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Faron gritted his teeth, fighting the rage inside him. Indecision tore through him. He should obey his family over all others. He’d been taught that his whole life. But what they wanted for him and what he wanted were different things, and he couldn’t see how to reconcile them.
“I’ll send you the details of our location when we are settled,” Bartlek said. “Do not let our parents down.”
Faron cut the comm link and stared at the blank screen. He couldn’t ignore the fact his family was here. He should feel privileged, but all he felt was angry and conflicted.
He stomped to the door and turned away. There must be a solution. He had to make them see that joining with Kendra wasn’t a bad thing.
He turned and paced again, stopping as his door alert signaled somebody was outside. Kendra! Of course, she was expecting him to dance for her. He couldn’t complete the dance now, not with the turmoil in his mind.
Faron stared at the door. He shouldn’t answer it. He shook his head and strode over. He would not do that to Kendra. She needed to know what was going on.
The door slid open. Kendra’s eyes widened as she took in his appearance, and she licked her bottom lip. “Oh, boy. I’m in for an interesting afternoon.”
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his room. “Not today.” He stared down at her, indecision raging inside him. “There has been a... complication.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Let me guess. You’ve pulled a muscle and can’t dance for me.” Her smile faded. “Or maybe it’s something more serious.”
He released his hold on her wrist. “It’s my family.”
“Have they been in touch?” Kendra asked. “Don’t tell me you spoke to your parents dressed like that.”
He looked at his bare skin and shrugged. “We are not afraid of our bodies. We display our assets when appropriate.”
Kendra smiled. “If I looked like that, I guess I’d do the same thing.”
“You do not understand.” Faron wanted to grab Kendra, kiss her, and tell her everything would be okay, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t sure things would be okay. Life was about to be very different.
Kendra reached up and brushed her fingers across his cheek. “What’s going on? What’s the big deal with your family?”
He sucked in a breath. “They have made arrangements for me. They are here on Prodigy.”
“Oh, wow! You didn’t know they were coming?”
“This is out of character for them. It leads me to believe they have become worried about me.”
“What are they worrying about?”
“This. Us. They are aware of our potential coupling.”
“Back up a few dozen steps. This is new. They have nothing to concern themselves with.” Her brows lowered. “We don’t even know what we’re doing with each other. Until we figure that out, your parents have nothing to worry about.”
“They do. They worry about their good name.”
“Then tell them to cool their heels. As you’ve said, this is a potential coupling. We’re getting to know each other. You haven’t put a ring on it yet.”
“A ring? Some kind of shackle to keep you close to me?”
Kendra laughed. “Nothing like that, although some smug marrieds wear their wedding bands as if they’re a status symbol. You know, I’m living the dream with my platinum bands and diamonds. I’m getting off track. I simply mean we’re a long way from being a formal couple.”
“I like what I know about you.” Faron rubbed his chin. “At least most of it.”
Kendra shook her head. “Be still my beating heart. Let your family know it’s early days, and things will happen differently between us. I know you’re keen to go through your formal courtship moves, and I’m super keen to see this dance, but you have to remember that it’s not the same for me.”
“I make my decision in seven days,” Faron said. “I would like that to remain the same.”
Kendra held up a hand, and concern filled her eyes. “I can’t get to know somebody in a week. I can’t decide in seven days how the rest of my life will pan out.”
“I can, and I will. I have initiated a formal courtship.” Faron tipped his head back and sighed. Now he’d done that, he couldn’t turn back, but his family was here and offering him something else. This was a confusing mess. Why had he let his emotions take over? He should never have let this human near him. He’d be meeting his future Tolong mate and re-joining with his family after months of being ostracized if Kendra had never been at that speed dating event.
