Page 111 of Galaxy Circus Act One

I wave and smile to the crowd when Nixie gets to my introduction, my sharp teeth exposed for all to see, and the crowd gasps before some of them wave back.

“Now how are we going to get our fabulous and patient audience member back to her seat?” Nixie muses out loud.

I hear a child shout, “Make Nikos swim her back. It’s his fault really.”

That tiny human just became my second favorite after Lila.

“What a wonderful idea! Well, that’s the end of our show. Next time you’re out on the ocean and see a dolphin, remember they might be a mermaid waiting for true love’s kiss.” Nixie waves, and in a flash of light and smoke, she too changes, much to the delight of the crowd, and they all jump into the water. I sit on the edge of the platform and gesture for Lila to join me, but she shakes her head, and the crowd laughs.

“How else are you going to get back to your seat?” I ask her quietly, and she glares at me again. Is this her way of trying to arouse me?

“I will swim myself.”

“Come on, my little seashell. Don’t disappoint the children.” I nod to the audience, and she sighs and joins me on the edge.

I lift her into my arms before launching us into the pool. I use my powerful tail to keep us both above water as I swim her back to her seat. Eric steps down to help her out of the pool, handing her a towel.

“Kiss him!”the same child from before demands, and she quickly goes up again in my esteem, but I can’t very well put her in front of my love so she can be equal.

I pucker my lips, and I see she’s about to refuse, but Eric gets involved. “Come on, Lila, don’t disappoint the crowd.”

“I hate you all,” she mutters under her breath, then leans forward and presses her lips to mine. No tongue this time, but I’m okay with that. I keep my teeth to myself in front of the boss men.

When she pulls away, I whoop in delight before diving under the water with a splash of my tail in her direction, sharing myhabitat with her so she knows how important she is to me. She must be so thrilled that I have shown her all this affection and nearly swooning with delight. If the single females on Aquilia could see her now, they would be boiling with jealousy. They would demand to fight her for her right to be my breeding partner. I would love to see Lila fight for that honor. The thought nearly catches me off guard, and my erection almost slips out of my sexual slit again.

I dive down deep as the pool beams back onto the ship. We need to climb out, and then Nixie and I will beam back down for the final parade.

“You idiot!” my sister screeches at me once the pool arrives back on the ship and we shift forms and climb out. The other four say a quick goodbye and disappear out of Nixie’s line of fire. Cowards.

“No, Nikos. Don’t you dare look at them.” She smacks my chest as we both put on our modesty clothes. “They weren’t the ones that went rogue during the middle of the show. What were you thinking?” She continues to smack me, though the hits barely register as anything more than an annoyance. I grab hold of her hand and press it against my chest.

“Wasn’t it wonderful? The crowd loved it. I was a star,” I crow, almost bending into a bow, but she just rolls her eyes.

“You better hope that the boss men liked it. They have enough trouble with the performers, if the rumors are true, and we do not need to add to their worries. It’s bad enough that Dorado confirmed Joaquin’s pregnancy and that they will be leaving the show once we get back to Aquilia. I don’t want to go, I want to stay with the circus. I like it here.”

“I think maybe it’s a certain female Vilaxian that you like, and maybe you don’t mind the male one either.” I raise an eyebrow at her in challenge. “Don’t think I didn’t see you sneak both of them and that Skarrian woman into our house the other night, Nixie.”

She huffs. “Fine, but I also like this way of life. I don’t want to go back and be expected to find a partner and have a brood of babies.”

“It will be fine. Everything will work, you’ll see, and soon Lila will be taking my cock into her breeding channel.”

“Goddamn it, Nikos, you’re an idiot,” my sister snaps and slaps me on the back of the head before heading for the transport chamber to return to Earth.

I follow behind, happy with my plan that I’m sure will come to fruition soon.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Lila

“That fucking can of cat food,” I mutter to myself as I use the towel Eric provided to dry myself the best I can, but I eventually give up trying.

“That was marvelous. Did you have any idea they had changed the show?” John asks Eric who shakes his head.

“No, but it was amazing, and the crowd loved it. We got so much engagement from the children! We need them to do it for the rest of the shows on Earth.” They both look at me with expectant expressions.

“Oh no, no way. Uh-uh. I can’t. Susie will be here for tomorrow’s show.” I shake my head vehemently, but John just pats me on the leg. I’m interpreting his move to say,Be a good girl and take one for the team.

“And I’m sure she will enjoy seeing you as part of the show.”