Born Human - Part 5

  Years have passed, and Habel continues her journey to nudge the elves into social interaction with other races. Her own interaction is her business.

  Habel has enjoyed learning all she could, gaining new skills and new friends. Her heart still aches to find a companion, but she doesn’t see one when she looks at the elves around her.

  When the dragon engineer asks to meet her for dinner, her heart beats a little faster. When she puts her hand in his, her pulse trips like a hammer. Her heart had chosen him years ago; she just hadn’t let him know. He had never asked.

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Born Human Part 5

  Copyright © 2020 by Viola Grace

  ISBN: 978-1-989892-54-1

  ©Cover art by Angela Waters

  All rights reserved. With the exception of review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the express permission of the publisher.

  Published by Viola Grace

  Look for me online at violagrace.com.

  Born Human Part 5

  Habel Trollblood Book 1

  By

  Viola Grace

  Part Five: Reliving a Moment

  She completed her fifth tour of the garden area in the week. Upgrading the gardens and irrigation systems for the races interested in the newest tech was on the agenda for the tower. It had been a hundred years since the last upgrade, and some of the old systems needed replacing.

  Khyran was with the group, keeping track of the sirens and answering questions about the equipment designs.

  Habel was checking out some of the tomatoes when someone bumped into her. She wobbled, and a hand wrapped around her waist to steady her.

  Khyran murmured, “Apologies.”

  She nodded and fought the memory of the same hand wrapped around the same spot years earlier. At least this time, they were clothed and vertical. “Thanks for the catch.”

  He didn’t move. She looked back and up at his dark eyes. “Are you planning on letting go?”

  He drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “No. Not particularly.”

  She put her hand over his. “We might want to discuss this?”

  He smiled. “Your lack of grace? Certainly. What are you doing for dinner?”

  “Don’t you have to steer your group around?”

  Khyran shook his head. “Khydel is taking them to see the water-processing centre.”

  “Ah. Well, I do need to eat dinner.” She smiled slightly. “So, we finish the tour and then handoff?”

  “Please. It has been difficult to get you alone.” His fingers flexed against her.

  Habel covered her mouth and snickered. Monathian kept them apart diligently. He got her friends in on the action, and she was rarely free when Khyran was in the tower, and when she was, he wasn’t.

  She wanted to lean into him, but there were a half-dozen interested sirens staring at them. “I believe we have an audience.”

  He inhaled slowly. “I don’t care.”

  She gripped his fingers and pried his hand away. “I do. I have a job to do.”

  “As do I, and yet, here I am.” Khyran smiled.

  She pulled his middle finger back, and he hissed and let go. There was a chuckle from the eldest female of the sirens. Her mate snickered as well.

  She looked at the group, accounted for them all, and inclined her head. “Pardon my clumsiness. This way to the cucumbers.”

  Khyran smiled and followed her. “The cucumbers require more subsoil watering. Let me show you the basic irrigation system.”

  They walked through the rest of the gardens, and the elves had proved that the dragon designs were appropriate to the task once again.

  It had taken her years to gain all the details. The dragons designed and built the technology, the elves used and perfected the tech. The rest of the world was fed and clothed by the same machines like the ones developed in the tower.

  The settlements, clans, and villages of different races came to the tower to choose their tech once every ten decades or so. For installation and repairs, the dragons were on duty, which is why they worked with the night trains. They could bring tech and supplies anywhere in the warrens of tunnels that they called their own. Every race created or provided something that was necessary to keep other races alive, healthy, and happy. Some races mined minerals; others had volcanic soil that made excellent bases for growing certain plants. It all interconnected, and she was part of the chain.

  The garden tour went on for another forty minutes, and then, Khydel took over and led the group through the tower.

  Habel watched Khyran approach, and she tilted her head. “Dining room or one of the small establishments?”

  He smiled. “I think that something with some privacy would be best.”

  Habel nodded. “I am pretty sure that I know a place.” She lifted her arm and said, “Camder, can you see if Riikor has a spot for us?”

  “Of course, Habel.”

  Khyran blinked. “Camder?”

  “Computer-assisted manufacturing, design, extrusion, and repair.” She chuckled. “He selected it.”

  “It is odd to hear my voice coming through your bracelet.”

  “It is my voice; it merely resembles yours, Khyran.”

  She grinned at the startled look in the dragon’s eyes. “So, what is the result, Camder?”

  “You may proceed. Riikor is happy to have you and your guest.”

  Habel laughed at the expression in Khyran’s eyes. “You seem perturbed.”

  “The AI was so much nicer in your first few years.”

  She turned and spoke as she led the way. “When you were trying to influence him into dressing me in sexy outfits?”

  He took a few steps and offered her his hand. She slid her fingers along his, and he closed his grip around her hand carefully.

  “We are going to level four, southwest corner.”

