Chapter 5: Milk & Honey

Emma woke to wetness.

Not between her legs this time—though that was also present, a constant slickness since The Brood—but on her chest. Her tank top was soaked through, milk having leaked during sleep until the fabric clung to her breasts like a second skin.

“Shit.” She sat up carefully, mindful of the eggs shifting in her abdomen, and pulled the sodden shirt away from her body. Her breasts were swollen and hard, painfully engorged. “How long was I asleep?”

“Maybe four hours.” David’s voice came from across the cell. He was sitting against the far wall, watching her with red-rimmed eyes. “I don’t think either of us really slept after ... after Xeph interrupted.”

The memory crashed back. David’s fingers on her clit, her hand reaching for his cock, the devastating announcement that their intimacy was just more data. Emma’s face heated with shame and something else—residual arousal that hadn’t fully dissipated.

“My breasts hurt.” She cupped them experimentally, wincing at the sensitivity. “I need to nurse Lily. Xeph said sixteen hours but I can’t wait that long. I’m going to—” She stopped as milk leaked from both nipples at just the thought of her daughter, dark circles spreading on the already-wet fabric. “Fuck.”

“Let me help.” David started to rise.

“How?” Emma’s laugh was bitter. “Unless you’ve developed the ability to nurse, there’s nothing you can do.”

“I could ... I mean, if you need relief, I could—” He stopped, his face reddening. “Never mind. That’s fucked up.”

Emma understood what he’d been about to suggest. That he could suckle from her breasts, relieve the pressure manually. Something they’d tried briefly when Lily was a newborn and Emma’s milk first came in too fast. It had been awkward and strange and neither of them had enjoyed it.

But that was before. Before aliens. Before watching each other come for an audience. Before everything changed.

“The female’s lactation has increased significantly.”

Both of them jerked at Xeph’s sudden voice. Emma’s arms instinctively crossed over her chest, a futile gesture given how soaked and obvious her condition was.

“Stress hormones combined with pheromone exposure during The Brood coupling have triggered enhanced milk production,” Xeph continued, his tone clinical as always. “This presents an opportunity for additional study.”

“No.” Emma shook her head. “I need to feed my daughter. That’s what this milk is for. Let me see Lily.”

“The offspring’s feeding schedule is maintained on a strict protocol. She was provided with appropriate nutrition two standard cycles ago. She does not require feeding at this time.”

“I don’t care about your fucking protocol!” Emma was on her feet, milk streaming down her stomach now as her let-down reflex triggered from anger and stress. “My breasts are engorged. I’m in pain. I need to nurse my baby or at least pump. This is basic human biology!”

“Precisely.” Something in Xeph’s tone suggested satisfaction. “Your distress provides ideal conditions for the lactation study. Come. The examination room is prepared.”

The cell door opened. Emma didn’t move, her jaw set stubbornly. “I’m not going anywhere until you let me see Lily.”

“The offspring will be made visible during the study. The male will accompany to observation position as established in previous protocols. You may refuse, in which case the offspring’s care standards will be reduced to minimal survival thresholds.”

The threat was clear. Emma felt her resistance crumble like sand. “You’re a monster.”

“I am a scientist. Come now. Your discomfort will only increase with delay.”

Emma looked at David, who had risen to his feet, his expression helpless. She could see the question in his eyes—should we resist? Should we fight? But they both knew the answer. As long as Lily was leverage, they had no power.

She walked through the door. David followed.

The examination room was different this time.

Instead of the flat platform from before, a contoured chair dominated the center—though “chair” was inadequate. It was more like a hybrid of medical examination table and restraint device, with supports for legs, arms, head. Stirrups positioned at angles that would spread the occupant wide. Padded surfaces where Emma’s swollen breasts would rest, with circular openings beneath.