Page 45 of Instinct for Disaster

She shrugged. “I will not leave until we speak.” She did not mention that technically they had just spoken. She finished her thought with, “You are here visiting?”

He shook his head. “Trading. I come this way every five years or so.”

“Oh.”

“The last time I was here, Yasku had just gotten a shipment of your people from the education station.” Norl shrugged. “I am guessing you were on it. Why didn’t he take you as his consort?”

“Well, our transport was delayed when we were taken hostage, and I got this tramp stamp.”

Harwin snorted.

Norl frowned. “I don’t understand the reference.”

Kris straightened. “Tramp stamp is the tattoo on her back. It is called that because the only person who could truly appreciate it would be behind her while she wasn’t clothed.”

The merchant chuckled. “Kris is my translator. Harwin is the muscle.”

Norl blinked. “Was this kind of mark common?”

“It was fashionable for a time, and then, it fell out of popularity, but the reference stuck.” Kris smiled.

He nodded. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

Nessa sighed in relief as Kiddel arrived and servants carried food and drink in. She moved quickly to the food and set about keeping her mouth full.

The merchant sat close and smiled. “Nervous about being a target?”

“A little. I knew I was compatible, but having the face on my back in front of me is disconcerting, madam.”

“Ah. Well, I appreciate your species and can understand the fascination with you.”

“Thank you. I have met many interesting people and species since my home died. Having the girls with me helped.”

“Girls?”

“Cassandra and I were the only adults with six adolescent girls. We got them through the dark and storms and then brought them safely to the education station. Cassandra offered her bond to the mines to keep us together, and Yasku’s mine took her up on it. We remained together, and I was their caregiver until this year when the last of them became an adult. So, I found a regular job and enjoyed chatting with people. My girls could still find me, but they were living their lives. One of them has already mated and had a baby. The others are probably choosing their starting points for the night.”

The two Hmrain were speaking quietly, and the human guards were standing casually but alertly near the food.

It was a tense snack time, but Nessa powered through.

* * * *

Cassandra scowled at Yasku. It was difficult, but she managed to look irritated. “I can walk.”

“I know, but I enjoy the feeling of you in my arms as I do the feel of you surrounding me.”

Nessa chuckled next to them. “Both adorable and rather lewd. Nice.”

Cassandra snorted. “Yeah, that is about right. At least nothing is sliding down my thigh.”

Yasku murmured, “That is because you kept it, kit.”

She grimaced. “That’s why my back is burning.”

“It looks like I will have to be diligent in providing material for your evolution.”

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