Epilogue

EPILOGUE

T wo months later…

Janet smiled with pleasure as she opened the valve and water – hot water – rushed into the large stone basin she used as a bathtub. After wandering for a while, they had decided to settle in the ruins on the hillside outside the underground complex.

The thought of being so close to the Guardian had made her nervous at first, but Sabrost had confirmed that there was no way to reach the opening through which they had escaped from inside the tunnel. To be even more cautious, he had blocked it from their side as well.

The hillside turned out to be a good compromise between the dry heat that he enjoyed, and the wider variety of resources in the grasslands and along the edge of the jungle. The remains of the existing structures also made it easier to create a new home. They were close enough to the river that he'd even been able to rework the ancient plumbing.

Adding a handful of dried herbs to the bathwater, she settled into the bath with a happy sigh. Sabrost was out hunting the rabbit creatures that populated the grasslands – but she had plans for him when he returned.

Tinkerbell darted in through the open window and landed on the edge of the tub. He trilled happily, then ducked his head in the water.

"This is supposed to be my bath," Janet teased. "Do you want to be all sweet smelling for Sabrost too?"

The bird tilted his head inquiringly, then returned to his ablutions.

"I'll take that as a no."

She lingered in the bath for a few more minutes, but she was too excited about her plans to remain as long as usual. She dried off and went to prepare her outfit.

As Sabrost had promised long ago in the caverns, he had done his best to provide her with a variety of clothing. He had experimented with woven grasses, rabbit fur, and even snakeskin. The snakeskin had actually proven to be the most satisfactory – once she overcame her instinctive revulsion. The cured skin was soft and flexible and not too heavy for the warm climate.

But today she wanted something different. Retrieving the remains of the kestava cloth, she went to work with her knife, cutting away the tattered sections. The portion that remained was probably a quarter of its original size but it was enough to form a short, flirty dress.

She didn't have a mirror but the feel of the silky fabric gliding over her body was enough to make her feel pretty and feminine. Hugging herself gleefully, she went to make the rest of her preparations.

Sabrost hurried back towards their home, still shocked by his discovery. He had to tell Janet, but he was uncertain as to how she would react.

The sun was setting as he reached the house, but all of the small oil lamps he had made were lit, creating a warm welcome. As he stepped through the door, her sweet scent mingled with that of the profusion of flowers she had placed throughout the room.

"Janet," he called.

"I'm here." Her voice sounded low and husky.

He turned to find her framed in the doorway to their bedroom. Her body shimmered in the flickering light, covered with a brief remnant of the kestava cloth that clung to each delightful curve. His kalu jerked, and he forgot about his trip.

"You look beautiful, valitta."

As he took a step towards her, she moved to one side and he saw what she had created in their room. On a table by the window, two lights flickered on either side of a small wooden figure capped with gold. More flowers formed two wreaths placed on either side of the table.

"Is that…"

"It's supposed to an altar for Tetlana," she said quickly. "I know it's not exactly right, but I had to make do with what we had -"

"It's perfect," he assured her. "But why?"

"I want a mating ceremony." She peeped at him from under her lashes, uncertainty in those beautiful green eyes. "And I thought maybe you might want one too."

Delight filled him. He had no doubt about their bond, but the fact that she had thought to go to the trouble of preparing the ceremony only strengthened his love for her.

"I tried to recreate everything you told me about," she added. "Does it look all right?"

"It's perfect," he said again as he moved to her side and took her hand. "Shall we?"

As he stood in front of the simple altar and placed the wreath of flowers on her head, he didn't think he had ever been happier. He bent down so she could do the same, then he guided her through the ceremony. He stumbled over his words, and she knocked over one of the lights, but it didn't matter. All that mattered was what was in their hearts.

He finished with a prayer of gratitude, Janet's hand locked in his, then turned to her.

"Thank you, valitta. You have made me very happy."

Tears shimmered in her eyes, but she smiled up at him. "The feeling is more than mutual. What comes next?"

"The ceremony is complete. Now we spend the rest of our lives together."

She stepped closer, filling his head with her intoxicating scent.

"You know," she whispered as she ran a finger down his chest. "On Earth, we have another custom after a mating ceremony. It's called a honeymoon."

"Honey moon?" The words made no sense together.

"Let's call it a mating night. Where we spend the entire night showing our love."

She pressed closer, her nipples thrusting against the thin cloth of her gown, and he suddenly remembered that very first language lesson.

