“And you as well, Malraha and Navesha,” Featha directed. “Stand guard outside the doors. I will not be long. I wish to speak privately to Veral’s human.”
Terri opened her mouth to object—after all, they were her guards—but thought better of stirring the pot when they were so close to leaving. She would let Featha have her moment and pray she wouldn’t have to see her again before they left Argurumal. The female was a lot to take.
Malraha gave a wide-eyed nod before slipping out behind Tarik. Navesha, not as easy to impress as the other guard, hesitated for a moment, her expression thoughtful as if she considered arguing the matter. At a hard, uncompromising look from Featha, she finally inclined her head before she stepped outside.
Terri privately pitied any mate who Dreth ended up bringing home.
Forcing herself to calm despite her natural desire to run and hide from—or take out from a safe distance—the imposing female, Terri smiled politely in the way that was considered appropriate among Argurmas and gestured to the small table and chairs at one corner of the room.
“Would you care to sit?”
The female returned the smile—if the arctic expression on her face could pass for a smile—and dropped her head at an angle to decline the invitation.
Damn all the social cues. Terri wasn’t sure what she should do next. Thankfully, Featha saved her from having to guess.
“Your hospitality is noted, but I will not be long,” the female stated imperiously.
Once again, Terri was reminded of some of the nobility she had to deal with and couldn’t help but feel a renewed sympathy for Dreth. Terri had little doubt that she was formal and exacting in everything. That didn’t dredge up images of a warm childhood. Terri might not have had much, but her parents loved her with everything they had for the time that they had together. Between her and Dreth, she was pretty sure the other male got the short end of the stick when it came to happy childhoods, regardless of how much he was materially provided for.
Since it was obvious that Featha wasn’t there for a social visit, it was time to cut to the chase.
“How can I help you, Featha?” she asked woodenly.
The female’s brow arched, but instead of immediately replying, she glanced down at Harahna.
“There is nothing you can do for me, human,” she said as she stepped closer. “I merely wish to see my sister’s namesake before you leave.”
She paused for a moment, a look of uncertainty crossing her face as she glanced up at Terri from the corner of her eye, gauging her response. Finding something there that apparently set her at ease, the female relaxed and held out her arms.
“May I hold her?” she asked.
“Hell no,”was the first thing that came to Terri’s mind, but she kept it locked tight behind her lips. But as cold and impersonal as the female was, Terri had a hard time finding reason to deny such a simple request. Featha was Harahna’s family, after all, and she had sworn to protect her. Hell, Harahna might even return someday. If so, it would be good to encourage some kind of bonding.
Sucking in her bottom lip nervously, she pulled her finger free of Harahna’s mouth with a pop and handed her to the tall Argurma.
Featha’s expression softened as she took the baby, her fingers smoothing the blanket away from her face before brushing through the unruly mass vibrissae. The coils tended to knot around each other so hopelessly that Harahna would squeal with frustration but at that moment they plucked curiously at her mother-kin.
“She looks nothing like my sister,” Featha said, and Terri nearly snatched the baby back, prepared to defend her daughter’s appearance. “She is lovely, though,” the Argurma amended with a smile—something a bit closer to genuine. “She will grow to be a great Ahanvala.”
Terri blinked at her in surprise. That… was unexpected.
“You really think so?” she murmured, glancing down at her baby, who seized her mother-kin’s hand and happily began to slobber all over it.
Featha chuffed.
“I have little doubt. She is smart and reacts quickly. These are traits I recognize from my sister. And the fearlessness. Many Argurma do not know it until after they are taken away to be conditioned, but your Harahna has it, just as mine did.”
A shadow of pain passed over her face.
“I love my sons, but I always wanted a daughter. I would have named a daughter of my immediate line after her if I had managed to bear one. I speak of the disgrace of my sister’s emotional breakdown, but she was not. I say such things to keep my people strong and prepared because of how our world will treat them if they are not cautious. My sister was brave and fearless, even in her agony. She did not care what the council thought of her heart. They broke it when they took Veral. And they broke mine when they took her,” she whispered as she brushed her cheek against the baby’s.
Harahna’s two chubby hands grabbed the female’s vibrissae as if hugging her back. A soft chuff escaped Featha as she gently untangled herself and glanced at Terri.
“My sister had been so close to outsmarting them. I see where Veral gets it. She wanted to hide him with our far-kin in the Galithilan. I begged her not to and told her that our household could protect him. I was foolish. They came a day early—I have never been able to discover why—and took him. Then she left me, leaving me her youngest offspring.”
Terri startled in surprise. “Veral has a sibling?”
Featha inclined her head.