Page 89 of Ahelno
“He wasn’t lying when he said it’s rare,” Leo chimed in. “More than 98% of all species in the known universe are egg-layers.”
“How do you know that?” I asked.
“I’m a vet, remember? I studied a lot of biology and anatomy as part of my training. Plus, it’s something interesting that stuck with me, since we’re also a live-bearing species. It’s true on Earth, too, Andie. Think of all the insects, reptiles, fish… Humans and other mammals are pretty far outnumbered.”
I knew about egg-laying because Miravel was expecting, but I hadn’t given it much thought. “Wait, so I can’t get pregnant here?” I asked Dakleth.
He nodded, but didn’t say anything. His expression was carefully blank. I was suddenly nervous. Was he going to dump me now that he knew we couldn’t have children? On the one hand, I hated to lose him, but on the other hand, part of me was relieved. We hadn’t practiced safe sex - I hadn’teven thought about it, and I was really glad to know I couldn’t get pregnant. It hadn’t occurred to me to ask about condoms. I didn’t even know if the Ptexari had condoms. Then I had another unwelcome thought.
I gestured to Leo to lean in. “What about diseases?” I whispered.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“Can I, you know, get a disease from a Ptexari?” I asked quietly.
He grinned widely. “No. Our physiology is too different for pathogens to cross species. I bet you haven’t been sick the entire time you’ve been on this planet.”
I thought back and realized he was right. I had suffered some stomach issues with food, but in terms of colds or other viruses, I hadn’t had so much as a sniffle. Hey, if I had to be kidnapped and stranded on another planet, at least I could say there was one advantage. I looked at Dakleth, who was carefully avoiding my gaze. Well, maybe two advantages.
We finished our meal in relative silence. Dakleth avoided conversation, and his disengagement brought the mood down a bit. I was going to need to talk to him once Leo and his partners left.
At the end, I gave Leo a big hug. “I’m going to miss you so much!” I said, squeezing tight.
“Me, too,huera. But we’ll stay in touch. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.” He shook Dakleth’s hand, who seemed confused by the gesture, and gave M’Pak another ear scratch, then he walked away.
I felt tears welling up, knowing it could be months or years before I saw him again. M’Pak leaned in to give me comfort.
Dakleth’s hand came up to wipe a tear as it spilled from myeye. “Once again, I have failed you, mate.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, thoroughly confused.
“I have shackled you to me, and I cannot give you offspring. If you wish, I will find a way to release you from the bond so you can go to Coromonn.” He looked away from me.
“Dakleth, you’re an idiot,” I said, exasperated.
“I know,” he said morosely.
“Look at me,” I said.
He turned his head and gazed at me with sorrow. “Dakleth, I’m going to tell you something that a lot of people don’t believe,” I said.
“What is that, my mate?” he asked.
“I don’t want children,” I said. “I’ve never wanted children, even when I was back on Earth. I wanted to perform on Broadway - sing and dance. Call me selfish, but kids weren’t part of the future I pictured for myself.” I said.
Dakleth was quiet for a minute. He seemed unable to process what I’d said.
“What about you?” I asked. “I guess I’ve failed you as a mate, too. I assume you want children. You need to continue the royal line of succession, right?”
“I have thought about offspring in the sense of the legacy for our family, but I cannot say it has been any dream of mine to be a father,” he said. He paused, then continued, “My father will be disappointed.”
“But are you disappointed?” I asked, nervously.
His expression softened. “Never, my mate. If you wanted offspring, I would give you as many as you desired. We would adopt them if we could not have them ourselves. If you want none, I am content to live my life in your company alone. Children would divert your attention from me. I can admitthat I am also selfish. I want all of your attention for myself.”
I grinned at him, and he smiled back. I threw myself at him, and he enfolded me with wings and arms. “Every time I think you can’t get any more perfect, you go and prove me wrong,” I laughed against his chest.
“Same, mate. Same.”
