Page 53 of Milked for the Holidays

I pull away from him and stare into his eyes, pleading. “Then reverse it. You don’t have to do this.”

“But I do. The serum was making you sick. I- I can’t watch you die. I can’t.”

I turn to Nagán, a desperate hope fluttering in my chest. “You can fix this. Right?”

“Only cows are allowed on Icora. I cannot allow you to stay without the serum.”

“But-.”

“No buts, little human. You have to come with me.”

Vrokjan’s hands clench by his side, as if it’s taking all his willpower not to drag me away. This isn’t right. This isn’t fair.

“So that’s it? You’re not going to fight this?”

The look he gives me steals my breath. Anger and sadness swirl in the dark depths of his eyes. “I would do anything to keep you here. But it’s the law.”

“So it’s about my milk then.” Despondency drips through my veins as I realize I’ll be forced to go back and face the aftermath that is my life.

“Fuck your milk,” he roars, leaping out of the bed to pace. “I don’t want you here just to make money off of your body. I want you because I crave you. I love you.”

Behind me, Nagán gasps. “Brother. You can’t be serious.”

My Master cuts him off with a wave of his hand. “You belong on Earth. It’s because I love you I’m letting you go.”

This is insanity. His words buzz in my ears, and I wish I couldn’t understand them. “But I want to stay. Please. There’s nothing for me there. I don’t want to go back to Earth.”

“But your mother-”

“Is dead,” I interrupt. “I will always mourn her, but she’s no longer there for me. And if she were alive, she’d be angry if I threw away any chance of happiness for her.”

Sobs catch in my throat as the reality slams into me. She’d be furious if she knew I came back to Earth for her. Shaking my head, I rest my palm against his chest.

“Give me the serum again. If I have to lick the protein powder every hour like a crackhead needing a fix, I’ll do it. They’re the right size for a dime bag, anyway.” The look of confusion on his face would be hilarious if the situation wasn’t so serious. “There has to be a way.”

We both turn and look at Nagán. Right now, he’s the one standing in the way of our happiness. With a thoughtful frown, he pulls up a screen and runs his fingers across the slick surface.

“The main thing the serum does is make your breasts produce milk at a rate able to keep up with the demands of our business. It seems like the part you’re allergic to is that portion of it. The part keeping you healthy and able to thrive on our planet has no issue. I could alter the serum and add in the hormones needed for you to produce milk, but it won’t be in quantities nearly enough to add to our production line.”

“Do it,” we both say in unison.

“I don’t care if she’s not part of our herd,” Vrokjan rumbles behind me. “She will be my personal milkmaid.” The smile he gives me makes my heart flutter in my chest. “I cannot replace your mother. But I promise to give you all the love I’m capable of possessing. All I ask is you stay by my side until the Celestials force us to join the stars.”

I gaze into his eyes as the enormity of what he’s asking swims through my brain. I’ve never been married before, but this is the closest I think I’ll ever come. Lowering my head, I smile.

“I do.”

EPILOGUE

JESSICA

Heat infuses my body as I lie out on the grass next to Fiona. Neither of us says anything as we watch the clouds drift by. The silence is comforting, like a warm hug.

With a happy sigh, I tuck my hooves behind my head and make shapes out of the fluffy lavender patches that waft through the sky. “That one’s a dinosaur,” I call out, motioning to the large shape.

She screws up her face as she tilts her head, laughing when she’s unable to see it. “That’s a tall coffee drink. Complete with whipped topping and chocolate shavings.”

A bark of laughter rumbles from my throat. “Is that what you really see? Or is that wishful thinking?”