She seemed confused. “What do you mean?”
“Do you feel safe? Do you want to go home?”
The furrow in her brow disappeared, and she smiled at me. “I am safe and comfortable,” she answered. “And I don’t have a home to return to. I was days away from being homeless when I was taken. Being here with Fane is better than whatever is waiting for me back on Earth.”
“Are you sure? I can help you.”
Her smile softened. “I’m sure. I like Fane.” She glanced at the door. “Actually, I have to ask you something. I know it’s really rude to ask this, but I don’t have anyone else I can talk to.”
“What do you want to ask me?”
Cora leaned forward. “How do I know if a daemon is interested in me?”
“Interested in you? As in sexually?”
She nodded, a blush creeping up her cheeks. “Yes. Is there something they do that’s different than human men?”
I thought about all the things Bokkan did for me. His attentiveness, his need to take care of me, his protectiveness.
“They don’t date the way humans do,” I explained. “Does Fane seem really interested in making sure you are comfortable? Like you’re always fed and have comfortable clothing? Does he sometimes get overprotective or possessive? Not in a toxic way, but a slightly awkward but endearing way?”
She sat back in her chair and took a deep breath. “Not really. I mean, yes, he makes sure that I get meals and clothes, but he isn’t weird about my safety. And he doesn’t growl or get grabby the way your mate did earlier.”
“I’m not sure if that means he’s interested or not,” I answered with a shrug. “That was just my experience with Bokkan. He’s been really sweet.”
“Shit.”
I grinned at her. “I take it you’re interested in a daemon?”
The pink in her cheeks returned and deepened.
I laughed a little. “Is it a certain king or someone else?”
Before she could answer, the door to the parlor opened, and Masu came in, carrying a large tray. She paused when she saw it was just the two of us sitting there, but continued on. The tray landed with athunkon the small table set between the sofa and the chairs. I wasn’t surprised it made such a loud sound. There was a teapot, cups, a stack of small empty plates, and a serving tray that held an assortment of fruits, cheese, buttered bread, and tiny triangular cakes that I loved. They were a lot like scones but sweeter. Masu often drizzled them with honey or dusted them with a fine sugar.
“This looks lovely, Masu,” I said. “This is Cora. She is the king’s companion.”
Masu beamed at Cora. “It is lovely to meet you, Lady Cora. Would you like some tea?”
“Uh, yes, please.”
As Masu began pouring the tea and handing us cups, an idea struck me.
“Masu, we have some questions about the courtship and mating customs of daemons. Would you mind answering them?”
She glanced at the door. “I am not sure?—”
“The king and Bokkan are chatting right now. And Cora is interested in a daemon male, but she isn’t sure if he feels the same way.”
Masu seemed hesitant until Cora said, “Please. I don’t want to get my hopes up if he isn’t interested.”
The imp sighed. “Very well. But only for a few minutes. As soon as I hear the master and king returning, I need to leave. It would be inappropriate for me to stay.”
I didn’t like that, but left it alone. We might have a limited amount of time to talk, and I didn’t want to waste it arguing about the social hierarchy in Penumbra.
Masu smoothed her skirts as she sat on the couch next to me. “What would you like to know?”
When Cora remained silent, I jumped right in. “What do daemon males do when they’re interested in a female?”
