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At least he could count on Navesha to be discreet. Even though she didn’t know the details of his self-enforced separation from Terri, he knew that she had a reputation among the household for thinking quickly and doing what the moment required of her. It was the reason that Featha sent her on household business. It was an explicit trust that few others in the household enjoyed, though he knew that it also earned her some suspicion among some of his mother-kin, but that was not unexpected considering she had an intensely private nature, even for an Argurma. If she seemed secretive and prone to disappearing, it was never at a critical time, and her loyalty was unquestionable among the household regardless of personal feelings, conflicts and grudges.

Although he never knew what to expect from her, Veral saw no reason to discount her ability to fulfil her duties and he saw no reason to believe otherwise. Malraha, however, was an unknown factor. The female was young, and although she was an excellent warrior and guard—otherwise she never would have been selected by Larth for his guard originally—he did not have enough data to judge how she would help or hinder his plans.

He frowned at the narrow corridor. Strategically, this was going to be more difficult to accomplish than he had estimated. He had to fool anyone who might be observing that it was merely another random shuffle of bodies moving down the hall and to keep Terri ignorant of what he was doing. It was not the first time he had staged a passing contact with her when his need became too great, and yet he had to abandon his plans more than once when circumstances did not cooperate. If he was fortunate, this time he would be able to slip in, walk with them for a time, and steal her away from her guards to enjoy an embrace before anyone covertly watching his household—or even his mate—was the wiser.

His eyes narrowed as he judged the space, his tongues sliding over his teeth thoughtfully. With the Argurma females practically filling the corridor as they escorted Terri between them, he did not fail to note that there was little room for someone to comfortably pass them. He would not be able to go with his original plan, which required pretense of sliding past them as if going in the opposite direction to deceive anyone observing the exchange. He had miscalculated the space within this particular hallway. How unfortunate.

He debated withdrawing but dismissed it. Aborting was not an option—not this time. Need clawed too deeply in his gut for him to ignore. He needed to be with his mate. He would just have to revise his plans. He would join them from the rear and depend on those same large Argurma frames to shield his interaction with his mate.

Veral turned to face in the same direction in which the females were walking, muscles tensing in preparation for the exact moment he would stride out of the side corridor to drift seamlessly into their company. His lips curved in expectation as he counted their steps, judging their exact distance by the increase in volume as they neared.

A flutter of fabric appeared at the edge of his vision, and then the strong arm of Navesha came within view. Her eyes turned to him, widened as they registered surprise but then snapped forward again as if nothing happened. He was already moving forward, so when the female passed, he slipped out in an easy stride, his shoulder lightly brushing against his mate as he stepped behind her.

As expected, Terri glanced around at him, but he was gratified when Navesha shifted her body in front of the human to obscure their exchange. Her voice boomed out to Malraha, issuing a snide comment that had the other female bristling. It appeared he did not need to rely on the younger female. Navesha had everything in hand. Malraha did not so much as glance back at them as she snarled back, the back-and-forth exchange erupting into a loud, hostile argument.

Two things became apparent: it was easy to see why Navesha was unpopular with her abrasiveness, and that he owed the female his gratitude.

He nearly forgot himself and his own need for discretion when an expression of surprise and pleasure bloomed across Terri’s face. His own lips could not be stopped from curving in an answering smile as she turned and wrapped her arms around him. His mate’s open emotions never failed to charm him, even the way her brow furrowed in confusion as it did now. She tipped her head back to look at him curiously as she tucked herself beneath his arm.

“What are you doing roaming the halls? I thought you were in meetings all day as usual.”

He dropped his head down, brushing his nose and mandibles against the top of her head as he drew her scent deep into his lungs.

“I am,” he rumbled. “But since I have you in my arms at this moment, I am happy to take advantage of this meeting.”

“Are you?” she asked, her voice breathy with desire, but beneath that, a continuous warmth that welcomed him home.

“It is fortuitous,” he rasped.

Just ahead he noted that Navesha had drawn to a halt a short distance away, her argument escalating rapidly as their bodies completely blocked the entrance of the corridor. The female no longer appeared amused and briefly he wondered what they were so hotly discussing that was making her eyes narrow dangerously. He considered interceding, but she slanted an impatient look his way from the corner of her eye, her expression darkening.

The message was clear. He may be Ahanvala, but if he wasted the opportunity that she was providing, however unpleasantly, he would not be granted another one. He drew Terri closer to the wall and caged her there, his dark cloak blending in with the stones. He drank in her startled gasp as he dropped his head and brushed his nose against her throat, drawing out a soft chuckle as his lips and mandibles caressed the skin.

“Even more fortuitous considering I have a gift for you,” he said against her soft, silken flesh.

Reaching into the pouch at his belt, he felt around for the fragile bloom contained within it. He had seen it by chance in the courtyard and had admired its golden petals that reminded him of the strands of his mate’s hair caught in the sunlight. Pulling it free, he brushed the petals against her cheek, its rich perfume scenting the air around them.

Terri gasped, the sound soft and exquisite as she brought her hand up to cup the flower.

“Veral, it’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“As is my mate,” he rasped, enjoying the way her lips quirked with amusement.

“Your mate has swollen feet and is waddling everywhere. I’m hardly a beautiful, delicate flower,” she laughed, “but thank you.”

Lifting the flower out of her grasp, he tucked it into her hair and admired it there for a moment before pulling her back into his arms. He sighed, relishing the feel of her body pressed against his. His civix woke hungrily, but he was able to ignore that need for now. His most demanding need was not about sex but connecting to his mate and offspring. As if on cue, he felt his daughter kick between them. He wondered if she sensed his presence pressing against her home within his mate’s belly. Well, she would have to enjoy her mother for a bit. He chuffed as he drew Terri in closer, allowing himself the peace of connecting with his family.

If Terri had been Argurma, he would have connected with her on their private communication line, but just having her there in his arms was enough. This was what he needed. He was aware, however, of their limited time trickling away. He could feel Navesha’s attention impatiently returning to him, and he reluctantly drew back after drawing in one last scent-laden breath deep within himself.

“I must go,” he whispered reluctantly.

Terri groaned but did not otherwise protest as she nodded in understanding.

He bit back his own snarl of frustration. Soon this charade will be over. He was eager to be done with it all.

Brushing his lips and mandibles against her neck and jaw once more, he withdrew and stepped away in one fluid movement. He did not look back as he slipped down the corridor, leaving his mate with her guards. In the distance he could hear Navesha finally growl in warning and it must have been enough to get her point across because the argument stopped. He was still curious as to the subject and turned it about in his mind as he swept through the corridors to his office. Glancing down at his comms he frowned as he noted a transmission request from Vazan. It seemed that the Monushava House would have company from the Shanah Guard.

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Tags: S.J. Sanders Argurma Salvager Science Fiction