Mirror Space - Marianne de Pierres [98]
Ley-al made a sound that Mira interpreted as a grunt. It is terrifying, but I will not risk a spontaneous reaction against the pod by revealing this information.
I understand. Mira attempted to be sympathetic. And I have a solution. If you allow me to disembark then I will be the one to do it.
Ley-al paused, considering Mira’s offer. Why did you need to offer this course of action personally? Tasy-al could have conveyed this to the Omniline.
Tasy-al? Did Ley-al mean Insignia? Of course. Insignia was merely its Latino name.
Mira walked deeper into the buccal, until she stood as close as she could to the wall that separated it from Ley-al’s brain cavity. It was time for the truth.
I am carrying a child to which Insignia - Tasy-al - is very attached. Tasy-al will not permit me to risk its life in any way.
Tasy-al is holding you captive? Ley-al’s tone lifted from a thunderous rumbling to a concerned roar.
We are in disagreement about my ability to care for myself — that is all, Mira explained hurriedly, and I don’t believe there is time enough for us to reach an amicable agreement.
Ley-al indulged in another protracted silence.
Mira glanced down at herself while she waited. Drying mucus flaked from the folds of the royal fellala and the robe was badly crumpled even by a mercenary’s standards. Without looking in a mirror she knew that she appeared much less than aristo. She touched her hair: stiff with the same substance.
A wave of dizziness came over her then. She searched for somewhere to sit and saw nothing that would suffice. Instead she settled for leaning one arm against the wall. Her other hand strayed to her belly.
I have conferred with the group, and it is agreed that you should proceed. It is important that you are not seen to be associated with the Omniline. Go to the section of my pelvic girdle that you would know as the hold, and secrete yourself in a milk bladder. They are our gifts to the OLOSS delegation. I will send a shuttle across and servitors will remove them. Once you are on the station you are responsible for your own survival.
A retort rose to her lips but she suppressed it. It was her Innate talent, her ability to communicate with these creatures, that put her constantly in danger. Couldn’t these sophistic creatures see that? Instead she nodded. Thank you, Ley-al. She hesitated. Does Insignia know?
Tasy-al is unaware of our agreement. Tasy-al will be informed once you have debarked.
And not before. Please.
Agreed. The Omniline bids you farewell. It is most likely, in our estimation, that you will not return. Be assured we will console Tasy-al with a suitable replacement.
At one time the Omniarch’s blunt comment might have upset or offended her, but she had grown accustomed to the biozoons’ manner. Now, strangely enough, as she made her way along the main stratum she could only feel grateful.
THALES
Fariss’s fingers tugged at Thales’s waistband and her lips pressed against his ear. They lay sandwiched together on the bunk, in the dark, Fariss’s large naked frame taking up most of the space. She smelt of sweat and something sweeter.
‘He’ll be expecting to hear us,’ she whispered. ‘Otherwise he’ll be suspicious.’
Thales’s heart fluttered with excitement and nervousness. ‘You ... do you ... I mean . . .’
Her hand slipped below inside the loose waistband and cupped his testicles. She began to massage them with strong, practised fingers that fell just short of inflicting pain.
He hardened almost reflexively.
‘I mean . . . get on top of me,’ she ordered.
In a clumsy, inexpert move, Thales rolled onto her. With their heads level, his toes scraped above her ankles. She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him down so that their groins met. Then she wrapped her legs around him and used her hand to guide him inside her.
Thales listed in a sea of conflicting emotions: