Zelda blinked away tears and looked at him.He looked nervous.“You thought of all of this?”
“I have been asking other consorts of other Hmrain for help.They have advised me of things that I had not considered, like the clothing changes.”
“And the private time with her.That is important.”
He nodded.“It is all right?”
“It is...if she isn’t furious at me, it will be fine.”She went through the last of the contract and smiled at Aretta’s trust account, as well as the discretionary fund available to Zelda.She paused.“A ship?You are giving me a ship?”
“So that you do not feel confined.Of course, keep reading, there are restrictions to using the ship.”
She laughed when she saw that it was to be used to bring friends to her so that Orex would not be inconvenienced.“I suppose that is fair.”
The last section was about children.Orex wanted children and had had no luck so far with companions, so he was interested in trying to have a family that included her, Aretta, and any children they could manage together.She sighed.He was lonely.
She knew that this was as far as her wild move through the stars would go.Orex did and always had felt right.
She signed off, scanned her eye, and left a tiny bit of blood on the side of the tablet.
Orex was standing still.“You agree?”
“Yes.I notice that you left the out after a century from the clauses.”
He shrugged.“I can cancel the contract if you are still displeased with me at that point.”
“I do warn you that Aretta may call you Dad at some point.She is fairly adaptable.”
He blinked.“I am sure we will discuss it if it arises.You really agree?”
“You know my bloody history?”
“I do.It is admirable.”
“They took my child from me and left me outside the walls.Aretta came to the walls and spoke to me, and it kept me calm while I fed them, protected them, and got them water for six months.”
“That was not mentioned.”
“No, but that was why they lied about Aretta and me.They weren’t sure I wouldn’t be up on the next shuttle and wanted her hidden.”
He paused.“Are they in the transport with your daughter?”
“They are.”
“I will make sure that she is woken first and that you are both removed from the vessel before the others wake.”He paused.“I didn’t know the size of your daughter, so I have brought tunics and trousers of a smaller size, as well as dresses if she prefers.”
Zelda smiled.“Sign the contract, Orex, so that I can begin your replenishment.You are looking tired.”
He blinked.“You mean you are willing to...”
“I will finish my snack, and then we will see how far we can get.”
He signed the contract, used an ocular scan, and the side of the tablet took a drop of his blood.The screen turned bright blue, and Orex stared at it.“Zelda, are you receptive right now?”
“I don’t know.My timing is off.”
“That may change things.”
She snorted.“I am aware.”She ate the fruit and toast that he had provided her.The tea went down easily.She took the tray and left the bed to set it where he had retrieved it.