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Lady Grace leaned forward in her chair to study the approaching couple. They were gripping hands when they entered her quarters and Wing looked resolved. Grace sighed softly. Some things never changed. The old lady shifted her attention to Darsey and a hiss escaped when she saw a long, blue strand draped over the alien’s shoulder.

  “Tsss,” she snapped. “You've a new necklace, girl. What type of alliance led to this?”

  Darsey's thoughts slipped back to the afternoon and Grace’s thin hair stirred in response. Was that embarrassment? Well! That hadn’t happened in centuries.

  “Lord, girl, you’re louder than a chick and a good deal less innocent. You need to see Sparrow and I mean most quick.”

  Darsey’s brow furrowed and she pressed a hand to her temple. The frond sitting against her throat jerked convulsively. “Sparrow?” she asked far too loudly.

  Grace hitched further forward to study the twitching girl. Pain shot through the old lady’s hip, but she saw what she needed. She folded back with a sniff. “Sensory overload. Has she shown Beserk tendencies?”

  “Of course not. Not in the least.” Wing bristled even more than Grace had expected, which was truly concerning.

  “Good. She may be able to adapt. Let’s hope she survives your carelessness.”

  “W-wait,” Darsey protested. “So not Wing’s fault.”

  “I was blaming you both. I assume the alliance was consensual?” The couple had the sense to look abashed, so Grace let her sympathy show. “No need to fear, girl. We can likely save most of your brain. Sparrow’s an expert at frond integration and very skilled with children. He has patience and diplomacy and such.”

  Darsey had her head in both hands, but the emotions she sent made Grace purse her lips to hide a smile. “Now, now, dear. Language. Sparrow will join us soon and he’s much more polite than me.”

  Amazingly, the alien managed to straighten and push Wing away. She glared at Grace from a strangely pale face and her dark blue eyes looked like holes in sea ice. Grace shifted in her seat to hide a shiver.

  “No Sparrow,” Darsey stated. “Just return Wing’s frond. Please.”

  She gagged and swayed, but pushed Wing away once more. Grace had to hide another smile. She could almost like this girl. It was unfortunate that Wing’s genes were needed elsewhere.

  Her protégé looked far from happy. Grace hadn’t seen him scowl like that since he was a child. He folded his arms and turned to glare at her as well. My. She hoped her old body was up to such excitement. “Yes, Wing?”

  “Should I fetch Senior Sparrow? Darsey, you need to be stabilized first. That’s our priority.”

  “Agreement from Nightwing,” the old Lady purred. “The age of miracles is still with us.” An entry chime sounded and she smiled before she could stop herself. “Ah, Sparrow, please enter.” Her old friend limped past the heavy door and his face creased in an answering smile.

  “We’ve an utmost challenge for you,” Grace informed him. “Would you escort our young guest to a healing bay and re-task her sensory nerves. Then if you’re feeling truly brave, please teach her enough mental control to match the average toddler.”

  “Wait,” Darsey ordered. “We need to fix this. Right now. Please. You need to fix it.”

  Her reeling mind sent an appeal that swamped Grace. She clutched her chest and Sparrow staggered too, making Wing throw out an arm to catch him. Lady Grace slumped so far she feared she was disappearing into her robes, like a twig into a pile of autumn leaves.

  “Hold, Darse,” Wing called, sending the same message with his fronds, but it was drowned by a mental command Grace.

  CEASE.

  It was Darsey’s turn to quail, although she managed to stay upright. Grace sprawled in her chair, panting, while the target of her order straightened to stand tall. It seemed the human had remarkable strength. Or she was simply drakking stubborn.

  There was a moment of intense silence, both physical and mental, while they all gathered themselves. Grace eventually recovered enough to trust her voice.

  “Do you understand, girl? Fronds are not toys and any return of Wing’s will take some thought. While I consider such, would you please withdraw and accept help from Guild Senior Sparrow?”

  The kres in question approached Darsey and bowed carefully, before offering the girl his hand. “I would be honored to escort you, Lady.”

  “Of course,” Darsey whispered, but her thoughts were deafening when she accepted his shaking arm. Who’s escorting whom?

