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“Any meat?” Connor asked with a hopeful look on his face as they followed Mia toward the house. A former college quarterback, Marisa’s husband was still having trouble adjusting to the post-K-Day diet.
“No, sorry, they’re mostly plant-eaters. But it’s really yummy stuff, anyway.”
“I still find it hard to believe that vampires are vegetarians . . .” Connor muttered, and Mia laughed again.
“They’re not really vampires – they’re past that now,” Mia explained. “And some of the plants on Krina are very rich-tasting and dense in calories. I think if we had them here, we might not have been eating meat either.”
“Ooh, you’ve tried plants from Krina?” Marisa sounded envious. Her sister was normally an adventurous eater, and the two of them would frequently try unusual restaurants when Marisa came to visit Mia in New York.
“Yep,” Mia confirmed, grinning. “And they’re really tasty. But that’s only in Lenkarda. Tonight, we’re eating much more local.”
“Ugh, I hope I can eat something. I was sick again on the way here,” Marisa confided. She did look pale and rather ill. “We had to stop by a rest area. I’m surprised we got here before the parents –”
“Oh, I was just about to tell you,” Mia said, pausing for a second before entering the house. “I spoke to Korum, and he’s going to have one of their doctors look at you to determine what’s causing the problem.”
“A K doctor?” Connor looked surprised.
“Actually, she’s more of a human doctor – a Krinar specializing in human biology. Korum said she’s really good.”
“Wow, Mia, I don’t even know what to say . . .” Marisa’s eyes were suddenly swimming with tears.
“Oh no, don’t worry about it! It’s really not a big deal –”
“Hormones,” Connor explained, pulling his wife closer to him for a hug.
“Ah, I see.” Mia gave Marisa a few seconds to get her emotions under control. Then, smiling at them, she asked, “Ready to go in?”
Marisa nodded, looking much sunnier, and Mia led them into the house.
Korum must’ve just finished what he was doing because he came into the living room at the same time. As always, he looked stunning, with the golden hue of his skin contrasting with the white color of the simple button-up shirt he was wearing. And even though they had spent most of the afternoon in bed, Mia couldn’t help the twinge of arousal she felt at the sight.
Spotting her sister, he gave her a big smile and walked up to them. “You must be Marisa,” he said warmly. “I can definitely see the resemblance . . .”
Marisa nodded, looking uncharacteristically shy and flustered. “Yes, hi . . .” She seemed incapable of saying anything more profound.
Recalling her first meeting with Korum, Mia knew just how her sister felt. Apparently, even marriage and pregnancy could not shield a woman fully from the impact of her lover’s magnetic appeal.
Turning to Connor, Korum said, “And you’re Marisa’s husband, right? Connor?”
Her brother-in-law politely held his hand out. “Yes, it’s nice to meet you. Korum, right?” He looked far less star-struck than his wife.
Her lover accepted his hand, shaking it briefly. “Indeed. The pleasure is all mine. Can I offer you a drink while we wait for Mia’s parents?”
“A beer would be great,” Connor said easily. Mia had to give him kudos for his composure. Outwardly, he didn’t seem intimidated at all.
Korum smiled and disappeared into the kitchen. In that moment, Marisa caught Mia’s gaze. “Wow,” her sister mouthed. “Just wow.”
Mia grinned. She had always been jealous of her popular older sister who’d managed to have it all – good grades, great friends, and a ton of cute boys chasing after her. And now Marisa was envious of her?
Korum reappeared, carrying a tray with a beer, a glass of champagne, and a cup filled with some milky liquid. Handing the champagne to Mia and the beer to Connor, he held the cup out to her sister. “This is something that should settle your stomach,” he said kindly. “At least for the rest of the evening.”
Marisa gratefully accepted the cup and drank its contents, not even bothering to question the safety of the liquid. Clearly, their dad’s experience had given her the confidence to trust K medicines. “Tha
nk you,” she said, and then her eyes widened. “Oh, wow, I’m already feeling much better . . .”
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Mia’s parents had arrived.
After greeting them, Mia and Korum led them into the dining room, where Korum had prepared a meal that was more like a feast. Mia felt a little bad that she hadn’t helped him at all, but Korum had shooed her away from the kitchen when she’d offered, explaining that she would simply be in the way. Not the least bit offended, Mia had gone to sit by the pool and catch up on the latest developments in Saret’s lab, chatting with Adam via a Skype-like device that projected his image like a three-dimensional holograph.
