“I know,” Khalzin said.
“I did not know he was--”
“It should be assumed at this point,” Khalzin said.
“Maybe you do need a frivolous relationship to release some stress. Since you are not getting that yet in your Courtship.”
Khalzin snarled.
Stron didn’t move, but he watched carefully. If Khalzin was that close to the edge, without even being in the thick of the recovery tasks, then maybe there was more to this than just physicality.
That showed emotional connection.
The exact thing that Khalzin was wanting to achieve. Or at least prove was possible.
Interesting.
“Are you being obtuse just because you can be?” Khalzin finally asked Stron.
“Just making sure you know all your options,” Stron said, a slight smile on his face. Though mostly a jab at his friend, he couldn’t help noticing how emotional Khalzin became.
Yet another piece of evidence for his experiment.
Though Stron doubted that even Khalzin saw it that way.
Stron looked back at their transport's wings shifting in the wind. They groaned a bit.
The wind was powerful today. It could make travel challenging.
Not for him or Khalzin. They had plenty of ways to rebalance that while piloting the ship, but he wondered about the females.
Were they used to this kind of height?
Or did they live down in the lower levels? Not accustomed to higher atmosphere travel? It would certainly make for an interesting day.
He wondered if the friend, Adryel, would enjoy it.
Then he stomped down the thought. He shouldn’t be thinking of her at all. Not in any way. Except maybe how annoying she could be.
She’d certainly gotten under his skin in the hallway before. How could she have been so reckless, wandering around at night like that? Anything could have happened to her! They still didn’t know who was responsible, and if it was a political attack or a terroristic one. Or both.
He crossed his arms, his patience growing thin. “Well, where are they?”
“They're coming. Janae was going to help her friend get something to wear. Very few of their personal things survived, so they are relying on us to help them and provide basic things.”
Stron sighed. Why did females always take forever to dress? “Does she not know how to use a dresser?”
“Not every world has machines that produce clothing for--”
The bay opened.
The women appeared, flanked by guards, dressed in traditional Kantenan clothing.
Khalzin’s attention darted to his mate, but Stron found himself staring at Adryel. Her clothing, less bright, but just as flattering, clung to her shape, revealing a sensual curve of her hips that left Stron feeling desires he hadn’t felt in a very long time.
“Oh,” Stron said.
“Remember her now?”
