Page 87 of Ahelno
“Hebroughtmehumanfood,” I joked. “I’llbeforevergratefulforthat.”
M’Pak chuffed, but I wasn’t kidding. It made life on Ptekennan so much more tolerable forme.
Dakleth came to meet as we entered the Palace. Before he could reach for me, M’Pak stood on his hind legs and rested his front paws on Dakleth’s shoulders. M’Pak was about the size of a large horse, so I couldn’t imagine how Dakleth was able to hold his weight. Dakleth did not back down, but he held very still. M’Pak made a show of inhaling around Dakleth’s mouth. He looked Dakleth dead in the eye - predator to predator. Dakleth held his ground, but extended his wings and raised his crest. His eyes started to glow red. “M’Pak!” I shouted out loud. “Get down!”
M’Pak chuffed and swiped his tongue from Dakleth’s chin to his forehead, then returned to all fours and shook as though nothing had happened.
“I think he just warned me to treat you well,” Dakleth said in wonder.
“Um, sorry about that!” I said, glaring at M’Pak. M’Pak stared at me impassively and twitched his tail.
“That beast is smarter than he lets on,” Dakleth said, eyes swinging between the two of us.
“Too smart for his own good,” I huffed. “Come on, let’s find lunch. I want to see Leo before he leaves.”
Dakleth gave me a swift kiss, just a brush of lips, then took my hand and guided me down the hall. I loved that he was willing to touch me, even in public. I wondered what Kashtinela and her father would think of that.
The receiving room had a jovial air. The negotiations had gone well, I understood, and the Charonu and Ptexari were parting as tentative allies, if not friends. Leo spotted us as we entered and came up to give me a hug.
“What, no growl?” he said to Dakleth, smiling brightly. His white teeth gleamed against his dark skin. I was going to misshim.
A lazy smirk slowly took over Dakleth’s face. “I am feeling more…settled today,” he said, staring at me fondly. I blushed, looking away quickly.
“It’s about time,huera!” Leo joked. “You led this gargoyle on a merry chase.”
M’Pak interrupted by bumping his head into Leo’s palm. “Subtle, buddy,” Leo chucked, scratching behind M’Pak’s ears. “I’m gonna miss you.”
“We’re going to miss you, too,” I said, trying to keep myself from choking up.
“None of that, bestie! We’ll send video messages all the time. And I’ll find an excuse to come back soon, I’m sure.” He smiled at me. “Come on, I was just about to sit and eat.”
He led us to the table where Aldrin and Gafand were already seated. I hadn’t spoken to them since the incident with Dakleth weeks ago. Gafand looked at Dakleth and then me. He swallowed nervously. “I owe you an apology, Princess,” he said.
“Yes, you do,” I said, holding my voice steady. “But to be clear, what exactly do you think you’re apologizing for?”
“This has been an enlightening visit for us,” he said, gesturing to Aldrin. “We had not previously interacted with females like you or her Highness,” he nodded towards Kashtinela. “Leo has been trying to tell us for years that our treatment of females on our planet is abhorrent, but we did not…well, we did not think of them as our equals.”
“What we have seen here does not match what we are taught at home, Princess,” Aldrin interjected.
“And what have you seen here?” I asked.
“The females here - both the Ptexari and you as a human,are the equals of your males. You are educated in the same manner and have the same intelligence and skills. Although some skills may be different. The Ptexari women are the equal of their males in physical strength. I do not think the same can be said for you humans, but you and Leo embrace each other’s differences without treating one gender as lesser,” he said, thoughtfully.
Gafand jumped in. “We insulted you when we spoke of having relations with you without gaining your consent. Or asking if you were already attached,” he looked carefully at Dakleth and inclined his head. “It honestly did not occur to us that you would refuse. Or that you could refuse. We have much to learn. That is the nature of my apology.”
I smiled at him. A genuine smile. Such a turnaround in a few short weeks. Perhaps some good would be done for the women of Charonu following this visit.
“Apology accepted,” I said. “Now let’s eat.”
“Thank you,” Gafand breathed out, sighing in relief.
I looked meaningfully at Dakleth. He cleared his throat. “I, too, should apologize. Although you did insult my mate, my reaction was…somewhat disproportionate.” Understatement of the century. I smothered a smile and saw Leo doing the same.
“Yes, well. It was understandable. No permanent harm done,” Gafand conceded, although he still seemed a bit wary.
“If you do not mind me asking, Princess,” Aldrin said, “are all human women as beautiful as you?”
I choked on the fruit that I had just put in my mouth. Leo came over and slapped me hard on the back. I fortunately didn’t spit it out and chewed very carefully before swallowing. Dakleth looked like he was ready to jump over the table andtackle Leo, but I put a restraining hand on his arm, and he settled.