  Grace sighed loudly, but dear Sparrow simply smiled. “Shall we both offer support and try to keep each other from harm?”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  “No mind, no mind. Which, of course, is one of the best secrets of holding thoughts private. You need to sever the sense of mind touching frond. How clearly can you feel the messages from your frond?”

  The two moved slowly away, already deep in discussion, but Darsey looked back when they reached the door and her imploring thought, though sent very carefully, still carried clearly to them all. Fix this, please.

  Grace sniffed in response and pushed herself up in her chair to study a scan of Darsey's new frond. Wing waited patiently after the others had left, which was fortunate, because her analysis was not encouraging.

  “This is most strange and well beyond me. The strand has changed its genetic code and now carries female DNA. Tuly odd. If we tried to reattach it, your body would reject it. There’s no simple fix, as you’ve most likely guessed.”

  “I feared such,” he answered, making Grace snort.

  “Is fear a true word here? Others may be scared for you, but you show no such caution for yourself. The depth of your exchange with this alien…” She paused and gravely flicked a finger at Wing’s missing frond. “It is of concern. Not just mine, but grave concern to all, including one who loves you best.”

  Wing’s jaw set. “Free spoke to you? Of course he did, but he shouldn't have. Concern is no excuse for betrayal.”

  “True, but between you two Free was never the betrayer, was he?”

  “No. Free remains the best of us, which in no way stops your manipulation of him, does it? Please, don’t send me innocence. I’ve talked with Freefall and I know you pushed him into marriage.”

  Grace relaxed and let herself laugh. “Of course. If I’d left the match to them it would have taken all time, and I don’t have all time to waste.”

  She stretched her thin fronds with consummate skill, lifting the few bristles that remained to send innocent concern. “Which brings me back, straight away and all unsubtle, to what truly matters. Have you not felt, dear one, your potential for addiction? I fear it with this alien.”

  Wing’s hair stirred against his neck, while his anger was swamped by shame. “There’s no such fear here, Lady, and never will be. When Darsey and I need to part, we will. It’s agreed.”

  “Oh, it’s agreed. Silly old bird, me. It’s agreed. All’s well then. It’s agreed.” The old lady sniffed again and shifted her tone from delighted to scathing. “You’re not such a fool, Wing. Every extra day means pain plus, for her too. End this now, while you can.”

  “Have you finished?”

  “I fear not. Pursue the human if you must, but only if you truly have no regard for her. She is the one most at risk here. She will suffer more if things go sour. She has no hope of navigating court politics, or enmities. Do you wish to see her the target of Princess Goldown's jealousy? You know the truth of this, so forget your own wants and go do what you should.”

  There was a moment of tense silence and then Wing bowed his head. “I’d never wish to cause Darsey pain and I see the dangers she could face with me.” He straightened to stand rigidly at attention and stared over Grace’s head. “I see too that Free shouldn’t have to carry all our family cares. I’m ready to be responsible. I ask… I most humbly ask for guidance.”

  Grace let her head nod, tucking her chin into her neck folds as if thinking, while really fighting to control
her joy. Her boy was back and there might some day be hope again. “My advice I will happily give, Lord. Break with Darsey now and send an apology to your cousin. Then we shall have more to say together.”

  Wing bowed again and turned on his heel to stride from the room.

  Despite her best efforts the old lady crumpled further after he left. “Fool,” she chided herself. “He’s strong and will survive well enough. Happiness is not needed too.” She sighed at her heartless reassurance, unconvinced, but then started and clutched her necklace when the chamber door was thrown open.

  “Sorry, full sorry,” Sparrow called as he was swung into the room, still clutching the heavy door. “Why must these old ships have solid doors? This thing is impossible.” He came to rest facing the wall, dragged there by the handle he had clung to. He pushed himself away from it and turned to face Grace, who was now surrounded by holograms and checking Darsey’s progress. She looked up with a frown when her senior approached.

  “The human is healed already?”

  “Indeed. And there’s more-”

  “How can she have formed the neural paths to carry frond signals so quickly?”

  Sparrow gave one of his gentle smiles and she bit back more questions. “I did help, but the lady has a natural aptitude. And more. Wing’s attraction is most understandable-”

  “His attachment scares me, Sparrow. She’s no part of our plan.”

