Page 26 of Scales of Time

“Because humans are compatible beyond standard numbers?”

“No, the designers intervened with you and your companion. You have the equivalent of Hmrain stem cells inside you. When I added some of my nanites to the mix, it began a correction for you. It simply took a prolonged rest for the full effect to take place.”

“I thought you said it was only a few days.”

“Well, as I think of time, it was only a short time, but I suppose two full seasons have passed. Yorness has visited you frequently while you slept.”

She blinked. “Six months?”

He shrugged. “It isn’t much time for me and now for you.”

Kris looked at him. “So, no consort contract?”

“Oh, we are filling out the contract. Once we have settled into domestic life, we can take a trip to Aten, and you can visit your friend Harwin. She is now queen of Aten, consort of Ra.”

Kris blinked. “Queen? Yeah, that tracks. She has that aura about her.”

He snorted with a soft hiss. “Ra has set a bad precedent. He gave her the entire world and is now filling it with your kind.”

“That’s something I want to see.”

Essan’s smile was soft. “You shall.”

She cocked her head. “Why are you sure that I am a match?”

He shrugged. “I bonded to you while you slept. Just a bite and injections of nanites. Not particularly fun, but it helped rebuild your immune system.”

She blinked. “Where, exactly, did you bite?”

There was a soft hissing as he laughed. “I will tell you later and show you the contact point. I withdrew some blood to test compatibility, which is why I am assured of the match. Blood or pleasure are both available to me in your form.”

“Um, when did you—did I—feel pleasure?”

“When you ate, and when you burned. You enjoy summoning fire.” He tilted his head. “Ready to return to the hall?”

“Um. Okay.”

He stood and helped her to her feet, bending low to press a kiss to her lips. She inhaled his specific, spicy scent and went up on her toes as he backed away. “Dang. Well, the designers figured that much out.”

He hissed softly in amusement. “We are distinct from our populations. I applaud your lack of hesitation. I hope to benefit from it later.”

They started, and she muttered, “Sure, but I am going to get you to do all the work.”

He hissed softly again and wrapped his arm around her waist.

Two more hours of watching art projections, and they had a date.

Chapter Six

Watching the artwork displayed was interesting, but she much preferred to see it in situ. Kris wanted to take her time and look at it from all angles.

She slightly smiled when she thought about Harwin. Of course, she would become a queen. It probably suited her. Harwin would look great in a crown. She had that kind of head.

Essan asked, “Something amuses you?”

“I was imagining my friend in a crown. It would suit her.”

He hissed softly, his eyes amused. “You seem to be rather minimalist.”

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