Page 49 of Treasured By the Alien Rogue

Floosar drew herself up stiffly. “This is a skill we learned from my grandmother who learned it from her mother before her. We’re not taking on an apprentice at this time.”

“Oh,” Amanda’s palms covered her pinkening cheeks. “I didn’t mean to intrude. Maybe I could buy the plants from you for my tea.”

“What’s tea?” Gerain’s frown didn’t waver.

Amanda explained how she would boil water and steep the collected herbs, how we would then drink the strained water.

I was willing to try this, but I was skeptical about how it could turn into a thriving business for anyone. However, all Zuldruxians enjoyed gathering together to talk and share stories. Surely some would welcome sitting here in Amanda’s shop instead of always taking a place beside the fire.

“Why would anyone wish to drink something like that?” Floosar asked, though politely.

“It tastes good,” Amanda said weakly. “I promise.”

“Buy, you say?” Gerain wasn’t backing down one bit. “What will you trade for these herbs we collect?”

“Well . . .” Amanda tried to smile.

My heart ached for her. Her enthusiasm was waning, and I was the cause. I thought Gerain and Floosar would be as eager as me to please her.

“I’ll hunt for meat,” I said. “This will pay for what you collect.”

“Extra meat is always welcome.” Gerain’s mate enjoyed working with wood. He did not enjoy hunting. Her frown faded a bit. “What herbs do you need?”

“I’d love to try different ones first,” Amanda said, some of her excitement returning. “Sweet ones would be wonderful, though savory would be welcome as well. We could start with, say five different varieties and expand from there?”

“A task such as this will require payment of a considerable amount of meat,” Gerain said.

“All you could ask for,” I said. Truly, I’d bring them a haunch each day as long as they agreed to collect whatever leaves Amanda needed.

“Very well.” Gerain’s posture loosened. “Show me your shop. Tell me about what it might be.”

“Yes, sure.” Amanda shot me a quick smile. “I’m happy to explain.” Taking Gerain’s arm, she led her farther into the building, pointing out the chairs, tables, and where she’d stand to craft her tea. She waved to the walls, explaining that she’d hang local artwork, whatever that might be, and how she was going to ask me about the goods that needed to be baked.

Another task that would give me an even greater challenge than obtaining the leaves she needed for her brew.

Chapter 22

Amanda

Thankfully, as I explained my vision for my tea shop, Gerain and Floosar softened.

“I believe you could talk a god into helping with this,” Floosar said. She sat opposite me on a stump. “Wooden furniture is nice, but not as comfortable as what our shrooms construct for us within our homes.”

“Very much so.” Gerain frowned as she shifted on the stump. “I’m old. Not too old, I’ll add, but I wouldn’t want to sit on this for long. I can see the merit of steeping leaves in hot water, however,” she hurried to add.

I was grateful her stern demeanor had faded. I wanted to get along with everyone here, and I suspected the best place to start would be with the three clan females. “Depending on the leaves, it can be quite tasty. Some people enjoy putting milk or sugar in their tea. Or both.”

“I don’t know what these things are, but I’d be willing to try,” Floosar said with a smile. She’d warmed up quicker than her mother, but maybe she welcomed having another woman about her own age to chat with.

“What are milk and sugar?” Xax asked. He’d hovered nearby, listening to every word. I’d never had a guy dote on me as much as he did, and frankly, it was sweet and endearing. It made me like him even more.

“Milk comes from . . .” I looked down at my chest. “Breasts.”

“Ahhh,” Xax gulped. “I’ll leave this to you three to discuss.” He left the building and hurried toward the woods.

Gerain watched him leave before turning back to me. “Males.”

I grinned. “Males.”

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