Page 26 of Gemini
She arched a brow, looking at it before turning her eyes back to me. “This is actually one of the most covering options…”
Ipersonally didn’t mind…but—
“Won’t Nitochi and Baelor be upset?” I wondered. “I mean, where I come from, men can be a bit…territorial.”
Nodala tilted her head to the side in confusion. “I am not sure what you mean.”
“This will show most of my body,” I explained. “I’ve known enough men in my life to know they don’t like others looking at what is theirs.”
She brought a hand to her lips to conceal a chuckle. “Oh…No. Other males can look all they want, they still will not dare try to come too close. You carry my sons’ scent—or at least, Nitochi’s for now. It is more than enough to deter even the more persistent male.”
I didn’t stop her when she went to undo the buttons of the shirt. I had never really been shy with my body, but it was not common among humans. Gemins didn’t seem to have this issue at all.
“Try this one!”
It felt more like awrapthan actual clothes. Once on, it only covered my breast, circled my hips and a long, flowy and sheer skirt fell down my legs.
Damn, but this was actually really pretty.
“I have never seen a human female before,” she said distractedly, placing herself behind me to brush myhair back. “Somehow, there are only males working in the base on Gemini.”
“Really?” It made sense. When Baelor came back earlier, he had only brought men. One would think that a woman would have joined if there was one…Right?
“John never explained why…” she added.
“Who’s John? You mentioned him before.”
Nodala smiled. “He is the human in charge of the closest base. The one who came to update your translator? Baelor said he went to get him personally.”
“You know him?”
She shrugged, turning around me to adjust some part of the fabric hugging my body. “He has been living on our planet for a long time. Comes to dinner with his wife about once a week, too.”
Were humans really part of their community here? Maybe that was why they hadn’t noticed the shuttle crashing with me in it…
Nodala removed the first dress and grabbed some reddish pink thing that looked more like underwear than anything else.
“You know, I think deep down I always knew Nitochi would make a great soul leader,” she said as she helped me get it on. “I do not care much for what people say about dark Gemins being too emotional. Sometimes, spontaneity is a good thing.Especiallyin a family.”
I frowned, lifting my arms to help her. “What is this lead thing? You’ve mentioned itbefore…”
Her smile widened as her hands deftly moved to tie a knot at my waist. “Males share a soul while females are born whole. They are apair, completing each other. White Gemins are known to be pragmatic. Thoughtful. Led by their mind and always weighing their words, thinking about consequences before making decisions. Dark Gemins are…emotional. Impulsive. Spontaneous. They are good hunters and fighters, but rarely lead clans or their families.” I nodded, listening intently. “Nitochi’s impulsivity is well known among our people. But they do not know him likeIdo.”
She gave me a conspiratorial look as she took a step back, adjusting the fabric of what looked more like an intricate bathing suit than an actual outfit.
“He is more complex than people give him credit for,” Nodala continued. “Sure, heisimpulsive and hot-headed. But he is also caring. Mindful with the people he cares about. Selfless and generous. People will stare. They might not understand why he is the lead of your…unconventionalfamily. I trust you to keep him out of his own mind. Of his doubts.”
I had been here for less than twenty-four hours, but I trusted Nitochi with my life. After all, he had already saved it once.
“I think this whole program is a good thing,” she finally said, cupping my face with her hand. “It is time our minds evolve. That we step outside of the boxes we are putting ourselves in. I hope you and my boys will teach your children a new way.”
Children.My eyes widened and my hand instinctively found my lower stomach. Nitochi said I couldn’t be pregnant right now but yet, he had—
Nodala chuckled. Not mocking, but amused.Kind. “I do not smell Baelor on you. One’s seed cannot cause a pregnancy.”
Oh.Oh.So that's what he meant. “What does it mean?”
She arched a brow before turning to get the other clothes she had gathered and place them at the center of a large silky square. “Itmeansthat on their own, their seed cannot produce a child. Their souls—the two pieces of it, need to be connected for children to be created.”
