“Yeah, I know, he normally has pants on.”Ival smiled and went to tell the housekeeper that Riimal was going to come for lunch and he would be extra scaley.The housekeeper grinned and nodded.
Hemma was waiting.“You handle him really well.”
“I don’t handle him.I give him honest responses to honest queries.He wants a mate, and I want to be held.We can meet in the middle, and we both get what we need.Figuring out what you need is the actual key to being happy.When someone can work to give that to you, and you can help give them what they need without injuring or humiliating yourself, you might have the chance to find something good.But hold your emotional health to a high standard.If something wobbles it, jump on that shit—friends, therapists, doctors.Understand what is going on.You had a complicated adolescence.Don’t think that won’t mess up your relationship dynamics.”
Hemma sighed.“This is complicated.”
“It is a whole new activity in your life.Think of it as training for a new job in an exclusive partnership.”
“A job?”
“Yes.It takes work on both your parts.Eventually, the work becomes a habit, but it still requires maintenance.Adaptation.And evolution.”
Hemma blinked.“How do you...”
“I was married.I was married for several years to a man who risked his life daily and who had a mother who hated my guts.I put up with her for him.When he died, she sold me back to Uradda.He taught me that love could be balanced and that fear could be lived with.That let me survive what happened after he died.I appreciate joy in life now.I know it when I see it.”
Hemma blinked.“So, what should I do?”
“If Salat and Khytten come by with Baola or Lyric, ask if they can help you see your true partner.”She smiled.“Don’t ask a seer who will make you happy.They will show you a mirror because you are the only one who canmakeyou happy.Others only give you the potential to be happy.It still requires a leap of faith.Find someone you want to have faith in.Zera has already taken care of the physical compatibilities, so that worry is gone.They are alphas, so when you go into heat, that is taken care of, and awkwardness can be managed with some instruction if things don’t follow precisely according to the script.Recommendation is that you start having sex before the heat takes hold.”
Hemma blinked.“I think I am going to write notes.”
“I will send you a synopsis.”
Hemma laughed.“Thank you, and call Salat.”
She heard the door open.“Yup.Gotta go.Lunch is here.”
She winked at Hemma and disconnected the call.
She got up and walked into the kitchen, staying at a safe distance.The housekeeper grinned.“He’s in the dining room with a bib on.He muttered something about dessert first, but I will wait until you rap twice on the table before I bring in the meal.”
“Oh, that’s safe.I knew I liked you.”
The older woman laughed and shooed Ival into the dining room, and she stopped when Riimal did indeed have a bib on.He grinned.“I have a meeting with my brother after lunch, so I didn’t want to stop to change.”
She laughed and walked to him, leaning down for a kiss that somehow ended up with her on the table with her thighs over his shoulders.Dessert first.
She wasn’t mad about it.
Tea with Himera was weirdly quiet until the queen finally blurted out, “What is going on with Riimal?He’s huge!”
Ival sipped her tea.“Nothing that the affections of a good woman couldn’t inspire.”
Himera blinked.“That’s all?”
“He kept himself stunted.People here were already upset by his size.He didn’t want to be a two-hundred-foot sand dragon looking for a partner.Partner has been acquired.He can be himself now.”
“And what about you?”
“I can be a happy little writer with a partner to lean on.My activation is resetting still, but I can use the oil from my hands as a topical anesthetic so far.”
“You have tested it?”
“Yup.I bit his lip the other day.Got a little enthusiastic.We agreed to try it.It works.”
Himera blinked.“Right.Of course.”
