Odd Coupling (19 page)

“
I must go, but I’ll be
back as soon as possible.” He stood and came around the desk to
give her a quick hug. “Nouri isn’t here to watch over you, love.
She can explain about my species and help you contact your friend.
Ask her anything. While I’m gone, I think it’d be a good idea for
you to talk to your friend, Shelly. Maybe you could let her know
you’re safe, and that you wish to remain on my ship?”

Bethany nodded in understanding as she
thought about his suggestion to call her friend. It was a good
idea. Shelly was probably worried sick, and would be relieved to
know she was okay.

“
You do want to stay with
me, don’t you?”

His question slammed the brakes on her
train of thought. “Of course I want to stay! How can you even ask
that? Remember, we’re mated!”

He grinned. “Good answer. Come to the
bath with me. I’ll teach you how to control the hydro-sonic unit,
but we must hurry.”

Chapter Eleven

Bethany wandered around the main
living area, hardly paying any attention to the furnishings as she
waited for her visitor. She’d already tripped several times on the
hem of the too-long robe Vren had found for her after their shower.
He’d left moments ago, and despite her insistence that she could
wait for him all alone, she looked forward to having some
company.

A soft knock alerted her before the
door separating Vren’s office from the living room opened. The
attractive young woman who stood in the opening looked nothing like
Bethany had expected. She certainly wasn’t D’Lyrian and she wore a
uniform.

“
Hello, I’m Nouri,” she
said as she stepped into the room. “I can tell you’re surprised by
my appearance. I’m Sauren.” Bethany was struck speechless when the
newcomer dropped the packages she carried, and did a
three-hundred-and-sixty turn. “You can tell by my blonde hair, blue
eyes and how human I look.” She laughed and wiggled her butt.
“Plus, I don’t have a tail.”

Apparently, Nouri had a delightful
personality or she was completely nuts. She couldn’t help but laugh
along with her. Bethany stretched her arms out to the sides and
performed the exact same turn.

“
Hi, I’m Bethany, I’m human
and I don’t have a tail or any clothes.”

“
It’s an honor to meet
you,” Nouri responded before retrieving her packages. “I’ve brought
clothes, but you’ll have to grow your own tail. Supply was fresh
out of those.” She grinned and tossed the largest bundle to
Bethany. “These should fit. Salla gave me your
measurements.”

“
Thank you.” The package
was lighter than she’d expected. Instead of opening it, she sat it
on the closest table.

“
I’m a communications
specialist on
Explorer
and I also serve as the cultural advisor on all our
first-contact missions.” Nouri smiled and took a seat. Bethany
chose one nearby. “Before his shuttle left, the captain told me to
contact your friend for you. She’s at the NASA spaceport and is on
her way to the operations complex. Thoren will notify us when
they’re ready, and you can use the comm-unit in the captain’s
office.”

“
Will I be able to see her
on the view screen the same way Vren did when he spoke to the
commandant?”

“
Yes.” A slight frown
tugged at her lips. “Even though it’s a secure connection, we’re
quite certain your conversation won’t be private. NASA and your
government will be listening to every word you say.”

“
I won’t tell anyone that
we’ve mated. Vren thinks we should keep it secret for now, and I
agree.”

“
I’m not here to tell you
what or what not to say. That’s up to you. I just thought you might
want to know. It’s probably wise to keep your relationship hidden
for now.” Nouri took a deep breath and exhaled with a pleasant
sigh. “The other reason I’m here is to explain some of the
differences between humans and D’Lyrians. There are a few,
especially the anatomical ones, but those are obvious. It’s the
social ones you have to watch out for. Things like…don’t let the
males dance close behind you, and don’t pull on their tails or
they’ll think you’re inviting them to couple with you. And if the
two of you are separated for a couple days, you’ll cry during your
sleep, and he’ll be irritable and want to fight with everyone.” She
giggled. “Sometimes it can seem as if you’re lost in a Geldorian
dragon forest while blindfolded. I’m here to help you along.” She
settled back in the chair. “So, do you have any questions for
me?”

