Sirena clapped her hands and laughed.
“I would have given anything to have seen your face when you found out!” she said.
“My jaw was on the floor,” I said. “Then I ran out of the room while all the other Titans were on their knees.”
“But I bet it’s you that’s been on your knees a lot lately, huh?” Sirena said with a dirty wink.
“Right,” Vicky said. “I bet you’ve been bowing before him every chance you get!”
Sirena and Vicky cackled like witches and gave each other a high five for their roasting.
“Now you’re going to be the empress of the Titan empire,” Alice said. “How do you even prepare yourself for something like that?”
What could I say?
I hadn’t yet.
I mean, I knew I wanted to be with Fiath. There was no doubt in my mind about that. But become the empress…?
It turned my stomach just thinking about it.
All those eyes and all those people staring at me.
Judging.
“How are the wedding preparations going?” Bianca said.
“Fine,” I said, still a little flustered from the earlier question.
My friends knew me so well. And with the look Alice was giving me, she knew something was playing on my mind. She was my bestie after all. Humans might not have mind-reading abilities but the connection I had with my buddies was the next best thing.
“I want to know how Alice fell in love with the guy who abducted us!” Maddy said.
Vicky flopped onto the sofa and perched her chin on her hands.
“Ooh, yeah,” she said. “Please tell!”
“What was it?” Sirena said. “Like, Stockholm Syndrome or something?”
“No!” Alice said. “It wasn’t anything like that!”
“That’s what it sounds like,” Vicky said, raising her empty wine glass for a refill.
“I don’t think it’s much of a secret among us ladies that Titan lovers are the greatest thing since sliced bread,” Bianca said. “Now, I’ve had my fair share of human cock—”
“More than your fair share,” Vicky said.
Bianca nodded in agreement.
“More than my fair share,” she said. “And I can tell you that there is nothing like getting some Titan sausage to satisfy that itch we all get from time to time. Am I right?”
We all nodded.
“But it’s best not to let them know how great they are,” Alice said. “We don’t want them getting big heads.”
“Mine’s already got a big head,” Sirena said with a wink.
“How can you guys drink the wine like it’s nothing?” Alice said. “I almost fell unconscious when I first had it!”
“Me too,” Vicky said.
“That’s because you’ve always been weak when it comes to alcohol,” Sirena said.
“Am not!” Alice said.
“It’s true, isn’t it, girls?” Sirena said. “You’ve never been able to keep up with the rest of us.”
Alice thrust her chin out.
“And how did you get so good at drinking it?” she said.
“The same way you get good at anything,” Vicky said. “Practice. Lots and lots of practice.”
“Someone’s not practicing,” I said, nodding at Bianca. “What’s the matter? It’s not to your liking?”
“No,” she said. “It tastes fine. It’s just…”
“She’s probably pregnant,” Sirena said flippantly.
Bianca turned silent. When the rest of us shared a glance, we realized the truth.
“No way!” I said.
“You are pregnant!” Vicky said. “Man, I’m so hot when I drink this wine. I know exactly what’s going on with everybody!”
We leaped onto the sofa and crowded around Bianca.
“So, it is possible then, for you to get pregnant?” Maddy said. “I mean, we’re different species and it’s not like it’s guaranteed it will work.”
“But I never get tired of trying!” Sirena said.
“We decided to give it a try,” Bianca said. “I had some tests done and they’re going to keep a close eye on me. But it looks like the baby’s going to be fine. Better than fine. Do you guys want to see a picture?”
Did we? We fought over who got to look at the picture first.
It was strange, looking at that image. It was an alien—to us and both its parents. It was half human and half Titan and one had never been born before.
Our species had mostly the same characteristics. I wondered what the kid would look like.
It would be beautiful, I decided. There was no doubt in my mind of that. All you had to do was look at the kid’s parents and it was obvious it couldn’t be ugly.
The thought of having babies with my friends and seeing them grow up together, play together, and maybe even dating each other made me feel giddy with excitement.
There was a lot to look forward to in the future.
“Have you guys spoken with anyone from home?” Alice said.
No’s all round.
“What about fiancé?” Alice said. “Have you explained to him that you’ve found someone else?”
“Someone hotter, sexier, richer, and much nicer and more interesting,” Maddy said.
I snorted, but it was true, wasn’t it?
“Yes,” I said. “I sent him a letter. I explained I’m alive and well and that he doesn’t need to worry about me. I told him I don’t think we should get married and I hope he finds someone he loves and has a long and happy life.”
“Ease up on the emotions, why don’t you, jees,” Siren said.
“What did he say?” Alice said.
“He said he’s glad to hear I’m okay and that everyone was really worried about what happened to us,” I said. “They never found any sign of us when we got taken. He said he’s met someone else and they’re planning on getting married next year.”
“That’s a relief,” Bianca said. “At least he’s not going to be mourning over losing you forever.”
“Or for very long at all,” Alice said. “It’s a bit of a rush, don’t you think? I mean, Hazel’s only been gone a couple of months.”
“May I remind you,” Vicky said, raising her glass again for it to be refilled. “Hazel is getting married and it’s the same timeline. In fact, it’s shorter. She’s been asleep for most of it!”
Sirena nudged her with an elbow.
“I know,” I said. “I’m not bothered. I’m much happier now. I
