Page 18 of Mazorium Buys a Human

When I looked up, I saw water leaking from Mika’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, concern making my rumbling stop. “Are you in pain?”

“No, I’m not in pain,” she said, wiping her hands over her eyes. “Don’t mind the tears. I think I’m tired.”

“Of course you're tired,” I agreed. “You’re not sleeping enough because you’re doing the work of several humans. I’ll sit right here and care for Nadia while you rest. I’m prepared to act as a substitute human for you.”

“You won’t go anywhere?” she said even as she laid down.

With one hand I unclipped my Ident and tapped it to dim the room's lights. I should find something that simulated a sunrise and sunset for my humans. Their species was late in developing the technology to leave their planet. They never got past their own galaxy before another species made contact and traded with them.

After reclipping the Ident, I moved myself a little until Mika could stretch out if she wanted to. Then I tucked the blanket in around her. She watched me with half open eyes.

“Don’t leave,” she whispered, her eyes falling shut.

I rumbled soothingly as both Mika and Nadia fell asleep.

Mika

I slept better than I had since giving birth. Nothing on my body hurt, the room was quiet, the lights were low, and the bedwas soft, warm, and comfortable. I fell asleep to Mazorium’s purring.

I didn’t know how I was out, but I woke up to Mazorium still purring. I wasn’t ready to fully wake up yet. I half opened my eyes to see Mazorium in the same spot, gently rocking Nadia in his arms. He was looking down at her and speaking under his breath. He was saying something similar to what he’d said earlier.

He would protect her.

He would care for her.

She would know nothing but joy.

It almost made me want to start crying again. I knew it couldn’t be true. There was a catch somewhere. Something horrible was going to happen; it was only a matter of time.

Nadia began fussing. I was familiar with her sounds. It was Nadia’s “I’m hungry” noise. I must’ve slept for several standard units if Nadia was hungry again.

I didn’t want to move, but I needed to get up and feed her. Except, before I could even pull the covers off, Mazorium was reaching for a milk ball.

“I think it’s time for you to eat again,” Mazorium whispered to Nadia.

I watched him set the milk ball down and shape a nipple with one hand, still holding Nadia in the other arm. It was slightly misshapen, but not enough to keep Nadia from latching on.

“Let’s see if I did that well enough,” he said, brushing the nipple against Nadia’s mouth. She latched on and started sucking without protest.

“Ah, that’s a good cub,” he praised. The entire time Nadia fed, Mazorium complimented her. The part that made me almost smile was when he said no other human baby could ever be as cute or perfect as her. He sounded just like a proud papa.

As much as my body urged me to fall back to sleep, I fought it until he’d successfully burped Nadia. He didn’t seem bothered at all by the milk that dribbled down his chest because he’d forgotten to put a towel over his shoulder.

“I won’t make that mistake again,” he said, still purring. “My first survey instructor said to always double-check my equipment before beginning a task. You’ve reminded me of that important advice, Nadia.”

Once I’d seen him handle that, I let sleep take me.

Chapter 7

Mazorium

“Why are you crying?” I asked Nadia, although I knew better than to expect an answer. “You’ve been fed, your everclean isn’t soiled enough to be changed, I even helped you expel air bubbles from your belly. You should be happy, or at least not showing displeasure. What do I need to do?”

I kept up a soothing rumble even though it wasn’t calming Nadia. Maybe if she stopped crying for a moment, she’d hear it and be soothed. It was a hope.

“I can see now why your dam was so exhausted”, I said as we turned a corner and started down another hallway. “It has to be distressing to Mika when she’s unable to make you content. Although, you don’t seem to ever act this way with her. Don’t worry, we will figure this out while your dam rests.”