“And he will be enough help?”
I nodded. “I think so. I don’t have much stuff. The couch is the biggest thing I want to bring, and the rest will be manageable. I’m going to donate a lot of things, I think.”
“Don’t worry about expense,Aneah,” Yiri said. “If there is anything you want, don’t hesitate to send it. If you need more help, hire someone. I’ll send more credits. Whatever you need.”
“Money is no object, huh?” I asked, only half teasing. I was pretty sure what Qhev said about Eissoini being loaded was no joke.
“Not where you’re concerned,” Yiri said. “I have a few things to tell you, too.”
“Shoot.”
“First, I’m sending your transport itinerary now. It tells you when and where to go, and there’s a link with some information about preparing for stasis. Some are nervous the first time, but I promise it’s very safe. You’ll be monitored the whole time, and the transport technicians are vetted very carefully. They’re experts and are held to the highest ethical standards.”
“Oh.” I drew in a sharp breath as the fear that should have been top of my list finally registered. I was going to be basically in a coma for two months while aliens, probably males, just based on their population numbers, were awake around me. “So… No one will… um. Tamper with me.”
“No,” Yiri said fiercely. “If I thought there was even a chance of that, I’d come and get you myself.”
“You can do that?” I asked, confused. “I thought the transport ships were the only authorized daernir here.”
“It wouldn’t be legal,” he said without concern. “It would take too long, though, and I do trust the transporters to take care of you and protect you. Besides all their training and vetting, all your documentation will have my name on it. They know I’m a bad man, too,Aneah. You’ll be very safe.”
The impliedor elsehung in the air for a moment.
“Right,” I said. “I’ll try not to worry about that, then.”
“Good,” he said. “Mr. Darcy will be in stasis, too. It is safe. Apparently, he isn’t the first cat to make the trip.”
“Oh, that’s reassuring,” I said, my mood brightening. “You hear that, Mr. Darcy? We’re going to take a very long nap, you and me.”
“Would you like him to be in the pod with you, or would you like a separate one for him?” Yiri asked. “I set it up for a single pod, but I can still change it.”
“No, I like that, I think. It will be comforting for both of us.”
He nodded. “I thought so. I’m sending you another itinerary for the things you’ll send separately. You’ll need to deliver everything the day before you leave. I’ll need a list of everything you’re sending. It’s going to be another few weeks behind you, so make sure you bring anything you’ll want or need immediately on transport, but keep it light. They’ll make you leave behind anything over the weight limit.”
“How very TSA of them,” I muttered.
“And last,” he heaved a sigh, “be prepared to be paraded around Eissoi like a spectacle when you get here. We’re going to have parties to be seen at. Galas, concerts, all that shit. And my aunt is throwing a party to announce us as mates. It should be very fancy and full of the worst daernir you’ll ever meet, but we have to do it.”
“That sounds kind of exciting, actually,” I said. “Is it not your scene?”
“I rub elbows as little as possible,” he said, grouchily, “but I know how to play the game. If you enjoy it, I’m glad, though. Maybe I won’t hate it with my beautiful wife on my arm.”
“You don’t usually take a date to these things?” I wondered, pushing down the green envy monster that arose at the thought.
Yiri scoffed. “That’s been rare,” he said.
“But it has happened?” I poked the green monster in the eye.
Yiri, oblivious, lifted a beefy, tattooed shoulder. “Now and then.”
“And… after the parties… did you take them home with you?”
He stilled. “Are you asking me if I’ve been with other females before you?”
I knew my face was a deep shade of crimson. My whole body was hot. “No,” I said, gesturing at him through the camera. “Look at you. Of course, you’ve been with other women.”
“And I’m not always a good man,” he reminded me. “Is this a deal breaker?”