"Nipple," he whispered, circling the tight little peak with a careful claw.

"Taydellinenvaalean," she replied and he shuddered. He found Hsslak words of love on her lips incredibly erotic.

His other hand slipped beneath the short hem of her dress, seeking her delicate folds.

"Cunt." He stroked his finger through the slick heat that met his touch.

"Pehmarkusitti."

His desire to continue the game suddenly vanished. He needed his mate and he needed her now. He swept her up in his arms and carried her to their bed.

A very long time later, Sabrost finally remembered what he had discovered that morning.

"Janet?"

"Mm?" she mumbled, snuggling her enchanting body closer against his side.

He forced himself to ignore the immediate response from his kalu.

"I have something to tell you."

That got her attention and she frowned up at him.

"Should I be worried?"

"No. At least I don't think so."

"Well what is it?"

"I don't think we're alone," he blurted out.

She sprang up, and he refused to let himself be distracted by the way her breasts danced at the sudden movement.

"I assume you're not talking about the rabbits. Did you see someone?"

"Not exactly. I was following the trail of a wounded rabbit, and I didn't realize how close I was to the building until I looked up." He shuddered. He didn't truly believe that he would be mystically snatched away if he approached it, but he still did his best to avoid the area. "Of course I turned to leave, but… I saw footprints."

"What kind of footprints?"

"They were the size of mine, although shaped somewhat differently. But they were made by someone walking upright."

Her eyes widened.

"Do you think it's a native of this planet?"

"Perhaps. Although we still haven't seen any sign of civilization other than the underground area." He hesitated. "But I was thinking. What if we weren't the only ones who were brought here?"

"Do you think there's another couple?" Her face lit up with excitement. "Maybe another human woman?"

"I think it's possible."

"We should go and meet them."

"Perhaps."

"Why perhaps?"

"Because I only saw one set of prints. It could just be a single male. Or there could be many males. What if someone tried to take you from me?"

"You would never let that happen," she said confidently, then grinned. "And I still have my knife."

"My fierce mate." The word sounded perfect on his lips as he pulled her back down beside him.

"But I still think we should meet whoever it is," she said.

"Perhaps I could keep watch," he agreed reluctantly. "If it is only a single male, and I do not think he represents danger, I could approach him."

"Good."

She nodded decisively, then ran a teasing hand down his abdomen. Delicate fingers stroked the edge of his slit, awakening his kalu yet again.

"But that's for the future. Tonight is our mating night and I have plans for you." She shimmied down his body and began pressing kisses to his kalu as it sprang free. "Lots of plans."

"I am all yours," he assured her. As her mouth closed around him, he sent a silent prayer of thankfulness to the Goddess. He had asked for peace, but She had given him so much more. She had given him everything he had ever wanted.

There, you see. Another successful test. Va'rik'at'char floated complacently in his tank, making no attempt to hide his satisfaction as he sent a message to his fellow scientist through his neural network.

I still maintain that it does not count, La'tok'at'bron responded immediately. The male did not complete the final test.

Because he had already chosen to stay on the planet with the female.

But he did not have the opportunity to offer his life for hers.

If Va'rik'at'char could have consumed oxygen, he would have sighed. They'd had the same argument many times over the past two months.

At least you cannot deny that there is a mating bond. The female even chose to perform a bonding ceremony.

There is a bond, La'tok'at'bron admitted. But breeding has not yet occurred.

We do not know that. I suspect that it has. It is unfortunate that they did not enter the lab and discover the medical scanner.

Then we do not have proof , La'tok'at'bron said, an indisputable air of triumph in his response.

Va'rik'at'char's antennae waved in frustration. You are very stubborn, La'tok'at'bron.

Such emotions are beneath a true scientist. I simply refuse to base my results on incomplete data.

Va'rik'at'char could not entirely dispute the argument, but…

They are waiting, he reminded La'tok'at'bron, even though he knew the other scientist was equally aware of their responsibilities.

They have waited this long , La'tok'at'bron finally responded. We must be sure.

What will it take for you to be sure?

More tests. There are other areas of the surface to explore.

Did you have something in mind?

I thought perhaps the ocean. And a male with less… refined sensibilities.

Why?

So far we have chosen males with an ingrained sense of responsibility. Will the experiment be successful with the opposite?

It was a valid test. And despite his eagerness for a successful conclusion, Va'rik'at'char did find the experiments most enjoyable.

Very well , he agreed, then turned his attention to his other duties.