Lissir and Nokim were in the kitchen. Nokim was cooking, making garden vegetable stew. Lissir had migrated here. After breakfast, he’d been lounging on the couch in the living room, reading something called Moonlight Cherries. Before we’d gone out for the tomatoes, he’d looked up from that book and asked me to explain what a giraffe was. When I’d got to the description of their horns, he’d cooed and smiled happily and reburied his nose in the text. Now they both looked at us expectantly.
In a very neutral tone, Lissir said, “How exciting to see Zeddira here.”
“He brought a lot of the best makers along,” Nokim said.
I cleared my throat. “Hey, is the cola ash dude in the bunker going to be a problem?” I looked around at everyone there. “Who’s watching him, anyway?”
I poked the presence to check if the bunker ash person was still here, living his best life underground.
Yes, and sleeping, it told me.
Vergis leaned against the counter where Nokim had set up his cutting board. “Dad has the place wired up like a spy’s wet dream.” He stole some of the yellow carrot coins Nokim had prepped, ignoring the orange and red ones. “Our guest isn’t going to be a problem.”
Inkiri absentmindedly hugged me to his chest and stroked my back.
“Technically, Zeddira should be told.”
Vergis went from stealing carrots to nibbling on celery and spring squash. “All the good little Raikengana and their good little rules.”
“It’s not like he needs to be told right this second. Or like he can do anything about who Kinnek chooses to keep in his bunker.” Lissir crossed his arms and smiled at Vergis sweetly. “I think you would’ve made a wonderful Raikenga. In fact, I think I should go outside and make introductions.”
Nokim cast a longing look in Vergis’s direction even as Vergis frowned.
“You mean you’re going to use me to find out what exactly they want here. It’s pretty obvious though.”
Inkiri growl-purred. “Vergis, do not.”
I was flat against Inkiri’s chest, but I craned my neck up at him. “What? Are you not telling me stuff? I always miss things. What’s going on?”
When no one said anything, I could at least be certain that they were not telling me stuff.
Inkiri sighed. “Sweet thing, how about we lie down for a little while?”
Vergis groaned. “Imma go find my earplugs.”
Lissir tilted his head. “No, you are going outside with me, and you are going to attempt to smile. And no playing with your knife in front of all the nice Raikengana. Fellisse can help Nokim with the food. I’m assuming Kinnek will not kick them out without inviting them to eat.”
“Sadly, you’re assuming correctly,” Vergis said. Lissir looked like he was about to drag him outside, and Inkiri had almost walked me to the stairs already.
I heard Fellisse chuckle and clap Nokim on the back. “Don’t forget to open a window, Inki. Rory needs fresh air.”
We got up the stairs and to our room before it dawned on me.
“Wait,” I said, but weirdo spouse was already cracking a window. “You didn’t just drag me up here so you could—so we could?—”
But he was. My husband was totally going to ravish me, and he seemed to have every intention of letting the Raikengana listen through the open window.
I really should’ve looked into getting a gag.
Chapter 18
I glanced at the window Inkiri had just opened. Our room didn’t directly overlook the back garden, so maybe it was going to be okay. Besides, I was sure I’d be able to keep quiet.
Inkiri wrapped his arms around me and explored, fingers going down to my butt. Yeah, there was a good ravishing in my near future, and I was excited about that. My brain’s control unit immediately went about diverting blood flow to my nether regions and turning on the sexual gratification auto drive. That was how much of a pillow princess I was. Or had become since getting hitched to Inkiri.
“You want to, Sadir?” Inkiri’s lips ghosted over my hairline, almost tickling.
I nodded, chin tapping against his chest. “Definitely! Oh, the tomatoes?”
