Page 5 of Right Next Door
Weirdly, she didn’t see Officer Prickett, but she did notice, when Tzomei opened the door to his car for her, that he had a drop of blood on his cuff.
She looked from the drop up to his face.
He smiled, without a trace of shame or guilt “Poor man. Tripped over my tail as he was walking. Happened to land right on my fist as I was trying to catch him. I do hope they can repair his teeth. And put the other ones back in.”
“Tragic,” she intoned, fighting the urge to smile.
“Indeed. I feel so bad about it. But I’m sure the human doctors will be able to fix him right up. Shall we go, miss?”
She smiled when he politely shut her in before walking around to the other side. He was being driven around because he was a big wig like that. And she felt the power of his importance ashe made himself comfortable in the extended backseat – clearly given to him for the sake of that long tail.
She doubted Prickhead would learn a lesson from this, but she didn’t think he was feeling too good wherever he was right now, and that was enough for her. And maybe he would think twice next time.
Who knew? Who cared? He wasn’t her problem anymore.
“Hey, so, quick question,” she looked at the reptilian male lounging beside her. “Any chance I can bring my cat with me?”
Chapter 2
Tsok
“Honored char, the transport ship has just been given clearance to enter the atmosphere. She’ll be here within a quarter mark.”
Turning from the excellent view through the large window of his office, Tsok gazed back at his steward, the male who was in charge of the manors and grounds of his property. He also served a secondary purpose of being something of an aide to Tsok. His name was Davard, and he had been an exemplary assistant since Tsok got into politics. Tsok had given him the job as a steward in an attempt to force him to relax more as he got older, but he only worked twice as hard. And now, he refused to give up either job, stating that it was his honor to serve Char Tsok.
When Tsok found out his mate had been found through True Match, there was no one else he would trust to prepare for her arrival and oversee her transportation and care. There was already a lot involved in bringing a mate from somewhere on the planet. The fact that his mate was from offworld made it doubly difficult. However, added to it that she was human…
Humans were only protected by the Coalition, they weren’t true members. They could, however, mate with aliens through the True Match program, a program invented by another one of his people, the kreecharma. That was why he had been scanned, in fact. He was trying to lead by example and encourage his people to do the same.
Finding his mate was the next step in his plan to help alter the culture of the entire planet of Kree and the kreecharma that called it home. He was going to prove a point, using her to do so. Of course, he was going to be a good mate to her and compensate her properly at the same time as well. That only seemed fair, he was sure she would agree.
Her being human was a bit of a surprise though. Tsok had met humans before. He had, in fact, been there when the vote passed for them to become a protectorate. Human females were, of course, stunning. Their sexuality was surprising, even when a male had been warned about it. The entire reason they were protected was because human females were such a temptation. Their beauty, their allure, their fertility even amongst species not their own all combined together to make them far too tempting to the unscrupulous. Tsok could certainly appreciate it himself.
But for all that, he couldn’t imagine actually being mated to one. They were so small, so fragile. He preferred a female with more substance, more flesh, more luscious curves. He would be too afraid to mount a human female for concern of breaking her.
That was why he had been shocked to learn his mate was a human. And it certainly made things difficult concerning his plan. A kreecharma female would understand him and he could compensate her knowing what she might need. But human females, he understood, were quite a bit more difficult. That was why he was thankful for Davard.
Unlike Tsok, Davard had plenty of time to research what she would need and adjust things for her. Tsok could leave everything to him. He didn’t really need to be involved.
He did know she was arriving today though. When he checked his schedule this morning, there was a solid mark built into his afternoon that was free of meetings or duties. He imagined Davard put it there knowing his mate would be arriving in that window. Tsok intended to introduce himself to her properly. That was only polite, after all. Theyweregoing to be mates, so it seemed appropriate that they should have some sort of friendly relation.
Of course, he could only spare that mark. He still had a great deal of work to do, and he couldn’t be expected to spend the rest of the day getting the female set up in her new home. Of course, he would rely on Davard for that as well.
Everything was going according to plan. Still there was a part of Tsok that was just a bit concerned, even despite Davard’s reliability and trustworthiness.
“You made sure she has everything she should need?” Tsok asked, coming around his desk and down the short stairs leading into the lower half of the room.
“Indeed, char,” Davard assured him as he approached. “I made sure to check all human nutritional requirements and stocked her kitchen appropriately. I’ve hired a chef who has been studying human recipes that come from one of the other mated humans. From Turv, I believe. She assures me that she can handle any dish – kreecharma, human, or fusion – as the need arises. Furthermore. I’ve replaced all the linens with flower silk to be sure her skin is well cared for, as humans have very soft flesh that is completely exposed at all times.”
Indeed. Another concern. Under their fur, kreecharma had flesh as well, but it really wasn’t the same. Humans were just sosoft.He’d never touched one personally, of course, but you could see their blood vessels right beneath the skin. That’s how thin and delicate it was.
That’s why he nodded in approval as Davard explained how they had all the furniture reupholstered in softer fabrics meant for her delicate flesh. He had also replaced all the cushions and pillows with softer ones. The security system had also been completely revamped, making sure that no one could get to his human mate without permission.
“We’ve also finished setting up her credz account and I’ve deposited her first allowance in its entirety. She’s free to use it immediately for whatever she needs. But I’ve already stocked her closet with any clothes she might need when she lands, and we’re ready for whatever luggage she brings with her. As I understand it, she is bringing a pet. It is a tiny carnivore from a species called cat, and I have prepared accordingly.”
“A tiny carnivore?” Tsok chuckled, amused, leading the way out of his office and through his home. A beautiful, sprawling manor with a great deal of bright, open sunlight.
“My research shows that the cats are quite common as pets. Hers has been neutered, so it is not at risk for breeding, and it underwent a health check before leaving the Earth satellite ships. It is not bringing any diseases or parasites. All the usual animal immigration things.”