  “With respect, most dear, are you sure?”

  Grace peered through the projected reports to frown at her old friend and sucked her wrinkled lips over sunken gums. “What have you found while you played healer?”

  Sparrow gestured with his com and the data floating in front of her enlarged, to focus on a single set of scans. Grace studied them with care, expressionless and unmoving while she absorbed the unexpected information.

  “Well,” she finally remarked, in a voice devoid of emotion, “that’s annoying. I just told him to break with her.”

  Sparrow breathed in sharply and Grace gave him a caustic look. “Ye, I know, my friend. A mistake. Feel free to say such. We both know I make them.”

  “No,” the younger kres denied automatically, but then smiled ruefully. “Well, yes, but seldom so. I know of only four in all our shared ages.”

  “Four, eh?” Grace sighed with sudden regret and their fronds shared reminiscence, until she shuddered, breaking the rapport. “Four indeed, but this last is better. Wing is still useful. He can gain us access to the girl, so long as she trusts him. A relationship is necessary, but he truly wants that and a quick fix of any rift between the couple should be simple.”

  “For you, of course. But can we get what else we wish? Even if Wing helps, the human will never offer her body to us.”

  “To me, you mean, and you’re right, Sparrow. However, that is where the challenge lives.”

  Grace flicked her fingers to remove the scan in front of her and used a com thrust to rise from her chair. She took a moment to steady herself and then began the slow trek to her door.

  Sparrow hastened to help her, but she waved him aside. “I’m well enough, dear one, and the link is an easy trip. Please, add these scans to my private reports. The girl is well?”

  “Beyond well, my dear. I put her in trance for some lessons and she absorbed them all. Everything I had to offer, in minutes.”

  Lady Grace wavered to a halt, before slowly looking back at Sparrow.

  “She took all you know of frond use in minutes? That is... impressive. She can't have integrated it yet, but still...” Grace felt the wrinkles around her mouth moving oddly, curving upwards... into... yes, an uncontrolled smile. A strange sensation followed the expression. It might almost have been hope.

  She quickly rearanged her face, before resuming her slow journey to the link. She made her careful way to that weightless corridor and finally stepped into it with relief. She pulsed her com to waft along it and was about to accelerate when she recognised the touch of Wing’s mind.

  Grace was surprised to find him still so close, but he had clearly secluded himself in the nearest private alcove. He had found a seat in one of the niches that were tucked at regular intervals around the curve of the link. He had his back to her while he watched an image of the forest on Blossom.

  “Parting is truly hard,” Grace barked, but carefully sent sympathy along with her blunt words.

  Wing turned in response to the dry comment and inclined his head to the old lady hovering at the entrance of his sanctuary. The alcove field dimmed to admit Grace and she moved stiffly to join him, tapping her way into the alcove with the help of her cane.

  Wing shifted a dilmah-draped seat closer to the entrance and she sank gratefully into it. She sighed and then threw the cane aside in sudden disgust. It narrowly missed him and clattered across the polished floor to disappear beneath a settee. She pulled a face when the younger kres bent easily to retrieve the darkwood limb.

  “No need to feel smug,” she snapped, reaching for the hated support with surprising speed. She clenched one withered hand around the gleaming wood and smoothed her russet gown with the other. “The Ageing comes to all, youngster, and in half a thousand years, you’ll feel it too.”

  “Certain-sure,” he agreed, and crouched before her chair so that she no longer had to raise her head to watch him. Such a thoughtful boy. Grace offered a small smile and he grinned back. “Of course, at the moment, five hundred years feels like forever.”

  “Enjoy that feeling. You’ll be amazed how fast the centuries fly. The Ageing has its uses, though. Once, I wanted to live forever; now, more-on-more dying seems an easier option. I won’t be bothering you much longer.”

  “But in the meantime...” Wing prompted, ignoring her obvious play for sympathy, and she cackled in delight.

  “I like you, Wing. Truly, and there aren’t many members of the Royal family I can say such about.” She paused and the wrinkles around her eyes deepened while she stared at him reflectively. “Except your mother, of course. Ah, she was a lovely one. I think she even liked me.”

