Seth whispered, “Please get to know him.”
I wanted to throw Kal over a cliff and watch him splat on the ground, though that probably wouldn’t work. He had wings. Annoying fucker. I squeezed Seth tight. I kissed his cheek and pulled back, my tense shoulders instantly relaxing once Seth was no longer touching me.
“Fine,” I conceded. “I will try. But if he ever raises a hand to you, I’m figuring out how to open an airlock.”
Seth frowned. “I love him, and he won’t hurt me. Besides, I can take care of myself.”
He never had in the past.
“Are we going to do this?” Caleb asked, gripping his cane as Fyn got him suited with the same techy vest.
All of the brothers had joined. We were working in teams, and I was paired with Don. I would’ve liked to be with Seth or Teddy, but I much preferred Don over Kal.
As Seth went to Kal’s side, Don came to mine. I smiled in welcome; he returned it, keeping his distance from me.
“Why are we paired up?” I asked.
“Because the mates want to play together.”
I figured as much. “Why am I here?”
“You’re Seth’s and Bartholomew’s friend. Seth wanted you, and Kalvoxrencol won’t deny him anything.”
I grunted.
“As we start, watch out for Seth and Kalvoxrencol. Both are skilled at blasters, Seth more so.”
“Truly?”
“Yes. Also watch out for Caleb and Zoltilvoxfyn.”
“Are they our other main competitors?”
“No,” he said, lips twitching. “Caleb is an—” He broke off into a snarling growl. “I believe that is the correct word.”
That garbled nonsense meant nothing to me.
“They both like having sex where others might find them. Zoltilvoxfyn won’t start anything here, but Caleb might if he is feeling aroused.”
I laughed, turning toward him. “They will seriously fuck during our game?”
“No. They don’t have our consent, but they might become distracted. But when we get back to Tamkolvanloknol, do not approach Zoltilvoxfyn’s greenhouse after dark. You might find them there, though Zoltilvoxfyn does try to prevent people fromseeing them in the greenhouse. He simply finds the possibility arousing.”
I wasn’t going back. Maybe. Probably not. I wasn’t sure. Besides, I wouldn’t be in the palace, even if Seth and Teddy were there.
He paused in adjusting his vest. “You’re returning to Earth.”
I glanced at Seth; he was talking to Kal, who had his tail coiled around Seth’s ankle, then my eyes flicked to Teddy who was flushed as Mindy chattered on. I whispered. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“You haven’t told Seth or Bartholomew.”
“No, and I’m still deciding.”
“I will not say anything.”
“Thanks.”
We crept around the jutting red rock formations filled with nooks and rough holes. This experience was based on a canyon on Barus. A good friend of our family, Urgg, was from Barus and had helped craft this experience for our family, though others besides us enjoyed it.
