Page 50 of Sway’s Peace (Delivery Service #2)

Grace

It hadn’t been easy to come out of the back wearing this dress. There just wasn’t enough dress for her to feel like she was fully clothed. But she was able to rationalize it in her mind by reminding herself that she frequently wore two-piece bathing suits, and this covered more than that.

The show of bravery was more than worth it. The heat of Sway’s gaze on her was thrilling. All the more so for knowing just how chilly those black eyes could be. The stark difference between the two only made the heat stroking over her skin even better.

Then, his crest started rising, and her breath caught as her heart thudded painfully in her chest.

Farasie crests were most similar to mohawks as a hairstyle.

The primary crest feather at the top of his head that covered the rest was the same light blue as the rest of him.

The other feathers, when down, were hidden beneath it.

They laid flat on his head, down past his neck.

The colors were still visible, brief flashes of them around the primary feather and where they peeked through at the back of his neck, so they weren’t hidden, just not on display.

But as his crest rose the plumage hidden beneath lifted as well, and the beautiful feathers spread over his head like a glorious crown. The vibrant colors were all the more beautiful for having been so tightly concealed for so long.

Grace was enchanted. Without even thinking about it, she lifted a hand, raising it up to brush her fingers over the delicate bodies.

The other feathers were slightly shorter than the primary crest feather, but they were also wider and more numerous.

The way they spread meant the primary feather couldn’t possibly conceal them.

It was a display. Proof of his good mood. Proof of his virility. Proof of how much he enjoyed looking at her as she was now. Grace suddenly understood why lady birds liked this. The visual evidence of his desire for her, bright and proud, was quite a sight to enjoy.

“You’re beautiful,” she whispered, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

He chuckled, wrapping his arm around her waist and jerking her up against his chest. “I believe that is what I’m supposed to say.”

“It’s true though!” She giggled, trying to lean over. “Is your tail spreading?”

“Peeping at my tail, are you?”

“Shamelessly. Let me see.”

He smiled but shook his head. “It’s not spreading.”

“You liar. I see more yellow than before!” She laughed, standing straight again. There was only so much she could see without leaving his arms, which she didn’t want to do yet.

Sway’s tail feathers were long enough to touch the ground if they didn’t naturally curl up at the ends preventing them from dragging.

Similar to his crest, there were primary feathers for his tail that were coming off of his spine in the same blue as the rest of him.

There were three, and they covered the brighter feathers underneath quite neatly.

When spread though, his tail would be like a cape, or the back half of a skirt, going down not up like a peacock.

And all those bright colors would be fully visible.

As it was now, she could only glimpse the yellow, orange, and fuchsia behind his legs, like usual. But she could swear she saw just a flash of yellow like his tail was starting to spread.

She bet with his tail spread and his crest fully extended, he would be absolutely marvelous to behold. It was a sight she craved like sunlight, like her favorite treat, like the sweet brush of love and acceptance that she always enjoyed when he looked at her with those eyes.

The salesfemale came around then, asking if Grace would be interested in some sandals to go along with the dress, but she declined them, wanting to keep her slippers on.

Because the farasie people had such thick skin over their legs and feet, their shoes were actually very thin.

They were also made of the same sturdy reed-like material as the belt around her waist, which made them very scratchy and painful for her delicate skin.

While the belt was lined with soft silk, protecting soft flesh and feathers alike, the shoes were not.

Her plain gray slip ons weren’t stylish, but they didn’t detract from the look overly much.

And Sway wasn’t staring at her feet anyway.

She accepted her old clothes in a bag that Sway carried for her as they stepped from the shop together, his arm around her shoulders.

Loyalty was on her other side, smiling peacefully like he didn’t notice the constant barrage of dirty looks being thrown his way.

How did he stand it? Grace was getting angrier the more people she saw gasping and pulling away whenever he got too close for their comfort.

She understood they were scared of him-

Well, not really. Loyalty might be a parasite that had claimed the body left behind by the ratchi who originally owned it, but it wasn’t like he’d stolen the body or killed the former owner.

He wasn’t walking up and down the streets threatening people with his blood.

Honestly, for a giant crocodile-looking guy, he managed to actually present himself as pretty harmless.

He’d done nothing to any of these people. He appeared just as safe as Sway! And, yes, that was because there was a hard edge to Sway when he looked at the world that the other farasie didn’t possess. But it was easy for others to miss because they weren’t looking for it.

And because they didn’t see the change she did whenever he looked at her.

That stoniness vanished whenever he glanced her way, replaced by a genuine smile and not his false one.

She could see the transformation happening in real time whenever he looked at her and away again. So, to her, at least, it was obvious.

But it was equally as obvious that Loyalty was looking at everyone with that same kind warmth. How did no one else see it? Was the purple glow really that much of a deterrent?

Grace made sure, as they were walking around, that she was being just as nice, if not nicer, to Loyalty in view of everyone. She touched him without hesitation or fear. Nothing excessive or that could be misconstrued as romantic, but it was definitely fearless.

And, she knew, it didn’t go unnoticed. When they paused to get second meal and she put a hand on his arm, the female serving them got a look of disgusted horror on her face she made no effort to hide. She actually started to reach for Grace, like she intended to yank her away to safety.

Being surrounded by such blatant and obvious prejudice, it was easy to get frustrated with Sway’s people.

She had to remind herself that this wasn’t for her.

This was for him. She was making nice with these people for his sake.

The same reason Loyalty stayed among them in the first place.

She was smiley and pleasant to everyone despite their reactions, relying on the years of training her mother put her through for diplomacy and socializing.

Still, she would be lying if she said she wasn’t relieved when Vweet came to find them that afternoon to pass on a message from Veesway. The Song leader had agreed to eat with them this afternoon, if they still wanted to meet with him.