  “A noble soul indeed,” Wing answered dryly.

  Grace rewarded him with another cackle, but he was as difficult to charm as he had ever been. Her lips puckered and she looked down at the cane lying across her lap. It resembled a prison bar pinning her legs and she plucked at her skirt, to drape a fold over the offensive item. She finally looked up with a sigh and sent genuine regret.

  “I’ve never dealt well with you, have I? Truly, it grieves me. Now more than ever.” Grace raised her eyes and hitched forward in the chair, to tap his knee with a seamed finger. “You must break with this human. I press you only because I care for you, Wing, and that’s the truth.”

  Nightwing rose abruptly and she fell back with a snap of seamed lips. She peered up at him and broadcast sympathy, but he held his mind silent and unresponsive. She let her faded yellow lips quiver and rocked a hand from side to side in the kres equivalent of a shrug.

  “No matter, Wing, though it saddens me not to have your trust. In many ways, I feel like a true mother to you-”

  Wing swung to loom over Grace and his hiss echoed from the smooth walls of the alcove.

  “You go too far. Don’t ever claim such again. I’m gene fodder to you and we both know it. Yes, you like me, and yes, I’m better gene fodder than most, but, with you, DNA is first. Never pretend otherwise, Lady. So tell me, what do you really seek?”

  “Just conversation-”

  “No. Stop the lies between us, Glam. You don’t ever waste what remains of your precious time in ‘just conversation’. Not once. If you want something from me, ask, because as-is you’re wasting time for both of us.”

  Wing stepped away, so that he no longer towered over her, but she still blinked up at him, craning to see his expression. “Now, I’m going to see Darsey. You've ordered me to break with her. Do you have any-all to add?”

  “Ye, my neck hurts.”

  Grace abruptly sat back at her e
ase and pointed at the floor before her, ordering Wing to crouch again. He grinned ruefully and obediently sank to squat before her once more, balanced on the balls of his feet. She held his gaze steadily and her mind sent admiration, but his lip curled in a cynical smile. Her hand shrugged again and for a brief moment she felt ashamed.

  “My apologies, Wing. I should not treat you as a child, or as I treat the rest of the court. You were always quick and you’ve returned to us with real maturity. A potent combination. That’s why I need you. Why the kres need you. This is your chance to truly redeem your Honor.”

  Wing rocked back onto his heels and his hair stirred. His distress at the mention of his lost honor reassured Grace, but she hid her reaction with consummate skill. He shook his head and his hair settled around its family crest again. “I don’t understand. What-?”

  “Your mate must be Goldown-”

  Wing raised a hand to stop the old lady. “The princess would never accept me. I wounded her too deep.”

  “Most deep indeed,” the leader of the BGP agreed. “But I could still convince her. It wouldn’t be difficult since she still loves you true.” Grace paused to lick her lips and leaned conspiratorially close to whisper in his face. “She can give you heirs. Legitimate heirs to a real throne. Heirs that I can approve.”

  “An Arck you can simply approve, Lady? Or one you can also order in all things?”

  Grace ignored his question, pretending to be intent on her own argument. “Sharpeye is a threat. He has turned on me and now the fool seeks all our deaths. This is war, Wing, and I needs must prevail. The empire can burn to ash if needed. It would be a small enough cost to have victory. Your mating is another cost and minuscule in compare.”

  Grace halted her flow of words and tried to judge their effect on Wing. He crouched before her, silent and noncommittal. His mind was even more securely screened than when he had been a child. She leaned forward again and plucked at the sleeve of his tunic.

  “We can prevail. You and Goldown needs must give me my dynasty. A dynasty that can gain full support against the Arck’s line. Your babes will be the warlords our people crave. You have to do this for them and for me. I know I’ve tried to order you in the past and you quite rightly ignored me, but this, now, is the time. I know it, boy. I knew it when first I scanned you in your mother’s womb.” She dropped her voice even lower and Wing leaned forward to catch her words.

