Page 12 of Bound By the Vori

The Matriarch raised her hands helplessly as her crown coils lifted and curled with restless frustration. “Invitations to meals, parties… they all went mostly ignored or were responded to with meek refusals.” She waved off the latter as if they were inconsequential. “Not that it mattered. For what I needed, they would not have been well suited.”

Kim supposed not, though that still didn’t answer the question of exactly what the Matriarch wanted. Was she just looking for someone to talk about humans? A human girlfriend to hang with? That didn’t seem quite as strenuous as what was being implied, and it was the unknown that was making Kim nervous.

The Matriarch made a soft sound of disgust and gave Kim a weary look, the tip of her tail tapping lightly on the polished floor. “Do not mistake me—I do not blame them for avoiding my invitations. It frustrates me, but I do understand. Being within the court is hard work and has the weight of considerable responsibility. As much as I love my people, there are days when I too would prefer to have little to worry about other about than enjoying the care of my mates.” She smiled tiredly as she glanced to the two males guarding her, completely affirming Kim’s suspicions.

“Okay,” Kim drawled slowly. “So you’ve finally got a human in your clutches—and a rather sturdy one as you said. What now?”

The Matriarch’s face lit up with amusement and she laughed. “Oh, I do like you, human.”

Kim stiffened reflexively, uncertain if that was meant to be as degrading as it came off. “That would be Kim, not human.”

The other female blinked, and a look of chagrin crossed her face as she inclined her head. “Apologies, Kim es’RygoliFer for that lapse in manners. I did not give your mate adequate time to properly introduce us, and I could not recall your name.” Her lips quirked. “I will not forget it again. You may call me Leiora. I insist,” she added when Kim opened her mouth to object.

“All right. Leiora.” Kim nodded and relaxed as much as she could.

Smiling kindly, Leiora gestured for Kim to accompany her out of the throne room. Kim gave the corridor a careful glance but fell in step beside the queen as she undulated gracefully down the hall. Although it had several crystal sconces lit up along the walls, there was still a sort of magical atmosphere to it as they made their way down it.

“Humans are a fascinating puzzle to me,” the Matriarch admitted. “So many fascinating similarities between our species and yet so many differences.” She glanced down thoughtfully once more at the dark cloth swishing around Kim’s legs. “I discover I enjoy those differences. They give me a new perspective on things that have just been accepted as custom. I believe that perspective is necessary when considering the growth of Vora—or at least here on the Western Continent where I have some control,” she amended with a small smile.

“I believe everyone is better served with growth,” Kim agreed. “Humans also get stuck in our own customs. I’m sure that being on a new world and immersed in a new culture will challenge some of that, likely for the better.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” Leiora conceded. “But I do not wish to simply force our culture upon them without making room for theirs. Besides, it can be surprising, the light it can shine on our own as we work to meet them and promote change. It was, after all, the love for a human who set Dr. es’EtaliAgor on the road to devise the cure.”

Kim’s brow knotted in confusion. “And you want a human companion as your own personal source of human culture and fabulousness?”

“In part.”

Kim stopped and turned to frown warily at the female beside her. “What is the other part?”

The queen smiled and slithered past her. “Come. Right through here. There is a comfortable place where we can sit, and I can explain better.”

Following her through an ornate door, Kim stepped out onto a small, private garden patio. Although there was a short privacy wall wrapping around the other side, the numerous potted flowers, bushes, and small trees made the space feel inviting and decadent. Three long stone benches were set around a large fountain, each bench overflowing with pillows and little side tables perched beside them.

Leiora slithered up to one of the benches and lowered herself upon it as another Vori hastily entered through the door from which they had come bearing a tray filled with small bowls, cups, and some sort of pitcher. Bending low, the male set the tray on the table at her side before hurrying off with a polite bow. Leiora smiled and gestured to the inviting cushion at her side.

“Come. Sit.”

Leaving Kim to do as she requested, she turned, her tail shifting and curling with her movement as she picked up a pitcher and poured something that smelled sweet into the two cups. Picking them up, she handed one to Kim.

“This is one of my favorite drinks. Shali. I prefer to keep a clear head, so this blend of sweet juices I find to be perfectly refreshing.”

Kim took a careful sip of the cold juice and hummed quietly with pleasure. “This is very good.”

Beaming, the queen rose and moved the table so that it sat in front of them and lifted the tops off the bowls filled with various sweets and berries before settling on her cushion once more. “Please, help yourself, Kim.”

Picking up a small pastry puff that appeared to have some sort of berry icing, Kim popped it into her mouth and nearly moaned at the mouthgasm it gave her. Leiora’s smile widened, and she laughed in delight.

“I am so glad that you have a taste for my favorite treats. Do try the berries and the roasted ilixi coated diyar nuts.”

Not minding at all if she did, Kim popped the treats into her mouth, savoring each one by one as the queen nibbled on her own selection with a smile. It was only when they refilled their cups that Leiora settled comfortably into the cushion and gave her a direct look that sent tingles of awareness up Kim’s spine—as if something momentous was about to happen.

“You were partially correct in that I wish for a companion to assist me in navigating these new circumstances. A sort of advisor on human culture. But it is more than that. It is also important that my heir be properly educated to a degree on the humans now inhabiting our world. For this reason, I would like to make you an offer of employment.”

“What are the terms?” Kim asked after she quickly swallowed the berry that she had just popped into her mouth.

“You will receive a salary and an expense stipend for anything that may come up. There will be parties, but I would also like you to take my daughter around and help her acclimate to humans. With a full guard escort, of course.”

“Naturally,” Kim agreed.

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