Wrylack smiled once more, then injected both liquids into her arm. He nodded his head at Tark, but her cyborg seemed reluctant to move.
“I don’t wish to keep secrets from Suki,” Tark said.
“She’s healed. I can see where a sterilization was reversed. From what I can tell, there’s no reason she can’t have children.”
“What about…” Tark’s cheeks flushed.
“Can we be intimate?” Suki asked. “Tark wanted to wait. He was worried it would hurt me.”
“It should be fine. If you feel any discomfort or pain, let Tark know immediately.”
“Perhaps you can come by for dinner later and bring Shaylee?” Tark asked. “I’d like for Suki to make a friend. Since Shaylee was once a slave, I thought she might be more sensitive to Suki’s circumstances.”
“You know Maggie welcomes everyone, and Jillian always has a smile for the human females. It’s just Rorwick she can’t seem to stand. I wish the Commanders would step in and remove her from his home. Everyone can tell that she’s miserable with him and won’t accept his mate claim. It’s been a year!”
Tark nodded.
“Could I…” Suki paused. “Could I meet Jillian? Maybe she’d confide in a stranger what it is that she wants. I mean, I’m impartial and don’t have anything vested in whether or not she stays with Rorwick.”
Wrylack’s eyebrow rose. “Not a bad idea.”
“We’re stopping for clothes, then I’m taking you home,” Tark said. “You can meet with Jillian tomorrow if you feel up to it.”
“Tark.” She placed her hand on his arm. “What if she’s miserable? Don’t you want her to be happy, the way you make me happy?”
Wrylack coughed but looked amused. Tark sighed, giving me a lopsided smile then nodded.
“Very well. Let’s stop and check for clothing, and then I’ll take you to meet Jillian.”
They left the clinic and took a few different walkways. Suki didn’t understand any of the writing on the doors. Tark stopped in front of one and pushed it open. A light came on as they stepped inside and her eyes went wide at all the crates stacked inside. One was already open and clothing spilled out. Suki picked up several brightly colored silk dresses. They were on the plain side as far as style, but they felt so decadent in her hands. Tears gathered in her eyes as she looked into the crate and saw more dresses in different materials. She selected three in her size and looked up at Tark to let him know she was ready, but he was frowning at her.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked.
“You need more clothing than that, Suki. This entire room is filled with clothes. You should get at least three or four times that many dresses. Or perhaps you want pants? I’ve seen Maggie wear them.”
“I don’t want to take too many,” she said. “What if the others need them? Navya and Fenella need clothes too.”
“Suki, there’s more than enough, and the three of you don’t seem to be the same size. Please take the items you like. If we need more, I’m sure Lathim can find them.”
Suki chewed on her lower lip and dug through the crate. Tark broke another one open, and she found some leggings and tunic style shirts inside. She grabbed several of each. By the time they left, Tark was carrying at least ten outfits for her. Suki stared at everything as they walked through the town. There was a bazaar of some sort with tables and tents set up, wares and food of all types spread out. Tark paused by one that contained jewelry. He picked up a silver cuff bracelet and slipped it onto Suki’s wrist.
“Tark, I don’t need shiny things.”
“Perhaps you don’t need them, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have them.”
Tark nodded to the cyborg behind the table and pushed her further along. She looked over her shoulder and wondered why he hadn’t paid for the bracelet. He stopped twice more, selecting the things he thought she might like, and again she didn’t see him didn’t pay for anything. She didn’t understand this world or their society, but it seemed to be peaceful.
The homes were made of some sort of stone that was probably common on this planet. They walked a little further and Tark stopped in front of a home that looked like the others around it. He knocked on the door and a cyborg answered who looked like he’d last had a good night’s sleep a few years ago. He glanced from Tark down to Suki, and a slight smile curved his lips.
“Tark, have you taken a mate?” the cyborg asked.
“Yes. Suki, this is Rorwick. Jillian is living with him.”
Rorwick had a flash of pain in his eyes when her name was mentioned, and Suki wondered just how bad things were between the two. Rorwick motioned for them to enter, and he led the way back to a room that overlooked a patio of some sort. It would have been a spectacular spot for a garden, but there wasn’t even a hint of dirt or grass back there.
A redhead sat on what looked to be an alien version of a sofa, and she scowled when she saw Rorwick. Her expression cleared when she noticed Suki and Tark.
“We have company,” Rorwick said. “Tark has taken a mate.”
