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“That’s what they do. They’re small but amazing and fearless,” Payim agreed.

“That’s it then!” Merus declared.

“What?” His head swiveled to look at his brother.

“If she’s a goddess, you have to do something grand to gain her favor, like Osegrin.” Merus’ expression was excited, like he’d solved the riddle of the centuries.

“How can I do that? Building her an estuary is pointless. On her planet she lived by an ocean.” Aculus’ brow furrowed.

“An ocean?!” Merus’ eyes widened.

“Aye. So building her an estuary would be as impressive as handing her a glass of water,” Scala snorted in agreement.

“Well, I don’t know.” Merus threw his hands in the air.

They all turned to Payim.

“Don’t look at me, my people just met humans.” Payim shook his head.

“Break me,” he groaned.

Nadzia

Swiftly she walked through the Sanctuary. Admitting what she truly felt for Aculus made her giddy and nervous at same time.

How is this even going to work?She had no clue. And yet, when she stripped away all the what ifs and worries, it came down to that one truth.I love him.

She swiped the sensor on Aculus’ door then anxiously waited. When he didn’t answer she knocked on the door. It was late, he was probably asleep.

“He went out with Merus,” Costa said.

Nadzia turned to see the woman standing in the doorway of the next suite. Why didn’t it surprise her Costa knew exactly where Aculus was? The woman was the definition of clingy.

Costa smiled awkwardly while panning her. The expression was a mix of condescending and appalled at her less than stellar appearance.

Yeah, I know, I’m a wreck.Her hair and clothes were still dirty from her underground adventure, not to mention the scrape on her noggin. No doubt her appearance confirmed Costa’s less than impressed view of her.Too bad I don’t care.

“I just wanted to let him know I was back from the clinic.” She nodded to Costa.

“I’ll tell him when he gets in.”

I’m sure you will.The woman would probably wait by her door half the night listening for Aculus.

“Thanks,” she said, but Costa had already shut her door.

Disappointed he wasn’t home, she headed to her own suite farther down the hall. She didn’t want to wait to talk to Aculus but she’d have to. Nadzia entered her room and froze as she saw the giant glowing body. The overgrown ostrich trilled and blinked at her.

“Well, hello to you, too, Momma,” she replied, stunned to see the massive bird. “At least I think you’re Momma.”

How did it find me?

The massive raptor proceeded to strut around the room pulling in big snorting breaths as it examined everything.

Maybe Momma sniffed me out.

“Oh hey, careful,” she said as Momma’s full tail knocked over one of the armchairs.

She laughed when the bird turned and cast the chair a disgruntled look.