If Grace were to judge by the look that swept over Sway’s face when Vweet delivered the message, she would say that he did not.

Sway seemed to have three different expressions. The calm, unassuming smile he usually wore. The warm smile he saved for her.

And that face. The cold one. The dark one. The one he’d given Covor right before breaking his ribs. It was an icy look that, rightfully, should have sent chills down Grace’s spine.

Maybe because he never aimed it her way, but that look didn’t scare her. It only made her wonder what kind of life he had to live in order for that face to form. What did a person need to survive to gain the ability to break away from their humanity – metaphorically speaking – so completely?

Despite that face, however, Sway agreed that they did, in fact, still want to meet with Veesway.

Loyalty then took that chance to say that he would be staying in his room at the inn instead.

Grace insisted it was okay if he wanted to be there – with Sway’s nod of agreement – but Vweet looked immediately relieved that Loyalty wouldn’t be getting near their precious leader.

“I want to take a look around anyway,” Loyalty assured them calmly. “I think I’ll buy some souvenirs for my mate. I’m sure she’ll love them. Besides, this kind of conversation isn’t for anyone to hear. I’ll be available to talk or if you need me later, but I know when it’s best I don’t interfere.”

That was how Grace and Sway left him behind, following Vweet from the inn back up to the headquarters of the Song by themselves that night.

Both of them had dressed in farasie style clothing.

Grace actually kind of liked it. This tropical planet was pretty warm, and the clothes were very soft.

It was Sway who seemed uncomfortable, constantly plucking and pulling at the fabric as they went into the headquarters and, to Grace’s surprise, rode the lift down.

“These are Veesway’s private quarters,” Vweet said as they stepped off. He guided them down a hall that was rather simple in comparison to everything upstairs. There were doors lining it, but they all remained closed as he walked them to the far end.

That door opened into a long, formal dining room.

A grand dining table, easily big enough to fit twenty people, filled the space.

But the lighting inside was dim, drawing all attention to the windows taking up the entirety of one of the long walls.

Through them, Grace could see the forest floor of this tropical planet.

The bases of the large trees buried deep in the ground, the ferns, the detritus, the small animals wandering around, the bugs crawling about. Untamed nature, right within view.

A harsh comparison to the beautiful, cultured civility protected by that glass.

It had to be a vid feed. They were in the middle of the Song. That window couldn’t be showing them the forest floor just beyond. But it was so well done, her eyes couldn’t tell the difference.

There was already an array of food lined up on the table – fruits and veggies only.

It smelled wonderful, the steam from the dishes filling the air with their spiced scent.

In each corner of the room, a large pot held miniature versions of the same trees outside, but they were carefully trimmed and manicured to flawless perfection.

Veesway, who was standing at the glass, looking through the forest beyond, didn’t move when they walked in together. Even when Vweet announced them, he was still. Vweet gave them an encouraging smile as he lingered there, waiting…

No one said anything. In complete contrast to their first meeting, the air was tense and still. Sway’s face was completely impassive. Staring at his father’s back. Both of their crests down.

Grace reached out and slid her hand into his. He squeezed it back. The only sign of the discomfort he must be feeling.

Should she say something? Should she wait? There was obviously something going on, and she wanted to break the strain of it for Sway, but she also didn’t want to interfere until it became necessary.

But before she could make that decision, Veesway spoke. His tone soft and raw. Not quite as croony as Sway’s voice, but it was cracked with emotion.

“I’ve forgotten,” he said without looking back. “I never imagined the day would come that I would forget her face. The sound of her voice. The memory of her love drives me, but I’ve been so completely focused on my goals, on my mission, I’ve let myself forget her face .”

Sway said nothing, but his hand tensed in hers. Like he already knew what Veesway meant without needing to ask.

“You look like her.” Veesway finally turned, his black eyes swimming with unshed tears. “I don’t know why it took me so long to realize it.”

“I think I rather look like you,” Sway corrected, his tone low and even. Like they were talking about the weather.

Veesway chuckled, but there was no humor in the sound. “Maybe in your colors, but your face, your eyes especially, they’re hers.”

Sway didn’t respond. The silence between them was so tense, it was making Grace’s stomach hurt as her eyes darted between them. Waiting for the tension to snap. To break.

Veesway took a step forward. It was slow and hesitant. But, seemingly gathering his conviction, his second one was more confident. As was the third. The fourth. He walked with a slow, steady determination until he was standing before Sway, the two of them eye-to-eye. Veesway searched his face.

Grace didn’t know what he found, but whatever it was broke him. Hurt made Veesway’s face crumple as agony burned in his eyes.

“My son,” he whispered, the musical quality of his voice completely gone. “My sweet, happy boy. What has happened to you?”

Sway finally looked away from him. The untouchable mask he wore cracking. Though he didn’t answer immediately, there was clearly something there. A life too hard to speak of. Too many things to properly describe. A refusal to talk, or maybe just the lack of desire to revisit the memories.

Finally, after a long silence, Sway said neutrally, “Nothing I can’t live with.”

Veesway smiled. And though there was pain in the expression, there was joy there too, as he took his son’s face in both hands and turned his eyes back onto him. He offered him a smile.

“My dear Eefwan. My beautiful hatchling. Yes. What matters is that you have survived, and you have returned home. The horrors that were visited on you are over. You are back with me.”

Veesway threw his arms around him. Hugging him close with a breaking sound in his throat. It hurt Grace to see the obvious pain on his face, and she tried to pull her hand back. To give Sway the space he needed to hold his father in return.

But his grip tightened. Keeping her there.

Still needing her.

He didn’t return his father’s embrace.