"That will make our wedding night interesting." Khaazair commented, almost as if thinking to himself.
"Why?" Zahra asked as she unconsciously backed up a step as he reminded her of their upcoming nuptials.
"Simply that my people are not shy. We wear clothing, but sometimes, during celebrations, especially, we allow ourselves to live with a little more freedom.”
"Great." Zahra could look forward to naked aliens running around later tonight.
Khaazai chuckled, the rumble from his chest coursing up through her feet and into her legs. It was pleasant on her ears. She frowned. She hadn't expected to find anything about him remotely appealing, but that noise had her wanting to lean in and press her cheek to his chest.
"Join me." Khaazai held out a hand, ushering her forward.
"So, what do I do?"
"Do?”
Zahra waved a discreet hand at the Khuuz’eth who showed them respect by bowing with their hands pressed to their chest as they passed them.
"You walk past them. There is no need to acknowledge them. Doing so would only confuse them."
"Seems rude to ignore them." Zahra commented. “In my culture, you normally greet someone in return.”
"You will grow used to it. Soon it will all be background noise, so to speak." Khaazai assured her.
Perhaps. Zahra took a steadying breath. As far as she was aware, she wasn't married yet. There was still time for herto back out and change her mind. Then her eyes connected with General Bohler’s eyes.
No. No, there would be no backing out. Humanity needed her to do this and honestly... what was one year? It'd probably pass faster than the blink of an eye. She heard of people who did cultural exchanges with other alien species, and they always said the year went by too quickly and how they wished they could go back and do it all over again.
Khaazai took a seat at a large table on one side of the large room. Zahra eyed the seat next to him. Before she could even contemplate taking a seat, his hand whipped out and captured her wrist, drawing her onto his lap. Zahra squirmed. Her mouth popped open, then she flung her hand down.
"Khaazai!" A blush seared her cheeks as she imagined people watching this interaction. What they must be thinking!
Then her face felt like it lit on fire when her hand brushed over the bulge under his clothing. Freezing, her wide eyes looked anywhere other than at Khaazai.
With a deep rumbling chuckle that vibrated in all the right places, Khaazai leaned forward and whispered hotly in her ear, "We will need to work on these human reservations with you. I think you'll find tonight eye opening."
With a gulp, she finally moved her hand into her lap as she looked over at him. "What do you mean?"
"You'll see." He leaned forward and snagged a slice of raw meat off the table with the tip of one of his claws.
Zahra frowned. Surprises weren't her favorite thing in the universe. She liked predictable things.
"Cousin!"
Zahra's head snapped around as another Khuuz’eth sat down beside them in a highly decorated chair.
"Cousin." Khaazai inclined his head ever so slightly.
"Found you a bride, I see." Khaazai's cousin eyed Zahra. "Tiny thing."
Zahra schooled her features. Tiny. The single word sounded like an insult, but she schooled any possible signs of a bristle.
"Your sons might be lacking.” His cousin continued to study her.
Breathe in. Breath out.
"Couldn't see how they'd be able to make a name for themselves in your warrior house, cousin." The other male continued to comment.
"Now, listen here,” Zahra fumed without thinking about her words. "I may be tiny as you say, but we humans have a lot of resilience and fortitude. No son of mine would belacking."
