Free Accepting (The Return of the Nine book 2) by Viola Grace Page B

was a lot more self-control going on in my mind.”
    He laughed. “All this change in a few hours. I can only imagine how savage you will be if we reproduce.”
    She looked up at him in shock, but he quickly distracted her. “Is that not your friend?”
    Ziggy whirled and faced Tiera walking on the arm of Tonos, the pervy Fairy.
    Tiera smiled and ran forward, stopping just an inch from her.
    Ziggy had no hesitation and wrapped her arms around her friend, initiating a hug that ended in a squeak. Her strength was increasing as the blood that she had swapped with Rothaway continued to make her into a Wilder wife.
    “Sorry, about that, Tiera. I suspected that I was never going to see you again, so I kind of panicked.”
    Tiera’s face was pale, and she gave her friend a wobbly smile.
    Ziggy immediately straightened and pressed Tiera’s palm to the lock. “We have to code it to you, Tier.”
    Taking in the shock in her best friend’s face, Ziggy ushered her through the opening door and spoke to Rothaway, “Wait out here. Tier and I have a bit to discuss. Tonos, give me that bag.”
    Tonos seemed as bewildered as Rothaway, but he did as she asked. Her enhanced senses caused her to bristle a little at the scent he had left on her friend’s duffel, but she kept her arm around Tiera’s shoulders and brought her into the bedroom.
    Seating her on the bed, she knelt and looked into Tiera’s eyes, trying to understand what had happened to shock Tiera so deeply.
    “Aw…hon. What is it?” Ziggy held her hands, and to her relief, Tiera began to speak.
     
    * * * *
     
    Tiera couldn’t believe it. She was on a spaceship, surrounded by aliens and even her best friend in all of Gaia was no longer hers.
    “I am having a problem adapting. Tonos took me on a tour.”
    “If that little perv did anything to you…” Ziggy flexed her hands.
    It was that defensive reflex that brought out a smile on Tiera’s face. “No. He was perfect and polite. When I stopped responding to his comments and descriptions of the zones of the craft, he brought me right here.”
    “What was the problem?”
    Tiera looked down into Ziggy’s face, her friend’s earnest query touched her heart. “What is always the problem with me, Ziggy?”
    “You hate change…ohh.” Ziggy got up and took a seat next to her.
    Tiera felt the bed dip, but she was still disconnected from the world around her. It was a defence mechanism that she had always fallen back on in the past, despite its inconvenience.
    “I am sorry, Ziggy. This should be a happy time for you, and I am delighted that you met someone. It will just take me time to work it into my thoughts. I should be a little un-kinked in the morning.” Tiera smiled at her friend’s hug.
    Three days ago, Ziggy had just been the best friend a girl could have. Now she had a strength that wasn’t hidden behind sarcasm anymore. Oh, the sarcasm was still bright and shining but the strength was right beside it now. The change in her best friend was more striking than anything else, and it was also the most frightening.
    “I know that it is sudden, and I know that it will take time for you to get used to it. That is why Rothaway sent for you. Since I can’t go to you, you are invited here for as long as you like.” Ziggy took her hand.
    “You are touching me a lot. I know you can’t read emotions, so what are you after?” Her words came out far more blunt than she had intended.
    “I am seeking to comfort you. Just two days with Rothaway has taught me the powerful effect that touch can have. You are calmer now, yes?”
    Tiera laughed at the perky tone of Ziggy’s voice. “Yes. I am. Now, what do you have against Tonos?”
    Ziggy sighed and Tiera followed her gaze into the other room.
    “Can they hear us?”
    Ziggy grimaced. “Without a doubt. The Wilder have excellent hearing, and from what I know, the People of the Air do as well. It was in their base species before the Nine split. I can’t believe that