Page 10 of Jorhee

Fuck me. Those guys are even more imposing than the Mylos.

“Jesse Wilson, Samuel Lamont, and Kyle Porter, if you’ll come with us, my assistant and I will get you sorted and on your way,” the one in front said.

I stood to follow them out, filing the other two guys’ names in my mind. Kyle Porter was the asshole. Another Dragonii was waiting in the hall, this one wearing fancier clothes.

Wait, I know this guy. He’s the Dragonii ambassador. Wow, they’re really pulling out all the stops here.

“So, none of us matched, right?” Kyle demanded. Then, without waiting for an answer, “Why won’t you answer me?”

Samuel and I exchanged embarrassed looks.

“All will be revealed as soon as we board our vessel.”

“We’ve definitely been matched,” Samuel murmured to me. “They obviously are worried we’ll make a run for it.”

“Are we leaving straight for New Haven?" I asked, panicked now for an entirely different reason. “I thought I’d be able to go back home, so I left my dog behind. Please, I can’t leave without him.”

The ambassador patted my arm. “As soon as Xeranos notified us of your matches, we sent someone to collect your belongings. You’d listed a dog as your dependent on your questionnaire, so please be assured, he will join us aboard our vessel.”

“So we have been matched?” Kyle’s eyes began to dart around.

It looked like Samuel was correct. Kyle definitely looked like he wanted to give in to the impulse to flee. I didn’t like the guy, but I understood how he felt. All I'd wanted was to start a ranch on my claim. But I’d made a promise when I’d signed the contract. There was no use running. I was as good as already married to a Dragonii I’d never even met.

Yet, anyway.I took a deep breath, gathering my courage.I’ll still get my ranch, just there’ll be someone else to help me run it. Which is a much better proposition, really. I’d just been thinking earlier about how I’d need to find out about how to hire a ranch hand once I got going. I’d be able to put that off a bit, as there’s already a second pair of hands to help with chores. And Buster is coming.

I desperately wanted my dog. I needed to hug him and bury my face in his ruff. That always made me feel good. Buster was magic like that.

7

JESSE

The vessel in question was not the small craft I’d been expecting. Something bigger than a shuttle, yes. This was much larger. Much, much larger. So much so that first, much to the consternation of my fellow human companions and myself, we boarded a small shuttle that flew us out to it.

“Welcome aboardThe Taloned Wing,I’m Captain Hrtha.” Then, to my complete bemusement, he gave me a small bow. “It is our pleasure to have the honor of taking you.”

“Um, okay. Nice to meet you too,” I replied, unsure of what else to say.

“Ritsha!” the ambassador said, addressing an equally formal but less ornately dressed Dragonii who looked to be about my age. “Are the quarters prepared?”

“They are, and their belongings are aboard.”

“That was fast,” Samuel commented. “Though you all did say we should be packed and ready to go, so I guess all you had to do was grab it all and run.”

I’d packed my belongings that were in the motel room, except for Buster’s new toys, food, treats, and his water fountain, back into my duffle and suitcase.

“I must admit, without a set of keys, getting his vehicle into the shuttle and into the cargo hold proved an interesting task for the team. The dog was happy enough once the inn’s manager came out and lured him with a treat.”

“Oh, yeah,” I chuckled. “Buster will do anything for a treat.” Then my mind screeched to a halt. Had he just said…?

“You brought his vehicle?” Kyle asked, sounding miffed. “Why not mine and his?” he jabbed a thumb in Samuel’s direction.

“Apologies, but if you wish us to send for those, you will need to place them on a request that adds them to your shipping allowance. As long as you do not exceed that amount, we will be pleased to have it shipped to you. Though if it is a combustion engine fueled with noxious chemicals, you may need to have them converted before you may make use of them.”

“My truck runs on unleaded gas,” I admitted.

“I will put in a request for conversion before it is delivered.”

“So why’s he getting special treatment?” Kyle was not willing to let this go. “And when are you going to tell us who we’re mated to?”