Page 76 of Return of the Nine

Morro looked at him with concern. “Rivvin?”

“Be quiet, Morro. If you have an objection, raise it privately.” Rivvin’s voice was flat.

Morro shrugged and continued to eat.

Emharo turned to Weelar, “Thank you for your excellent managing of the ingredients. The food was wonderful.”

Everyone immediately followed that train of conversation, and soon, Weelar’s pale skin was turning lavender from the praise.

Em exhaled and took a gulp of the wine.

Conversation turned to the research, into the uses of renewable products and the exclusive discoveries that were unable to be synthesized. Em didn’t bother chipping into the conversation, she simply sat and nursed her wine while the biologists, chef and her parents spoke.

The urge to do something took over, so she whispered toher mother, “May I be excused? The nocturnal plankton is blooming.”

“Yes, dear. Please be careful.” Her mother leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.

Em got to her feet with relief. “Please excuse me.”

The three men of the Nine rose to their feet as she exited, and she could feel Rivvin’s gaze on her back. Fortunately, she would soon be underwater and he was stuck being a guest.

Rivvin watched the relieved set to Emharo’s shoulders and smiled inwardly. He looked to her mother, “May I ask where she is off to?”

“There is a phosphorescent plankton bloom out in the bay, and she wants to gather samples. She is taking the boat, I hope.” Dr. Emaline Baker smiled hopefully.

“You can’t keep her in, can you?” He was beginning to realise that whatever Emharo’s talent was it was part compulsion.

Emaline shook her head. “No. She would always leave in the middle of the night and come back with what she felt was needed for the next day. It got to the point where we would simply give her a list to collect before she went to bed so that we could generally control where she went.”

“Would you excuse me to accompany her?”

Emaline looked at him with hope. “Would you? That would relieve my mind.”

Morro frowned at him. “Rivvin, what are you up to?”

Rivvin sighed, “What nature intended. You will understand when it strikes you, Morro. I will see you after I return.”

Rivvin got to his feet, bowed to those sitting at the table and quickly moved to follow his lady down to the dock. If he gave her the chance, she would be free of him, and with their bond so tenuous, he needed to strengthen it as quickly as he could. The chemical bond he had formed with her would only last anothertwo days. If he didn’t press his suit, she would be lost to him.

He jumped in the boat next to her, and she shrieked in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

“Accompanying you on what I am sure will be a matter of biological interest.” He meant his biology, but it was not necessary for him to inform her. Rivvin was sure she would figure it out soon enough.

Chapter Four

Em paused. “I will have to go back to the habitat.”

Rivvin cocked his head, his dark eyes unreadable. “Why?”

“I don’t usually bring a suit for night dives, and today was no different.”

His teeth flashed in the darkness, “I don’t mind if you don’t. My swim wrap is in the guest quarters.”

She snorted. “I don’t mind. Skinny dipping for science, why not?”

She freed the mooring rope and turned back to the engine.

He sat as she activated the small propeller and the boat eased into the dark water. “Do you often go out at night?”

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