Page 84 of Right Next Door
Misty’s eyebrows popped, curious to what they would say.
“Char Tsok is the very pinnacle of what the kreecharma say is a proper male. In every aspect.”
“Okay?”
“Honorable, protective, devoted. Dense as a lead brick.”
Misty had to choke back a laugh as the little robot voice chuckled.
“They’realllike that,” they continued. “They get an idea in their head, and they simply won’t change their mind. The kind of overwhelming evidence that could do so is not something they are going to find in regard to this mating issue.”
“Huh”? Misty cocked her head.
The Imperium stepped in closer. They didn’t bow their head, but the combot came near to her ear and whispered-
“You want Char Tsok to mate you, yes? He won’t do so while Senior Boktare opposes it. He is too stubborn to give Boktare that ammunition against him. Similarly, Boktare won’t give his permission because of his stubbornness in protecting hispeople. But you have an answer thatcanchange their minds, don’t you?”
“I do?” She looked into the shapeless shroud covering what had to be the Imperium’s face. “I… I’m really just a hairdresser. I don’t…”
“You’re a human. You know how to end this.”
“Clearly you have an idea as well,” she countered with a scowl. “Why don’t you?”
“Ah, but I cannot take sides. I can only advise and grant voices to those who wish to speak. You should speak. Humans have already solved this problem. In their own way. Thank you for offering your help, Charina Misty. I shall see you soon.”
With that, the Imperium turned and floated back into the room where a crowd was eagerly waiting for their attention. They subsumed them like an amoeba, and Misty watched them go, even more confused than before their weird ‘advice’.
She wasn’t alone long. Tsok came to her side shortly after the Imperium walked away, making her think that he had just been waiting for them to leave. Her not-mate gave her a curious look, caution heavy in his gaze.
“What did the Imperium have to ask you?”
“Just if I could give them my opinion on something,” she said, looking her male up and down.
He really was handsome, in an inhuman way. His black fur was shiny, gleaming in the lights like a piece of obsidian. The robe he was wearing today was sleeveless, spring green, with a delicate smattering of yellow and white embroidery in the hem. It was plain as far as garments usually went, but he wore it so well, he made everyone else look overdressed.
They were matching today, she realized. Her robe was yellow with an abundance of green embroidery all down the back ofthe trailing skirt, made to look like swirling flower petals. It was quite obviously the feminine match to his outfit. Not at all her usual choice, but she had forgone her usual goth aesthetic for the sake of his image among the others. It wasn’t a big concession from her, and one she had agreed to make without a fuss earlier when she got dressed.
Dang. She really must like this guy. She’d never changed her aesthetic like that for anyone. And yes, it was only for one night, but she had still made that choice for him. She hadn’t even thought about it until just now.
“Misty?” Tsok cocked his head curiously at her perusal of him.
“What would it take to make you want to mate me?” She asked, taking a leaf from the High Imperium’s book. Copying him as he had asked Tsok and Boktare on their positions.
Tsok frowned. “If it can be done safely.”
“Were you ever going to tell me that you’d never do it?”
“I didn’t say I’d never do it. But I have to prove the point that I am stronger than my base desires.”
“Why would you want to be?”
“Because your safety is more important than my desire.” His gaze darkened as he stepped closer, forcing her head to tilt back so she could look up at him. “And Idodesire you, my Misty. Do not mistake my hesitance for lack of interest.”
She blinked up at him. Despite herself, she enjoyed his warmth. His closeness. Everything in her wanted to put her head on his chest, run her fingers through his fur, and let him hold her for the rest of the night.
But…
“I can’t accept less than absolute commitment.”