  “It was true-vision. The only one I’ve ever been granted and the only one I’ve ever wanted. I saw the future, Wing, and it was you. You will sire a line greater than any other kres. A dynasty that will span the stars. I feel it in every fibre of this aged and useless frame. It’s the truth. This is the time and you can't deny me. Not, Lord, for all our sakes.”

  Her right hand clutched at his left shoulder and settled around it like a claw. She held Wing as if in a vice, not by her feeble grip, but by the power of her vision. She spread her fronds wide, to send the sound a foetal heartbeat and fade the gilded metal walls around them to a pink mist, so that only her words penetrated the fog.

  “You are my triumph, Wing. The son my own body would never give me. That is why I had to guide you, cajole you and order your life. Your children will lead us all. You needs must do this for your family and your people and so does she. Your union will give us the support needed for victory. This war truly starts with your marriage.”

  Wing stirred abruptly and his eyes rolled up in their sockets. He shuddered, blinked and then seemed to focus on Grace again. She smiled at his absorption and a blast of elation surged from her fronds to his. That sense of triumph broke through his shock and his hand flew forward to curl into Grace’s shoulder until she was the one held motionless. She whimpered softly when his fingers tightened and he instantly eased his grip, but his expression was unyielding.

  “You sicken me. Do you listen to your own words? I can’t wed with Goldown if it could lead to war. I won’t betray all kres and I won’t betray Darsey. It would be a sham. She alone is my true mate. She may not be a trophy womb that can be used by you, but I intend to marry her, and if she says yes, our path will be our own. You and I have no more to say.” He released the old lady and she slumped in her chair while he rose to stand over her. “I find your actions Honorless.”

  Grace’s head swung up and a withered hand clutched at her chest. “What?” she whispered, genuinely shocked by the power of his pronouncement. How could a single frond underpin an order with so much force?

  “Spare me your theatrics, Lady. I plan to fix the worst wrong of my life. It is my intent to marry Darsey.”

  The old kres hissed furiously and slammed her cane against the deck. “Not, Wing, not. What of Goldown? You can’t draw back again. Your people. Your responsibility. You can’t desert them for a primitive female.”

  He paused and looked back over his shoulder. His eyes gleamed from the shadow of his hair and Grace wondered if he was wavering. He was bred for genetic ambition and the power of siring a kres dynasty must tempt him. She assumed a smug smile and broadcast triumph while Wing hesitated.

  He laughed harshly in response and shook a single finger. “No, Lady. Your dreams are more withered than your flesh. You chase a future without Honor.” His contempt made Grace flinch, but then his frond smoothed and he was gone.

  She sat motionless and silent, watching him after he stepped from the alcove. He raised a hand and pulsed himself down the link at reckless speed, but she made a supreme effort so that her mind pursued him.

  No! You’re the one without Honor! Do you hear me, boy? Wear those scars forever! May they sear your soul!

  His shoulders tensed, but he made no other response. The alcove field hung dim and featureless between them as he shrank in the distance, surging away from her accusation.

  The old woman hissed after her rebellious charge, but let the sharp sound catch in her throat. It emerged as a sob, which echoed from the scrolled metal walls when she fell to her knees. She tumbled forward to lie on the chilly floor, ignoring the pain involved. She arranged herself to appear a tiny figure, lost within a pool of russet dilmah. A fallen leaf, discarded and bereft.

  Grace peeked at her wrist and saw confirmation that Wing had indeed checked his com when she gave that echoing sob. However, he’d clearly resisted the urge to stop and help. The boy had always been more resistant to melodrama than Free. He continued along the link without further pause and she lay quite still until she was sure he had gone.

  Only then did Grace stir and with some difficulty push herself upright. She muttered a curse at her shaking arms and leaned against the chair leg to catch her breath. She clutched her cane, but was in no hurry to confront her frailty again by trying to stand. Instead, she accessed her com and displayed the scan Sparrow had stolen from Darsey. It showed a wealth of cells, rich with exotic matter and harvesting more from surrounding micro-singularities even as she watched. Cells that she would soon gain access to by offering longevity treatment to Darsey.

