Page 172 of Galaxy Circus Act One

There are a couple of the crew already waiting to help us transport their things to the room they have been assigned. They’ll be on the same floor as Cas and Lila.

“Once you’re both settled, why don’t you come down to my clinic so I can do a workup on you both? We can see how close you are to obtaining powers, Susie, and Mark, I can show you around, and give you a rundown on how everything works. You are both welcome to come and go in the clinic as often as you want. I know that keeping busy when something is on your mind is a great distraction technique. Also, I’m sure Lila will want to give you the tour of the ship. There are quite a few places she has not explored yet either. She was basically confined to her room the week we spent here between the UK and the US.”

“That would be awesome. I’d love to see what kind of tech you have and how much more advanced it is than ours.” Mark sounds excited, and Susie smiles indulgently at him.

“Geek,” she teases, “but why was Lila confined?”

“I’m sure she will want to tell you everything, so I won’t spoil it for her. She’s really happy the two of you are here.”

“Ah, guys, I’m going to leave you. I can’t hold my shift back any longer.” Caspian waves goodbye and disappears without waiting for any of us to respond. Poor guy, he did well holding it together this long. Sometimes the Fluxxian beasts completely overrule the person in charge.

“Come on, I’ll show you the way while the crew brings everything.” I gesture for them to leave the teleporter room, and I can practically feel their excitement. “Your room is on this level. The control deck and a couple of suites are also up here—the Adams brothers’, Lila’s, and what is now yours,” I explain aswe walk down the corridor before stopping at the elevator. “This elevator will take you up and down and sideways depending on what button you press when you get inside. The ship is rather big, and we will get you each one of these.” I hold up my hand, showing them the communicator watch. “It contains a map of the ship and GPS, which will give you directions if you ever get lost. It can also put you in contact with whomever you wish to speak to.” I don’t bother pressing the button for the elevator, opting to keep walking.

We get to a viewing window and stop. I step back as Mark’s and Susie’s mouths drop open at their first glimpse of space. I can’t stop the smile from forming when the two of them press against the glass like children at a zoo, trying to take in everything at once.

“Holy fuck,” Susie says, reaching subconsciously for Mark’s hand.

I can see these two are in sync with one another, and I so desperately want this for myself with Lila. Not seeing her all that much over the last twenty-four hours and worrying about her during her bonding with Saxon made me realize how much I’ve come to care for her. Her resilience with everything that’s been thrown at her is nothing short of admirable, not to mention she’s sweet, funny, kind, and sexy as fuck. I hadn’t realized how much I wanted to have someone to share my life with. I’d flat out been avoiding it because the people throwing themselves at me were always chosen by my mother, or people who were more impressed with me as heir to the Pleasure Bot Industries empire than me, Dr. Link. It’s why the circus was the perfect escape. No one cared who I was here.

Susie and Mark murmur quietly to themselves, marveling over the sight before them. To me, it’s normal, but I can imagine seeing it all for the first time must be nothing less than extraordinary.

“I think the scope of what we’re doing only just hit me,” Mark comments as the two of them step back from the viewing window. “Sure, the aliens and teleportation and all of that was eye-opening, but I didn’t comprehend the amazing thing we’re doing until that view just there. We’re in space, something most humans will never experience.”

“Not to mention we’re on our way to meet a whole other race who may be your family.” Susie squeezes his hand reassuringly, but she is unable to hide the excitement and nerves she’s feeling.

“Speaking of which, if you want me to run your DNA, I can do that. It won’t take long to find out if you are the missing Celestian heir. All of that information is on an official database from when they went missing. We can know within minutes if you are or not.”

I think what I said has shocked them both, and they exchange a glance that seems to be full of words.

“Ah, yeah, I’d like that. Not knowing is kind of driving me crazy. Not that it will change anything, but at least I can go into meeting them prepared.”

“Have they been advised of your possible existence?” I ask as we start walking again, and Mark shakes his head.

“No, not yet. Aura was going to message someone, but they didn’t get a chance to before we were raided. I admit, I’m worried about how they are going to react. What if they don’t care after so long?”

“I very much doubt it. By all reports, the royal family, especially the queens, has been despondent since you disappeared. The only thing holding onto the crown is King Jotan. There have been rumblings of a republic, but so far, he’s managed to hold onto the monarchy despite his partners not being fully functioning.”

“Do they have other children?” Susie asks, and I shake my head.

“No. Celestian reproduction is fascinating in that it involves magic, and each partner needs to want that baby. If they don’t, the magic won’t happen no matter how hard they try. Again, rumors say they have tried for another child, but I guess someone’s heart wasn’t in it. Pining for their missing child would be enough to stop the magic from happening.”

“Magic?” Mark sounds curious.

“Yes, I don’t know exactly what kind, but I do know that every partner in the relationship needs to be involved. Celestians are polyamorous, and if there are same sex people in the relationship, they are always sexual. I’m not sure of the mechanics, but everyone needs to have sex with each person in the group, and then the magic takes over. From what I understand, the magic takes a piece from each partner, combines it, and then implants it into whoever has been chosen to carry the child. If it is an all-male grouping, the magic allows for one of the males to temporarily carry a baby. The baby is always a genetic blend of each partner. This also works with non-Celestian partners.”

We finally make it to the room they have been assigned. I knock, and it’s answered by Crimson, who looks relieved to see Mark and Susie. She pulls them both into a hug. “I was worried you would change your minds and stay,” she says when she pulls away.

“I don’t think that was ever an option—not that we’d want to,” she quickly reassures Crimson when her face falls slightly.

“I’m going to leave you to it and let you settle in for a while. The others can explain about the replicators, and someone should have delivered communication watches by now.” I look at Crimson for confirmation.

She nods and holds up her wrist. “They did. I’m excited to get out and explore. Come on.” She pulls them both inside and then waves to me.

“We’ll see you soon. I really want to have the test done,” Mark calls over his shoulder.

“Just send me a message. I won’t be far away if I’m not in my clinic.” The door closes behind them, and I turn, moving toward Lila’s room. I want to check on her before I go back to my clinic. I need to reassure myself she’s still coping with the change. She was looking a little flushed when they arrived back from Earth, and I want to ensure that’s because Xavier put it there and it wasn’t some adverse reaction to the change.

When I get to her room, I knock on the door, but there is no answer, so I press my watch.