Seth started, though, and Lucy hissed, racing toward one of the bedrooms. With a low swear, he pressed his hand to one of his thighs.
“You scared Lucy, Edith,” I chastised, then turned to Seth. “Are you injured?”
“One of her back claws got me.”
I reached out for him. “Let me escort you to the medbay.”
He flushed bright red. He shook his head. “They’re just scratches.”
“Still.” I was hesitant to leave him untreated for even the smallest injury. Humans were rather fragile, all things considered.
“Kal will worry,” Seth said.
That was true. Kalvoxrencol was abnormally protective of his mate. The instant he heard about Seth in the medbay, he would be there, in a panic, snarling at everyone.
“Fine,” I conceded. “But make sure to have Prince clean the wounds thoroughly later.”
Seth’s flush deepened, and I chuckled. Even after three cycles mated to Kalvoxrencol, he still reacted the same way when any intimacy was discussed between them. It was natural for Prince to lick any of his mate’s wounds clean; this could hardly be the first time, as much as Seth acted like it was.
Edith spoke up, “I have scanned Seth, and the scratches are nothing to be concerned about as long as they are properly cleaned and cared for.”
Then that was something Kalvoxrencol could attend to later.
“Did you want me to delete your application?” Edith asked with a massive smile as she bounced on the screen. “I’m more than happy to.”
“That wouldn’t help. Doctor Qinlin already knows and has approved.”
Her well-wrinkled brow crinkled even more. “I could even delete her notes, but there’s nothing I can do to assist in removing the memory from Doctor Qinlin’s mind at this time.”
Thank the Crystal for that.
“Also, I think Wyn actually wants to go,” Seth remarked with a chuckle.
“True, but you both seem sad and I wish to help.”
Seth bobbed his head. “A truly normal response, but sometimes people can’t help. They just have to listen and support their friends.”
I intently watched them, wishing I had my screen to check Edith’s coding as well as take notes. Seth and Edith were fascinating together. From studying her coding as intimately as I had, I knew she displayed a remarkable amount of emergent independence and thought whenever with Seth, her program evolving and growing right before my eyes. The two of them had a close relationship, and at times, it seemed as if Seth was her teacher in all things human or emotional.
Edith looked at me. “I would like to assist, but Seth’s right. I have nothing to offer but my presence, and as Edith Smith once said, ‘If your partner truly cares about you, they will want what’s best for you, not just themselves.’”
“Monqilcolnen cares about you, Wyn,” Seth said, his hands disappearing into his thick sweater’s pockets. “He’ll see that this is something you want.”
I believed that as well, but what I didn’t know was whether our short relationship would survive the separation.
Chapter 32
We will be fine, no matter what.
The door to my office slid open without my permission and Cincin perked up, letting me know who it was in an instant. I looked up from the reports I was reviewing and smiled. Wyn didn’t return it. He wasn’t looking at me as he fidgeted and his tail whipped back and forth.
Without speaking, I opened my arms, and he walked straight into them. I snagged him close, and he didn’t fight the tight hold. Wyn had said he wasn’t a physically affectionate person, but he certainly acted like he was with me. Yes, he wasn’t as snuggly as I was, but he did enjoy my touch much more than he’d led me to believe.
I hauled him onto my lap, and his legs went on either side of my thighs while his arms went around my neck. Pressing a kiss to his forehead, I breathed in his light floral scent, fighting the urge to scent mark him. That wasn’t something we had discussed, as becoming mates this quickly was… unusual.
“What’s wrong, Peace?” I asked against his ear, snuggling him as close as physically possible.
Wyn didn’t answer.
