Chapter Twenty-Four

Drin came out of the trance that Ekron’s lovely voice had woven around her. “Play? No. I haven’t had access to a piano for years.”

Ekron looked at her. “If I get a keyboard set up, will you play for us?”

“I am super rusty, but I can try.”

He kissed her quick and then set his guitar aside, heading into the house.

Drin frowned and then blinked as Ekron appeared a few seconds later with a keyboard and stand. He set it out and sprinted inside to get the stool that went with it. He adjusted it for her and guided her to sit down.

It was a full keyboard, and she settled her fingers on the keys. The first notes were tentative. She paused, flexed her fingers, then plowed into a classic concerto followed by one of Ekron’s biggest hits. She sang along to that one and tried to stand up when she finished. Ekron put his hands on her shoulders. “Oh, no. Play that last one again. I want to sing a duet.”

She snorted and started the music again and began to sing. Ekron’s voice wrapped around hers and vibrated through her body as she played. She was vibrating with arousal when they finished.

“Pet, you have a stunning voice.” He leaned down and licked her ear.

She muttered, “Don’t, don’t!”

His tongue flicked the tip, and she bit her lip and shuddered. It wasn’t the best orgasm she had had, but it was deep. She slowly opened her eyes and covered her mouth in horror. “Ohmygod, I am so sorry.” Evali, Varun, and Niseth were staring at her.

She tried to run inside, but Ekron held her in place. “Oh, no, pet. You are staying right here.”

“But... I… and folks were watching.”

“Hon, I don’t know if you are talking about the music or the orgasm. You have quite the set of pipes.”

She blushed and hid her face against his shoulder. He stroked her back. “Come on, pet. One more.”

She looked at him. “Are you serious?”

He grinned. “Just a little more.”

Drin sighed. “Fine. This one Vaka wrote with me in grade eleven.”

She played a song that was profoundly lonely and full of memories of childhood. When she pulled her hands back, Vikor asked, “Vaka wrote that with you?”

“For me. He wrote it for me.” She got up and walked past Niseth and cuddled onto Vikor’s lap. She leaned up and whispered in his ear. He laughed and got to his feet. They headed inside for the five minutes she needed with him stroking swiftly into her.

She bit down on his neck to keep from screaming as pleasure billowed through her, and he groaned as he spilled into her. He murmured, “So, you really like it when Ekron sings?”

“I will never admit it to him. He would get a big head.”

He laughed and licked at the bite mark he had left on her neck. “You are going to be tormented at the music awards. He is up for best single, best album, and an achievement award. You are going to be hearing a lot of him.”

She shrugged. “Recordings don’t bother me; it is a problem of his actual voice that has driven me to this quickie.”

He nuzzled her neck. “I will hate to break it to you, but he will be performing at the awards.”

“I will cross my legs.”

“Hah. I have seen your dress. You will be lucky if you can walk.” He stroked her cheek. “But, I absolutely want a picture of you in it without the golden wonder.”

She sighed. “I am going to have a problem sorting out makeup and hair.”

“Oddly, I have gotten an offer from Arcady for you to do the prep at the BDC office, as it is an official date. Just bring the dress that Evali brought by today.” He smiled. “She’s super excited to have you going with Ekron.”

“Should we go back out there?”

Klauz made dinner.

She started to squirm. “How do I get off this ride?”

He was still chuckling when they returned to the patio, and Klauz beckoned her over and set up her standard high-calorie fare. Everyone else got barbeque. She got barbeque, pate, and pastry stuffed with all kinds of fun mushrooms.

Evali sat next to her and explained the dress. The experimental fabric was bulletproof and would wrap tight. It was going to be snug to mid-thigh and was a shade of blue that was midnight with a metallic blue finish. She would need five-inch heels to move in, but the cut would display all her bands. She did need some kind of earrings.

“I can probably borrow something from the BDC. Earrings are pretty common wardrobe items.”

Evali looked worried. “I can call around and borrow something.”

“I can check my wardrobe options to see what I can borrow. Nothing is set for my new pointy ears.” She bit her lip. “I am going to need to go in for a new scan.” She stood up. “I should go now.”

Evali’s eyes got wide. “Whoa. You don’t need to go now. The morning will be fine.”

Drin had something she needed to do, and she started to stress. She used to think it was the urge to work, but it was just a compulsion to move things out of her way so she could rest for just a little while.

She headed to the front of the house and was about to call for a transport when Techor wrapped an arm around her waist. “I will drive you. You are really agitated.”

She nodded. “I don’t want to embarrass myself or Ekron.”

He hugged her. “I know. Now tell Vikor what the problem is. He’s upset.”

