Red Run Read online

  “And what is your interest in my granddaughter?” The older woman raised one eyebrow.

  “I wish to take her as my mate.” His blunt honesty won her approval, that much was certain.

  “Sophie, what do you think of this?”

  She looked from her grandmother to the man who held her as delicately as a flower and soothed her with his touch. “I am still working it out, Gran.”

  Agatha grinned. “Good girl. Always figure things out before making a decision.”

  She laughed lightly as T’bir squeezed her waist. “Madam, would you please accompany us? I have a meeting with your mayor and colony council.”

  “One moment, Commander. I want my granddaughter properly attired before anything else. This costume is not appropriate for matters of state.” Agatha had spoken and Sophie smiled as T’bir inclined his head.

  “Of course, Madam. Please come with us.” He gestured for her to accompany them and led Sophie away.

  The ship that they approached was huge and well-guarded. It had been blamed for the attacks, but knowing what she now knew, it made sense that their shuttles had been monitoring the activation.

  “First we will get a dress from storage, then we will join them in the conference room.” He walked with her and several men saluted him and bowed to her.

  When Sophie looked around, Gran was right behind her, eyeing the men with the wistful indulgence of age.

  The section marked storage was under guard, but T’bir brought them through without difficulty. He stood at a kiosk and brought up a selection of clothing. “Pick what you like.”

  She fiddled around until she got the hang of the screen and then quickly selected a dress. He struck a few buttons and pressed his palm to the plate. Down the endless halls, a robot whirred and came scooting toward them with a flat plastic case in its arms.

  “I didn’t select red.” She frowned.

  “I did. Until things settle, I want to keep an eye on you. This seemed the most obvious way to do it.” T’bir had a small smile playing around his lips.

  Shaking her head, she pulled the dress over it and, as the skirt covered her, she removed the strapless gown underneath, a skill honed in gym class. The red gown was fitted around her rib cage and the neckline gave her delicate cleavage. The skirt fell to just above her ankle and flared and swirled as she walked.

  “You look lovely, Sophie.” Gran was smiling. “Red is your colour, but I can’t imagine you sprinting through the woods in that other thing. You must have been determined to get to me.”

  “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Gran. You know that.” She took her grandmother’s hand and kissed the weathered cheek.

  “Time to meet your people, Sophie.” T’bir took her hand and they walked as a group to the conference room.

  “Commander. Glad to see you in good health. Who is the lovely lady at your side?” A male with dark brown hair and darker eyes greeted them while the rest of the room fell silent.

  “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.

 

 

 
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