore for the umpteenth time as his tail strangled my ankle. I placed a hand on his, stopping the frantic motions. “Kal, I’ll be fine.”

He began to fuss with my clothes again. I bit my lip. Kal was precious. I rubbed my cheek against his, and he finally stilled. He gripped my hips, fingers digging in, and he held me close.

“You will be careful,” he said.

“I will, and so will you.”

“I’m meeting with some local dignitaries.”

“And I’m going to a tavern with Urgg and Wyn,” I countered. Kal acted like I was going into battle, not having a drink. “I’ll meet you back here later.”

Kal’s tail remained curled about my ankle. I grabbed a handful of his shirt and lightly shook him, causing the necklace I’d bought him to sway—I hadn’t seen him take it off yet.

“Breathe, Babe,” I told him. “I’ll be alright.”

Slowly, his tail unspooled. “Be careful.”

“Worry wort.”

His brow furrowed in obvious confusion, which made me chuckle. Kal made me happy, and more than that, he made me feel secure. Something I hadn’t felt since I was a young child.

“I will come back.”

“I’m holding you to that,” Kal said, hovering over me.

“See you later.”

“I will be here.”

I went to Wyn’s side and searched for Urgg, but they were saying goodbye to their mate, quite passionately and without reservation. Clearing my throat, I turned toward Wyn, who was staring at the ground.

“Are you excited?” I asked him.

“It should be fun.”

Urgg finally stopped mauling their mate and asked. “Ready?” They clapped our shoulders, and I staggered under the firm hit, though Wyn didn’t even flinch.

“Yep,” I said, stretching.

We headed down the busy street, and people of all different kinds pressed against me. Some I recognized from the ship or Petty, even if I didn’t know the name of their species. Like the short orange aliens who sold the freaky worm creatures or the sheepdog aliens from Petty or the blue pencil-thin aliens like Vik from the experience shop.

Sidlis filled the market, standing out with their pale green skin that had the texture of bark, towering height, and gossamer clothes, which made them appear naked. One passed right in front of me, and I couldn’t help but stare at their impossibly sharp features and their dark green hair braided with hundreds of shiny, clear beads, making it look like drops of dew clung to the strands.

Afraid of getting caught staring, I ripped my gaze away to focus on the shops carved into the trees. Vine bridges spanned the gaps between the trees, and dwellings filled the many branches. Colorful birds flitted back and forth, chirping. Flowers of every shade hung from the trees in a waterfall of colors.

“I like it here,” I said.

Wyn hooked his tail around my wrist, probably afraid he would lose me in the crowd. “Me too.”

On my other side, Urgg commented, “It’s too humid and green for my taste. My planet has the loveliest rock formations and shrubs. Nothing to block the sky.”

“Wasteland,” Wyn said with a snort.

“Take that back,” they snapped. “It is lovely beyond compare. The only thing I find prettier is Talvax.”

Wyn grinned. “I will not.”

“It’s better than that jungle you call home.”

I interrupted, stopping the fight, “Where is this tavern that is supposed to be utterly amazing?”

Glaring at Wyn, Urgg waved in the general direction in front of us.

We wound through the crowds until we reached a tree that seemed to scrape the sky. Its craggy bark was deep brown, and its leaves were a deep green. But none of that held my attention. I focused on the door carved into the front of the trunk, at least twenty feet tall. We stepped inside, and I gaped at the spiral staircase going up the center. Landings of all different shapes hugged the walls. The banisters were covered in vines and flowers, framing the staircase and many levels, and vines draped from the walls.

“This whole thing is one tavern?”

“Yep,” Urgg said, resting a muscular arm over my shoulders. “Largest one I’ve ever seen. People travel from all over the universe to drink here. There are exclusive alcohols that they don’t allow to be sold off the planet.”

I shook my head in amazement.

Wyn tugged on my wrist. “Come on.”

We searched for a less busy area, but we didn’t find one. Finally, we settled on the fifth floor near the railing so I could watch the comings and goings. Urgg ordered a variety of drinks, causing Wyn to protest.

“Afraid that Commander Monqilcolnen will have to lug you to your quarters again?” they asked, grinning and revealing their stubby teeth.

“No. Why would I?”

“We’ll get food too,” I commented. When the server came back, I ordered whatever food pairings they suggested.

When the food was delivered, our table practically groaned under the weight. Wasting no time, we dug into the fruit, bread, stews, meat, cheeses, and roasted and mashed vegetables. Nothing was bland or lacked seasonings. Everything was delicious, and the courses matched the drink pairings perfectly.

Musicians sat in the corner of our landing, playing on stringed instruments resembling harps—the song light and haunting. Conversation echoed around the tree.

It felt so alive.

I had never thought about what other lifeforms might live outside of my own planet, but here were people of the like I could’ve never imagined.

“So you and Kalvoxrencol are staying overnight?” Urgg asked, mouth full of food, sending chunks falling to the table.

“Yep.” I took a long drink of a bright green alcohol with a fruity tang.

“That will be fun.” They grinned, revealing half of their dinner.

“I suppose.”

A jeer dragged my attention to the people next to us, who were playing some sort of game with dice and chips. One lost, and a towering person with four arms and curled horns sputtered and coughed as they shouted.

A massive hand covered mine, and I looked at Urgg, whose eyebrows were furrowed and a frown tugged the corners of their mouth. “Do you not want to? Is he pressuring you? Prince or no prince, I will beat him to a mangled pulp until he can’t even cry for his parents.”

Wyn gave a choked squeak.

“I asked him to come. I want to… spend the night with him, but I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Fair enough. Drakcol want to talk too much. My Talvax wanted to discuss everything before she would come into my cave. It was so tiresome that I almost conked her over the head and kidnapped her. That seemed much easier.”

Wyn’s mouth fell open. “Talking is a necessary step.”

“Boring you mean.”

The two of them fell into a good-natured fight about permissions, and I ignored them, watching the world around me.

By the time we finished everything, I was practically bursting and I was slightly tipsy. Wyn was completely wasted; he swayed, giggling randomly. Urgg helped him to his feet, and I followed them. Together, we headed back to the port where they would return to the ship and I would meet Kal.

My stomach knotted in nerves as well as anticipation. I wanted Kal more than I’d ever wanted anyone else. Desire thrummed in my body, and I hurried to where Kal waited.

Seth was late. He’d probably gotten distracted with Urgg and Wyn, but I wanted to search for him to make sure he was alright. Rain fell from the sky in soft drops, and the ground squished with each step as I paced.

As the afternoon began to lengthen and the shuttle powered up its engines, I caught sight of a familiar face. Seth. My soul leaped at the sight of him. I started forward, and Seth grinned.

His arms slipped around my waist. “I came back.”

“You did. Are you ready to leave?”

Seth asked, “Wyn, can you still take care of Lucy?”

“Yes,” he said before swallowing.

Urgg held him up. “I’ll get him sober. Your Lucy will be fine.”

“Thanks,” he said before turning back to me. “I’m ready.”

“Let’s go,” I said, unable to wait a single moment more.