Gaze by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

and kept him from ruining their big day. They look like they are having fun, do they not?”
    The couple was dancing slowly to the music, swaying together while their friends and family looked on. From her vantage point, Gaze could see many same-sex couples in the mix, and she smiled at the culture that had allowed soul mates to be the binding force and not gender. People on earth spent so much time looking and judging that they rarely appreciated the love that was right in front of them and enriching their community.
    “Would you care to dance, Gaze?” His lips were against her ear.
    She blinked, and he was in his Kozue form. She turned to answer him, and his lips were an inch from hers. “I don’t really know how this form of dancing goes.”
    “I will lead, you follow. It is very easy.”
    “All right.” She followed him to the dance floor, and he held her close while swaying slowly with her. “Will there be a problem with your shift in forms?”
    “I don’t care. The ceremony is over, the documents are signed and my protection-daughter is wed. I am now free to pursue my own mate.”
    “Why, is she running?” She blinked up at him.
    He looked down at her with that dark, serious gaze. “Not yet, but she might.”
    The music started with a slightly stronger beat, and he pulled her pelvis to his, rocking against her while holding her tight. He rocked against her and his erection was blatantly obvious, but he wasn’t being gauche.
    When she looked around, all the couples were in the same position.
    He leaned in, pressing his lips to her ear again, “Have you ever been to Yaccaro?”
    Gaze jerked. “Yes. I was there a few months ago. Why?”
    “I visited a seer there, and she painted a portrait of my ideal mate.”
    Gaze was curious. She had done the same thing, but it had become a self-portrait of her standing in a field with the Blue Fairy in the background. She was disappointed. “What did you see?”
    He swept her in a turn and held her close. “I saw you, my arms around you and my mist billowing around your feet.”
    “Mist. Oh my god. There was mist in my portrait, but I thought it was just for ambiance.” She stared up at him in shock.
    “What did you think it meant?”
    “That I would be alone with my blue baby for all eternity, but there was a definite mist coiling around on the ground and up my legs.”
    “What were you wearing in the image?”
    She blushed but answered him. “I was wearing mist.”
    He grinned. “Good, it seems we have just declared interest. Where does your society lead you from here?”
    “Well, if I had more to drink, I would find some privacy and jump you. Since I have sobered dramatically, I will be heading back to the Fairy soon and using my med setup for a bit of care and repair.”
    “Do you need assistance?”
    “No, it is the front of my suit, I should be able to manage it.”
    “Well, I will escort you to your ship then. You will need me to keep your temperature constant until you are in your ship.”
    She smiled and leaned against him. “Do you have a place here to stay?”
    “I am invited to the Nashti family home. Would you care for company this evening?”
    “If it wouldn’t be too much trouble. I am still a little shaken after being shot.”
    “It would be my honour to escort you back to your ship and tuck you in.”
    She laughed and hung onto him until the music was over. When it was done, she stepped away and returned to her seat at the head table, sipping at the water.
    To her surprise, the Nashtis got to their feet and moved over until they were sitting next to her. “Hello, Gaze. My daughter speaks highly of you.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Nashti. She is a wonderful woman marrying another wonderful woman. It was an honour to be part of her day.”
    The mother of the bride looked at her. “We appreciate that you were there for her during the ceremony, but why were you there? Why did she ask you?”
    “Because asking me would not cause a rift in