treated her like an equal, and every day she grew to love him more . “I love the freedom of not living under my father’s thumb here in New Hattan, but I miss the Otra. I miss our culture and the clans. And now that you’ve pretty much declared me untouchable, it seems like we can go anywhere.”
Zaret nodded. “Personally, I’d like us to live on Werfal 7. I love my family. You’ll find the Talsons aren’t like other Otra. We’re somewhat human in the way we interact with one another, mostly because Shea wouldn’t let my father be any other way.
Women’s equality, sharing emotions and feelings.” He made a face. “That’s what we’re all about.”
“Sounds perfect to me.” She beamed at him. “I know my family didn’t make the best impression, but they do love me. Unfortunately, they are as they were raised. The few female friends I had at home married and left Werfal 5 twenty years ago. The ‘San Fal are a mostly male-dominated clan.”
He blinked. “Twenty years ago? How old are you?”
“Forty-six. Why?”
He gaped. “You’re a cradle robber! I’m nearly half your age, veyu .” His grin turned into a laugh.
“Yeah, ha ha. Wait until my family learns you’re just a baby.”
“I’ll show them a baby.” The glance he gave her belly should have alarmed her, but to her astonishment, it made her want to go back to bed and try again.
She let out a loud breath. “Perhaps we shouldn’t talk about age, hmm?”
“Whatever you say, Adri. So about your father… I don’t want you to worry about him anymore. You’re mine now. Part of my family, and we ‘Or Fal protect our own.” He looked deeply into her eyes, and she could see the strength and power that made him and his family legends not only in the shipping world, but in history of their culture. The Talsons had always been legendary. And now she’d mated one.
Z continued. “I’ve dealt with my share of pirates, thieves and offworld aliens intent on an Otra dinner.” A glint of steel and humor lit his eyes. “I think I can handle one outlaw father, even one as tough as Tearn Rem.”
“Good.” Feeling as though a great weight had lifted off her because she truly believed him, Adri walked out with him into the main suite and manufactured them breakfast, including a meal for Val, since he’d stayed in the adjoining room of the suite on his last night in New Hattan.
As if on cue, he left his bedroom and joined them, yawning and scratching his bared belly. The man looked good in pants and nothing else, but he wasn’t as handsome as her iriu . She liked Val, a sentiment that paled considering what they’d been through with The Testing. Yet with it complete, it was as if her time with him had never happened. Her body felt no heat in his presence. Odd.
Not “odd”, good. Z grunted. And I won’t apologize for trespassing on your thoughts, not when they concern my pretty little brother.
Adri rolled her eyes and smiled, content in a way she had never been before.
Though she had a father and brothers, not to mention dozens of uncles and cousins, she had never had a close relationship with any male she could truly call a friend. The few Otra males her age that she’d encountered were too wary of her father to linger for more than a night or two of sex. And at work on Earth, she’d kept her distance from most men, not comfortable with the way they looked at her. Val made up for all that gladly, like the brother she’d always wanted. And in Zaret, she’d found the love of her life.
Z read her well. The glowing look in his eyes spoke volumes. I love you, veyu . He cleared his throat and said aloud, “Speaking of your father, I think it’s time he found out you’ve found your iriu . I don’t trust your brothers to tell him how truly happy you are. Let’s call him first and schedule a visit. I hate to think of the poor man worrying.” Zaret gave her a wolfish grin and picked up the vidphone.
* * * * *
Before stopping on
Zaret nodded. “Personally, I’d like us to live on Werfal 7. I love my family. You’ll find the Talsons aren’t like other Otra. We’re somewhat human in the way we interact with one another, mostly because Shea wouldn’t let my father be any other way.
Women’s equality, sharing emotions and feelings.” He made a face. “That’s what we’re all about.”
“Sounds perfect to me.” She beamed at him. “I know my family didn’t make the best impression, but they do love me. Unfortunately, they are as they were raised. The few female friends I had at home married and left Werfal 5 twenty years ago. The ‘San Fal are a mostly male-dominated clan.”
He blinked. “Twenty years ago? How old are you?”
“Forty-six. Why?”
He gaped. “You’re a cradle robber! I’m nearly half your age, veyu .” His grin turned into a laugh.
“Yeah, ha ha. Wait until my family learns you’re just a baby.”
“I’ll show them a baby.” The glance he gave her belly should have alarmed her, but to her astonishment, it made her want to go back to bed and try again.
She let out a loud breath. “Perhaps we shouldn’t talk about age, hmm?”
“Whatever you say, Adri. So about your father… I don’t want you to worry about him anymore. You’re mine now. Part of my family, and we ‘Or Fal protect our own.” He looked deeply into her eyes, and she could see the strength and power that made him and his family legends not only in the shipping world, but in history of their culture. The Talsons had always been legendary. And now she’d mated one.
Z continued. “I’ve dealt with my share of pirates, thieves and offworld aliens intent on an Otra dinner.” A glint of steel and humor lit his eyes. “I think I can handle one outlaw father, even one as tough as Tearn Rem.”
“Good.” Feeling as though a great weight had lifted off her because she truly believed him, Adri walked out with him into the main suite and manufactured them breakfast, including a meal for Val, since he’d stayed in the adjoining room of the suite on his last night in New Hattan.
As if on cue, he left his bedroom and joined them, yawning and scratching his bared belly. The man looked good in pants and nothing else, but he wasn’t as handsome as her iriu . She liked Val, a sentiment that paled considering what they’d been through with The Testing. Yet with it complete, it was as if her time with him had never happened. Her body felt no heat in his presence. Odd.
Not “odd”, good. Z grunted. And I won’t apologize for trespassing on your thoughts, not when they concern my pretty little brother.
Adri rolled her eyes and smiled, content in a way she had never been before.
Though she had a father and brothers, not to mention dozens of uncles and cousins, she had never had a close relationship with any male she could truly call a friend. The few Otra males her age that she’d encountered were too wary of her father to linger for more than a night or two of sex. And at work on Earth, she’d kept her distance from most men, not comfortable with the way they looked at her. Val made up for all that gladly, like the brother she’d always wanted. And in Zaret, she’d found the love of her life.
Z read her well. The glowing look in his eyes spoke volumes. I love you, veyu . He cleared his throat and said aloud, “Speaking of your father, I think it’s time he found out you’ve found your iriu . I don’t trust your brothers to tell him how truly happy you are. Let’s call him first and schedule a visit. I hate to think of the poor man worrying.” Zaret gave her a wolfish grin and picked up the vidphone.
* * * * *
Before stopping on
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