Into the Ashes [The Arcadians 2] by Laurie Roma Page A

Kadan could hear her
    when she spoke again through their
    bond. “Clearly I should have just
    eaten in our room or something
    where I couldn’t embarrass you
    until I learned all the rules of this
    place.”
    “You didn’t embarrass us.” Kadan
    rushed to say.
    She wanted to laugh, but had a
    sinking feeling if she did she would
    end up crying. And she hated to cry.
    “Look, this is hard enough for me as
    it is being here in this strange place
    and I’m trying my best. I’m sorry I
    ate too much and that it bothers me
    to be fed by you. And I hate that
    your friend would talk about me like
    I’m not even here. I find it
    demeaning and it makes me feel like
    some pet or something you own
    instead of a person you’re supposed
    to care about.”
    “You are our queen, mate,”
    Savitar said softly. “There is no rule
    that is more important than your
    happiness.”
    “Savitar is right.” Kadan added
    with a look of remorse. “This is new
    to all of us, but we will learn
    together. Have patience with us,
    sweetling.”
    Raven smiled at him and Kadan
    leaned down to press a soft kiss on
    her lips as Savitar squeezed her hand
    in comfort. Kadan turned back to the
    rest of the table, who were watching
    them with curiosity.
    “Our mate was wise enough to
    point out that the reason males do not
    speak to mated females is because of
    the jealousy her mates feel,” Kadan
    explained. “We may have been
    wrong if the female does not feel
    respected by the practice. From now
    on Raven wishes to be spoken to
    directly and should be accorded her
    request.”
    Raven was touched that Kadan had
    explained her wishes to the men at
    the table. “Not that my mates have
    anything to worry about,” she said
    quickly.
    She
    appreciated
    them
    making it clear to their people that
    she wanted to be treated equally, but
    she didn’t want to make it seem like
    she welcomed attention from other
    men. Males. Damn it, she had to
    remember to get the terminology right
    from now on.
    The males at the table nodded and
    Damos took a deep breath before
    speaking directly to her. “What is a
    cop, my queen?”
    Raven smiled at him. “A cop is like
    a warrior where I’m from.”
    “A warrior?” Koreth laughed.
    “How can this be? You are no bigger
    than a youngling!”
    “And you are female!” Brynt burst
    out.
    Selina frowned. “This is all very
    strange.”
    “But exciting!” Nyla exclaimed.
    “Do you come from a race of female
    warriors then?”
    “No, where I come from men and
    women are equal.”
    “Impossible!” Brynt burst out,
    making Kadan and Savitar growl
    again. Brynt cast a leery glance at
    Savitar who had started to rise out of
    his seat.
    Raven placed a gentle hand on his
    arm so he settled back down then
    eyed the idiot sitting across from her.
    She remembered him now. He was
    one of the males that she had
    managed to allude during her frantic
    escape upon her arrival. Amused
    now, she couldn’t help but smile
    sweetly
    at
    the
    stupid
    male.
    “Impossible? Really? It didn’t seem
    so impossible when I flipped you
    over yesterday.”
    Brynt’s nostrils flared with anger,
    but the heat in his eyes had more to
    do with just resentment. Disgusted
    with him, Raven leaned into Savitar.
    When his arm came around her again,
    she felt safe and protected. Yeah,
    maybe she shouldn’t have baited
    Brynt, but it was hard not to when the
    stupid guy all but asked for it.
    Selina cleared her throat and shot
    Raven a fake smile. “Queen Raven,
    perhaps you would like to visit with
    Nyla and myself today so we may…
    help
    you
    learn
    about
    female
    Arcadians.”
    Oh, hell no. There was no way in
    hell she was spending any more time
    with this viper. “Thanks, but I was
    hoping to spend the day with Kadan.”
    Raven turned to see Kadan’s golden
    eyes glowing with warmth at her
    announcement. “If that is all right
    with you?”
    “It would be perfect, mate.” Kadan
    growled softly. “What is it you wish
    to