He guided her to his vehicle while she explained things to Vikor on her com. She buckled in, and Techor drove her toward Z-Tech.

“So, what are we doing there?” Techor asked her calmly as they drove through the light evening traffic.

“I am going to the BDC hub and get a scan that takes in all the changes I have gone through. Then, I can see if there is any jewellery that will fit the ears and work around the collar.”

He blinked. “You are worried about that?”

“Well, yeah. I would get just as agitated about going out with you and not knowing what to wear. Heck, I probably will.”

He reached out and squeezed her hand. “You will get the hang of it.”

“I know, but I also know that Ekron appears in a lot of tabloid images at an event. I am not used to being seen, and there will be comments after this, so if I have flashy jewellery, a designer dress, and killer shoes, my body will only get a single line of comment, and I am not going to be reading those comments.”

He squeezed her hand. “It will be fine. I can hardly wait to see you in that dress.”

“I am almost looking forward to seeing it myself.”

He laughed. “Just two more days until you gear up. I promise you will love it.”

She looked at him and sighed. “I hope so.”

The trip to the BDC took twenty minutes. Techor waited in the lobby while she got her new self scanned and looked through the available jewellery for something appropriate. She found a few items, and she requested that they be put on hold for her. She tried the shoes on, and with a little bit of care, she could walk in them. She was as prepared as she could get.

Techor drove her back to Ekron’s house, and she held onto the judge as he walked her back to the house.

Tomorrow she would get a computer to work from home, and then, on Thursday, she would be with Ekron and heading to the awards. After that, she would have to take it day by day.

Arcady came down to help her get dressed. When the makeup was done, it was time to get the dress on. The fabric slid on, hugged every curve, and threatened to leave her cleavage exposed to all and sundry with each deep breath. Her breasts did look amazing in the dress, though.

Arcady grinned when she finished dressing and did a slow turn. “Aw, Drin, you look amazing. I want to look like you when I grow up. You are all hourglass with extra minutes.”

“You have electric pixie wings and gorgeous body mods, plus you have confidence.” Drin brushed her hands down the dress that looked like she was walking wrapped in midnight.

“Come on. Your date is upstairs getting stared at.”

“Is everything right? Is everything good?”

“You are amazing from head to toe. Ekron will be lucky to have you with him.” Arcady grinned and swiftly took an image of Drin. “I am not going to send that to anyone until you and Ekron are on the red carpet, but you look really good. Like edible good. I would be wrapped around you and wrecking your lipstick if I thought it was feasible.”

Instead, Arcady settled for smacking Drin on the ass as the elevator rose to the lobby.

Ekron was waiting for her in a devastating tuxedo. He looked golden and stunning, with his eyes nearly glowing as she stepped out of the elevator. She walked toward him, and he met her halfway.

“I want to mess up your hair and destroy your lipstick.” His wild purr rattled her body as he pulled her in for a careful hug.

“So, I look okay?”

“You are a goddess, and my purr is going to embarrass me because it is going to be going all night long.”

“Oh, is that like using the display on your com while at a cinema?”

He backed up, bowed, and offered her his arm. When she snuggled up, and her breast brushed his elbow, the purr got louder.

“Ah. I am beginning to see the problem.” She smiled.

“I am going to love and hate this evening.” He chuckled as they left the lobby in the middle of rush hour. There were gasps and some squeals as his driver held the door for her, and then, Ekron climbed inside after her. He pinned her against the back of the seat and buried his face in her breasts.

She laughed at the familiar feeling.

He looked up at her. “See? Nothing too scary.”

She fixed his hair and tapped his nose. “Behave. We can play all you like when this evening is over. What are the guys doing tonight?”

“Watching the awards.”

“Oh, good, then I don’t have to get someone to take a picture of me in my dress.”

He laughed. “Oh, that won’t be a problem.”

They arrived at the theatre a few minutes later, and she saw what he was talking about.

It was alive with reporters, and the drive was clogged with vehicles as they waited their turn. He kept his arm around her until it was their turn, he coached her, and she followed orders.

The lights were blinding, but she saw one familiar face and then the next. Khytten and Salat were in formal wear, as were Klauz and the rest of the guys. They were waiting on the other side of the red carpet and grinning as she walked with Ekron past the folks calling for them to stop and pose. He kept his arm around her or touched her the entire time, and they made it through the gauntlet.

She stared at the guys. “You are all here!”

One by one, they hugged her. Klauz informed her, “We get the invites because of our work.”

“So, you all knew you would be here, and you let me freak out that I was going to be alone when Ekron was called to do whatever?”

