His father's science of attempting to preserve the Kantenan way of life was paramount to him. That there could be no other way. Khalzin believed that it was closed mind thinking. While his mother supported his ideas to expand the knowledge and look for other ideas, she couldn't publicly support it, for it went against the teachings of the Priestess of Light's religious position.
It made for a complex environment.
She loomed at the edge of the bed, shifting her weight from one foot to another, and her gaze kept darting to the bed and then away.
"You can sit if you like," he said, patting the bed. It was plenty large enough that she could sit on it and not disturb him.
"I," she said and smiled. And she sat down on the end of the bed, not close, exactly, but she was at least sitting down near him now. It felt strange, her being on the bed with him. Most females who were on his bed with him were there for intimacy.
This felt different.
More.
He trusted her near him when he was vulnerable. And previous lovers, he would not necessarily have relied on them so intimately. That's what he was trying to explain to Stron before--that physicality did not always mean intimate to him. To commit to a lover who wasn't his mate seemed a waste of time and emotion. Did he care about previous partners over the years? Of course. He would be sad if one died, but those he had sex with had moved on to other relationships upon finding their mates. He would not do anything to disrupt that connection, and he would expect no less from them.
Yet with Janae, there was so much more, even in the short time they knew one another. The scientist in him wanted to quantify it. But the Kantenan in him trusted it without fail.
A strange twist of mentalities ran back and forth in his mind. Though he felt silly--they were in Courtship. He should always feel comfortable when she was around. In a way, he did. But he still was not used to it.
"Your bed is soft," she finally said and pressed her hands into the mattress. It sunk in and cupped her fingers almost instantly. "It is like a mold, almost. Can you move around in it?"
"Made to compensate for the ridges."
"So, you can lay any way you choose."
"It makes it easier for two people to sleep here and not disturb each other."
"Most kind of you."
"I never thought about it, but I suppose so."
"You're very considerate. It makes me wonder if you're just generally considerate or if I am a special case."
"Would you rather me be rude and angry and bitter?"
"No, thank you. Your consideration for others makes you seem more attractive to me."
He raised an eyebrow. "Do you not consider me attractive?"
"I do."
"Good. That is helpful."
"Why?"
"Because if we are to mate--"
Her face became very stiff and emotionless.
"It would help if we were at least attracted to one another."
"Of course. I see." Then she pushed a smile out. It was one used to mask other emotions. "What about me? Do you consider me more than ordinary?"
He let his gaze roam over her. "Most assuredly."
She raised her eyebrow. "Then perhaps you were bumped on your head harder than they thought."
"Why?"