  Grace allowed herself a rare moment of hope as she sat patiently, with one frond extended toward the link. Her mind lightly touched Wing’s while she gauged the strength of his anger. She could still sense it clearly, despite the increasing distance between them. She sighed, but, at that moment, his thought patterns changed. They became more complex, less driven by emotion, and the old lady smiled. She shifted her scan of Darsey to one side, but kept it active while she made com contact with Wing.

  “I’m truly sorry,” she breathed, with all of the sincerity she could muster. “Truly, Wing, and I beg your pardon. Please. I should never have said such. We both know I owe you this apology and more. I hope you can accept it and forgive an old fool. Your business is none of mine and I’ll no more make it such. I am shamed by my words. By my plots. Deep shamed. I swear to you, Wing, that I will hold your wife dear.”

  There was only a brief silence before he answered. “You swear it?” he asked harshly, and Grace smiled at getting a response so quickly, but was
careful to keep that reaction from her voice.

  “I promise to accept Darsey with complete welcome.”

  “Frond oath,” Wing demanded, and she answered without hesitation.

  “Frond oath, sworn on my honor. I mean it true and I’ll prove it with my acts.”

  “You had best,” Wing growled, and this time she did pause before answering.

  “I shall, and, to start, I offer long-life treatment. If you wish, I will give Darsey full longevity, at my cost. Do you wish such, Lord?”

  “I do.”

  Grace hesitated again, but more briefly than before. “Very good. Then I will do it, Lord, at your ask.”

  “I ask it now,” Wing replied, and this time Grace truly had to struggle to keep her elation hidden.

  “Ye, Lord. I will wait your call and, when it comes, join your lady soon-as. Best luck with proposing.”

  “Indeed,” came the somewhat surprised answer as Wing considered the implications of his new resolution. “Proposing, certain-sure. Soon,” Wing promised, and quickly cut the connection.

  There was a brief silence and then Grace sighed lustily. Her explosive exhalation was a welcome release. Manipulating Nightwing was always a challenge, with all the potential for complete disaster.

  “As I learnt at cost,” Grace muttered more sourly, before the satisfaction of her recent success returned. “As well and at last,’ she grumbled, almost afraid to give way to hope after so many millennia. She sniffed irritably, but managed to find a faint smile as she studied the data from Darsey that was still hanging before her.

  “Genetic catalysis. Ye, looks like. The mixing of species and finally cells that can passage. All the schemes were worth it, to find me this.” One trembling finger rose to gently caress the positive test that hung in the air before her. “At last it happens again and this time... this time I’m rightly placed. I won’t fail a third time. I can’t.” Grace gulped for air and forced herself to relax, just a little, not too much. In her aged body, such indulgence could be fatal.

  “Hmph,” she mocked herself, smiling at her persistent fear of death. “Some things are hard to get used to.” She sighed and her hand rose to the amber jewel at her throat. It felt cold and inert, its faceted edges sharp against her age-thinned skin. An empty vessel that she presumed to use, despite the ease with which it drew her blood.

  She lowered her hand slowly and blinked at the red pearls that now ran the length of a finger. Pain followed the sight of blood and she “tsskked” as her com automatically sealed the thin cut. The injury was of no concern and common enough with energy infused jewels, but it reminded Grace of her single hope for the future of all sentients. A hope that she still pursued, despite her past failures. A hope that was more substantial now. Perhaps this time she would finally succeed in making her cells passage too. All she needed was access to Darsey's DNA.

  49

  Proposals

 

  Darsey paced her room and practised the final exercise that Sparrow had downloaded to her com. She deliberately concentrated on something that annoyed her – Lady Grace – and let her anger build, while keeping any trace of it from her frond. To her relief that separation was much easier than she had feared. She had simply needed to be shown and already her thoughts were becoming private again.

  “Done it,” she murmured with some satisfaction, just before her console announced a visitor.

  “Lord Nightwing wishes entry.”

  A flush of emotion colored Darsey’s mind and frond and she rolled her eyes at the revealing lapse.

  “Give me a moment… okay, let him in.”

  The door field dimmed, but there was no one beyond it. Darsey frowned, but, as she stepped forward, Nightwing appeared and strode into the room. He was clutching a handful of brilliant flowers and their scent swept ahead of him. He stopped quickly and thrust the bouquet across the distance still between them. She took several paces to close the gap and let her delight at the gift carry to her frond.