  He nodded. “Thank you.”

  They walked through the public areas, and far fewer people stopped to stare than they did on her first day with Niika.

  Khyran chuckled. “I thought that more people would be staring.”

  She smiled. “I have desensitized them. It took decades, but I managed it.”

  “Are you still the only novice?”

  She nodded. “I am.”

  He sighed. “So, they wouldn’t let you take a trip then.”

  Habel shrugged. “It depends on where I was going. I really want to see my family before my mother passes. I have been keeping track, and she should be close to passing into her next life.”

  “That is one of the things I wished to discuss. I will be making a journey to the troll settlement shortly and was wondering if you could get clearance to accompany me.”

  She glanced at him, but he was looking forward. They entered the lift and headed up to the fourth level. There were far fewer folks milling around here. They walked to the southwest edge of the building, and Riikor’s subtle signage was above the door.

  When they entered, the host bowed and smiled. “Please, Novice Habel, come this way.”

  Khyran looked around. “What is this place?”

  “Riikor describes it as a private feast. It is not for the faint of heart.”

  “Huh. I guess it has been a while since I was here.” He grinned. “The couches have no backs.”

  Habel smiled as they were escorted to a private area surrounded by decorative panels. The two low couches were at right angles, and there was a low table accessible to both. She waved at him. “Pick your spot.�
�

  Khyran settled on his left side, and she felt her cheeks heat. One night years earlier and just the look of him settling in sent memories through her. She exhaled and settled on her couch. Her face was less than a foot from his, so she straightened up a little.

  The server brought out bowls and towels, waiting while they washed their hands and then whisking the items away. The food and drink arrived a few moments later, and Habel offered the first selection to her guest. “Go ahead.”

  He blinked. “Just pick anything?”

  “Sure. Start with dessert first if you like.”

  He picked up one of the cream tarts with fresh berries on it and smiled as he handed it to her.

  Habel blinked. “Thank you.”

  He smiled. “I think they are one of your favourites.”

  She chuckled. “They are. Have you been spying on me near buffet tables?”

  “Only once or twice.”

  She bit into the small tart and quickly had to rescue the shattered pastry with her hand and then her tongue. She glanced at him and mumbled, “Why are you watching?”

  “Just storing away a mental image for when I am alone on the train runs.”

  She finished the tart and picked up a skewer with cubes of meat and vegetable in equal measure.

  She nibbled at the meat and looked at him. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

  “There was an incident a few years ago that I would like to discuss with you.”

  Habel nodded and continued to eat. “You don’t say. What kind of incident?”

  He reached for a piece of meat, dipped it in the spiced oil, and popped it into his mouth. “It is a delicate subject?”

  “Is it when you transformed and left a message for me to get off your balls?”

  He coughed. “Is that what the message said?”

  “That was relatively close. Time has blurred my memory somewhat as I was laughing too hard.” She smiled and set down the skewer with the roasted tomatoes on it.

  “You don’t like tomatoes?”

  “I don’t like them hot with skin on.”

  “Fair enough. I was referring to your first night.” He blurted it out, his dark grey skin looking even darker.

  “Ah. That. Nerion let slip that he was the one that was drawn for it.”

  Khyran froze. “He did?”

  She smiled and picked up some fruit to nibble at, giggling. “You should see your face. Khyran, I knew it was you when I burned my fingers. Before that, if I recall correctly, I was ninety percent sure that it was you.”

  He stared at her. “You knew? All this time?”

  She shrugged. “Of course. I may have shiny skin and pointy ears, but I still have the sense of smell I would have had as a troll. I caught your scent when you entered the room, and it just got stronger as the night went on.”

  He blinked slowly. “You knew.”

  “Yup.” She nibbled at the food and flicked light glances at him. “Why do you look like you just choked on one of the skewers?”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?”

  She shrugged. “It wasn’t my business. You were acting like nothing happened. Nerion was relieved that I figured it out.”

  “You haven’t taken other lovers since.”

  Habel shrugged. “There was no point. I don’t want any of them, so why would I?”

  He exhaled slowly, sat up, and reached for her, pulling her onto his lap. He inhaled against the space between her neck and shoulder. “Why don’t you want them?”

  She touched his cheek. “I was raised that I would choose my mate, he would battle for the honour of fathering my children, and we would grow old together. None of that is possible here, but the instincts are still wired into me.”

  “So, back then, you chose me?”

  Habel stroked his cheek again. “I chose you the first time I met you, but I had no idea if it was acceptable or not. I was still learning, and I also had no idea what those impulses meant with this body. I also had impulses to punch people, but not acting on them became habit.”

  He smiled, and the molten gold in his eyes swirled slowly. “You chose me?”

  She snorted softly. “That is your takeaway from that?”

  He stroked her jaw and kissed her. “Yeah, it is.”