Even though Nouri had already shared
some good information, Bethany had tons of questions, but most of
them could wait until Vren returned. This was her opportunity to
ask the difficult ones, the ones she dreaded.

“
Vren says he’ll never be
with another woman. Is that true?” She held her breath.

“
That’s very true. A mated
male will never couple with another female as long as his mate is
alive. He won’t cheat on you. I believe that’s the human
expression?” Nouri cocked her head.

“
Yes.” Bethany exhaled a
huge sigh of relief. For some reason, she believed her visitor
without question. “He said he’s coupled with a lot of females in
his life just to find a mate. How many?”

Nouri chuckled and shook her head.
“There’s no way to tell. They don’t keep track of their encounters,
but trust me, there’s been too many to worry about
counting.”

“
What?” Bethany’s stomach
twisted into a giant knot.

The Sauren woman reached out to pat
her arm. “It’s normal for them, just as it’s normal for human
females to refuse to couple with every male they meet. Your mate is
a strong, attractive warrior. He’s probably been with a great many
females, including most of the ones on this ship, but that’s in the
past. It’s a social activity for them, one your species might
compare to recreational sex.”

“
That’s just…” Bethany was
too shocked to even continue.

“
The urge to mate and
reproduce is powerful for all species. D’Lyrians have a high sex
drive, and they’re extremely prolific, since every pregnancy
produces a set of twins. Unmated males and females aren’t fertile
until they find their mates and bond.”

Vren was fertile now? Oh, god! She
hadn’t seriously thought about getting pregnant, and since sexually
transmitted diseases had been wiped out years ago by newer medical
treatments, it hadn’t occurred to her to worry about catching
anything from him either. Bethany did a quick mental calculation.
She wasn’t due for her next birth control shot for a month. She’d
always wanted a child or two, but now didn’t seem like a good time
to start a family.

“
Is it even possible for us
to have children?” A brief look of pain or perhaps sorrow crossed
Nouri’s face after Bethany asked the question.

“
Extremely
doubtful.”

“
Because we’re so
different?”

“
I believe so. My mate and
I have been trying for many years. At first, we were hopeful, but
not anymore. I’ve been unable to conceive.”

“
I don’t understand,”
Bethany said.

Nouri leaned forward and tugged at her
uniform collar to reveal a bite mark near her shoulder. Except for
its smaller size, it was an exact match to the one Vren had given
her. Eight puncture wounds.

“
My mate is D’Lyrian, and
he’s an engineer on the ship. His name is Chez.” Nouri smiled.
“That’s one of the reasons I know so much about them.”

“
I’m sorry if I hurt your
feelings.”

“
No need to apologize.” She
shrugged. “A few of the mated pairs have children on board, and I
visit the learning center almost every day to watch them play.
They’re adorable. I’d be happy to take you with me any time, if
you’re interested.”

“
Sure. I’d like that.” Not
only did it surprise her to learn there were children on the ship,
she actually looked forward to seeing them. It was hard to imagine
a miniature version of Vren.

“
Excellent.” Nouri beamed.
“You know, our males aren’t eager to discuss some of the things we
might be curious about. I think they just want to protect us from
anything that might hurt us, whether it’s physical or emotional. So
if Vren seems reluctant to answer your questions, please don’t ever
hesitate to ask me anything.”

Bethany didn’t hesitate. “Why won’t
they have sex in a bed?”

“
Oh,” Nouri’s eyes widened.
“He hasn’t told you?”

“
He explained some, but not
much. We just don’t. He said it was perverted.”

“
It’s extremely taboo for
them. I suppose it makes sense if you’re a D’Lyrian. They like to
sleep together, and most of their homes have one large bedroom for
the entire family unit. Can you imagine having sex under those
conditions, especially when there are several adult males and
females in the bed? If it were my species, a fight would surely
erupt.”

