Gweneth smiled.“We enjoyed meeting you all.”
“Good eve,” Ioannes said as he faded from sight.
Patrice gave her a quick hug before she blinked out too.
Gweneth checked her vicinity and noted that all the Incorporeals had departed.She strolled over to Ransom.“Would you mind if I retired for the evening?It has been a long cycle.”
Taking her by surprise, he leaned over and brushed his lips over hers before stepping back.His amber eyes glowed with humor.“I will see you on the morn.Maybe we could even arrange a flight for you.”
Chapter 6
Ransom’s clan house, the next morn
Ellardsprawledinafeline-size gel-chair, the black synfabric and padding fitting to his back with perfect comfort.He studied the view of the profusion of bright flowers in the garden and endless forest from his chamber window and sipped from a white cup of hot tay—the fragrant green liquid refreshing in the dawn heat.A knock sounded on his chamber door, and Ellard’s cup hovered in midair before he set it on a float table.When the knock repeated, he stood and grabbed a pair of trews.
“I’m coming,” he shouted.
With his trews in place, he strode to answer the summons.
Gweneth stood on the other side, fully dressed in black trews and a pale gray tunic.“I know it’s early, but I came to tell you I’m going to town to speak with several market holders.Ransom said he’d go with me.”
“I’ll come too.”Ellard turned away from his door, and Gweneth entered and shut it behind her.
“There was something else,” she said.
He turned at the strange note in her voice, and his feline stretched beneath his skin, wide awake and eager to sidle closer and bask in her scent.This morn, she’d chosen to leave the cat tattoo on her cheek uncovered, and seeing it gave him pleasure, not that he stopped to analyze the sentiment.
Instead, he remained rooted to the spot.He didn’t trust his instincts or his feline with the opposite sex.They’d played him false in the past—the last time directly responsible for the loss of his arm.Now that he had a Stores, the young feline women still whispered and stared.He had no need of a mate.He had friends, lots of friends.He could have a happy life without a mate.
“Ellard.”
He blinked and found Gweneth so close to him that he retreated before pride bade him to take a stand.
Something shifted in her face, her impassive expression slipping.Pain?No.He blinked again to stir his sluggish brain.
“I can go on my own to the market.I’ll be perfectly safe with Ransom.Why don’t you stay here and relax?Send a report to Lynx and Shiloh.”
Ellard considered the matter.Splitting their tasks made sense.“Sable offered to show me around the area.We are going to do our strength training together.”
Gweneth’s face went blank.A pause.“That’s good.I like Sable.”
Ellard nodded and walked to the door to escort her from his room.When she didn’t follow, he turned in puzzlement.
“Wait.”Gweneth approached him, almost stomping as she crossed the distance between them.
His feline pricked its ears, alert and happy at her presence.Stupid creature.
Ellard willed his body not to react, willed his feline to behave.“Yes?”
“You owe me a kiss.”And she boldly walked up to him, wound her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his.
Ellard froze, yet every one of his senses leaped to hyperalert.And his feline—he gave a happy sigh and purred.Traitorous creature.
Gweneth pulled back to scowl.“I thought we’d discussed this and decided on a proper kiss.Not this half-arse attempt of yours.”
Ellard felt his mouth gaping and snapped it shut.“Half-arse?”
“Earth term,” she snapped.“Give me my kiss, and I’ll leave.”
