The ship was large and I could think of so many different places to take her. We rounded a corner back into the hallway we'd taken to get up to the entertainment spaces earlier today. I could take her to the media halls that broadcasted her human entertainment. I could take her to the ship's controls and show her the vastness of the universe we'd traveled just to come here. I could show her the lush botanical gardens that feed the entire ship. I could even show her the large atrium where we worshiped Volla'Drannen, Vallo'Karain, and all of our lesser deities. My options were endless and I could scarcely choose where to start.

"You're very excited."

I was surprised. I wasn't sure whether it was the fact that our bond was strong or simply that I was an empath, but the fact that she could feel and recognize my emotions was pleasing. "I'm trying to decide where I want to take you first."

She gave me a small secret smile and the hum of a quaint pleasure pulsed down our bond. "Take me wherever. I'm sure anything you show me will be inspiring."

Of all of the Temani Bercari's I personally know of, her race was likely the most advanced, at least in recent years anyway. They'd managed short-range space travel, but not much else. A lot of the ship would likely be astounding to her, but I didn't just want to astound or inspire. I wanted her to fall in love and to feel at home in this place. I wanted her to want to stay here...with me. "Would you like to go to the botanical centers with me?" I'd been leaning toward the media hall because it would have been similar to what she's used to, but the large flowering gardens in the bowels of the ship seemed more enchanting.

"I'd love to."

When I smiled at her, she blushed and looked away but the anxiety wasn't there.

One entire lower level of the ship was devoted to the botanical gardens, so it was the utmost pleasure to step into the level transport with the knowledge that when it opened she'd be greeted immediately to the view. I could barely control my excitement and I'm sure she felt it.

She giggled to herself when I bounced restlessly on the balls of my feet but I couldn't stay still. Not when I had my mate ready and willing to spend time with me in my hands.

When the doors opened Addison sucked in a breath, wonder and amazement plain on her face. The air around us was filled with the thick scent of halli blossoms, the same scent she'd chosen for her hair.

She stepped out into the large room lightly pulling me along. I let her lead the way and choose what she wanted to discover. It was more than a joy to watch her look on in wonder at the vegetation my people had collected in our travels.

"This is the same smell from the shampoo."

"Halli blossoms. They're from Var'Hallen. They're a symbol of beauty and Volla'Drannen's favorite flower."

I watched as Addison stepped into the long flowing golden grass to stare at the waterfall of small golden blossoms that topped one of the stalks, "Volla'Drannen's favorite flower? I would have expected them to be Vallo'Karain's."

She remembered our Gods. The knowledge thrilled me and the warmth that skittered down my spine and out across my nerves lit back up. "Vallo'Karain loved them to be sure because Volla'Drannen created them for her. He'd fashion them into crowns and veils for her to wear in her dark hair. But, Volla'Drannen claimed them as his favorite flower, made of swirling gold that shimmered in the sun like his lover's gaze."

"May I touch them?"

"Of course." The blossoms were small and delicate, blooming in clusters that fell downwards, sometimes even pulling the stalk of the golden grass they grew on, over with their weight. Their petals shimmered in the artificial light streaked through with white at their centers. Addison was gentle and almost reverent as she touched them, "They're soft."

"The twining vines are quite sturdy and are easily woven, but yes the blooms are quite delicate. As the story goes, while Vallo'Karain wore her veils, not a single petal would fall to the ground." I couldn't resist tracing a line down her spine as she stood next to me sweetly. She didn't shy away from my touch and I could smell the faint scent of her in the air.

"So these are plants from your home planet?"

"Yes," I looked out across the golden fields. Var'Hallen was a fair golden planet with red seas. Trees with ruby leaves sprouted sporadically in the distance, their branches heavy with mauve fruit. "Your little green and blue planet has quite the color palette compared to where we originate from."

"It was more beautiful years ago before we destroyed most of the forests. Will you take plants from Earth here too?"

"Likely. Any that would be useful for our human mates and their existence on the ship."

Addison murmured something under her breath that I didn't quite catch.

"What was that?"

She snickered, "You're gonna be grabbing cocoa pods that's for sure."

"Is that a highly prized plant in your culture?"

"Not particularly, it's what it makes that a lot of people like. If you mix it with oil and sugar you can make chocolate, which is a really sweet paste like thing. It sounds gross how I'm describing it, but a lot of people love it."

I nodded, "I will let others know."

Her snickers turned into laughter, "You're always so serious. I was making a joke about some sweets, but you really are going to tell someone to grab some cocoa pods aren't you?"

"I want to please you, Addison. Whatever you want I'll try to get it for you."

Her expression softened, "You're too perfect."

I wasn't, but the fact that my little mate thought so was intoxicating.

"You're looking at me like that again."

"Like what, again?"

"Like I'm the only thing you've ever wanted."

I reached for her hand and she didn't pull away. She even allowed me to tug her closer until barely any space separated us at all, "I always want you, Addison. Always have and always will." I took a risk and pulled her palm up to my lips and pressed a kissed there. Her eyes were glazed over and her little pink tongue darted out to wet her lips as if she wished I were kissing them and not her hand.

I pressed another kiss, this one bolder and hotter --an open-mouthed affair-- right at the pulse point of her wrist. Her little gasp was everything. I hummed against that sensitive spot, "Be careful, Addison. If you keep looking at me like that I'd say you want me too."

And she did. I could feel it dark and hungry through the bond. I coul smell it rich and sweet in the air.

She blushed the pink of dawn and it ate up the small freckles that faintly dusted her cheeks and drifted down into the collar of her shirt. She was a little breathless, but she didn't pull away quickly. Instead, she averted her gaze immediately down to my chest but stayed in this close proximity. She stared and that seemed to fluster her even more.

"Am I too forward?" I wanted her comfortable. I knew that I could feel it between our bond and react, but I wanted her to tell me where that line of comfort extended. Eventually, I wanted her to be able to tell me more, not just what she didn't want but what she wanted as well.

She chewed on her lip and I had to physically stop myself from saving it from the abuse, "No."

"No?" Even I could hear the surprise in my voice. My mate is interested.

She lost some of her nerve from my surprised tone and started to pull away. I let her go. She didn't move far, though. I watched her like a hungry creature.

"Dalde? (No?)"

She brought her hands up to her cheeks as if she were feeling their warmth and gods bless her she looked up at me like she trusted me, "Dalde. (No.)"

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

Oh, shoot fam what's gonna happen. Lmao, even I don't know. I'm letting the characters take you where they want to go, so this actually came as a surprise to me. I'd intended for them to quietly visit multiple places, but they seem to want to explore these flowers a little deeper if you catch my drift ;).

Was that too forward of me? Probably. Either way, I'm still having a great time and I'm sorry I haven't been updating at quite the same frequency. I've been considering the future of this world and other character's stories that I've had floating around in my head.

Forever and always,

Layla