Vikor nodded. “We did. We didn’t want to interfere with Ekron’s night.”

Remark smiled. “Which we are doing, so have fun, you two. Ekron, I have to say that your mother does amazing work.”

Someone called for Remark, and it was another Aksalla team member. Yasit.

She clutched at Ekron’s arm, and he smiled. “Hiding, pet?”

She nodded, and he stopped playing. He inclined his head toward the rest of the link and slowly guided her into the theatre.

They were checked off a list, and an eager young person led them down to the second row near the walkway.

When they were seated, someone with a tablet rushed to talk to Ekron, and he nodded. After half an hour, the lights on the stage came up, and the show started.

She loved music. She admitted that. It had been the one thing her parents were willing to pay for, even after she activated. The night was heaven for her.

Ekron held her hand lightly, and when he was pulled off for a performance, that was when things went a bit sideways.

He put on a headset and sang to her. Literally. The musicians on stage looked at each other when he walked down the steps and held his hand out to her. She blushed but put her hand in his, and he walked back to the stage with her where he paced around her and then... they danced. It wasn’t the first time, and she always enjoyed dancing with him. The dress was a bit of a challenge, but she was pretty sure it looked great when he bent her back to a ridiculous degree and finished his song. He pressed his forehead to hers with a grin and got a nod from the sound guy before he whispered, “Well done, pet.”

The applause was unexpected, and he returned the headset to the sound person the moment they were off the stage. He returned to their seats, and the seat fillers gracefully moved away. The woman on her left told her that she was a lovely dancer and asked her where her dress came from. When she said Evali, the woman got excited and started to type on her com.

Ekron laughed softly. “Mom is going to love you even more.”

When he won his award, she applauded with the rest of the audience, and he was escorted off stage.

The seat filler took up his seat, and that was fine, but when he casually brushed her breast, she elbowed him.

He looked at her. “Don’t be like that, baby. You have an amazing rack.”

She gritted her teeth. “Yeah, but I didn’t give you permission to touch, fondle, rub, or make contact. Keep your hands to yourself, or I will make a scene.”

“Don’t get me booted off this gig, baby.”

She glared at him. He was conventionally handsome, but he had the wrong frequency. It set her on edge.

“They won’t believe you anyway.” He smirked.

“You do know that one of my mates is a telepath and the other is an image reader? The telepath is irritate right now, but I know one thing for certain, they will believe me.”

He got a mutinous expression, and then, he levitated out of the chair. Well, it was Ekron returning. He picked the man up and dropped him in the aisle, bending low, and the man skittered away.

He smiled and showed her the award as he sat down. “Take it. Use it to hit the next one the moment that they get grabby.”

She held it. “Huh, it’s heavier than I thought.”

He chuckled and whispered in her ear until she blushed.

He got two more awards but came directly back to his seat, much to the consternation of the organizers.

They left with everyone else when the show was over, and he asked, “Do you want to go to the after-party? The guys are invited to at least one of them as well, so...”

“Are they going?”

He chuckled. “They are going if you are.”

“Then... it’s your date. I am still on the clock.” She nudged him with her hip.

“Oh, check your schedule. I filed for an extension.”

She checked and saw that it now went on until four in the morning. She hit the approve button.

He grinned. “Best night ever. Now, we have to hand these over to the engravers... and here they are.”

The person with the uniform came up and verified the three awards from the clipboard and took the awards away in a specialized cart filled with other awards. “Thanks, Theo.”

The engraver grinned. “Always a pleasure, Ekron.”

“This is my link mate, Drin. Drin, this is the engraver to the winners.”

“Oh, I hadn’t heard. Congratulations!”

She nodded politely. “Nice to meet you, Theo.”

They shook hands, and he had to leave to collect more awards.

The guys were waiting for them, and she looked at Ekron. “Can I wreck my makeup yet?”

He smiled. “I will risk it.”

He cupped the back of her neck for a kiss, and it was only when she heard a roar from outside that she realized they could be seen from outside.

When he lifted his head, she muttered, “And this is when we figure out if the hostility problem is still an issue.”

He dove in again, and his purring was manic. His tongue tangled with hers, and he lifted Drin off her feet. She felt the movement, and when the night air wrapped around them, she laughed. “Moron.”

He pressed his forehead to hers. “Beloved pet.”

The guys formed up behind them, and the limo SUV pulled up. They all piled in, and she kissed Techor. “Thanks for alerting him.”

“No problem. I wanted to break his hands, but alerting Ekron was easier.”

They went to the prefect’s party and enjoyed the food and the dancing. Salat danced with Khytten when he moved over to her and Remark and cut in. Salat was graceful on the dance floor and asked, “So, you are enjoying your link?”

