“Heh, well…” I’m not sure what to say. “It was very, um, sweet of you.”
When the next song starts, I lead them off the dance floor to obtain more drinks. I’m not sure I can handle another Arshurian dance number.
We sit with Amara, Roth’kar, and Marguerite once more, and Roth’kar has lots of questions for Khesan and Shathar about where they come from. I think everyone can agree that maybe dancing isn’t for us.
After some time, I can see the alcohol having an effect. Shathar laughs more, which makes me laugh, too. Khesan has an immense amount to say about the planet Arshur, and it’s clear he has a lot of affection for his former home. I love seeing them like this, talking together without arguing.
As it gets late and the drinks flow, Roth’kar can’t take his eyes off his wife, and I think he would be undressing her right now if he could. I suppose it’s about time for us to go, too. I don’t want Shathar and Khesan drinking too much their first time out and getting sick.
When I get to my feet, the two of them hurry to follow. We say goodbye to everyone at the table, then I call up a car while we head to the exit.
Out on the street, we all take a deep breath of fresh air, even though it’s frigid out. When I start shivering, Shathar curls an arm around me. Khesan, too, comes in closer to keep the breeze off of me. For a moment, everything feels right with the two of them at my side.
When we finally get back home, Khesan is nearly dead on his feet.
“This alcohol is quite strong,” he mumbles, slightly slurring. I take his arm in mine and guide him up the stairs to his room, where he pushes the door open and stumbles inside. I bring him a fresh glass of water, but by the time I’ve returned with it, he’s lying on the bed in his clothes, fast asleep.
After turning off his light and closing the door, I head back downstairs. Shathar is still in the kitchen, guzzling water like I told him. He grins widely when I appear and extends his hand to me. I take it in mine, and he draws me in against him until both his arms are around me.
“You are so beautiful,” he murmurs, peering down into my eyes. “It was a joy to spend the evening with you and meeting your friends.”
The sincerity in his gaze makes my knees wobble. Shathar looked so good tonight in his new clothes, even when he was dancing like a possessed puppet, that I find myself wanting to see him without them. What does an Arshurian look like under there?
Shathar tilts his head down to mine, and I’m quick to rise onto my tiptoes to kiss him. It’s exactly what I needed, tasting his lips again, and his hands slide down my body, roaming over my hips to my ass, where he squeezes and groans against my mouth.
“Fiona,” he manages between kisses. “Would you like to come downstairs with me?”
Oh. Oh. Instantly, my body is awake. I think he’s propositioning me. Which I would absolutely accept if we weren’t both drunk as skunks.
“I would,” I begin, “but I don’t know if I should. Can we revisit it tomorrow when we’re sober?”
Shathar’s smile falls, but he nods anyway.
“I understand.” He kisses me once more, fiercely this time, and I fall completely into it. This time, his clawed fingers find their way to my breasts, and he explores them hungrily. But after a while, we both pull away, panting.
“Tomorrow,” Shathar says firmly, and I nod in agreement. With that assurance, he lets me go.
“Goodnight.” I squeeze his hand in mine.
“Goodnight, Fiona.”
With that, he retreats to the stairs and closes the door behind him. I’m disappointed not to go down with him tonight, but it’s for the best.
When I finally make it back to my room, I barely get my clothes off and into bed before I’m fast asleep.
The next morning, I’m awoken by a loud noise. When I squint, I can just make it out—Khesan and Shathar’s voices, raised and angry. They’re arguing about something.
Great.
I drag myself out of bed, my head aching a little, but nothing serious. I throw on some sweats and jog down the stairs to find out what’s going on.
Entering the kitchen, I smell bacon. There are plates of bacon, eggs, and toast on the table, but Shathar and Khesan are paying no attention as they shout at each other.
“You are a liar!” Khesan snarls. “I wish you would simply admit it.”
“You are the liar,” snaps Shathar. “I have the nalopo. She is my fated one.”
I groan in annoyance. I thought we’d gotten past this, but I suppose not.
