“Uncle Jutuk!”
She stood no higher than my knee, her small body holding on to the chubbiness of youth. Her pelt was thicker than mine and a deep, rich tan color. She had my sister’s high cheekbones, full lips, and golden eyes, but her hair was a long, thick, flowing yellow mane, like her father’s.
“Hello, my princess!” I held out my arms just in time for Priemba to launch herself into my embrace. “How was your day?”
“Most excellent.” Priemba preened, slinging her small black satchel on a nearby table and settling into my lap. “I got very high marks in mathematics today.”
“Well, of course, you did,” I attested in mock seriousness, ignoring Jala’s eye roll. “You are the smarted youngling in the entire universe.”
“I am,” Priemba grinned, dissolving into shrieking giggles as my fingers found her ticklish spots.
My sister tried to adopt the composure of exasperated indulgence. Still, she couldn’t hide the delight dancing in her golden eyes.
“Priemba, my heart. Why don’t you go clean up? We will have dinner shortly.”
The youngling looked to me for assistance, but I set her firmly on her feet. She needed to clean up. Her light gray school uniform held smudges of black and brown, and there was a small rip at her shoulder. I made a mental note to ask what ruckus had caused her disheveled state, but later, when we could have a private conversation. Priemba possessed a warrior’s heart, much to my delight and my sister’s chagrin.
Issuing me a glance of utter betrayal, Priemba stomped off toward her chambers, her full lower lip rolled out in an adorable pout.
“You are good with her,” Jala said when her daughter was out of earshot.
“I do not see her nearly enough.” My duties aboard the Bardaga kept my visits usually limited to only once a year.
“Perhaps you should think about having a family of your own.” Jala’s eyebrows waggled suggestively.
“That is not the life of a Vaktaire warrior,” I groused.
“Mating on our home world, yes,” Jala agreed. She scooted incrementally closer, as though preparing to tell me a most coveted secret. “Praxxan has heard that some of the Vaktaire have taken Earth females as mates.”
“That is true,” I told her. “Our Healer, Chieftain, War Chief, and Weapons Master have all taken human mates." Ikept to myself that I held serious doubts regarding the validity of these matings. Humans were a frail species. I doubted they would survive the valakana.
“Hmmm.” Jala’s lips curled slyly. “Perhaps you will feel so inclined with a human female. Pearl is very attractive for her species.”
“Pearl?” I barked a sound of disbelief. “She threw a knife at my head.”
“You probably deserved it,” Jala snorted.
“I did not,” I grumbled, although in hindsight, I might have.
“I like human Pearl. She is a strong female.” Jala scooted close enough to lay her hand over mine. “I could wish worse for you, brother.”
I snorted.
Jala’s teasing demeanor disappeared with a blink of her eyes. “I worry for her in the competition. You must be on guard. Not only will slavers take any opportunity to steal Pearl as a prize, but the other chefs resent having to compete against a human they see as beneath them.”
“I’m not as worried about protecting Pearl from others as I am protecting myself from her,” I quipped.
Jala shot me an aggravated glare before responding to a knock at the door with an authoritative, “Enter.”
Trafelia shuffled into the room, carrying a container from which the most delectable aroma arose—savory meat, spices, and a warm, rich scent like superb wine.
“What is that?” I asked, licking my lips.
My sister issued a pleasurable hum, taking the bowl from the Framaddi and inhaling greedily.
“This is a sample of human Pearl’s prowess in the kitchen,” Jala said, licking her lips. “Something I believe she calledCock a van.
Cock? Pearl cooks cock?
