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Nox huffed a laugh.
“You think I’m joking?”
“Nope.”
“Then what’s so funny?”
“I never thought seeing someone sticking up for me would be such a turn-on.”
Luca fought to keep the smile off his face. “Better get used to it.”
Nox cupped Luca’s chin and brushed a kiss over his lips. “Iwill. Ipromise.”
* * *
“Can we help?” Nox stopped beside one of the picnic tables close to the awning. The Varu arranging furniture froze mid-step. None of them would look at him, only Luca.
“I knew this was a bad idea.” Luca took Nox by the hand.
“Yes.” Cassie came out of Isaiah’s motor home, carrying a stack of dishes. “Yes, you can help. Please. That would be wonderful.” She half-bowed to Luca. “It’s an honor for you to join us, Cana.”
“Stop that,” Luca said.
Cassie startled like she’d been slapped. “I’m sorry?” She lowered her head. “Whatever I did, I didn’t mean—”
“That.”Luca crossed his arms. “What you’re doing right now. Stop it.”
She almost lifted her eyes.
Luca scrubbed a hand over his head. “Look.” He scanned the group. “I’m a normal person. Stop bowing and acting weird. Just treat me like anyone else.”
“But you’re not anyone else.” The man who spoke was almost as tall as Nox but half his width.
“Yes, I am.”
The man recoiled.
“If you want Nox and me to eat with you, then you’ve got to stop putting me on a pedestal and treating him like he’s a disease.”
“Luca—” Nox reached for Luca, and he shrugged him off.
“No. They need to hear this. Because if they can’t treat us like ordinary people, then we don’t need to be around them. Especially you.”
Both men and women watched Luca with confusion and shame.
“I was the head Arati to the Cana in my temple.” The woman who spoke had blonde hair, dark skin, and sea-green eyes. “My mother and father were Arati as well. They taught me very young that Cana were not like us. Everyone here was taught that.”
Luca blew out a frustrated breath.
“But we will try,” the woman said. “I can’t promise we won’t make mistakes, but we’ll try.” She smiled. “Will you allow us another chance, Cana?”
“Luca. My name is Luca, not Cana.”
The blonde approached. “My name is Ilani.” She offered her hand, and like Isaiah had done when they first met him, Ilani held Luca’s hand and covered the back with her other.
A young man with ebon skin joined her. “Shalaman.” He did the same as Ilani.
“Nice to meet you,” Luca said. More came forward, giving Luca their name, each clasping his hand as if the contact was something to cherish.
