Red Run (4 page)

“My mate, Sophie Redding.
Sophie, this is my oldest friend, Agent
N’lien
.”

“
N’lien
, please. Sophie, you will have your hands full with this one.”

She smiled shyly and took the seat that
T’bir
held out for her, next to her grandmother and on his right hand.

The meeting started roughly, but as both sides explained their points, an agreement was achieved. The humans would be allowed to stay, provided that they engaged in zero population growth. Two children or less per couple would be allowed and no unusual tech was to be employed.

The
Sethen
would not hunt or harass the humans and would allow them space in the city until they could rebuild their own towns and villages, after the cities were raised. The rebuild was their penance for the landing of their forefathers.

The explanation of the emergency settlement was accepted and the treaties were written. Cross breeding was a sensitive topic. Speculative gazes immediately darted to the two human women at the table.

Agatha smiled. “Don’t look at me, I would be willing but it
ain’t
likely.”

The table burst into laughter and that moment of tension was broken. Sophie
smiled,
her Gran was always willing to draw fire.

T’bir
straightened. “I am in the process of courting Sophie. If she will have me, we will test our compatibility. At that time, if there are any other mixed couples who wish to try, they will be allowed to make the attempt to woo and win.”

One of the colony council members scowled. “What if we don’t want our kind mixing with yours?”

T’bir
snarled and his fangs lengthened in response. “Then get off my world.”

N’lien
took over quickly, smoothing over the gaff. “Our males are very serious about courtship, as you can imagine. We mate once, for life, and never stray. Once committed, a male will happily die or kill to protect his female. Can your species say the same?”

The humans looked uneasy and Agatha pressed the advantage. “
Termor
, aren’t you on your fourth wife after your third divorce? I am pretty sure that your first wife would have preferred a
Sethen
courtship.”

One of the
councillors
turned fuchsia and spluttered while a few of the others looked embarrassed.

Agatha sat back and grinned. “Now that we understand what is on offer, why don’t you put the matter of mating to the population and try to keep an open mind when they don’t react the way you would expect.”

* * * *

T’bir’s
quarters were huge, he had a wardrobe of
Sethen
style gowns ordered for her and they would be delivered in the morning.

“I can’t really believe the vote was that much in
favour
of the
Sethen
courtship option.” Sophie was dazed and sitting on the edge of the bed while
T’bir
unlaced her boots.

“Why not?
We are a very handsome people.” He looked up for a moment and grinned.

In that moment, her heart
fell
the rest of the way. She stroked his hair out of his eyes and traced the curve of his lips. “Yes, you are.”

“And you are my beautiful mate. Every inch soft and silky, and I intend to memorize you.” He pressed a kiss to her inner thigh and she shivered. “You are turning red again.”

She groaned and closed her eyes as she flopped back on the bed. “Red will be a permanent state with you around.”

“If you ever want to escape, feel free to run. I would love to chase you down and make every inch of you red.” He was nibbling at her inner thigh, working his way to her core.

Her blush turned to squirms, then gasps, and finally screams.

She finally figured it out, the man and the beast were one, and they were both hers.

About the Author

Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales.

Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for.
To find one that we truly like, as well as love.