On the other side of the main room, there were several doors along both sides of a wide hallway. The first on the left was Thorn’s office. Then a bathroom. The last was Scout’s bedroom. Much like his on Earth, it was filled with books and knickknacks of things he loved. Thorn walked in and touched some items. A fuzzy creature Viera didn’t recognize, a book, and a figurine. “These were Scout’s favorite things. In the rush, he didn’t have time to grab them. I should bring back his favorite book and toy, see if he remembers them. I know we’re returning soon, but families won’t be top of the list, even if I am the Commander.”
Slipping up next to her, Viera wrapped an arm around Thorn. “I think that’s an excellent idea. Though Scout will be jealous you got to come home, he’ll love that he got a piece of his past back.”
On the other side of the hallway was the master suite, as they’d call it on Earth. A bedroom/bathroom combination with a huge walk-in closet. The muted earth-tones of light browns, greens, and blues relaxed Viera right away. “I love it!”
The two took a moment to stand and appreciate the room. Thorn sighed. “Okay, I’m going to get some new linens from the panel. If you can make the bed and clean up in here, I’ll get dinner made. We have our bags, so if you want to shower, getting a soak wouldn’t be a bad idea. There is a layer of magic on Abritos, just not as thick as on Earth. You’ve done a lot today and you need to replenish.”
They embraced before they each went to do their own thing. After her shower, Viera almost melted at the scents floating in from the other side of the house. “God above, that smells divine.”
She quickly dressed, finding a black cocktail dress and black flats in her bag. Along the wall between the main room and kitchen was a table. Thorn had set it. Two plates, two water glasses, wine, and candles.
Viera gaped at how beautifully her lover moved in the kitchen as she finished the meal.
“If you could come and find two wine glasses. They’re in the cupboard above the sink. I think we’ll be ready to eat.” Thorn winked as she brought a large dish to the table with something Viera didn’t recognize, but her stomach growled, letting her know it very much wanted it.
She found the glasses, and at the table she filled them. They both sat, and Thorn served a pasta-looking meal with a protein.
“What is this?”
“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?”