  When he lifted his head, she murmured, “What about the punching?”

  He grinned. “I can take it.”

  She leaned in to kiss him and paused a millimetre from his lips. “What about dinner?”

  “I can eat later. You?”

  She winked and eased away from his grip. She touched a panel on the wall, and the privacy panels snapped together and gave them a space of their own with a floor-to-ceiling window. “I think both would be nice.”

  She returned to his lap and smiled. “So, how would you like to proceed?”

  “I would like to re-enact the first night, but I understand that the burn was painful.”

  Habel nodded. “I still wake up in the night, feeling your tongue on my fingers. Aside from that, I would have no problem wearing a robe with a single tie and trying again.”

  His gaze brightened. “Can we?”

  She sighed. “Here, I hoped I would be getting a proper dinner out of this.”

  He nuzzled her ear and ran his tongue along the edge. “I promise to satisfy you later.”

  She shivered at the light touch and sighed. “Fine. No sex in the restaurant. Let’s go.”

  Khyran smiled and got to his feet. “Good.”

  He helped her balance and didn’t let her go until she gently elbowed him. She opened the panels and grabbed his hand, hauling him bodily out of the restaurant, calling out as she spoke, “Excellent food, Riikor. I feel inspired.”

  The elves in the public areas stared as she hauled Khyran out, and the murmurs had started before they cleared the doorway.

  “I can walk in a straight line on my own.” He was grinning; she could hear it.

  She pulled him into the lift and punched the marker for her level. “I enjoyed that. Dragging you around adds to my legend.”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “Isn’t your legend elaborate enough?”

  She laughed as the lift doors opened. “Never.”

  They made it to her door, and when she had him inside with the door closed behind them, she tried to remember where she had put that gauzy robe, and she had no idea where he was going to get one.

  She walked to Camder while Khyran explored her room. “Camder, I need a first-night robe.”

  The screen darkened and then flicked on again. “You are going to use it with him?”

  “Well, it will be off most of the time.” She sighed. “He’s your mind template.”

  “I know, but I was with you first.” He was grumpy.

  “You have had your sensors over me far more than he ever will. So, the robe? Please. I don’t want to live the rest of my life without a touch or caress meant only for me.”

  There was a whir, and the robe emerged from the closet on its support. “Enjoy yourself.”

  “I am just going to enjoy seeing what is going on.”

  He chuckled, and she glanced around before she removed her clothing and slipped the robe on. She tied the closure and walked into the living area where Khyran was examining the few items she had for personal enjoyment. They were items that her nieces and nephews had created and sent to her.

  “You are still in touch with your family?”

  “I am. All of the children made the transformation to troll successfully.” She walked over and took one of the items in her hand. It was a globe carved in stone using her nephew Havel’s first claws.

  Khyran went quiet, and she looked over at him and smiled. “See what you can get out of Camder. I have told him about my personal motivation for this, so he should be fine.”

  He was staring at her. “It’s the same one.”

  She inhaled deeply and nodded. “You are right. You are on it.”

  “We are on it. D
amn. Please, excuse me. I will be back when I finish negotiating with your AI.”

  “It is your AI, and his name is Camder.”

  He nodded and disappeared for ten minutes.

  She reset all of the keepsakes on the table behind her couch. After that, she went to the snack dispenser and got a tray with a teapot and a teacup without handles. The tea wasn’t the same kind as that night, but it was a close approximation.

  She carried the tray into her bedroom just as Khyran turned away from the extrusion module, and he tied his robe.

  “Where are your wings?”

  He smiled. “I am holding them in.”

  She waited until he stepped away from the closet and then walked around him. “Where are you holding them in, exactly?”

  He chuckled and turned to her. “None of your business.”

  Habel smiled and knelt next to her bed platform. She tucked the robe under her knees and sat with her hands folded in her lap, her hair rippling down her back. He walked up to the edge of the tray and knelt facing her. She smiled and said, “I thought this would play out with less of an urge to giggle.”

  “Perhaps pretend that it is that first night all over again, and open your eyes when necessary, closing them when you feel like it.”

  She blinked slowly, looked at his features, and then she closed her eyes and poured the cup of tea. Habel held the cup to him, and he wrapped his hands around hers. She looked into his eyes, and the urge to giggle faded. He easily drank the scalding hot tea, which raised other questions, but when he released her hands, she set down the cup and put her fingers on the tie. He put his fingers over hers, the tie opened, and the fabric slipped from her shoulders.

  With the bright light of the day shining on her skin, he pulled her into his arms, his own robe fell away with her help, and they relived her first night with full knowledge of both parties aware of the other.

  This time, Habel saw the light streaming out of her skin in a burst, and the feelings running through her eclipsed any embarrassment that she had felt. Khyran didn’t seem upset by her reaction to his focused attention. In fact, he set her off a few more times.