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Through the privy door, he said, “The information you wanted about Hesperine transplanting methods just arrived. The initiate agriculturalists we met on the greenhouse tour have sent you copies in Vulgus and Divine, with the original diagrams. Would you like me to hand this in?”
The spell over the privy might ensure privacy, but no veil could ever interrupt his Union with Cassia. Her aura turned eight shades of embarrassment. “No. I’ll be right out.”
“Do you need anything?”
“Certainly not. Thank you.”
Lio hesitated a moment longer. “All right. Take your time.”
They slept skin-to-skin every night, and yet she was self-conscious about her mortal needs. It would also be more than a few weeks in Orthros, it seemed, until she felt entirely comfortable with some aspects of sharing a home with him.
Returning to the library, Lio counted how many nights she had been here and arrived at the same concerning result as each time he had counted before.
When she rejoined him at the coffee table, she had put on her beloved, comfortable gardening dress. She sat back down on her chair and hid behind her mug of coffee. He slid the papers about transplanting across the table to her, along with a plate of pastries. A blush still flamed in her aura and on her cheeks. There were times when he was reminded just how nonsensical Tenebran standards of modesty were.
But that nonsense could be dangerous. There was something she might need to talk about, and he was certain she would not feel at ease broaching the subject. If, Goddess forbid, she needed a healer, she might not acknowledge it to herself, much less confide in him about it.
Should he encourage her to talk about it? Would he cross the veil if he asked her about that particular aspect of her body?
How had his education in Tenebran ways and his conversations with his parents about mortal women not prepared him for this?
Well, trying to put Cassia at ease was never the wrong decision, and reminding her she could speak openly with him was always all right. He must try.
HEAD TO TOE
“Is there enough paperin the privy?” Lio asked.
Cassia choked a little on her swallow of coffee. “Ah. Yes. Thank you.”
Lio opened another scroll, as if they were talking about the night’s diplomatic correspondence. “Is there anything else you need in there that I forgot? As a Hesperine, I am imperfect at anticipating mortal requirements.”
“I still wonder why you even have a privy,” she blurted. When he had shown her where it was on her first night in his residence, she had felt too awkward to comment on it at all.
He set the letters aside. “Of course I have one for the helpless humans I seduce into spending the night with me. If I don’t keep a woman comfortable, she might try to escape from my lair.”
“Of course.”
“There’s no need to blush, my rose. I hope times like last night show you how much I appreciate every inch of you.”
“Privy needs aren’t the same.”
“Just because I don’t have them doesn’t mean you should feel embarrassed that you do. My fangs and peculiar diet don’t disturb you.”
“That’s different too. Only mortals must worry about unpleasant breath in the mornings.”
Lio breathed into his hand and sniffed. “I’m sure I have blood breath sometimes.”
“Never.”
“Well, our bodies absorptive properties are quite different from human digestion. I suppose we can’t properly appreciate how humans feel about such matters. That’s why the privy has its own veil over it to ensure absolute privacy. I suspect sleep isn’t the only basic need you had no time for in Tenebra. You know I want you to be able to relax here.”
She must rid herself of this ridiculous awkwardness. She would do what always worked with Lio. Talk about it anyway. “I can’t believe you provide your human guests with paper for their privy needs. Wouldn’t you rather spare such a luxury for your scrolls?”
He chuckled. “It’s a different kind of paper more suited to the purpose, compliments of the Empire. But I would gladly sacrifice my scrolls, if I didn’t think you’d find them scratchy.”
“That’s sacrilege.”
He gave her a broad grin. “Nothing is too fine for your sweet ass.”
