“I was rescued by the ones who love me,” Lexi said simply. She nodded and Gaze and Bound both leaned into the view of the viewscreen and waved at Grettah.
“Hi,” Gaze said, smiling.
“Hello,” Bound rumbled. “Don’t worry—we’re takin’ care of your boss now.”
“I…I don’t understand,” Grettah said blankly as the twins withdrew. “Why are you with two males, Boss?”
“Because I love them and they love me,” Lexi said simply. “Listen Grettah, I just called to let you know I’m all right—I didn’t want you to be upset.”
“I’ve been plenty upset—been beside myself ever since we got the news.” Grettah lifted her apron and dabbed at her eyes. “But now that I know you’re all right…oh, it’s such a relief! And all the customers will be so relieved too!”
“No, Grettah—you mustn’t tell them,” Lexi said quickly. “I’m sorry but nobody can know I survived the fire but you, all right?”
“All right but why, if you don’t mind me asking, Boss?” Gretta said, frowning.
“There were some…dangerous people from Yonnie Six involved with my house burning down,” Lexi said evasively. “What I’m trying to say is, I think it’s better if people believe I died in the fire.”
“Really? That dangerous?” Grettah’s eyes went wide again.
“That dangerous.” Lexi nodded.
To be honest, she didn’t know if Mistress Crueltongue had any more “friends” who might come after her, but after talking it over, she and Gaze and Bound had decided to err on the side of caution. Far better for people on her home planet to believe she was dead and gone than for word to get out that she was still alive. That way no one from Yonnie Six could come seeking retribution for the death of the cruel Mistress and her monstrous bodyslave.
“I only called to tell you that I’m okay and I’ll miss you,” Lexi told Grettah. “Oh, and the bakery is yours. I left it to you in my will, anyway, so you’ll find you’re the sole owner once my affairs are all settled.”
“You did?” Grettah’s eyes were shining now. “Oh thank you, Boss! That’s so kind of you!”
“You earned it.” Lexi smiled. “I’m sorry to leave, Grettah, but I hope you and Clemmie have a beautiful life together. Make lots of bread and have lots of babies and kiss them for me every night.” She was choking up a bit, but she tried her best to hold it together, though she felt warm tears running down her cheeks.
“The very first one is going to be named ‘Alexa.’” Grettah was crying too. “I’ll miss you, Boss.”
“I’ll miss you, too,” Lexi told her.
“But where will you go? You and your two, er, males?” Grettah asked, swiping at her eyes.
“Oh, we have a place in mind.” Lexi smiled through her tears. “A place where we can be accepted for what we are—three people who love each other very much.”
“Then I wish you luck,” Grettah said heartily. “And may the Goddess bless you.”
“She already has,” Lexi assured her. “I have to go now, Grettah—we’re almost to our destination.”
“You go then—have a beautiful life!” Grettah blew her a kiss and Lexi blew one back before breaking the connection.
“You all right, Angel?” Bound rumbled, giving her a worried look as he gripped the steering yoke.
“I’m fine—I’ll be fine,” Lexi assured him. “It’s just…hard saying goodbye after so many years.”
“Of course it is,” Gaze said gently. “I’m so glad you got to say goodbye, though. Good endings are important.”
“So are good beginnings,” Lexi said. She dried her eyes on her sleeve and looked at the viewscreen expectantly. “Speaking of which…is that it? Are we almost there?”
“Docking now,” Bound told her. “Get ready to see your new home for the first time, Angel.”
“And you’re sure they’ll accept us—all three of us together?” Lexi couldn’t keep the anxiety out of her voice. Given the intolerance on both her planet and the twins’ home world, it seemed impossible there was a place that would welcome the three of them with open arms. But both Gaze and Bound were nodding.
“Absolutely,” Gaze assured her.
“Come on,” Bound added, as he finished setting the ship down and turned off the engine. “I think there’s a welcome party here to greet us.” He got out of the captain’s chair and opened the hatch of the sleek silver ship.
Feeling like her stomach was full of flutterbyes, Lexi stood between her men and held both their hands as the three of them stepped out into their new home.
Standing in front of them was the welcome party Bound had talked about. There were two large Kindred—one clearly was a Blood Kindred with short blond hair and pale blue eyes—and the other must be a Beast Kindred, because he had black hair and golden eyes. Beside them were two women who looked very much alike in the face, though one of them had blonde hair and gray eyes and the other had brown hair and green eyes.