Page 47 of Ahelno
“It will likely be an offworlder who can provide access to expanded trade opportunities. Father invited a few candidates to the harvest festival ball, but I was unimpressed with the lot. He is putting together another ball. The pretense is to celebrate our renewed trade talks with the Charonu of Coromonn. The guest of honor will be their prime minister, who is visiting in a couple of weeks. It is my understanding that Leo’s partners will be coming along to visit, so that Leo may extend his stay here for another month.”
I was overjoyed to hear that Leo would stay longer and that I would get to meet his partners. But I hadn’t imagined Kashtinela would go into an arranged marriage. I mean, politically, it made sense, but it seemed like such an outdated notion. “How do you feel about all that?” I asked.
Kashtinela sipped the last of her coffee and placed the mug on the table. “I have always known my mating would not be entirely my choice. Father is reasonable, though. He will present me with candidates, and he will have his favorites that will benefit the family and our society, but he would not force me to mate with someone I did not feel was compatible. I will have some level of choice.
The only contentious point is that Father is hoping I marry up in station to someone in line to be King of his own people.This would create stronger ties, but it means I would have to move to my new mate’s planet. I would prefer to marry a second or third son so that we can stay here. I do not wish to live offplanet.”
“That’s understandable,” I said.
“We shall see what candidates he has found for me at your performance. Now, I shall let you go,” she said as she looked at her wristband. “It would seem my brother is looking for you.”
CHAPTER 43
Dakleth
My mate emerged from a private receiving room with Kashtinela. “Greetings, brother, and farewell,” Kashtinela said as she made her way down the hall.
Andie looked radiant, as always. Her golden hair hung down her back in a single flaxen braid. “You did this?” I asked, picking up the plait and admiring the weaving.
“Yes, I like to play around with my hair,” she said, gently pulling the braid from my hand. “If we’re going to be out on the water, this will keep my hair out of my face.”
“Practical,” I said, admiring her handiwork. “The Ptexari have no hair, so this is not something I ever had to consider. Our crests do not get in our way.”
She laughed, and the sound danced along my skin, causing me to shiver. “I guess I’d never thought about that,” she said.
I opened my arms to indicate that I was ready to embrace. She looked confused for a moment, and then uncertain. She stepped into my arms for a brief moment. I inhaled her intoxicating scent and closed my eyes. I had put on a loin wrap today under my skirt to prevent her from feeling or seeing the erection I almost always had in her presence. I had a feeling I would be wearing a loin wrap for most of the foreseeablefuture. My body was primed to mate whenever it sensed her near. It was becoming most inconvenient.
All too soon, she pulled away. “Greeting hugs are usually pretty short,” she explained. I filed that information away. She did not seem particularly pleased with the hug, but did not seem upset. I was not sure if this was the proper response. She had not relaxed into my arms the way she did yesterday. Perhaps this was why she explained hugs were short upon greeting. I would learn all of her human customs.
“Very well,” I said. “My vehicle is ready if you are ready to go.”
“Yep!” she said. “Do I need to bring anything?”
“No, I have rations and supplies in the vehicle if needed.”
“Great,” she replied. “Let’s go.”
The Palace guards nodded to us as we passed through the hall to the garage where our vehicles were kept. I led Andie to my six-wheeled vehicle, and we strapped in. Shortly, we were on our way, driving north through the city.
“I don’t often see this end of the city, since my village is south of here,” Andie said.
“We can stop or go more slowly if you wish,” I said.
“No, it’s fine. Just thinking out loud. I should explore this area more often.”
“I would be happy to escort you anywhere you wish to go.” She nodded, but did not comment. She wasn’t exactly unfriendly, but she seemed a bit stiff in my presence still. I hoped she could relax by the time we got to the ruins.
“What does your Granthor do when you are away?” I asked. As I hoped, she lit up while talking about her pet and guardian. “M’Pak keeps busy. I built a shed for him in the backyard because he’s really too big for my house and doesn’t likeenclosed spaces. He spends most of his time outdoors. He sticks close to the house when I’m there, but when I’m not, he likes to wander. He’s been spending more time in the forest to the south of us.”
“Granthor are known to patrol a wide territory. He may also be in search of a mate.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” she mused. “He’s only a year old.”
“He is a mature male. It seems likely,” I responded.
“Well, I’m pretty sure he considers all of the village and the Capital city his territory,” she said.
I chuckled. “Kashtinela told me he used to cause quite a stir. The Ptexari thought a savage beast was on the loose. The pink ribbon you keep around his neck seems to have warded off further misunderstandings.”
