Tolr nodded. “You are, Lady Theena. They are attempting to have another ready by the end of the day, but this one was the simplest assembly.”
She played with the skirt and smiled. “I can also fly a rider with this.”
Etska sighed and wrapped an arm around her waist, flipping her into his embrace. “Let’s wait to discuss your possibility of personal mobility.”
He spread his wings and launched them skyward. He was always careful to set her head against his shoulder so that she didn’t get whiplash. It was very considerate.
They headed back to the research building, but this time, he landed on the ground in front of the main doors, and he set her on her feet before he took her hand to lead her into the building. The guards bowed, and there were stares as she passed through the doors next to Etska, but when he introduced her at the front desk, he made things clear. “I am here to speak to the research teams, and the colony controller is here to see what they have done with the forager discoveries.”
The woman at the desk looked at Athena. “Colony controller?”
“Apparently. He just made the title up.”
Etska casually reached around and covered her mouth with his hand. “The controller is getting used to her new position and several others. We will be on our way.”
The receptionist blushed as she caught onto the reference, her bright green skin going dark.
They were in the lift, and Athena bit his hand. He chuckled and released her. She licked her lips. She had been going to lick his hand, but she just knew that he would have enjoyed it.
“Don’t mock your position. It is important that you have a place here that is outside my bed. Everyone works at a new colony.”
She nodded. “Fair enough. Try not to remind everyone that we meet that I am here for sex.”
He shrugged. “It is foremost in my mind.”
She shivered, and he looked down at her, smiling.
“Are you cold, Athena?”
“No.”
He leaned in and nipped at her ear. “Good.”
She was going to elbow him in the ribs, but one of the researchers greeted him at the lift, and they were off on a whirlwind tour of the raw materials and mineral labs.
She listened and smiled along while the researcher showed them the machines that broke things down so analysis could be enacted. It looked like she was getting the full tour.
It was the same on every level they visited until they reached the textile lab. When they arrived, a cluster of researchers was at the back of the lab, arguing around a terminal.
Etska looked down at her. “I wonder what they are working on.”
They walked back to the group, and she cleared her throat. “Status update?”
The researchers mumbled, and the assistant said, “We are trying to find designs that are going to be appropriate for the new companion’s physiology while taking her skin texture into account. We want to use more than just the two fabrics, so we are having to work on processing again.”
“Smart. The other ones were kind of prickly instead of a soft fold.” Etska spoke, and he put a lot of rumble into his voice. The researchers all turned around slowly as if caught doing something untoward.
The overseer looked at them and raised his brows. “So, show us what you are working on.”
The assistant looked at her clothing and stared at the breast band. “That is not how I imagined that going on.”
“I need more support than the original species intended for this design, so I had to improvise. Fortunately, with the skirt on, I knew what length of fabric I was working with.”
Etska wrapped his arm around her midriff. “What was the original design?”
The assistant pulled it up on the monitor. Five layers of gossamer fabric moved upward from the hips until the entire works were held in place with a single tie above the bustline.
“I prefer this arrangement.” His hand wrapped around her waist and squeezed.
She chuckled. “Thought you might. Anyway, I would prefer most daily wear in two parts for ease of movement. I need support for my breasts, or things get uncomfortable. The undershirts that are issued to the foragers have the right idea; they compress and lift. When everything is kept from jiggling around, I am much more comfortable.”
The men were staring at her, and the two women nodded. The assistant nodded. “Understood. So, even in the floating garments, a support layer is requested.”
“Right.”
Her head felt the weight of Etska’s chin as he leaned on her. “Whatever keeps her happy.”
She grinned. “And doesn’t let me blend in with the colonists.”
“That too.”
The researchers had a moment of understanding, and the assistant smiled and said, “Which of the designs would you like next?”
Athena tried to step forward, but she was restricted for some reason. She tapped the fingers on her abdomen, and he whispered, “Just reach over from here.”
She leaned forward from the waist, and he went with her as she flicked through the options once before going back and making rapid-fire selections. She picked out a dozen outfits that she wouldn’t be horrified to wear as a disturbing number of the designs were translucent or clothing in an aspirational sense.
Etska reached out with his free hand and picked two. “Just for me.”
She winced but nodded. “If you try to make me wear either of those in public, I am breaking contract and running for it.”
He whispered in her ear, “I would find you.”
She nodded. “I know, but I wouldn’t be in public anymore.”
She got a squeeze that nearly took her breath away.
She beckoned to the assistant who came closer, and she whispered in her ear. When she straightened, the assistant nodded and said, “I will work on a blend to stop that.”
Athena chuckled and leaned back against Etska. He didn’t stumble like she thought he might. He discussed a number of the details on acquisitions and the supply requirements, but they would have to head to the warehouse to see what samples were being brought in.
“I believe we have our next stop.”
Athena nodded, but inwardly, she was grimacing. “Yes, my lord.”
They finished their updates, took their leave, and headed to the roof—time to hit the warehouse.
Chapter Eight
The workers at the warehouse stopped when they entered, and everybody bowed. Athena’s cheeks heated and remained warm while they walked up to the warehouse manager’s station.
Etska didn’t set her on her feet. He held her close as the workers gathered around them.
She raised her hand to Manager Stetho. “Hey, Stetho, how are you doing?”
“Good, Theena. How about you?”
She winced. “Been a weird day.”
He chuckled.
“Oh, Manager Stetho, this is the overseer. He owns this whole place, top to bottom, and the bonds on everyone on it. He likes to be greeted first.”