Page 87

I was not going to try to explain Shiloh’s issue with the color again, so I shrugged and did my best to distract him.

“It was very good even if I am not used to the combination. We need to add tasting spaghetti to our list of what to do on Earth when we visit.”

Yes, his mate was amazing.

“Focusing on the way he is getting to know the others and how confident he was as he left shows he is stronger because of having his mates in his life…especially his Daddy because he was almost youthful as he went to play.”

And hadn’t worried about hiding it from Wren.

“Maybe.” Zorin’s frown shifted into one of thinking and not confused sadness. But the way he changed to English as he wiggled in his seat showed a lot about his emotions. “How long do you think we need to stay on Earth to make Shiloh happy to return?”

How were those topics related?

Seeing my confusion had him rushing to get out more words. “He said he will return with us. I’m not worried about that.”

Was he worried about something else, then?

Our conversation was missing context, but all I could do was answer the question he asked.

“A few weeks? He specifically talked about purchasing toys and a few food products that would be fun to have on occasion.” Glancing down at the remains of our dinner, I thought pasta might be high on his list. “He talked about wanting to show us their restaurants and some of their entertainment spaces.”

Thankfully, we had other means of transportation that would not require driving long distances in the objects they called cars. I had heard stories from Toman and I was not going to put myself in danger. My Shiloh might be a wonderful driver, but others could not be trusted.

“We know we would like to visit bookstores and I think picking out objects that they would call presents to give away as small tokens would be a good idea.” Their concept of giving away presents at every major event would become contagious. “I think I would like to at least visit a home under construction if that is possible.”

My mates might find it boring but I wouldn’t make them stay long.

Zorin blinked and cocked his head to show me he was thinking. “A human-style building site or a magical one? There have to be differences.”

There probably was but none of the people who’d come through the gate had built more than simple structures for storage or doing what they called roughing it.

“If we only have time to visit one, I would like to see a human-style of building.” I could learn about the magical ones later. “That is something our people may not be able to explain fully.”

From what we had seen, they had taken to winging it as they called it on nearly everything, so the fates only knew what magical catastrophes they were constructing.

“That is logical.” His words and tone said logical but his emotions were much more reactive as he stood and started clearing the table. “Do…do you think he will want to see his family?”

Ah.

Were we finally getting to the problem?

“He saw them not long before he left Earth, and the places he’s discussed have nothing to do with his family.” My first thought was no, but I gave Zorin a shrug to show mild confusion. “His language has always been in terms of days or weeks as a visit, not longer. Some things will need to be pushed to additional visits.”

Like exploring adult-based mate spaces that sold spanking implements and toys Shiloh would blush at and call naughty.

I needed to find a way to do more research before that should be added to our list, though.

Everything I said should have made Zorin feel more at ease but his stress levels continued to climb as he moved around the kitchen. “I think…I think we can keep him occupied until it is time to return.”

I was starting to understand the statement one of the Earthlings used recently about his questions having questions.

“He will want to talk to his family and explain about our bonding, but a phone call should be a good start.” That had Zorin feeling frustrated but not angry. “Once his family hears he is safe, we can share our plans to come back and do a longer visit next time.”

Oh.

That was a new level of frustration even for Zorin, but it was the way he cracked one plate by slamming it into the sink that showed we had reached problematic levels.

It did not, however, make it easier to know how to respond to his newly unveiled emotions.