“It’s important that you do.” Eleri smiled. “Can I fix your hair?”
It was shaggy over her eyes, so Cassie let Eleri pin her hair back away from her face with two pretty barrettes. “How long have you lived here?” Cassie asked.
“I’ve been in Laurus for almost three years now.”
“Are you happy?”
This made Eleri laugh again. “I am. I didn’t know if I would be when I first arrived, but I’m very happy now. Everything I ever wanted is here. Including the latil’e who I know is listening outside the door.” There was a quiet shuffle of confirmation on the opposite side of said door. Cassie found herself laughing too.
“Are they all like that? All mates?”
“Overbearing and protective? Probably. Although I think otherwise, Örim and S’samph are about as different as night and day.” She combed a few strands of Cassie’s hair away from her face. “Ok, my turn. Which color should I wear? Purple or yellow?”
“Purple,” Cassie answered without even considering.
“Good choice. Tonight seems like a night for purple.” Eleri started to change into a short purple dress with a net of shining beads over her collarbones. “Nights like this, it would be fun to have longer hair.” She shook out her chin-length blonde hair and pulled a comb through it.
“Long hair is a lot of work,” Cassie said. She’d had long hair once. She’d cut it all off in IA custody. She didn’t want to see Cassowary anymore every time she looked in the mirror.
They were both startled by a sudden knock on the door. Eleri smiled and put down her comb. “That must be your mate.”
“Not my mate yet.” Cassie blushed as she stared at the floor. They technically hadn’t had the conversation yet.
“Well, we shouldn’t keep him waiting anyway.” Eleri offered her a hand and led her out of the room, where they found S’samph staring down Örim, who was waiting just inside the doorway. He was dressed in a smart set of black robes with silver beading.
“I like your clothes,” Cassie said.
“These?” Örim tapped his wrist nodes with embarrassment. “They’re my old professional uniform. What you’re wearing is much nicer.”
Cassie responded by twirling slightly so the flounced skirt of her dress swished around her thighs. “It’s Eleri’s old dress.”
“Not old,” Eleri chimed in. “I’ve only worn it once before. But it looks much better on you than it ever did on me. Pink works well for you.”
“My mate is beautiful in everything she wears.” S’samph placed a protective arm around Eleri’s waist.
“We’re not talking about me, S’samph.” Eleri rolled her eyes before turning her attention back to Örim. “Neither of you has been to a Moons-Filled Night festival before. Try to have lots of fun!” Eleri gave Cassie a slight nudge, and she tripped forward a few paces, landing in Örim’s arms. Cassie pressed her hands against his forearms, grasping for support.
Sorry. Cassie signed as she finally realized how long he’d been holding her and backed off a step.
“Don’t be sorry. I like holding you.”
Cassie blushed at his confession. Örim gestured to his levibike. “Shall we go to Indras?” Cassie nodded and waved back at Eleri and S’samph. As she moved past him, Örim placed a hand on her lower back. Cassie glanced at him, wondering if they would ever do more than gentle touches.
“Don’t forget your helmets!” Eleri called from the doorway. Cassie made a small laugh and waved back at her. Örim had probably never forgotten to wear a helmet in his life. He handed Cassie hers before helping her get settled behind him on the bike. She reached forward, the way she’d seen Eleri ride with S’samph sometimes. Her arms around his waist instead of on the passenger handles. If Örim was as broad as S’samph, she didn’t think she would have managed, but Cassie pressed herself against Örim, holding onto him instead.
“Cassie?” His voice was worried. “Are you well?”
She jerked back immediately. Maybe it was a mistake. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I was just surprised. You can hold on that way if you like.”
She summoned her courage and moved close to him again, clutching her arms around his waist. Örim accelerated then. Cassie held on with Eleri’s words ringing in her ears. She was allowed to want things.
There was a whole collection of levibikes on the outskirts of Indras by the time they arrived. After Örim parked, he helped Cassie off the bike. She reached for his hand, and Örim tucked her fingers inside of his. Tonight was for fun. She had to remind herself. Tonight was for enjoying herself. It was safe. Everyone was there. Nothing bad was going to happen if she took what she wanted.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Lead the way.”
