“Fuck,” she curses again, berating herself through gritted teeth. After that momentary pause, she pulls herself up and resumes her brisk descent.J...st as she makes it to the bottom, she hears the chime and the announcement: “The doors are now closing. Please stand back.”Shoes skittering on the wet floor once more --damn soleless flats; damn rain-- she rushes the doors, striding through them just as they slide shut. Suddenly, she lurches backwards as if grabbed from behind. She gasps and looks. . ???" cried Vishi."Six weeks -- a boy." That's wonderful!!!! The future King and Queen shall have an heir." Fate has been good to us, Vishi, but back to you. You said the Czar's son wishes to purchase you." His wife is barren. He wishes me to have his child, then remain as Faunwa." And how do you feel about this?" asked Vatoon."I am torn. It could be a major step in finding common ground between the Grok and the Alliance." Yes, there is that, but I remember the emotion in your voice when you. She was his little sister; he was supposed to protect and watch over her, not hurt her."Brit, I'm sorry," he said."About what?" she mumbled without opening her eyes or taking her head off his shoulder."About teasing you all those times when we were growing up." What?" she asked. "What brought that on all of a sudden?" I just ... this just reminded me of when you used to sleep with me when we were kids. Remember that?" Yeah. I miss those days." Me too. You used to do it even after I had spent. Taking center frame, her firm, toned rear glistened in shimmering sunlight and saltwater.*Snap!*Wobbling into a martial arts stance, with her fists up in guard, she glimpsed at the staff for approval. "How about an action shot? After all, we're in the birthplace of karate! One, two... Hyah-!" Her long, smooth leg lifted in a swift cheerleader kick, sending sand flying out onto the summer wind. It was so energetic and graceful, nobody had the heart to tell Riho that karate was actually invented.