  “They’re stunning, but wildflowers from Blossom? How?”

  “They’d already been collected for study.” Wing gulped distractedly.

  “Shouldn’t they stay in the lab?”

  “They can get more.”

  “Sure, why not. I think they’re lovely. Thank you, Wing. I’ll find something to put them in-”

  Darsey stopped when Wing snatched the bouquet back.

  “Ah, great,” she continued, “just whisk them into a vase, why don’t you?”

  “Of course. Done.”

  Darsey looked up from the flowers Wing was still grasping to study him more closely. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. No. Well, yes. But I can’t just glide away. What went between us was too good. I’ll not end it. Not yet. Not ever.” He paused in an effort to calm down and hopefully organise his words. “There’s still so much excitement for us, Darse, and I want to share it.”

  Darsey tapped her foot impatiently. “If you’re talking sex again-”

  “Not,” Wing protested and his eyes widened in what looked like panic. “Truly, I want more from you than the physical. I do.”

  “Well, you shouldn’t. Wing, please.” Darsey managed to halt her own flow of words and took a deep breath, before continuing with a shrug, “The people I love... they don’t do so well. With the staying alive thing. You’re already a frond down and... I just need you to think about this.”

  “I have,” Wing insisted fiercely. “I’ve thought it through in full, along with Lady Grace. That talk was a total horror, but an accusation she threw at me showed me much. I finally saw that my Honor is my own. The Arck can’t take it from me, not in any way. It grows from my own actions. And the single, most dishonorable thing I have ever done is withhold my total commitment from you. Darsey, I’m sorry. I know you’ve heard that too much and with too much cause. All I can say is that I truly love you. I need you and what I most wish is to found a new family, with you. Please… Please, just think of marrying me.”

  “What? Whoa, did you just say marry?”

  “As you heard.”

  “Wing… I don’t know where to start with that.”

  “Perhaps with what you truly feel.”

  “Okay then,” Darsey took a deep breath against nausea. Her hands were fluttering as fast as her heart, so she clasped them together. “When I think about it, I have to admit, it’s possible I love you. At least a little.”

  “How little?”

  “Oh, dammit. Completely and utterly.”

  “Such will do.”

  ‘I’m not so sure it will. I love you far too much to hurt you again. Please don’t ask me to.”

  Wing stepped close to Darsey for the first time since entering the room. She tried to look away, but he dropped the flowers, then cupped her cheek to turn her face back to his.

  “Look at me, sweet. Your other reason for saying no, your responsibility to your people, I understand, but I won’t stop for fear and I’ll not let you run scared just for me.” His frond lifted to touch hers and the instant intimacy that contact brought made her blush. “Risk is irrelevant. I want you.”

  “At what cost?”

  “Any,” Wing replied simply, but then shrugged a shoulder. “Certain-sure we can be more cautious. Use a little care and not so much abandon. Let’s try, because I can’t just end with my best friend.”

  Darsey swallowed and tried to smile. “I thought Free was your best friend.”

  “He was, but you have a wild streak Free doesn’t. You also have several other attributes he lacks.”

  “So it’s back to sex then?”

  “Always.”

  “You’re incredibly shallow,” she accused. “It’s one of the things I like about you. But the thing I like most is your love for family. Family and children.”

  Wing opened his mouth to protest, but Darsey raised a hand.

  “It’s right at the front of your fronds and it’s a problem. We can be a couple, but we can’t be biologi
cal parents. How do you think we’d cope with that? I can feel how much you want to be a father.”

  “I want you more,” he answered without hesitation and his sincerity ran through both of their fronds. “I’m willing to forego natural children and every duty others have loaded on me, for you. I’ll travel to Earth with you, Darse, and do my best to help. You can introduce me to your people. When they ask for proof of other species, they’ll not expect an alien spouse.”

  Wing paused for the first time and frowned. “What are your leaders like? Will they put me in a cage for experiments?”

  “We can only hope,” Darsey chirped, but her smile soon vanished and she paused, gnawing her lip, before leaning into Wing. “Earth’s not a problem. They need what we know and their technology sucks. They’ll listen to us.”