“Yeah. The guys and I are finding balance.”

“Yours is the largest formal link to date. Zera wants us to keep an eye on you to make sure you are stable.”

“Ah, so this is factfinding. Got it.”

Salat laughed. “No, I could do that at the buffet. This is to get closer to the second-best set of breasts in Aksalla.”

She chuckled. “Evali did a good job on cutting this dress.”

“It is lovely, and your new appearance is charming, but it is your contentment that is shining through.”

Drin chuckled. “Don’t tell Vikor, but tomorrow, I get a few sets of jeans, and Ekron is helping me hide them. I need them for roughhousing with my nephew.”

He laughed. “I will enjoy seeing the fallout. Even from a distance. So, are you planning kids?”

“Sort of. I had myself checked out this week. I am going to need an incubator. No semen can survive in my body. It just disappears. So, we will work around it. Can you tell me why active males are so obsessed with offspring?”

He shrugged. “It is a compulsion. We have to, and since we can’t have children ourselves, we find mates who match our physiology. I have Khytten and wouldn’t change that for anything.” He smiled. “Thanks to her, I have a beautifully intelligent stepdaughter, a set of remarkable twins, and a set of triplets she still hasn’t forgiven me for. I will probably be apologizing for that until they graduate.”

She chuckled. “That’s it for you?”

“Unless she wants more, in which case, I am happy to oblige. How many kids do you want?”

She froze. “The guys each want two.”

“But, how many do you want?”

She swallowed. “That isn’t in me. I have my nephew, and I am content.” She shrugged. “I know I will feel something when they are in my arms, but it isn’t a need. So... I will raise the children they want and pursue finding other work or things to occupy myself. I guess.”

“You still don’t know what you want?”

“I haven’t had time to breathe yet. Or sleep. I crawled into a tree to get a nap the other day. Went up too high. Remark flew up to get me.”

Salat found that hilarious.

The song ended, and Remark reclaimed her. “What did he want to know?”

She sighed. “I think Ekron wanted to know how many kids I wanted, so he sent in his cousin. Salat was a little too interested in the answer. It wasn’t the one he was expecting.”

Remark smiled. “He learned that you are indifferent to reproduction.”

“Yup. He seemed shocked.”

“It’s fine. We know you will love them when they are here. You didn’t want us, and now we see the affection in your eyes.” He chuckled. “And I saw the way you moved to put yourself between the shooter and your nephew at the playpark when I went over the event in your mind. You protect what is yours once it becomes yours. You might want to learn how to carry a weapon, though. You can’t count on your ability to reverse activation all the time.”

“Once. I have done it once, and now the stupid potted plant is twenty feet tall with purple fruit.”

He laughed and kissed her softly. “Are you having fun tonight, pet?”

“I am. Out of the past and into the moment. Give me a few weeks, and I will take a peek at the future.”

He twirled her and then just held her against him. “I like the thought of a future with you.”

“How many years on your team contract?”

He chuckled. “I have two years to go, and then, I get my payout and can do what I like.”

She ran her fingers down the front of his formal uniform. “Do you have any plans to become a stay-at-home dad?”

He grinned. “I didn’t, but it does have a certain attraction.”

She smiled. “Give it some thought. I want to take the kids to music lessons. Techor can teach them to swim. Vikor can be their climbing frame, Klauz can teach them to cook, and you can give them physical training and help them with self-control.”

Ekron put his hands on her shoulders and kissed her neck. “What will I be teaching them?”

“Charm school, Patron.” She turned into his arms.

He grinned and gracefully swirled her around the dance floor. “I could teach them to dance. I can teach them music.”

“Ah, not a good idea.”

They moved as if their bodies were synched.

He looked at her in surprise. “Why not? I can play piano as well as guitar.”

“I can’t have you singing that much around the house.”

“Why?”

“Because it makes me want to crawl on top of you, and things only get filthier from there.”

He laughed. “You must hate listening to my music.”

“No, recordings don’t have it. It only happens when you sing in person.” His arm wrapped around her lower back and pressed her into him.

They finished the song, and he kissed her. “Ready to leave?”

She nodded. “Yes, please, Patron.”

She held onto his hand as they left the party, pausing so he could hug his aunt. She was introduced to the prefect of Aksalla and promised to come to a family dinner the next time Salat and Khytten came to town.

He murmured on the way to the car, “They live one street over, but protocol has to be maintained.”

She nodded and slipped into the car with him entering behind her. The moment the vehicle started to move, he was purring madly and on her.

It was the start of a perfect end to a perfect day that turned into a delightfully exhausting night.