Page 23

23

NORA

Nora still felt weak from coming so hard and being taken so roughly. She couldn’t remember sex ever being so intense before. But then, she’d never had sex with a man who had wanted her so badly and for so long.

Of course, she’d also never been part of a live sex show before. She was aware that she was a mess—her leaf dress all askew, her breasts on display and her thighs slippery and sticky with the copious amount of cum her new husband had pumped into her, despite her begging him not to.

She needed to go somewhere and clean up but she still felt so shaky and spent. Feeling drained, she leaned against Xarex , almost too tired to be angry at him but then she heard someone shout,

“Look! The Bloom —it shines!”

Turning her head, she looked to where the huge alien rose with its milky-white blossom was still protruding from the mass of vines. To her surprise it was glowing now—glowing so brightly that she had to shield her eyes to look at it.

“Your sacrifice has been deemed acceptable— more than acceptable.” The One who Cares for All came up to them, smiling. “ Your emotions were satisfying both to the People and to the Bloom . You may pluck it now and take it with you to your home,” they told Nora .

She twisted her fingers together anxiously.

“But…but I don’t know if I should. What if I’m pregnant now? What if I can’t get it home in time before it dies?”

The One frowned sternly.

“You must pluck it now while the shine is the brightest. Besides , you are not with young.” He leaned over and sniffed her, much to Nora’s embarrassment. “ I do not smell a conception taking place within you.”

Nora wasn’t sure if it was even possible for someone to smell conception, but she supposed she would have to take a risk. Letting go of Xarex , who still had one long arm around her, she reached for the Flower of Healing and picked it carefully. The stalk was thick and she struggled for a moment, but then it seemed to release and come to her hand easily.

The Flower seemed to hum as she picked it and the glow dimmed for just a moment but then resumed its brilliance when Nora brought it to her nose and sniffed.

An indescribably beautiful fragrance filled her senses and she suddenly felt stronger. It was like new life was flowing through her. She straightened up and looked at the blossom.

“How do I use this to heal my daughter?” she asked the One who Cares for All .”

“Allow her to smell the fragrance as you just did yourself,” they answered. “ Take it now and go quickly—the fresher it is, the more healing properties it has.”

“And…you’re sure I’m not pregnant? Or might not be getting pregnant right now?” Nora could feel her cheeks getting hot with a blush but she had to ask. She was still dripping with Xarex’s seed!

The One shook their head.

“No, for your body has not released an egg to meet with your mate’s seed. But next time your body may be ready to grow a child, so be prepared. Now go—and take the Bloom with you.”

“Thank you.” Nora nodded and held the flower carefully in both hands, like a bride with a bouquet. Indeed , the Bloom was big enough to be a whole bouquet itself, and heavy enough for her to need both hands.

She wanted to say goodbye to their new friends, even though she was embarrassed that she and Xarex had been having sex in front of them. But when she looked out into the crowd, she didn’t recognize anyone. Either Twilla and Jammu had left the circle or they had changed so much they were not recognizable. Where they had been sitting, she saw a tall man and a short woman with small breasts but their facial features were too different to be sure if this was their new forms.

“Thank you,” she said again and looked up at Xarex . “ Should we go?”

There was a cold, distant look on his face which worried her, but he only nodded.

“Yes. Let’s go. I will ask the Mother Ship to fold space for us at once.”

Nora nodded and waved hesitantly at the people around us.

“Uh, thank you for everything. Goodbye .”

They all patted the ground again and Nora wondered if she should bow, like an actress who had given a good performance. But Xarex was already leaving the little village in the clearing, his long legs eating up the distance so quickly that she had to hurry to catch up with him.

She supposed they could talk about what had happened between them once they got to the ship. But to be honest, she was more focused on getting home to Anna .

She had no idea that Xarex was already planning to leave her.