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“Widowed, actually,” Evangeline corrected as she stepped aside to let him pass through the doorway.
The general superior entered the castle and looked about as one of Rosie’s minions led the way to a sitting room.
“Notify Horas and Sarus of our visitor,” she ordered the robot.
“Acknowledged.”
To her unexpected guest, she said, “Horas and Sarus will be on their way shortly.”
“Why is not one of them here with you?” the general superior demanded, his voice both sharp and sibilant.
“Today is Sarus’ day to train at the compound, and Horas is collecting supplies for me. Besides, I’m quite safe under Rosie’s protection.”
The general superior nodded, having heard the former human’s strange habit of naming the robot from the science master general who thought it an entertaining quirk common to humans. “When is your young due?”
Evangeline pressed her lips together, resenting the intrusive question. However, she managed to remain calm and polite as she answered, “I’m not entirely sure, as we haven’t received any information regarding hybrid gestation yet. The science master general seems reluctant to impart that to us.”
The general superior hissed. “That’s because he doesn’t know. For the past nine solar rotations, Ahn’hudi males have mated over a thousand human females, but none yet have produced offspring. You’re the first.”
“Really?” Once more, she recalled the strange scene in the green room before the meet-and-greet event kicking off the bride games. She wondered if she ought to say something to the general superior and instead asked, “May I offer you some refreshment?”
“I am here to speak with your mates.”
She nodded. “Yes, I’m sure you are. May I offer you something to eat or drink while you wait for them to arrive?”
“That would be pleasant,” he replied as though forcing himself to observe civil manners. He took a seat. “Bring the other female to me.”
“No.”
He rose to his full height and glared at her. “Do not disobey me, Lady Evangeline Antonia Donal.”
She bristled and lifted her chin. “Youdon’t give me orders in my own house.”
The general superior paused, then nodded. Reining back his aggression, he sat back down and said, “Forgive me, Lady Evangeline. You are mistress here.”
“Damn straight I am,” she muttered and turned to Rosie. “Have refreshments brought into the drawing room, please.”
“Acknowledged. Specify.”
A little grin curled her lips. “A plate of those coconut macaroons and a pot of coffee.”
She’d been craving those macaroons and this was as good a time as any to indulge in the treat.
“Acknowledged.”
Knowing that her order had been relayed to one of the other robots that Masey so efficiently managed, she waddled to a chair and sat, exhaling a sigh of relief. She rubbed the bulge of her swollen belly.
“Colonel Horas and Commander Sarus have arrived,” Rosie announced.
“Ah, good!”
A robot entered bearing a tray laden with a pile of her favorite cookies, a large pot of decaffeinated coffee, and five cups. Evangeline busied herself with pouring a cup and asked the general superior, “Cream or sugar?”
He stared at her and did not answer.
“Black it is.”
She handed him the cup which he took and lifted to his nose. He sniffed the bitter contents and took a cautious sip. He paused, letting the hot liquid linger on his tongue before swallowing.
