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But when she touched him, he had felt her reluctance to trust. Even though she claimed she wouldn’t be upset with him if he admitted something else, he had the distinct impression that she would have been—possibly she would have gotten mad enough to leave him, and he didn’t want that.
I’ll just wait a little longer, he told himself. I’ll let my Bonding Scent work on her a little more. Eventually I’ll tell her that her exception was granted, but she’s not ready to hear it yet.
With that decided, he pushed the concern aside and concentrated on spending time with his new bride. He wanted to make their Claiming Period special for her—a time she would never forget.
22
ABBEY
After breakfast—or First Meal as the Monstrum, called it—Abbey got dressed in her clothes, which were now clean and dry—and they went out for a tour of the ship.
Of course, she couldn’t see anything except colorful blurs but Solon was excellent at describing all the details of the ship. They rode the tram system, which was almost like a roller coaster and was pulled by huge creatures called “woles” who ran rapidly on many segmented legs when food was dangled in front of them.
They visited the jungle-like Sacred Grove in the center of the Monstrum ship and Abbey got to touch all the alien plants and smell the flowers. They went to a restaurant for lunch and had Monstrum cuisine which was strange but delicious and they even met Solon’s boss, Commander Rarev, who was the leader of the Monstrum, who happened to be eating at the same restaurant.
“Commander Solon, my congratulations on finding your bride.” His deep, purring voice sounded to Abbey like a big cat.
“Thank you—this is Abbey Lennox. And Abbey, this is my Commanding Officer, Commander Rarev,” Solon introduced her. “Er, he’s holding out a hand to you to greet you with a handshake, the way you humans do,” he added.
“Oh, it’s nice to meet you.” Abbey put out her hand and felt a large, firm hand enclose her own.
“Abbey has a rare form of optic neuropathy which has taken her fine vision,” Solon explained, probably because his CO was looking at her with uncertainty, she thought. “She is what the humans call ‘legally blind.’”
“How fascinating,” Rarev murmured in his purring voice. “And how are you finding the Monstrum Mother Ship, Ms. Lennox?”
“It’s wonderful,” Abbey said enthusiastically. “I love all the flowers and plants you have everywhere. I work in my aunt’s florist shop back home, so I’m always interested in new plant life,” she added.
“In that case, the Monstrum Mother Ship is definitely the place for you,” Commander Rarev remarked. “And if you’d like to take flowers from any of our plants back home, please let Solon know. I’m sure your relative would be interested to see them.”
“Really? You’d let me have some to take home?” Abbey asked excitedly. The thought had definitely crossed her mind, but she didn’t want to ask for fear that it would be disrespectful.
“Certainly,” Commander Rarev purred. “Please help yourself. Though of course, only to the plants which are non-poisonous and innocuous to humans.”
“I’m keeping her clear of the dangerous ones,” Solon assured his boss.
“Thank you so much,” Abbey said to him.
“It is my pleasure. Please enjoy your stay on our ship.” Commander Rarev left after squeezing her hand gently.
Abbey turned towards Solon.
“If you really don’t mind, I’d love to send some flowers to my Aunt Rose today,” she told him. “I know she’d be thrilled to get them.”
“We can pick some and take them to her this afternoon if you like,” he offered. “That way we can get your mobility aides and some more clothing for you to wear.”
Abbey frowned.
“Am I allowed to go back to Earth during our Claiming Period?”
“As long as I’m with you, it doesn’t violate the terms and conditions.” He lifted her hand and kissed her palm. “Come on—let’s go find some flowers for your Aunt. I want to bring her an especially beautiful bouquet so she won’t be angry with me for stealing you away.”
“Oh my! These are just beautiful!” Aunt Rose exclaimed, as Abbey pressed the huge bouquet of colorful alien flowers into her arms. “Oh, sweetheart, I was so worried about you!” she added, and Abbey heard tears in her voice.
“I’m just fine, Aunt Rose.” She leaned forward and put an arm around the older woman and hugged her, despite the huge bouquet between them.
“I’m so glad you came back to tell me you’re all right. All I got was a phone call from some Kindred warrior saying you’d been taken and you wouldn’t be back for a whole month!” Aunt Rose said.
“I really must speak to the Draft Agents—they need to use more tact when taking a bride and speaking to her relatives.” The frown in Solon’s voice was evident. “I’m very sorry that you were worried about your kin,” he added, speaking to Aunt Rose. “But I give you my word as a Monstrum that I will care for her and keep her safe.”
