I couldn't help it. I'd never met a Volper before. There weren't a lot of Volper communities on Serai. They tended to stay in the areas where they were born. As far as I knew, Tabaa was not one of those areas.
The Volper man's clothes were ragged and dirty, but were made of fine fabric. He stroked the front of his silk shirt self-consciously as he looked up at me. His eyes were nearly the color of my hair, a shade or two darker. The deep purple seemed even more vibrant against his fair skin and white hair. A small pair of cream-colored horns emerged from his temples to curl protectively around his pointed ears. The furred tips of his ears twitched as if he could hear my thoughts, and his sleekly furred tail swung forward.
“You wish to speak with me?” his voice was pleasant, but his tone was crisp.
“Where are you from? I didn't think we had any Volper in Tabaa.”
“I'm from Sconheit. I traveled here to find some ingredients for a project I'm working on. The Okon ambushed my caravan and captured all of us.”
“I'm so sorry. We'll get you home.”
“Thank you.”
I paused. “Uh, what kind of project?”
He stiffened, his tail swishing aggressively.
I held up my hands. “I only ask because I'm searching for someone who might help the altered Okons return to their former selves.”
His jaw fell open. “You want me to help the men who abducted me?”
“Their chief subjugated them with the same magic that turned them into those things. They didn't have a choice. I think they're good men. Or they could be good if given a chance.”
The man grimaced, but then his stare grew sharp. “I am an alchemist. I don't know if I could help them.”
My heart sped up. Could it be this easy? Had the Okon unknowingly captured the very man who could free them?
“Could you try? We could help you get those ingredients you were looking for.”
The man chuckled. “Oh, you'd best be offering me more than a few herbs and resins, King's Mate.”
I flushed at both the title and the demand. “What would you want?”
“I'll make a list of items. I'll want them whether I succeed or not. Payment for my efforts. If I can't help them, you owe me nothing more. But if I can, I want three silvers for every one of them I save. If you can get the coins from them, all the better. I'd prefer that they pay me for their cure.”
“Three silvers?” I blinked at him. “I'll have to speak to the King.”
“That's a fair price considering the work I'll have to do and my distaste for these men.”
I nodded. “I'm sure it is. Still, it's not my coin to be offering. I'll speak to His Majesty and let you know when you join us in the dining hall.”
“Very good.” The Volper man grinned, showing off his sharp canines.
I froze, staring at him. He wasn't exactly handsome. More striking. A face that made people stop and take note because of its strange appeal. Those purple eyes were almond-shaped and turned up at the outer corners, giving him a sly look, but their long, thick lashes, so black against the rest of his coloring, softened the slyness with a hint of seduction. And that tail. Seeing it swish about made me anxious. A primal urge to play rose in me. I wanted to see if it was as silky as it looked. As disheveled as he was, his skin dulled by dirt, I imagined he was impossible to ignore when at his best.
“You are lovely as well,” the Volper said. “But I prefer my men large and muscular.” He grinned. “I like feeling as if I can be overpowered.”
I cleared my throat. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you think I was—”
“I'm teasing you.” He waved at me with an elegant hand. “I know you're mated. Did I not already say so? I've just gotten tired of being stared at.”
“I understand. Again, I'm sorry. You're the first Volper I've met. Uh, what's your name? I'm Eliel Awiaka.” It was the first time I'd used Raven's name, but it was mine now, just as he was. Speaking my new surname aloud to another person gave me a thrill.
“Sevarin Beckhur.” He brought his arms in against his sides and bowed. “At your service.” He grinned again. “If you meet my price, that is.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
I was nearly too late to save the moths.
