Ellard bristled some more.He didn’t need Gweneth to stand up for him.
“You haven’t seen my bite yet,” Ransom said in a silky voice as he opened an ornate carved wooden door and ushered them inside.“Ah, let me introduce you to my sisters.”
A woman appeared in the doorway of a room to their right.Tall and slender, she wore her beauty with confidence She’d swept her brown hair up in a pile on her head and wore a flowing golden tunic over black trews—the sort of woman who would never give him a second glance.Ellard allowed himself a polite nod and turned his attention to their surroundings.Tasteful wealth.He’d seen riches in the castle, yet the former queen hadn’t had the knack of furnishing with an eye to comfort and elegance.Light spilled through a jeweled window, casting a rainbow of colors across the plain stone-tiled floor.The scent of spices wafted on the air—delicious cooking aromas—that made his stomach grumble with hunger.
“Jacinta, come and meet our guests,” Ransom said.“Where is Sable?”
“She is conversing with the housekeeper about the domestic arrangements.She will be here soon since Gryffnn signaled your arrival.”
“This is Gweneth and Ellard.”
Ellard shook the woman’s hand and frowned at the frisson of sensation that swept up his arm.Gweneth elbowed him in the ribs, jerking him from the trance he’d dropped into at the dragon woman’s touch.“I’m pleased to meet you,” he said belatedly.
A man tromped in behind him, followed by a small boy.
“Out,” Jacinta pointed.“Remove your boots.If you stomp that mud over the floors, Sable will cry.She’s spent all half-cycle cleaning.”
“I can smell berry snacks,” the boy said.
“You’d better listen to your aunt.”Ransom ruffled the boy’s black hair.“Sable and Jacinta are quite capable of withholding berry snacks if we make them more work.This is my brother Gryffnn and his son, Hallam.”
“But Niran can fix it for us,” the boy said.
“No, he can’t,” Ransom said in a stern voice.“We learn to do things for ourselves.We do not rely on the largess of others.”
“Niran does things for us of his free will,” Gryffnn said with a chiding note.“We are lucky he chooses to gift us with his presence.You must never forget that.”
“Enough.”Ransom effectively closed the conversation.“We will have refreshments.Maybe some berry snacks, if we all behave.”He ushered them into a large square room, one also full of light.
Ellard scanned the exits and the contents for possible weapons.Tiled floors covered by large thick rugs.All of the furniture bordered on large, built sturdy for big males.The room spoke of comfort and relaxation.
Ransom seated Gweneth and sat near her.Ellard’s feline bristled at the other male’s attentions to his woman, and Ellard’s brain slammed to an appalled stop.They’d kissed and nothing more.No promises made.No future between them.This man held a position of responsibility.A leader.A chieftain.She could do worse.
Ellard forced his legs to move to a chair near Gweneth and Ransom.He sank into the comfort of the brown fabric and forced his feline into submission.
“I must go,” Niran said without warning.
“Problem?”Ransom asked.
Niran frowned, his brow creasing in concentration.His form shimmered.Finally, he said, “No, I believe it will be all right.I will return later.”
Ellard gaped at a repeat of the ship visit.He…the man appeared transparent.He blinked, convinced his mind played tricks on him.When he looked again, Niran had vanished.
“How did he do that?”Gweneth demanded.“Can he pop in and out at will?”
“Yes,” Ransom said.“He will be back later to arrange your accommodation for me.Those of the Incorporeal race are able to fade and appear when the desire strikes them, as long as they have fed recently.”
“Fed?”Gweneth asked.
Ellard frowned but remained silent since Gweneth was obtaining information well enough without him.
A door opened at the far end of the room, and two women entered.One carried a tray of drinks and the other wheeled a cart of plates and food.
“This is our other sister, Sable, and our housekeeper, Jewel.Jewel comes from Scothage.”
“Our friend employs a man from Scothage to oversee her farm and animals,” Gweneth explained.“I’m pleased to meet you all.You have a beautiful home.I can’t wait to explore more of your planet.The things we’ve seen so far have whetted my appetite.I cannot wait to hit the shops and the rest of the sights.”
Ransom sent her an indulgent smile.“You had a trying journey here.This cycle is for relaxation.We have a pool at the rear of the property.We could spend the rest of the cycle out there and keep proceedings on a casual basis.”
