Page 82 of Right Next Door
And he knew right away that was the wrong choice.
But before he could think of something to say, she was turning on her heel. Misty sauntered away from him, hair bouncing with her rage. He didn’t try to follow. He knew an angry dismissal when he saw one.
And even if he did, he still didn’t know what he would say.
“She’s mad at me again,” he said out loud, frowning.
Davard sighed. “I do not envy you this mating thing. I believe I made the right choice in just donating my genetic material.”
Chapter 29
Misty
Another party, another argument, another chance for Misty to wonder what exactly she was doing. It might be crazy for her to be mad at a guy for not – essentially – proposing when they just started getting along properly, but they were supposed to be mates, dang it. She had agreed to this because she thought she was getting her soulmate and all the fun that came along with it.
She’d finally no longer be alone. Guaranteed, her guy was going to be The One for her. Laboratory tested and science approved! It was just that easy. All she had to say was yes, and she would get to experience the bliss of a human experiencing one of their rare, true, mate bonds. And all that it entailed.
For her kreecharma male, that meant the scenting and the rut. Something she read about and was even excited to experience.
And something he was straight up denying her because of his principles. Which might have been admirable if he had ever even once thought about discussing those things with her.
So now, she found herself annoyed, again, with her not-mate, holding onto his arm, as they moved around an opulent ballroom. This one was outside, under a hanging garden filledwith vines and beautiful flowers that dripped over them like a waterfall of ashy blue leaves. The wooden beams overhead holding the plants were the only real barrier between herself and the night sky that spread overhead, inky black and, really, the only thing that was the right color in nature anymore.
The hoitiest of the toitiest people were in attendance. It was the official welcome party for the High Imperium – who themself was holding something of a small court in the center of the room. Whatever they were saying must be hilarious because the people with them kept laughing and chatting like the greatest of friends.
Tsok and Misty were working their way around the outskirts of the ballroom. Since they were the ones hosting the High Imperium, Tsok was focused on talking to others instead. Not everyone had a chance to talk to the High Imperium, so while they were waiting for their turn to do so, he was moving between them, working his agenda.
All the while, he would occasionally give her curious looks. Like he wanted to talk to her, but was holding himself back. She hadn’t really given him the chance to yet because she wasn’t ready to hear whatever he had to say. She had to be calm enough to have the discussion, and right now she was just too irritated, so they’d both have to wait.
Misty, for her part, didn't really need to say anything at all. She smiled at people and nodded politely when Tsok introduced her. However, the things they were discussing were all political and in depth – oftentimes using words she didn't even know.
At some point, she got tired of it and just pulled her arm free from Tsok’s. He looked at her, concerned, but she just shook her head.
“I’m going to the restroom. The privy.”
“Ah. I see. It’s over there,” he gestured to one side of the room.
She nodded and walked off, but didn't go to the bathroom. She didn't really have to go, she just wanted to get away from all this for a minute. She found a glass of something sweet with a tart bite of alcohol and walked to the edge of the pavilion to look out over the bright pond that was situated just a few paces away. The moonlight was dancing off the gently rippling black surface as soft music echoed from behind her. The cool air brushed her face, and she let out a sigh.
Really? He was planning on not mating her properly. What kind of shit was that? She definitely wouldn’t have agreed to that if she’d been told about it beforehand. Although, apparently, her opinion was not wanted because she certainly hadn’t been asked.
“I didn't take you for the kind to stand at the edge of a party.”
That familiar, robotic voice made her turn in surprise. She didn't expect the Imperium to come gliding her way. Not even a hint of the crowd that had been around them in sight. Had they excused themself just to come talk to her? Why?
“I didn't take you for the kind to come talk to someone at the edge of a party,” she countered, stepping to the side to allow them to stop next to her. Today’s cover over the black shroud looked like it was a constellation of a wheel of some kind over a dark blue and light blue background – like an artistic impression of the night sky, trimmed in shiny silver.
For someone who wanted absolutely nothing known about themselves, they certainly did have a sense of pride in fashion. She never saw them in the same cover twice.
“I wanted a chance to speak with you,” the Imperium said simply. “How are you settling into your life here on Kree?”
“It’s alright.”
“Just alright?” They asked, a chuckle in their robotic voice.
“Could be better.” She shrugged. “Could be worse. Just standard relationship trouble, you know.”
“I do not know, in fact.”
