Page 87 of Return of the Nine

“It looks like red meat.” Morro was more interested now than he had been previously.

“It is. Tastes like it too. We had some for lunch.” Rivvin smiled and lifted the empty container in his arms. “I will justwash this out and put it back on the Nitka.”

Em smiled at him as he passed. No matter how much time he and Weelar spent in the sun, they didn’t change colour. She had asked them about that, and it was simply a matter of them being evolved for a little more radiation and a little less dryness.

She shivered as her skin complained of its coating of salt. “I am off for a shower. I will see you at dinner?”

Morro nodded. “I am eager to find out what you discovered today. It is obvious that you have done far more than simply tagged some fish.”

Emharo shrugged. It was not her story to tell.

Rivvin called the embassy and spoke with Daphne. “I want to take her to mate, but I want to make it official first.”

“So you want to use the mating gardens?” Daphne smiled. “Not a problem. Did you also wish to use the quarters for the Water Folk?”

“For one night, please. We will return to her private retreat for the second night.”

“Understood. Does she need proper attire?”

“I don’t care what she wears, as long as she says yes.”

Daphne chuckled. “That is a yes then. Women need more trappings than you do. We need to feel the solemnity of the moment or it will just be another day, and you don’t want that.”

“You are correct. Please arrange the formal dress of the Water Folk.” He grinned, knowing that Emharo would look stunning in the necklaces of pearls and shells... and nothing else.

“For you as well?”

“Yes. Is tomorrow too soon? We will need retrieval.”

“It will be done. There will be a skimmer for you at noon.”

“Thank you, Daphne. Give my best to Ambassador Leoraki.” He inclined his head at the image in the small view screen.

“I shall. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Rivvin disconnected the call and sat back. It was done. Tomorrow evening, he would have a wife, now he just had to convince her that it was a good idea.

Dinner was quiet. Everyone rampaged through the fish steaks, the crisped kelp salad and the roasted tubers from the shoreline.

When dinner was over, Emharo smiled.

Morro asked Rivvin, “So, explain where you went today?”

“The Water Folk city of Carring. Emharo took us directly there. There was no delay, and Weelar and I swam down to mark the edges of the city with beacons.”

“So, you went for fish and you found an ancient city? That is a pretty good day.”

Rivvin smiled slowly at Emharo. “And it isn’t over yet.”

She was suddenly the recipient of every gaze in the room. Emharo cleared her throat. “Well, I think I will be heading to my office. It has been quite a day, and I need a solid night’s sleep.”

She got to her feet, cleared her plate and cup, heading swiftly into the kitchen. Once there she rushed to her room, got a change of clothing and spare towels as well as a small data pad for her notes about the day.

With the pack on her shoulder, she tried to slip out the habitat door, but Rivvin was leaning on the exterior of the building. “Sneaking off without me?”

“I am only going to my office so I can be alone. Don’t you have to deal with Weelar’s hero worship or something? He is so excited to finally be a proper Water Folk.” She began walking, but he paced beside her, his shirt tucked in and his trousers fading into the tops of his boots.

“Why are you running?”

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