“It’s Abritos’s version of chicken alfredo with steak. Beyond that, it’ll take a while to figure out the words to explain the differences.”

Two bites in and Viera knew this was beyond better than anything she’d ever eaten. “Marry me!”

Thorn laughed. “Are you talking to me or the food?”

“You know, I don’t even know. This is so good.”

“Well, let me know once you’ve decided.”

Shock sent tendrils of raw lust through Viera’s body at Thorn’s words. Could I really marry Thorn? Would she say yes? Would she want an Earthling? She gave Thorn a small smile as she continued to eat the mind-blowingly good food.

After dinner, they were both ready to fall over. They had a house and a bed all their own, but after a day of work, cuddling in bed was all either of them could manage. Viera curled into Thorn’s arms and quickly fell asleep.

Chapter 21 - There And Back Again

Viera

Though the ceiling was all windows, there was an optional tinting, that kept the strongest of the morning sun from shining in on Viera and Thorn. When Viera woke up, she lifted up on an elbow and gazed down, admiring how beautiful Thorn was. She traced the other woman’s perfect eyebrows down to her soft lips. She leaned down to kiss Thorn’s cheek, but at the last moment, the other woman shifted and Viera found herself in a proper good-morning kiss.

Thorn’s hands reached up, tangling in Viera’s hair. Viera let her hand stroke down the velvet smooth skin until she reached one of Thorn’s perfect breasts. She slipped her leg between Thorn’s, rubbing their bodies together.

Thorn traced her fingers down Viera’s back, feather light, causing Viera to squirm atop her. Viera continued to play with Thorn’s nipple as she kissed down to her ear, licking and nibbling the sensitive skin.

Thorn reached Viera’s ass, giving it a squeeze, before tracing around to fondle between her legs. Viera bent a knee for better access as Thorn glided her finger over her clit and then in tantalizing circles.

Viera moaned into Thorn’s ear. “Yes, give me more,” Thorn demanded. “I want to hear you scream my name.”

Her finger got more insistent, stimulating Viera. Viera’s body trembled as she tried to focus on giving pleasure. The build-up of sensation became too much, and her orgasm exploded out of her in several waves. Beneath her, Thorn groaned in satisfaction.

Once Viera could think again, she tried to initiate more, but Thorn smiled contentedly. “We need to move, love. We can do more on the ride back to Torville Station Number Six, but we’re on a tight schedule and I want to show you a few things around my town, and then we need to leave.”

Viera sighed, snuggling in closer. “Fine, but I may jump you at any moment. Just be prepared, Commander.”

Thorn laughed.

***

They walked down the street, hand in hand. It didn’t take long for the tunnel to dump them back out at an outdoor train. Knowing what Flower Prancer expected, and what she hadn’t done, Viera picked up a stone. With a bit of focus, she gave the small pebble a toss and played with the time around it and for it. Once she released the magic, it shot off, zooming through the air like a rocket.

Both she and Thorn gaped at how far and fast it went. Thorn finally turned her stunned face to her. “You didn’t know it would do that?”

“No. I’ve been practicing on the ship with paper. I had no idea.” Tingles of apprehension danced across her body.

Thorn shook her head in apparent shock. “It was awesome and terrifying, you know that, right?”

“I agree.”

Thorn reached down and picked up a few more pebbles. “Can you do it again?”

“Do you really want me to?” The idea dumbfounded Viera.

“You can only use what you can master.”

Viera laughed, disrupting some birds in a tree. “Did you get that from Flower Prancer?”

Thorn snorted. “No. Actually, Betsy, if you must know.”

Viera took another pebble and repeated her actions. The same thing happened. Thorn had a far-off look. “What if I threw the stone? Could you do the same thing then?”

“Don’t know, but I don’t see why not?”

Thorn tossed the next pebble, and Viera performed the sonic toss, as she was coming to think of it, rocketing it off down the field.

A land bridge, a path over a part of the field that Thorn explained was a path for animals, came up in front of them. Excitement filled Thorn to the point Viera could sense it. “Just over this bridge is my bakery. I want to show it to you, and then we can return to the ship.”

Viera reached out and took her hand. “You say that like I haven’t completely enjoyed myself. I’d stay here as long as you wanted.”

Thorn turned away, but Viera thought she heard her say, “Not as long as I really want you to stay.”

***

The four-day journey back to Torville Station Number Six was much like the one to the planet. Most of the crew were busy making the Ziner run smoothly. Flower Prancer insisted that Viera spend her time practicing her magic.

The only benefit was that they finally moved on to a variety of magics. Time was off the table.

Viera did pounce on Thorn when she wasn’t expecting it, but she waited until they were alone in their room. She thought a show on the bridge may have been a bit flashy for both of them.

Chapter 22 - Tying Up Loose Ends

Betsy

The sound of the two ven knocking over Betsy’s suitcase woke her up. Fucking flying cats! Why the hell did I want the beasts?

Buttercup flew and landed next to her, rubbing her soft, furry face against Betsy’s hand as she made a low sound, similar to a purr, that meant she was happy. With an exaggerated sigh, Betsy scratched the miscreant pest until it quivered beneath her ministrations.

From out of nowhere, Westley landed on Betsy’s hip, demanding his turn. Betsy shifted her attention from the gray beasty almost asleep next to her, to the devil, almost all black, prancing up and down her side. Wes, as she thought of him, had a heart of gold once he settled down, but he loved to play.

She’d taken to waking up twenty to thirty minutes early each day just to have some time to give the two ven some attention.

Though Wes loved the scritches, he soon was off, flying around. He loved to be the void in flight, the shadow that zoomed, darkness before the nap. That was Betsy’s cue to rise and get them all food.

Once her flying friends were munching, she grabbed a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt with a large pineapple on it and headed for the bathroom. After a quick shower and a double dose of soaking, she dressed.

Being off-planet always made her feel weird. The high concentration of magic on Earth wasn’t needed for a wizard, but it meant her body was used to the higher levels, almost like an addiction. Being off-planet felt like she was in magic withdrawal.

Once she was sure the ven were okay, she slipped out of her room and headed to find Scout. She signaled her arrival on his door pad. A moment later, he opened the door looking bright-eyed and ready for the day. “Hi, Pillar Doeth. How are the ven this morning? Do they miss their siblings?”

Betsy smiled at his exuberance. His words tumbled from his mouth so fast. “They’re doing great. They’ve taken over my small room and I’m sure once we’re back on Earth, they’ll love my home. It’s big enough for them and I have a large wooded area where they can fly free and explore.”