Page 45 of Return of the Nine

They looked to each other and then inclined their heads. Xeero spoke, “It is good to see you, Ambassador Leoraki.”

She got to her feet and turned to her employer. She blushed. “I apologise for my dereliction of duty. I will return to my desk.”

She tried to pass him, but he caught her arm. He whispered in Gaian. “You have done nothing wrong. You are hostess here, and that is what comes first at all times.”

Daphne paused and nodded with a slight smile. “Then, I will return to work and leave you to greet these hard-working contractors.”

He released her arm with a slow slide of his fingers. “They arequite the artists. I will indeed compliment their work.”

A knock at the front hall got her attention. With a small nod, she said, “Time to earn my keep.”

Chapter Five

“Mayor Tetra, while I appreciate the horrible imposition of you coming up two floors, the ambassador is otherwise occupied this afternoon.” It was day three of Daphne’s odyssey as the assistant to the ambassador and this was, by far, the most satisfying moment to date.

The mayor scowled at her. “I wish to speak with him.”

“I can schedule an appointment for tomorrow afternoon, but today is out of the question.” It was the truth. Ambassador Leoraki was in meetings with some of the Shadow Folk who were asking him about the likelihood of finding matches with some of the Gaian women from the reception.

As she was about to get verbally blasted by the mayor, the ambassador in question poked his head around the corner. “Daphne, come in here please.”

The mayor fluffed himself up. “Ambassador Leoraki, I am happy to see you are adjusting to your surroundings. I was wondering if you would have time—”

Leoraki cut him off. “Not today, Mayor Tetra. I will be happy to meet with you tomorrow afternoon. Today, I am involved in a matter of urgency. Daphne, now please.”

The guards on the interior of the door stepped inward, blocking the mayor from following and herding him out.

Daphne got to her feet and followed the ambassador into his office. As he had instructed her, she stood at his right hand and looked from one Shadow to the next.

“Gentlemen, please explain to my assistant what you require.”

The Shadows shifted in their seats. One spoke, “I saw a woman at the reception, and I wish to court her, but I am unsurewhere to start.”

Smiling, Daphne ran through all of the protocols that Gaian’s enjoyed clinging to. She started with the first meeting, then getting the name and address of the lady or gentlemen of their choice and arranging the second meeting. After that, it was a series of progressively intimate meetings the culminated in one of two ways. Proposing a permanent connection or physical intimacy. Either one was acceptable.

The Shadows shifted violently while she explained the methods standard to Gaians. “That said, there is nothing wrong with carrying out the rituals of the Nine and seeing if the woman is willing. If she is, proceed as you would with a woman of your own kind.”

Apolan reached out and took her hand, rubbing his thumb along her knuckles. It was an intimate gesture in front of the strangers, but the Shadow Folk seemed pleased by her acceptance of the touch.

“Daphne.”

Something in his voice made her turn her head to look down at him, and his deep green eyes held a wealth of emotion. The motion exposed her earpiece to the Shadow Folk, and she heard a small gasp.

“Thank you for your help, Ms. Harrow. You may resume your duties.” He stroked her hand again and smiled.

Dismissed, she returned to her desk and continued her research on the eating habits of the Nine. The earpiece was so comfortable, she didn’t even need to remove it in the shower. It held to her ear as if designed to be there.

She wouldn’t need it in a few days. Her subliminal lessons in the common language of the Nine were coming along. Each night, she put the unit in her ears, and she was slowly taught how to speak the words that her earpiece simply translated for her.

It would be handy if she was every caught without herjewellery, but she couldn’t imagine a day when she didn’t want to wear it. Aside from the curious glances she got when she went into town, she truly enjoyed the piece and the workmanship on it.

Her account was full. She had been paid for her first quarter of service up front, and it enabled her to get her pantry back to standard levels. The shopkeepers eyed her speculatively when she was able to pay without checking her balance first, but she was able to get what she needed.

It felt so strange to finally have the funds when she needed them that she wasn’t sure what to do first.

She spent her time as his assistant answering the com, checking his schedule and making sure that requests for specialty items were filed with the warship. It wasn’t a hard job, but she wasn’t sure how long she was going to be able to do it.

Her attraction for Apolan grew with every passing day. He picked her up in the morning and brought her home every evening. Each day, he made excuses to touch her hand or arm, and she felt an ache for him when more than three hours passed and she hadn’t seen him.

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