Her eyes darted everywhere as they crossed back to where Stron, Dhomhes, and Fiviel had been standing.
Khalzin glared at him. “Do not start, Dhomhes.”
“Shall you ever live in eternal company and mating joy,” Dhomhes said, grinning.
Stron glared at Dhomhes as well. His sarcasm was hard to miss.
While they were the first to do this, they were still engaging in some of their traditions. As much as possible. From the way Khalzin kept glancing at her, and the way his horns were twitching, Stron was guessing he experienced a physiological response to her.
That was good.
That was what they wanted.
Yet it made Stron even more nervous about his turn to cross that platform.
They had not discussed what order they would go in. If their natural body chemistry worked, they would be able to go in the order that the universe wanted them to go, for they’d be drawn to the right females at the right time.
Supposedly.
“Leave him alone,” Fiviel said, snarling a bit at Dhomhes.
“And you can tell me what to do, Fiviel?” Dhomhes asked.
“I have before.”
“And that worked out so well for you,” Dhomhes replied.
Fiviel shifted, and he stomped his mechanical leg on the ground.
“Enough,” Stron said, and turned to the damn-near terrified mate that Khalzin had chosen. She was so tiny next to him. Regardless that she was Khalzin's mate, he hated seeing a female looking so scared. “Forgive them, miss. They suffer from too much personality.”
“And you don't, Stron?” Khalzin asked, with a smile now.
“You like my arrogance.”
“Occasionally.” Khalzin put his hand on Janae's shoulder. “This is Janae. We are in Courtship.”
“Moving right along, are we?” Dhomhes asked.
“It is what we are here for,” Khalzin replied.
“Nice to meet you,” Janae said. “Stron, Fiviel, and Dhomhes.”
Smart. She caught everyone's name.
Did Stron think the females would not be smart? He didn't know. But while he thought they were brave to participate in something like this, he did also wonder if there was something wrong with them if they felt they had to do this to find their path.
Though, he reconsidered upon speaking to this female. “You are quite attractive, congratulations. Khalzin is a decent male. He will respect you.” Stron bowed slightly as he spoke as if hoping to ease her nerves.
“Thank you,” she said, her cream cheeks getting a rosy glow.
Fiviel nodded. “Yes. You are quite lovely.”
She shook her head and muttered softly to herself. Khalzin leaned down and whispered back to her. It was almost sweet the way they already spoke to each other in private tones.
She pulled away suddenly, her voice louder. “You were just mad I was ignoring you.”
Stron laughed. “The truth reveals itself! You never could stand a female who did not admire you.”
