Mated by Twilight (True Match)

Chapter 37

Tillos

“Everyone! We have an announcement to make!” Tillos and Sollit declared at the same time, looking out over the gathered crowd.

Today, they were having an event for the troupe’s elite members. People that paid a flat fee every five tendays to be able to attend any performance or watch any performance streaming. These members also paid more for some extra perks, including events like these where they were treated to a feast and had exclusive access to the cast members.

They also got to vote on the costumes that the members would wear. Which was why Tillos and Sollit were completely matching, wearing identical sets of armor from a play they’d done earlier in the year, before they had the joy of knowing Leah. That play had been extremely focused on Skara, and their roles had been as her guards and, really, just eye candy for the stage.

That was also why Leah was back in her sleeping queen gown. She looked even more radiant in it now that she had gained some confidence, and it was kind of fun to flank her in their armor. It was like they were playing the role as the queen’s guards.

And wouldn’t that be a fun game for the bedroom?

Later, he reminded himself, as the room turned towards the stage. Drinks had already been served, and it was nearly time for the meal. While the guests were eating, they were going to do a few things on stage – keeping up the energy, making announcements, and just being generally entertaining. They had nearly convinced Leah to sing that day as her vocal lessons had been going well, but the moment that was threatened, it was like her throat closed up and the only sound she could make was a choking, gasping one.

So that idea was scrapped. However, they had another idea for keeping things lively. Since they were going to be entertaining during the meal, and then mingling afterwards, this announcement was best made beforehand.

Though a lot of the fans had speculated, the troupe hadn’t officially confirmed anything yet. Though, there really was only one reason that a human would suddenly be amongst them. Her species was protected, and technically not part of the Coalition, so travel for them was limited. Technically, it was possible for them to receive permission to leave the planet without being mated, but it was a much more complicated process involving finding and securing a sponsor and being willing to forfeit rights to return to their home planet.

All told, it was much more common for humans to be mated. So, while it hadn’t been confirmed, everyone in their fan forums and discussion boards all knew why Leah was there. The only real debate was who she must be there for.

Tillos and Sollit were proud to be able to put those rumors to rest now and claim her publicly. Now that she’d had her official debut, now that she was acting in earnest and not just as the sleeping queen. It was their pleasure to be able to tell everyone what was going on.

Their fans all had sparkles in their eyes as they turned to them. It probably wasn’t difficult to guess what they were about to say as they stood there with Leah between them, her charming face all brightly lit up with joy and that pretty blush of hers.

“We know you’ve been speculating,” Tillos started, taking her hand.

“And we’re happy to finally put the rumors to bed,” Sollit continued, taking the other.

“We just wanted to thank you for your continued support.”

“Both for us, and for the newest member of our troupe.”

“Leah Williams of Earth!” Tillos lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it sweetly.

“Our lovely mate,” Sollit finished, doing the same on her other side.

They both grinned as the hall erupted into loud cheers.

It having been speculated about since she arrived meant that it wasn’t really a surprise, just a confirmation of what people already guessed and determined for themselves to be true. They were happy for them; they were also pleased with themselves for guessing right. And the people of this room were also the biggest supporters of the Twilight Troupe. For them, a new member was exciting enough, but seeing them mated to current members was even better.

In a way, the members of the troupe themselves were just as much part of the entertainment as the shows they put on. No doubt, the announcement was like something out of a drama itself – a piece of news to be fawned over and discussed and debated.

But that was part of the fun of it for them too. Tillos and Sollit had the chance to present their female in all her glory like she was the star of today’s show. And when the crowd cheered for her, it filled them with pride to know that Leah was so eagerly accepted.

Even better, Leah looked excited to be there. She might not yet be at a point where she was comfortable singing in front of a crowd, but she wasn’t afraid of the stage or spotlight either. It really did feel like she was born to be between them.

“It is our honor to be escorting her today,” Tillos told the crowd after they calmed down. “Feel free to greet her.”

“You’ll be seeing a lot of her in the future,” Sollit promised in a voice that teased them with all the promise of things that would come. “She’s eager to meet you. But don’t get too close.”

“We’re rather protective,” Tillos finished, chuckling as he and Sollit wrapped their tails around her waist, reminding them without a word of their claim.

Not that they thought anyone would hurt her, but humans really were seductively beautiful. They didn't mind other males looking, and rather they liked knowing they could only admire from afar, because no one got to touch her but them.

She was theirs, always and forevermore.

Walking down off the stage, they made room for the chorus singers that were going to be performing a few songs while the food was passed out. It gave them a chance to get a break as they joined the rest of the crew at their table.

Sometimes, they had events where each table would have a member of the cast and the fan members could bid for or buy seats at their table to get more time with them, but that was usually reserved for only the highest donation members.

Besides, doing that now would mean needing to separate from their female, and since today was the first time they were presenting her, they didn't want that.

“Are you sure that was a good idea?” Leah asked as they pushed in her seat before taking the ones beside her. Their food had already been delivered. They needed to eat during the performances and be done before it was time to mingle.

“What do you mean?” Tillos asked, arranging her plates in front of her.

“Well, like, maybe you being mated ruins the illusion for them? Or something?” She mumbled. “I know that’s how it works on Earth sometimes. Fans might not want their heartthrobs to be in a relationship because it kind of ruins the fantasy that they could be with them one day.”

“Huh?” Sollit gave her an odd look. “If they love us that much, shouldn’t they be happy that we’ve found our mate?”

“You don’t need to worry,” Tillos assured her. “I know what you’re talking about, and there are certainly some actors and actresses that build their image based on seeming availability, but Sollit and I aren’t like that.”

“Besides, they love it,” Sollit chuckled, whispering in her ear. “Sometimes, if Corvidair thinks we’re losing interest, he’ll manufacture some kind of relationship scandal between troupe members.”

“What?” Leah laughed, looking between them. “You’re kidding.”

“Not at all,” Tillos assured her, spearing a bite of food and holding it up for her to eat – which she did without complaint. “When Skara first joined, there was this whole thing about Sollit and I fighting her for the right to be the star of the troupe. Personally, we didn’t care, the fans will choose who the fans will choose. But it created some fun drama.”

“And see those two chorus members there?” Sollit pointed to the stage where the eclectic group of aliens were all singing together. “A couple years ago, Corvidair had this whole thing staged about a love affair between them and one of the maintenance crew of the Star. It was this whole debacle about who he actually loved and their bitter rivalry.”

“Was there a bitter rivalry?”

“Not hardly,” Tillos snickered. “The three of them shared pleasures for a time – not together, mind you. Nothing exclusive, just them having fun. But Corvidair doesn’t need much to make a sensational story for our fans to follow like hot news.”

“And I guess our mating is hot news?”

“You got it.” Sollit kissed the side of her head. “I guarantee you, Corvidair is working hard even now to spin some kind of sordid story about our affairs as we speak.”

She just laughed, accepting another bite of food, this time from Sollit. As she did so, Tillos checked the crowd. Some were focused on their meal, others were chatting, even more were enjoying the performance, but there were a few that were looking their way. They were noting the way they doted on Leah, on the easy affection between them.

And he liked that a lot. In fact, he liked it so much, he wanted to press a bit.

The tablecloth hid his movements. While Sollit was offering her another bite, Tillos reached under the table and put his hand on her thigh. She started in surprise, but she didn't try to move his hand away. He acted like nothing was happening, taking bites between the ones he offered her.

But as the chorus sang, he slowly began stroking his hand upwards. It didn't take her long to realize what he was doing, and her face burned bright red. She very deliberately did not look in his direction as he began to slowly pull up her skirt.