The Starborn by Viola Grace

and clear.”
    Wiali blinked. She hadn’t considered anything from the funding point of view. Money had never been a concern for her.
    As she pondered the effects of money on the living psyche, Braenar continued the debriefing.
    When Braenar asked her a question, she blinked and looked at him. “What?”
    “So, will you come with me to meet my family?”
    She smiled slightly. “I thought you had already met your family.”
    Guardian choked and got to his feet. “I will leave you now. Good job and well done. It was a spectacular beginning to your assignment here, Starborn.”
    Guardian left them alone in the situation room, and the moment he was gone, Braenar lifted her and settled her across his lap. “So, as I was saying. I have gotten leave for both of us for the High Holiday back home. If you are willing, we can go and stay with my family, which is now your family, by the way.”
    She tilted her head. “Really? I could go and spend a holiday with your family?”
    “I would be there as well.”
    “Would there be presents and things?”
    He gave her a quick kiss on her lips. “Yes. Presents for the children and games and food. Everything that causes claustrophobia and the urge to run for the hills.”
    She chuckled. “It has been a very long time since I was in a family situation. Is there a place away from your family’s home for me to stay?”
    He sighed. “You will stay with me, and we can take to the skies anytime you wish.”
    Wia pursed her lips. “Do I get to wear normal clothing?”
    Braenar nodded. “Yes. I will bring up some examples, and you can have your Masuo copy them. Most of my family does not know that I was an Avatar. My parents do, but it was not something to share with my siblings. They only know that I left to enter service in the Alliance.”
    She rubbed at the mask on her face. “Don’t you think that this might just tip them off? Most news services run all activity of the Sector Guard. It is always a front runner, as are the additions of new personnel.”
    “If they find out, they find out. I am not hiding you, nor my relationship with you.” He puffed his chest out a little, and she realised that he was proud.
    “Are any of your siblings Hirn in nature?”
    “Not that I am aware of. It was a recessive gene that rose to the surface in me, but I am unaware of my siblings having any signs of horns or shape shifting.”
    “You can shift?”
    “When I need to. It is how I am able to lift weights far beyond my normal physiology.” He shrugged. “Well, shall we go and tell my parents that we are coming?”
    She laughed. “May as well. I will get nervous later.”
    Wiali took his arm, and they walked to his quarters on Udell station. Her home was a palace in comparison to his practical bed and desk.
    She perched on the bed while he activated his console and dialled Dekkaliash.
    A face that resembled Braenar came on. The male was a little younger, but he had the same ice-blue eyes and dark wave of hair. “Tiosh Winery. Oh, Brae, nice to see you.”
    Wia blinked as she realised that Braenar had changed his uniform to look more like a tunic.
    “Hi, Rand. Are Mom and Dad there?”
    “Sure. Hang on. Mom!” Rand turned and shouted behind him.
    A woman with the same blue eyes as her sons came to the console, and her smile was brilliant. “Braenar. It is so good to see you.”
    “Hello, Mom. I was wondering if it would be a problem if I came for High Holiday?” he paused and waited.
    “Of course not! The more the merrier. We have plenty of room.” Braenar’s mother got a calculating look in her eyes. “Theakia will be over for the night dinner if you wanted to get together with her.”
    Wiali had her hand clamped over her mouth in the background, trying not to laugh.
    “Mom, that might be awkward. I am fairly sure my mate would not appreciate Theakia rubbing up against me during dinner.”
    His mother paused before she caught on to what he said. “Mate? When? Who?”
    “You