The sheer size of the Val'Dornn ship was dizzying. We'd ended up walking a lot of the way before Esayr led me into a glorified elevator, which he called a transport. It took us down a few levels into the belly of the ship.

"As a rule, the more sensitive areas of the ship are in the center. In the case of an enemy attack, the equipment is less likely to be damaged. Civilian and mated living accommodations are there as well. Then farther out are unmated and then warrior accommodations. Entertainment and media areas are toward the top of the ship. It's less safe, but as a race, we have a tendency to feel cooped up without a view of the stars and lights in the universe and historically we'd had large windows to combat that feeling."

"That sounds unsafe." A single crack and everyone just living their lives in one of the single most populated areas of the ship would be in danger."

Esayr nodded, "We've since exchanged glass for view screens that project a panorama of the space around our ship and we've reinforced the outside of the upper level of the ship. Reasonably the entertainment area should be moved farther down, but the ship schematics have been in use for ages and it'd be a hassle so we still use the traditional layout."

"Not to be rude, but that sounds like a pretty big oversight because of impatience."

A smile twitched at the edges of his lips, "We are not patient males when it comes to getting to our mates. The ships begin construction when the first inklings of our Temani Bercari begin. They're usually created in groups of three and they each travel out in different directions."

"What happens if you get on a ship going to the wrong place?" That would suck. I got upset when I took an early exit on the highway. I couldn't imagine getting on a ship bound for the wrong part of the universe.

"It's never happened in our living memory. We're each guided by the will of our deities and we instinctually know where to go."

"Huh." I was brought back to the pretty story that Esayr had whispered to me as I'd fallen asleep. I didn't remember all of it, but I did remember that they believed their gods guided them in the wake of their own travels. "So, usually three ships will leave off of one mothership? What happens if members of your family are bound to different places?"

"That does happen. Regularly, actually. It is sad but happy--"

"Bittersweet?"

He beamed down at me, "Yes, that's a good term. You are sad to leave your kin, but you leave with the knowledge that they will be finding their soulmates."

"What do Empath parent's do?"

Esayr snickered, "Choose a favorite."

I squinted up at him, not sure if he was joking or not and he burst into laughter.

"They follow their youngest child, usually. We can still communicate with the other ships, for the most part, but customarily they will follow the youngest child as a means by continuing their guidance." Esayr turned us down another hallway, this one a near pristine white and it smelled overwhelmingly of cleaning supplies.

"So, you'd be the youngest?" You didn't consider the fact that he might have parents and now you realize you didn't consider the possibility that he might have siblings. Who are you, Addison?

"I'm an only child. Unusual for Vall' couples, but it does happen."

"That's unusual?"

His grin was wicked, "I've said we're a hot-blooded race, didn't I? Val'Dornn like the concept of large families, but we like making them even more."

He tugged me along behind him, flaming cheeks and all.

"My parents like to joke that it was meant to be. They're both Empaths themselves and wanted to lavish any children they had with affection. They insist that being able to focus their attention on me was everything they'd dreamed of." The smile faded a moment, "I don't believe it was for lack of trying, however. I simply think that the fates had intended for me to have many sisters."

Their genetics took their toll. The bond throbbed between us. It was a deep ache; the kind of sadness that you couldn't quite do anything about except weather through it until it passed. I slipped my hand into his and squeezed, offering him some of the comfort I'd felt earlier by the simple touch. He squeezed my hand back.

His expression was gentle and soft as he stood outside the door to the science and medical bays. "My parents are going to spoil you," he admitted quietly before slipping into the doorway, not giving me a moment of composure.

The admission made the warmth of pleasure bloom in my chest. It wasn't the raging fire that consumed me starting just below my stomach when he touched me. It was the gentle kiss of the sun that spread out like a warm blanket radiating comfort and joy. I felt tears frighteningly close to the surface when I thought about the fact that there were parents out there on this ship waiting to meet me, to greet me as a daughter.

"Addison, are you all right?"

I nodded unable to speak for a moment.

"Are you sure?" We were standing in a clean white room. I could hear the chatter of males in the room, but Esayr'd taken the moment to block me from their view while I tried to gain my composure.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, feeling the threat dissipate, "I'm alright. I'm just...happy."

The chatter in the room disappeared in the wake of the love I saw in his eyes when he gazed down at me. It was thrilling and terrifying to see someone look at me like that. Slowly the room came back into focus along with the acute awareness that we were in public. As much as I hated it, I cleared my throat breaking up the moment. "To Kados?"

His gaze flicked down to my lips and I knew the moment wasn't over. The nerves surfaced again and strangely enough this time I fought to push them back.

He leaned forward and I was certain he was going to kiss me. My anxiety surged like a wave choking my breath. And, just at the last moment he shifted to the side and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek. His breath was a warm whisper against my neck, shifting the hair that had fallen out of my ponytail. "To Kados, come."

The breath I'd been holding came out like a lover's sigh. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer to his body and leading me into the back of the room. I didn't even look toward the males who'd witnessed our display. I couldn't.

*****A/N*****

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm hoping I get the time to post this on Thursday, but I have a lot of prepping to do with my family so this may go up on Friday instead.

Hope you've all had a wonderful holiday if you celebrate it. If not, just eat a lot of food and then forget about the leftovers in the fridge until your mother throws them out and complains. It's pretty much the same thing.

Love,

Layla