Viper's Hope (Anguis Defenders Book 1)(41)

When Viper did tend to his duties Hope sought out Tara or JP. Though Tara was so enthralled with Anguis technology Hope spent most of her time watching her friend poke around one machine or another as an Anguis doctor rambled about things Hope only barely understood from working at the free clinic. Hope didn't mind being bored to tears, it was fun enough watching her friend's enthusiasm.

"Where's JP today?" Hope asked.

"Assisting with vitals checks in the hibernation dorms." Tara replied as she approached Hope hold something.

"You're not seriously going to give me a check up are you." Hope's brow rose.

"Viper was very insistent, and he is a prince so that makes him the boss. You wouldn't want me to go against his commands now would you?" Tara winked at her.

Viper was the boss and everyone on the ship strictly followed his commands. But Hope wasn't in need of a check-up just because of her damn period. Of course Tara looked over the moon at having a guinea pig to test this alien technology on. And since other Anguis were present Hope didn't dare to appear as if they were contradicting Viper. She didn't want to undermine his authority in front of his people.

Hope shook her head.

Tara held up a wand.

"What the hell is that?" Hope demanded.

"It's an injector. Don't be a wuss, it's just an iron supplement."

"Fine." Hope held out her arm.

Tara pressed the injector to her arm and gave her the supplement. It was surprisingly painless.

"I've been thinking about formally requesting to help with our fellow humans when it's time to awaken them."

"That's a good idea." Hope smiled.

"Okay now let me scan you and we'll can say you've got a clean bill of health."

"Don't irradiate me or something Tara."

Tara scoffed at Hope as she grabbed another piece of equipment from a side table. She glanced over at Ophidian standing silently by the door as she retrieved the scanner and returned to Hope.

"He follows me constantly." Tara whispered suspiciously. She was still adjusting to the Anguis people though she'd taken to the technology like a fish to water.

"That's because he's assigned to protect us." Hope whispered back.

"Against what?"

"I don't know. The men seem overly protective of females." Hope shrugged.

The medical bay door slid open and in walked Viper. He smiled at Hope as he stalked into the room. His green eyes captured hers and she couldn't look away nor help the smile that instantly spread across her face. He was quickly growing on her.

"Hello. How was work?"

"Everything is running smoothly. I have received reports that things are going as well as can be expected on Earth." Viper turned to Tara. "How is she?" He asked looking concerned as he also glanced at the Anguis doctor present.

"Looks good. The iron supplement will help, but Hope is healthy." Tara replied.

The Anguis doctor looked at the scanner and nodded in agreement. Hope wanted to roll her eyes but resisted. The Anguis were still learning human physiology and were just playing it safe.

"Good. Hope I have plans for us and some things to tell you if you wouldn't mind joining me." He always asked politely.

"Okay." Hope hopped up excited at the prospect of another adventure.

"Wait a minute." Viper said as she started to head towards the door.

Viper bent down and scooped her up.

"Seriously. Tara tell Viper I'm fine to walk."

"I'm staying out of it. Have fun." Tara grinned.

Hope grunted, but she wasn't too put-out, as she wrapped her arms around Viper's neck and looked up at him. It was nice being held by him, she'd gotten rather used to it. She took a deep breath enjoying his comforting fresh scent that reminded her of the woods. Viper's chest was pressed against her side radiating a cozy warmth. He was seriously ripped. It caused little butterflies to flutter in her stomach anytime she thought of him crushed against her.

Hope shook off her spiraling train of thoughts that would only lead to the gutter.

"So are we going to see the animals?"

"Did you like seeing them yesterday? We can do that again if you'd really like." He grinned down at her. She didn't wince anymore when she saw his fangs.

"I did, but I'm sure whatever you have planned will be just as fun."

Hope couldn't imagine Viper facing off against the giant bear he pointed out sleeping in the ship's hold. Then again as big as he was maybe she could. Hope realized she was running her fingers over the slightly textured skin of Viper's neck and stopped.

Viper didn't act like he noticed as he walked into the arboretum. Then again would it be so bad if she encouraged him to make a move?

The domed garden was oddly barren of the people that usually roamed it. As Hope looked around, she gasped when she caught view of the far side. The pond at the edge of the lush desert landscape was filled with a dozen floating lights that bobbed in the water. Beside the pond was a blanket set up for a picnic. That was lovely in and of itself but it was the view of space in the background that stunned Hope into silence. There was a multicolored spiraling galaxy, the likes of which she'd seen only in pictures. The center of the swirl shone bright with the radial arms of space dust twining out from the orb. With the lights twinkling in the pond it looked as if the stars that filled space had descended into their little sanctuary. It was positively breathtaking.