“No, I am not taking my clothing off.The scars are all on record with the Aksallan immigration authority.”
Salmet prodded at her com unit and said, “I swear, you Uraddans are fascinating.”
The scorpion said, “So, you weren’t always completely toxic?”
“No.I used to have a nice, controlled emanation.Palms and the soles of my feet.Saliva if I was really irritated.”
“Do you have fangs?”
“No.Just really good at spitting.”She smiled and fluttered her lashes.
Hemma started laughing, bent over.
Salmet smiled and then paused.“Oh.”
“Ah, you reached my file, you curious little minx.”
Riko snorted, and then his smile faded as he saw the projection of her body with the marks catalogued.
The seer gripped the scorpion’s arm.“That’s...”
Salmet said softly, “Do you—were you used to fight?”
“Yup.My punishment for leaving my motherland.They tried to get me working next to Hemma for a while, but I wasn’t any good in the hotter regions where I had to wear gloves and cover all my skin.Hard to seduce someone when you can’t show skin.”
“When did the bite to your shoulder occur?”
“Um...”She closed her eyes.“Eight years ago.”
The seer blinked.“How old are you?”
“Forty-six.I moisturize.”
Salmet smiled.“Her biology is unusual, but no further examination was engaged in.”
Ival laughed.“Great.So, I am guessing you are the prince of the Sethir?”
He nodded.“I am.Riithan.This is my wife, Ylara.”
“Pleased to meet you.Can you get me my grandparents’ information?I don’t actually know their names.”
He paused and then nodded.“I will send the information to Zera.She will get it to you.”
“Thank you.I really want to visit my cousins and auntie, but that is a whole other thing.”She looked at the folks staring at her and smiled.“Plausible deniability.”
Riko chuckled weakly.
She looked at her visitors.“Did you get what you needed?”
Salmet looked at the image on her com.“Yes.Thank you.If I can find a way for you to stay, will you?”
“Do not put yourself out on my behalf.You are busy enough with those partnering up.I am deliberately solo.”
Zera knocked softly, and Hemma started clapping.Ival looked at her and shook her head.
“Ival, if you register with the BDC, you get visa approval.You don’t have to stay here, but it might be entertaining to watch men drop at your feet and be paid for it.”
“You just want to let your chem lab take more scrapings.”
