She didn't keep tabs on Pavel's love life. He had made it very clear that he wasn't interested in her in that way because he considered her too young.
That was stupid, since he was only thirty-two, and the age difference between them was meaningless. Kra-ell didn't bother with human conventions of that sort, or at least they shouldn't.
Drova was an accomplished warrior, which made her a desirable mate for any self-respecting Kra-ell male, regardless of age.
He smiled. "That's true. Are you seeing anyone?"
The question took her by surprise. "No. Are you?"
"No."
For a moment, the world around them faded, and it was as if they were standing in their own bubble.
"Why?" she asked.
"Why what?"
"Why aren't you seeing anyone?"
He looked at her for a long moment. The corner of his mouth lifted in that annoying way that made her want things she shouldn't.
"Haven't found anyone worth pursuing."
She frowned. "That's not how it's supposed to work for us. Have none of the females invited you to their beds?"
He shook his head. "Oh, Drova. I should get you away from your mother for a bit. Stop thinking like a traditionalist. We no longer follow those rules."
That wasn't an answer. That was evasion, and she could interpret it as yes, he had been invited to share the beds of Kra-ell females but chose not to talk about it, or no, he hadn't been invited, which didn't make much sense.
He was a pureblood, he was handsome, and he was a decent guy even in immortal and human terms.
The music changed, the tempo picking up, and couples gravitated toward the dance floor to join the newlyweds.
Anandur and Wonder, Kalugal and Jacki, Lokan and Carol. Even Onegus was dragged by Cassandra to the wooden platform, and then Mo-red and Vanessa joined them.
Pavel reached for her hand. "Come on. Let's dance."
"What?" She tried to pull her hand out of his, but he held on.
"It's your best friend's wedding. You have to dance."
"Kra-ell females don't dance."
Kra-ell didn't dance for pleasure. Males danced to reenact famous battles and impress females, but that was it.
"Perhaps they don't on Anumati, but we are a long way from home." He finally let go of her hand.
"It's tradition." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"Tradition is fine, but so is absorbing new customs of the place where you live. We were born on Earth, not on Anumati, and we should make an effort to integrate."
She looked down her nose at him. "My best friend is the human girl who just got married, and I'm wearing a ridiculous dress because she wanted me to wear it. My hair is curled, and my nails are sparkling. I think I have met my integration quota for today."
He looked amused instead of impressed, which was annoying. "Come on." He held out his hand. "It's just a dance."
She looked at his offered hand, then at his face, then at the dance platform, where Anandur was doing a goofy dance, and Wonder was laughing.
She looked back at Pavel's hand.
