***
Riordan woke up, somewhat startled, mid-afternoon the next day. How could he sleep so much? It had to be the next day because there was light outside, and it was no longer morning. The day and night cycle here on Xeno was not that different from Earth, which might explain their compatibility as species. The difference was in how cooler Xeno was, and the high levels of humidity due to the water that was omnipresent on the planet.
That was the world in which he was going to give birth and raise a baby. He snorted at himself, but still padded to one of the mirrors to take a look at his body. Fuck, he didn't look that pregnant. Was it possible that he had dreamed about it all? About how Xana held him down and pushed his egg inside like the pervert snakeman that he was? Riordan touched his lower belly and started when he felt a little bump. Fuck, it hadn't been a dream at all. He was fucking pregnant with a snakeman's egg.
Well, whatever. Kyle thought that maybe Xana would get tired of him or at least become satisfied enough to let him go if this pregnancy went as planned. All he needed to do was to stay put, get fat, and get that Xenolite out when the time came. It should be easy, he thought, while trying to push away any thoughts of the strong attachment he had experienced while being impregnated with the egg. It wasn't like he would be a normal parent; once humans gave birth to the offspring of the rulers of the planet, they were whisked away at brothels. Like, who needed a parent like that? Whore moms. How did they call those ex-bearers here? How did those kids learn about who gave them birth?
Riordan shivered and shook his head. He needed to stop thinking altogether. For now, he needed to see a friendly face. "Kyle?" he called out.
The bot rolled in right away. "Yes, Master Rio?"
"Place a call with Tasha. Someone needs to hear the news."
"Of course."
"Did I tell you? I'm pregnant now," Riordan announced. Why the fuck did he sound so proud? He had done absolutely nothing but sit there, ass in the air, and asking for it like a bitch in heat.
"Congratulations," Kyle said smoothly. "Master Xana informed me."
"Fucker, always ruining things for me," Riordan mumbled under his breath.
"How did he do that?" Kyle asked.
"I'll explain it to you another time. Put Tasha on, please."
The call didn't take long to go through, and Riordan could see Tasha's pleasant face on the screen. He looked happy to see him. "Riordan, hi. Your master caused quite the ruckus at that party. So sorry I abandoned you, if Xer didn't come like an idiot--"
Riordan waved. "No worries. It's not like you could do anything. The big news is, however, that I'm preggo, too."
"For real?" Tasha grinned. "Wow, you're a fast one. How come you got an egg so fast? You make me so frigging jealous."
"Looks like me and Xana got this compatibility thing down pat," Riordan explained with satisfaction. "And don't be jealous. You know I can barely wait to be done with this. Maybe I can return to Earth after that."
He hoped if he said that kind of thing, he'd come to believe it. Not to feel like he couldn't bear the thought to be pulled away from the small life growing inside his lower belly as soon as it was pulled out of him.
"It's good to have hopes like that," Tasha said. "So, how are things with your Xeno? All good? You can't believe the gossip," he added quickly. He looked around and leaned in like he was sharing a secret with Riordan. "Everyone now thinks your master is in love with you. Well, the bearers think that. The Xenos, well, all I can say is that they are a bit troubled about so much possessiveness in one of them."
Riordan's ears perked up. "Troubled? How?"
Tasha shrugged. "Like they're scared or something? I don't really know."
"What do they say about Xana?" Riordan asked.
"You know they can communicate without really talking," Tasha reminded him.
"Shit," Riordan murmured.
Xana was fucking retarded. Because of his display, now his brethren would think that he was unfit to rule or some shit. Oh, fuck, why did he have to go and encourage snakeboy and tell him that he loved him? Now, the stupid asshole was making a fool of himself in front of the others. That couldn't be good for his political career, and seeing how Riordan wouldn't be there to see after the kid…
"Tasha, gotta go, sorry, man," he said.
"Do you have cramps?" Tasha asked.
"No. Should I?" Riordan asked.
"It can happen, when the egg is making room for itself."
Riordan touched his almost smooth lower belly. "I don't feel a thing."
"Well, let your bot know if you do. You'll get plenty of seth right away to ease them."
"Thanks for the tip. See you later."