Page 45 of Warrior
“No, it doesn’t,” I argued, although I couldn’t think of another reason that might mark me with Daicon’s scent. Except wrestling, maybe, and I didn’t want to admit to that either.
The look Ewok shot me said plainly he didn’t believe me.
“You like him, don't you?"
“Of course, I do.” I snatched up another piece of laundry to keep my hands from fidgeting. “I like everyone.” I winked at Ewok. “Especially you.”
A deep grin etched his teddy bear face. “You are very happy when Daicon is nearby. He is happy, too."
“You’ve noticed he’s happy around me?” I blurted before I could catch myself.
Sweet fancy Moses. The next step was to get Ewok to pass Daicon a note. Do you like me? Check yes or no.
Ewok settled at my feet, pulling a shirt from thewashedpile, sniffing it, and tossing it into theunwashedpile.
“George says you act like you are mating,” he said conversationally.
"George?" I swallowed hard, trying to keep from sounding like a daydreaming teenager. "How would George know?"
Ewok found a shirt he considered clean enough and folded it neatly. “He knows like he knows how to heal. It’s in his dee-een-aye.”
“Really?” I made a mental note to avoid George for the next... well... forever.
"George says mating is different depending on what species you are." Ewok sniffed a pair of trousers, considered, inhaled again, and then began to fold. “Garoot, like him, feel a tickle in their brain when they find their mate.”
“A brain tickle?”
Ewok shrugged, apparently as dumbfounded as I by the concept. “He said my kind, the Kerzak, bathe in blood together.”
“That’s … interesting,” I offered, for lack of another response.
“It’s gross,” Ewok snorted, his face scrunching adorably. “Cuietsu’s kind lets the female choose which male they want.”
“I like that idea,” I laughed.
Ewok’s eyes met mine, his grin waning. “George says the Vaktaire mating is worst of all.”
“Why?” A shiver raced over my skin.
“It kills you.”
“What?” I blurted, not even trying to conceal my curiosity. “How?”
"Something about how it stops your heart." Ewok watched me carefully, the concern on his face lightening when I forced a smile. "George says it's very dangerous, and only Vaktaire can survive it."
“Well, that’s frightening,” I said, not meaning it the way Ewok probably thought I did. Why did the idea of not being Daicon’s mate fill me with such unease? It’s not like I was even thinking about it.
Was I?
What am I getting so worked up about? It’s just two little alien boys having a conversation about adult things. It's probably as silly and incorrect as two little earth boys’ logic.
"Your heart hasn't stopped, has it?"
Ewok’s question brought me out of my thoughts. “I think it’s still beating.”
“Good.” He fashioned his face into a scowl. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I leaned over and ruffled the fur atop his head. The brown and gray strands stood on end.
