Page 168 of Alien Burn

“It seemed irresponsible not to.”

Sereya laughed. Tivek beamed at her.

“I knew you'd understand.”

“I understand that you should collect before your brother changes the terms.”

“Excellent advice.” Tivek stepped backward. “I'm telling Sheira you're here. She wanted to know. And I'm telling Kessin to pay up.”

He turned and nearly collided with a gardener.

Dhomhes watched him go with such open affection that Sereya stopped laughing.

“You're proud of him.”

“Frequently against my judgment.”

“Tell him the first part sometimes.”

He looked down at her. “I will.”

He took her to the bench she knew.

She sat, but he remained standing for a moment, looking at the water beyond her shoulder. She had seen him speak to officials who disliked him, frightened workers, his own formidable father. She had never seen him quite this uncertain of how to begin.

She held out her hand.

“You can sit down for a briefing.”

He took it and sat beside her.

“The armor is a response,” he said. “To danger, or to arousal. Last night you saw the second one without quite so much clothing in the way.”

“I remember.”

He glanced at her smile and briefly lost his place.

She was going to enjoy that for years if he let her.

“That was how I recognized you. I couldn't choose who called it out of me. But I can wait until we're both ready to act on it.”

“Good.”

“When we mate, there may be knotting. You read about it in the program briefings?”

“The part about being unable to separate for a while was memorable.”

“We would wait for it to ease. No pulling away. I'll stay with you through it.”

“And the claim we made?”

“Still stands. I declared myself, and you accepted. We've been in Courtship since that afternoon by the pool. Sharing a bed doesn't begin my promise or finish the part where I learn you.”

“You're doing reasonably well already.”

“I intend to improve.”

She looked at their hands.