Page 47 of Lost Companion

“I think your dad did.”

Ranna smiled. “He won’t tell. You really didn’t tell him that you were pregnant?”

From a few feet away, they heard, “No, she did not. I had to figure it out myself.”

Ranna giggled. “You got so tall!”

“Your father contributed to my genome in a few ways.”

“Well, he has always been generous.”

Riley looked at Rath, and he gave her a knowing look as he spoke to some of the other guests. “Um, yes. Very giving. That is one of the reasons you are getting a sibling so soon. He’s very determined.”

Ranna laughed. “Come on, let’s walk a little further away so I can find out how you and my father got together. Was it romantic?”

“Well, he announced that my contract with you had expired, and then we were off. It was hot.”

Ranna giggled. “I hate to say it, but that does sound like him.”

“Yeah. Thanks for warning me about the tongue thing. It could have been a nasty shock.”

More giggles.

Some of the Daughters of Rath came by to congratulate her and swear their service to her as they did to her mate.

“Thank you. I hope never to need your services.” The ladies grinned and moved off into the party.

She moved around the party, greeting and thanking everyone for coming. When she ran into Nizzen, he paused and then bowed deep. “Consort of Rath. It is good that you have returned.”

“Thank you. I hope that your courtship is proceeding apace.”

“It is. I believe it will move on now that you have returned. Ranna was very worried.”

“I had a few nervous moments myself. I had never reprogrammed a mech before.” She smiled tightly as she heard some blame in his tone. “Are you... blaming me for your friend abducting me? Of a Hmrain descendant sneaking up behind me outside the lav and jabbing me in the neck with a hypo and carrying off a woman one-third his body weight and half his height? How am I to blame for that?”

People around them stared, and someone must have alerted Rath because he was soothing her. It was that point where she realized she had screamed half the sentences.

Nizzen paused. “When put like that, you are absolutely correct. I apologize if I caused you distress.”

“You caused me rage. There is a difference.”

Rath said softly, “As you have asked to remain here, I believe that a year spent in victims’ services might help you to understand. Developing empathy for those that we watch over is important.”

Nizzen paused. “Or I can just promise to do better.”

Rath chuckled. “Or I can beat you until you are on the edge of death, and you can slowly recover after being at the mercy of someone stronger than you are.”

Nizzen got really nervous. “I will be glad to work with victims’ services.”

Ranna sighed. “I think I need to go shopping for someone with more empathy. I know I have been distracted by Riley’s abduction, but I should have seen this before. You don’t actually like people.”

Nizzen stepped toward her, and she blocked him with her wing.

Riley stepped toward Nizzen. “Emotions are high tonight, just as they were at the theatre when he grabbed me and you used your blending skills to get us out of the building so your buddy could have some fun.”

Ranna gasped. “No. You said he acted alone, Nizzen.”

“He was supposed to take you off-world and sell you when he was done!” Nizzen clapped a hand over his mouth, and one of the Daughters chuckled. “Nothing better than the truth. Lord Rath, may we remove him?”

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