His Human Surrogate (Monsters Love Curvy Girls #2) - Michele Mills Page 0,13

our original home planet. The Hurlians dumped us on a planet they named New Earth, wiping our languages from our brains and implanting us with the language they wanted us all to speak. They erased our history and culture. And I’m never going to be able to go back to the home planet of my species because we’re banned. All humans have left are the bits of culture and oral traditions passed down from the first kidnapped humans. Or what we can observe from the original planet’s media channels that we tap into.”

Grandma Narvi’s eyes water. “That’s terrible.”

I shrug. I’m used to it. “I like finding old, well-crafted objects from other species and learning their stories, what that item used to mean to those beings. It keeps me connected to the past, even if it’s not my own. I think it’s sad when beings think so much of the future that they forget old things are still beautiful and valuable.”

“I agree,” Grandma Narvi declares. She reaches out a delicate claw and pats my arm. “Human, would you be interested in learning Touchstone ancestry?” she questions.

“Me?” I ask in wonder. I can’t believe she’s asking this. I’m not even part of their family. She’s staring at me, waiting for an answer, so it must be real. I think about it for sec. “Yeah, I really would,” I answer.

It makes sense. I tend to think of myself as a bit on a Hyrro-phile. I’m kinda of a nerd. I had the Hyrrokin language implanted in my brain the moment I found out Riley had moved there. It wasn’t cheap, but I wanted to be able to speak the language that she did. And also, I could get onto their vid channels and understand what they were saying, and I was able to talk to Bergelmir. Yes, I initially freaked out over their appearance like my sister did. Riley fainted when she first met Aegir! They may all look like Mephistopheles or Beelzebub, but I like the way these Hyrrokin lead their lives. To me, they’re actually easier to get along with than my own species back on New Earth. I really like the idea of coming here to start a new life for myself.

“Good,” the older female answers. “We’ll start your lessons tomorrow.”

“Lessons?”

Methone snorts. “Chloe, you do not even know what you’ve signed yourself up for.”

“Yeah. Good luck with that,” Bestla laughs.

“Ignore these two idiots,” Grandma Narvi grouses. “You’ll get your currency’s worth.”

“Currency?”

Methone shakes her head, indicating that we should let this go. I agree.

We leave the attic and make our way down to the second floor, where all the empty bedrooms are. This is when I can really see how huge this place is. I walk past room after room after room. And this is when I realize that even though there are ten bedrooms in this mansion, the only sleeping quarters in this entire house with a stick of furniture in it is Bergelmir’s enormous master bedroom.

“Where am I going to sleep?” I ask, panic in my voice.

Bestla starts looking through the boxes in his bedroom. “Sleep in here,” she says absently. “This is where the furniture is.”

“I can’t sleep in Berg’s room,” I gasp and catch Grandma Narvi staring at me with a preternaturally intelligent gaze.

“He’s not here,” Methone answers, “and it’s empty. Why not?”

“I need my own room,” I insist. I shake my head and look at the huge bed, and at all of Berg’s boxed, personal items. I swear I think I can smell his luscious, manly scent in here. It’s torturous.

“We can order more furniture for you later,” Bestla says. “You won’t have to sleep in here the whole time, just at first.”

Oh gods, I’m carrying my friend’s baby, house sitting for him, and now I’m expected to sleep in his bed?

What is this torture?

6

Chloe

I somehow manage to herd everyone out of Berg’s room because I feel uncomfortable there. I cannot stay in that man’s room one second longer.

We make our way down to the first floor and start opening boxes meant for the kitchen and front room.

“I wish this hadn’t all arrived so quickly,” Bestla comments. “I would’ve liked to get the floors redone and everything gutted and remodeled and fresh paint up before you moved in.”

“Eh, this place is going to be a headache of historical society red tape. I bet this restoration is going to take months, it’s best she’s here now,” Methone responds.

“I guess… Are you okay with living alone?” Bestla asks