Page 57 of Space for More

He nods, and thank the Goddess, he doesn’t look upset.

“He’s why I missed the party at the human embassy. I hadn’t seen him in years and we didn’t part on good terms and I was too…emotional to go out that night.”

Paul reaches out and places a hand on my leg. “It’s okay, Mezli. I understand.” His eyes flash to Fina momentarily, and then he lets out a soft chuckle. “Figures that everyone I’m into ends up with a hot alien.”

“You’ll find your hot alien soon, Paul! Maerlon’s sister is single…” Fina says, patting his arm.

Paul’s thick eyebrows shoot up. “I think Maerlon would kill me if I tried to hit on his sister.”

“No, Maerlon likes you! He’s a big softie, he wouldn’t mind.”

“I’ll take your word for it,” says Paul, glancing over to the kitchen where the huge seladin is humming as he reprograms the food synthesizer.

Fina shrugs. “Okay, if Ulena’s too intimidating, then maybe a hot human! Mezli said her friend Eden is beautiful.”

“No,” I say immediately, scowling.

Fina gives me a perplexed look. “No?”

“I thought we were done with you sabotaging my dating efforts,” Paul says with a groan.

“I… I like Eden,” I say, face heating for some bizarre reason at my confession. I feel panicky, wanting to flee from my own feelings now that I’ve said them aloud.

“I thought you said you were into your mate?” Fina asks.

Her sweet, familiar face holds no judgment, which allows me to continue even though my stomach feels like it’s full of fluttering insects. “I like both of them. I want both of them.”

Paul lets out an infuriating “ah” that sounds like he’s holding back his judgmental thoughts, and the urge to smack him rises again. Fina glares at him and he shakes his head. “I’m just wondering why you’re acting like that’s some kind of dirty secret or insurmountable problem. You like two people. Am I not getting something?”

“Did you miss the part where one of them is my fated, Goddess-chosen mate?”

He shakes his head. “No, I heard that.”

“Paul, don’t be mean,” Fina says, poking him in the shoulder.

“Ow! I’m not! Do they both want something exclusive from you?”

I pause at his question. “I don’t know… I didn’t ask.”

Paul’s mouth downturns. “Youdidn’t ask? You say everythingthat’s on your mind! So much so that I’m mentally scarred from some of the things you’ve told me. I don’t get it.”

“Do nexxit not have polyamory? Is it taboo to have more than one partner?” Fina asks, far more gently than Paul’s approach. Somehow it makes the question even more uncomfortable.

“It’s not taboo. It’s just not done with mates.”

“Since when have you ever given a shit about what’s done?” Paul huffs.

“I… Fuck you!” It’s a childish response, but my brain is going a mile a minute. Is it really that simple? No, it can’t be. Eden wouldn’t… Phelix would never want…

“Okay, okay, that’s enough. We’re supposed to be calming down before everyone gets here, not making things worse,” Fina says, chastising both of us.

“Sorry. I’m not trying to be a dick. I’m just being honest,” Paul says.

“Could’ve fooled me!” I snap back.

“Ugh! Enough. Paul, you’re not an expert on relationships. I’m sure Mezli has her reasons not to talk to them about her feelings.” Up until a couple of days ago, Fina was the only one who knew about what happened with Phelix, why I ran away from home, and how hard I’ve fought to become thexalaI am now.

I smile at her in appreciation. “Thank you, Fi?—”

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