Page 142 of Sway's Peace
She pouted, because that was clearly not how human females nested. But he understood why she was asking. Many species had different means of nesting. Having nesting instincts were the most common mating instinct in all the cosmos. But it tended to take different forms. The kind of nest, it’s purpose, it’s size, who made it – everything varied.
For the farasie, a nest was strictly a place for the egg to be placed. After the egg was laid, it was just for the egg to be safe, secure, and warm. However, before it was laid, it was inside Grace, and the nest would, therefore, be a place for her. So, in a way, there were two nests to build. Sway would give these things to his mate for her to build their nests with.
That’s how it would be if they were both farasie. But they were not.
“My instincts only tell me to provide you with these things,” he said, taking her hand and lacing their fingers together. “What you do with them is completely up to you. However you want to build the nest is your decision.”
Grace made a face. “That tells me nothing. Humans don’t really have nesting instincts like that. I mean, I think we kind of do, but it’s more like denning instincts. Just tell me what I’m supposed to do so I can do it right.”
“You can’t do it wrong,” he repeated, grinning.
She was adorable when she was pouting. In the end, it wouldn’t really matter. Once she was gravid, she would begin displaying farasie instincts anyway. But he wanted to see what her natural inclination would be.
Grace continued to lob questions at him as they moved through the street. He would occasionally stop to buy something, but she rarely did. It just made him want to buy her more things. If she wasn’t going to adorn or treat herself, then he wanted to do so.
They were passing a shadowy alley when it happened.
Someone grabbed Grace by the wrist, yanking her into the dimness.
Sway reacted immediately. Without checking to see who had done it or why, he was already grabbing for her assailant.
His prey wasn’t moving particularly fast.
Or far.
“Sway!” Grace called out, stopping him before he could tighten his fingers around the neck of the familiar teal blue farasie male who had hold of her arms.
“Vweet,” Sway said, his voice hard. He didn’t release his hold, he didn’t loosen it either. He kept his grip tight, fingers digging into his skin. Not enough to choke, but certainly enough to threaten.
Vweet, however, remained impassive. His expression calm.
“Sway,” he greeted calmly, holding up his hands. Showing him that they were empty.
Sway’s female was standing there, unharmed, looking between them with wide eyes. Already, this simple show of violence was enough to make her breathing hasten. Sway didn’t want to break this male’s neck in front of her, but…
“Why did you touch my mate?” Sway demanded to know.
Vweet blinked at him, obviously startled, before chuckling. “Ah. So,thisis the real you. Chilling, I must admit.”
“I’m glad you’re amused. You can die happy.”
“Please,” Vweet stopped him with a gentle smile in place. “I mean you no harm.”
And Sway didn’t mean to kill him. Not because he was against it, simply because he hadn’t gotten permission from Tanin. But Vweet didn’t know that, and from where he was standing, fingers digging into his throat, the threat would be very real.
“I only wanted to talk,” Vweet assured him.
“And that gave you permission to touch my mate?”
“I thought getting her attention would prevent, well,this.”
“It did not.”
“Clearly.” Vweet chuckled. But the humor quickly faded, replaced by a look of consternation. “I really do only mean to talk.”
Sway was unmoved. He didn’t particularly want to listen. Vweet wouldn’t be here by chance. If he had come upon him like this, it was on purpose.
Was Veesway planning something else? Did Vweet want revenge? Were the two of them working together somehow?
