Wyn squeaked, but I took that as tacit agreement. NAID winked, then disappeared.
“Is there something you want?” Wyn asked, his voice higher-pitched than usual.
I settled against the tunnel wall, hugging my knees up to my chest. “I want to spend some time planetside with Kal.”
“Do you?” he asked with a grin.
I blushed. He clearly knew what I intended. “I wondered if you would take care of Lucy overnight for me.”
“Overnight?” he asked, his bright pink eyebrows wiggling.
If possible, my face grew hotter. “Yes.”
“I can do that. Are you going to tell Prince Kalvoxrencol about your plans?”
“He knows I want to spend time together.”
“Does he know you want to stay overnight?” Wyn pressed.
“No, should I tell him?”
“Yes,” he said, swiping the glowing tool over the exposed circuits before glancing at the tablet on his lap. “I assume you already have each other’s permissions, but he might not want to go, or if he does, he might want to secure special lodgings.”
Wedid nothave each other’s permissions, because I kept skirting the conversation, but I wasn’t going to tell Wyn that. He’d probably lecture me. But the thought of reservations hadn’t crossed my mind.
“I’ll run it by him.”
He reached out but paused. “I would like permissions.”
“I’m-I’m mated.” The word felt weird in my mouth, but it was true.
“Not romantic ones. Friends, family, and even acquaintances have permissions too. Some people don’t like to be touched.”
“Like what?” Drakcol were odd creatures.
“Being able to pat you, hug you, or wrap my tail around your wrist. For me, you can hug me or pat me occasionally, but I’m not physically affectionate.”
“Okay.” I saw no reason to deny him, and Wyn beamed like I’d given him a great gift.
I sat on the couch with Lucy on my lap. It was past the middle hour, and I’d returned in the hopes of eating with Seth, but he wasn’t in our quarters. I’d had no idea where he was, and my first instinct had been to ask NAID, but I controlled it.
My fingers trailed over the spine of one of my books. Seth was reading it, which made me oddly happy. He was starting to read Drakcon works and learn about our history. I hoped it was a sign that he was planting roots—roots keeping him with me.
Lucy leaped off the couch, meowing in welcome, as Seth strode in. He bent over to pet her and revealed Wyn behind him.
Wyn bowed low, tail wrapped around his own leg. “Prince Kalvoxrencol, I’m sorry to intrude.”
“Not at all. You’re Seth’s friend, and you’re welcome here.”
“Thank you,” Wyn said, but I barely noticed because Seth beamed at me, which ignited a flame in my chest. I wanted to cross the room, push him against the wall, and taste him.
I banished the image of his hands buried in my hair and the taste of him on my lips. “What can I do for you?”
Seth came to my side, Lucy in his arms. “Wyn is here to meet Lucy.”
My tail twisted around Seth’s ankle.
“He’s agreed to watch her when we go to Vx-93.”
