Bonus Chapter II

Night of Lights, Night Six

Klorus

Batium looked at Klorus and sounded a worried rumble. “Do you think they’ll actually like it?”

Klorus turned in a circle to take in all their efforts before meeting Batium’s eyes. “They’re going to love it,” she assured him. “Isla gave me a very detailed description of what they did back on Wimol, and what we’ve accomplished here is far superior.”

“I hope you’re correct,” Batium said. The sixth night of Halloheen was called the Night of Light. Isla explained that they needed to cover the square in brightly colored lights, and she gave Klorus permission to include anything else she thought would fit the theme of the evening.

Klorus and Batium spent the entire day working. Red, gold, blue, green, orange, and yellow lights were hung from every tree and pole. They’d even strung lights across the shorter distances in the square. When night fell and the lights were turned on, they’d create the illusion of a roof made of light!

Klorus had taken it a step further by finding different substances that glowed in the dark and painting the fronts of buildings with them. After a little research, Batium suggested they set up a station where humans and Talins could paint themselves with dyes that were safe to use on keratin and skin.

There were, of course, fire pits set up, because the humans liked open fire with all their celebrations. The Talins were quick to realize that the Night of Fire wasn’t the only night humans wanted to burn things!

The two of them also set up fosor lights on poles everywhere. Fosor lights had been used by Talins before they’d harnessed technology making the chemical light source unnecessary. Fosor lights glowed a beautiful pink that Klorus was sure the humans would find entrancing.

Although it was still daylight, Klorus could easily imagine what it would all look like after sunset. “It’ll all be perfect,” she murmured, then turned to her husband.

She stepped close and wrapped arms around his neck to make it easier to rub her scent glands against his. Their scents combined, making both of them rumble with satisfaction. Neither ever thought they’d find a place within the Talin empire to freely scent bond, but here on Sorana, everything was different.

“Henni keeps asking me when we’re going to have offspring,” Klorus said. “That human is persistent. She wants everyone to have babies.”

“You’d think she’d be content with her own,” Batium said with an amused rumble. “But no, she insists that there are never enough offspring.”

Klorus steeled herself to say the next thing. “I’m not sure I’m ready for a baby.”

Batium sounded a loud comforting rumble. “We have plenty of time.”

“No, I mean I’m not sure I want to give birth. I absolutely want to care for and raise our offspring, but I’m scared of pregnancy and birth. It’s so dangerous.”

“It is,” Batium agreed, hugging her tightly. “We can always use an artificial womb. The baby will still be ours.”

“Are you sure?” she asked with a questioning rumble. “You said you were excited to have a baby the natural way. I feel as if I’m betraying you.”

“Never,” Batium answered without hesitation. “The thought of putting your health at risk scares me. If you're content with an artificial womb, then so am I.”

Klorus relaxed, feeling a burden lift from her shoulders. “I’m not sure yet, but it’s good to know you approve of either decision.”

He sounded a rattle of affirmation while still rumbling a soothing sound. “You’re my scent-bonded mate and my wife,” he reminded her. “I’ll always agree with whatever you desire.”

She melted against him. “You’re perfect, my Batium.”

“Only because you made me that way,” he said quickly. “No matter how our child comes into this world, I’ll love them as much as I love their mother.”