“
Mine too,” Bethany agreed
with a chuckle.

“
Years of evolution have
made them the way they are. It’s so ingrained they don’t question
the reasoning. Sleeping and coupling are their two most enjoyable
passions, but they don’t mix them together.”

“
I still miss the comfort
of a bed.” Bethany slumped in her chair.

“
Me too,” Nouri
agreed.

Bethany scooted to the edge of the
seat and leaned toward her new confidant. “I might have a solution.
Would you help me?”

“
Of course.”

Thoren’s voice interrupted them before
she could share her idea. “The scheduled communication from NASA is
ready. Acknowledge.”

They rushed to Vren’s office. Nouri
motioned for her to sit in the chair. Once Bethany was in front of
the view screen, the woman tapped a button on the desk and
spoke.

“
Ready, Thoren.”

The screen brightened and Shelly’s
face came into focus.

“
Bethany! It’s so good to
see you! Are you okay? Are they treating you good?”

“
Whoa. One question at a
time,” Bethany said while laughing. “I’m fine, and I’ve never felt
better. Everyone’s been very nice.” She didn’t bring up the fact
that she’d just woken from a three-day nap. “You were passed out
the last time I saw you. Are you okay?”

Shelly shrugged. “I’m good.” She held
her hands up to the screen, and Bethany could clearly see the cuts
on her wrists. “They’re healing. I’m staying in an apartment here
at NASA. You should see this place. It’s amazing.”

“
Why are you staying
there?”

“
I don’t have any place
else to go since someone broke in and destroyed my other apartment.
They took everything, including my underwear. Sickos!”

“
That’s terrible. Why would
they do that?”

“
Because of all the news
reports! You’re a celebrity, and I’m popular by association. Our
faces are all over the news. Where have you been? Under a
rock?”

“
No, but it sounds
awful.”

“
I have a security guard
twenty-four-seven.” Shelly waved to someone off screen. “NASA
thinks some rebel group is out to kill me and you. At least the
crazies can’t harm you up there.”

Hope not.
“
Maybe you should stay with me,” she
suggested, immediately concerned for her friend’s
safety.

“
I don’t think they’ll let
me leave,” Shelly said as she reached up to tug her
earlobe.

Bethany understood. It was a secret
code they’d made up years ago. It was a warning that someone else
besides the security guard was listening.

“
Well, if things get worse,
you let me know.”

“
I will. Hey, there’s
something I need to ask you.” Shelly seemed hesitant, almost
nervous.

“
Sure, Shell. You know you
can ask me anything.”

“
You seem happy about
staying on that spaceship. Are you sure you don’t want to come back
home? You can tell me.”

“
No, I’d rather stay here.
Everything is
perfectly
fine. You know?”

“
I understand.” Shelly
wrinkled her nose to show she’d caught Bethany’s hidden meaning.
She looked over the screen, then back to the center. “They’re
telling me I’m running out of time so I better cut this short. I
hope we can talk again soon.” When she finished speaking, she
sealed her lips tight and quickly touched them with the tip of her
forefinger before she moved out of sight. The screen went
black.

Shelly’s silent message meant she’d
kept quiet about something. Since she’d never mentioned Vren,
Bethany suspected her friend hadn’t told anyone about what she’d
discovered that night. It was best to keep it a secret. No one on
the planet needed to know she’d mated with an alien.

* * * *

An unnatural silence permeated the
bridge. The crewmembers didn’t speak to one another as they
silently performed their daily routine. There wasn’t much for Vren
to do, except stare at the main screen. It showed a partial view of
Earth set against a star-littered background. His mate’s planet was
beautiful, much like his own home world. He glanced down at the
chronometer for about the tenth time in the space of one minute.
His shift would end in two. He could leave if he wanted. He was the
captain. No one would mind or complain, but he was determined to
stay.