  Darsey shook her head and stepped back. “What am I saying? I won’t risk hurting you again, not ever. I need to know we can be together without me stealing bits. So, kiss me.”

  Wing obeyed at once and by the time he stopped they were both breathless, but still completely separate. His smile was huge and his frond relayed delight when Darsey’s wrapped tighter around it. However, his voice was wistful. “Please.”

  She leaned closer in response, pressing against him, but there was still no strange merging. She gulped and gave a half laugh, before stepping back in defeat. “I’ve never seen a guy beg to get married before.”

  “I can be more pathetic still.”

  “No, please no. I’d like to think that’s impossible. I’d also like to retain some respect for my fiancé.”

  “Darse?” Wing gasped, and his smile threatened to split his face.

  “Alright, I surrender. Yes, Nightwing FarFlight, I will marry you.”

  There was only one response Wing could make to Darsey’s acceptance and words were not involved. Instead, he continued to test their newfound ability to be close without merging and she had to admit she loved it.

  It might have become even more exciting, but they were interrupted by a whistle from the door.

  “Lady Grace wishes entry,” Pertwing informed them and Wing groaned, but was still the first to pull back.

  “Of course she does.” Darsey sighed, stepping away too. “Do you think she’ll go away if we ignore her?”

  “No such. She’ll just break in.”

  “She really doesn’t have any respect for personal boundaries, does she?”

  “None, but this time she’s here at my inviting.”

  Darsey’s annoyance kindled so quickly it flashed straight to her frond.

  Wing instantly sent contrition and appeal. “I wish to see you safe and Grace is part of that. The old bird makes the best longevity field any cells could have.”

  Darsey’s frond sent a much more polite query and he responded with a mental outline of the metabolic enhancements used to confer health and long life to anyone treated. “Lady Grace is the best at such-”

  “Tut, child, my hair would rustle if it was not so true.”

  Darsey and Wing spun to face the old kres as she hobbled into the room.

  “I grew fatigued with the wait at your door. No mind, girl, though you do send guilt most prettily. Should I offer congratulations here?”

  “Such would be most proper.” Wing beamed and pulled Darsey close again in a warm hug. “We’ve agreed to wed.”

  “Fortunately for my heart, I’m not surprised, but I am impressed. I know you’ve taken true care to consider the needs of others in this choice and I’m proud of you both. Well done.”

  Darsey and Wing simply stared at her and she cackled happily.

  “Lucky your hearts have more strength than mine, or my compliment would have dropped you both. No worry, just stay as you are while I take a first scan.”

  “Scan?” Darsey wondered, and would have taken a step back, but the old lady tottered forward to grasp her arm.

  “I mean you no harm,” Grace promised, and her fronds relayed the truth behind that oath. “I need to check that your cells are compatible with treatment. May I do such?”

  Darsey felt Wing’s entreaty underlying the request and sighed, then shrugged. “Certain-sure.”

  “Excellent, this will take but a moment.” Grace raised her com and tipped carefully forward, humming while her scan field swept across its target. “This looks good- Wait...”

  “Wait?” Darsey demanded. “What do you mean, wait?”

  “This is most odd. Every cell seems to host exotic matter. How is such possible?”

  Darsey and Wing exchanged a look and several thoughts, none of which did anything to solve the puzzle. “Don’t know,” Darsey answered succinctly. “Does it matter?”

  “No, I think not. In truth, it might aid the process – wait.”

  “Wait? Again?”

  “A moment, girl. This certain-sure needs checking.”

  A tense silence followed and lasted some minutes until Grace released a slow and satisfied hiss. “The result is true. You are fresh with child.”

  Darsey heard the words, but comprehending them was something else. “Huh?”

  “Congratulations, my dear. To both of you. There’s no doubt you’re pregnant.”

  This time, Darsey blinked and found actual words. “You’re joking.”

  “Do I look like a merry old maid filling my life with jests? As I say, so it is. You’re with child, girl.”

  Darsey reached to Wing for support, but he was already sagging against her. They managed an awkward hug and slowly subsided onto the floor together. Mother, father and offspring.

  50

  Traitor