Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1)(39)

"My people generally mate a bit differently, so yes this is a surprise." Hope informed the newcomer.

"Uxorem Hope this is Second Imperator Canebrake." Ophidian introduced the man giving him a stern look.

So maybe it wasn't just her, perhaps Canebrake had spoken out of turn.

"Nice to meet you." Hope said slightly begrudgingly, remembering to not extend her hand since the Anguis freaked out when she tried to shake hands.

"It is good that you survived the mating. We weren't sure since your species is so frail." The way Canebrake said 'frail' made it sound like an insult. He couldn't have been more insulting if he'd spat on her.

"Really." Hope stated with an arch of her brow. The man really rubbed her the wrong way. Even his smug expression was grating.

"Our women are slight, but you are positively delicate. No doubt our people will overlook the fact that you are foreign because you are so small and cute." Canebrake added condescendingly.

"Nice now he made me sound like a treasured pet."

Hope wasn't that short and her hips certainly weren't small. She'd accept that she could be categorized as cute but she wasn't some purse puppy. Hope wondered if 'misogynist' translated into Anguis.

Hope could ignore Canebrake's backhanded compliment. What concerned her more was what he said about the Anguis not accepting her because she was a different species.

Hope glanced back to where Viper was wondering if he viewed her in a similar light. He was being kind, but how much of that was just because he was a decent man, a leader of his people? It didn't necessarily mean he was pleased about mating her or wanted more.

"What do I care, I didn't even ask to be mated to Viper in the first place." Hope grumbled silently.

But a part of her did care, admit it or not.

It also sucked when someone discriminated against you because of your race.

"Hell, I have a lot more distasteful qualities, for example I can be a real bitch and I cuss like a sailor." Hope snarked under her breath.



They finished eating and everyone went about their way after congratulating Viper and Hope. Hope smiled kindly not wanting to be rude. Now she understood why many of the Anguis looked at her so strange. They were shocked their future leader had mated a weird Earth girl. "Join the club!"

"How do you feel Hope?" Viper asked as they got ready to leave the arboretum.

"Fine. I promise I'm okay."

"I would like to show you something if you don't mind." Viper asked.

Hope looked to Tara and JP, making sure they were okay.

"I'd like to check on our people." Tara said and JP agreed.

Hope knew her friends were curious about the Anguis' medical technology. She could see them chomping at the bit. Tara was nearly beside herself with excitement. Hope was glad her friend was no longer freaking out.

"I would be happy to escort you." Ophidian replied.

He seemed like a descent guy, so Hope didn't worry.

"It would be good, since you are familiar with your people's biology and vitals." Viper nodded.

"Okay have fun Tara, JP. I'll see you guys later." Hope squeaked as Viper picked her up again. "Viper!"

Tara snickered and Hope gave her the evil eye.

"Later princess." JP grinned as they followed Ophidian out.

"My friends are such dicks." She murmured. "Viper I can walk." Hope groused as she wrapped an arm around his broad shoulders.

"Humor me." Viper insisted as he walked out of the domed garden.

They moved through the massive ship, up several levels then down a few long corridors. The spaceship was huge, crazy huge. Finally they stopped at a door and it slid open to reveal an empty gray room about twenty foot square.

"This is a training room, but it can be programmed to do more than train the mercenaries." Viper tapped on a computer screen on the wall then stepped back. "I wanted to show you your new home."

The room instantly changed from empty bare walls to a 3D scene of outer space. Hope gasped in amazement as she saw the view of Earth the size of a giant beach ball. She walked up and touched it. The water of the oceans felt wet, the land masses solid, and it wobbled in mid air as Hope poked at it. There was a warmth at her back and Hope turned to see the sun, huge and glowing yellow. A solar flare shot out like a fiery wave and Hope stumbled back in shock. It was so freaking real.

"Amazing." She smiled at Viper and he grinned back.

The scene started to shift like they were flying through the solar system. They passed Saturn with all its rings and Jupiter, the giant. The lifelike image moved through space and Hope saw her universe as it must look from a vast distance with its swirling splendor.

The room was so awesome, it reminded her of a holo-deck on Star Trek.