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“Ardol wants to live on Leopardine-One, where his family is.” Jade patted Claude’s shoulder.
“Ah. Guess that makes sense. Come on, you can’t be late. Don’t want him to think you’re not excited to meet him. Grandma’s already waiting over at the town hall.”
Jade allowed Claude to lead her outside, her hand in his paw. It wrapped around hers like a furry mitten and pulled.
Outside, the small town’s main street was clogged with foot traffic, small shuttles, and atmo speeders. Everyone was heading in the direction of Hillhead Mine, the only place with a docking station big enough to accommodate a long-haul freighter like the Comet Stalker.
Jade’s heart was hammering against her ribs. Everyone was caught up in the excitement, babbling with joy. Jade tried to keep out the voices tumbling around her, but a few poked in.
“Two human-Leonid cubs, I heard.”
“Doc Weaver knows the medical officer who invented the procedure.”
“Mayor Lewis and Avis’ll be having cubs before you know it.”
“My credits are on Cherie and Dane.”
“Bastet knows, I feel like I know Layla and Wendy after talking to them for so many weeks!”
“Preacher’s gonna do a service in the town hall to marry that Leonid and his human Queen.”
“We gotta rebuild the town’s temple so we don’t have to keep going out to Eastshore.”
“What are they talking about?” Jade couldn’t ignore her curiosity any longer and leaned over to Claude, voice at a half-shout to make herself heard.
“Oh, the town lost its temple a of couple winters ago when the roof caved during a methane blizzard. You remember when Sheriff Dane and Cherie got married, and everyone went to the big temple in Eastshore?”
She nodded. She recalled having attended the event, but it was a blur, another celebration she didn’t let herself relax and partake in.
“Well, the preacher is gonna come over and marry some people this week in the town hall so they don’t have to trek out to Eastshore.”
“Oh. I see.” I’ll be one of those people he marries.
“There’s going to be a Leonid wedding, at dawn. Then a Tigerite ceremony. I’ve never seen either of those. I hope I’m invited. I’m invited to your wedding, right?”
“Right,” Jade answered without thinking. If the Leopardine objected—she would use one of her two trusted methods to convince him—sex or withholding sex. There were some clients who loved that, who loved to be teased and tortured, prolonging their pleasures until they couldn’t take it another second.
“Coming?” Claude pulled on her arm.
Jade jumped and picked up her pace. “I think I’ll ride with Griselda in the shuttle, Claude. My feet would hurt if I walked all the way to the mining complex.”
“Okay. I’ll ride with you! When you meet your Knight, I want to see his reaction. I’m gonna be a lawman one day, like Dane. I watch people to see if they’re being true or just putting on an act. I’ll tell you if he likes you for real, Miss Jade.”
“Thank you, Claude.” Jade bit her lip. What would she do if Claude suddenly shouted out that she was the one faking interest? Would the Leopardine change his mind? It was too hard and too sordid to explain her motives for marriage to a young Felid like Claude. His people desperately needed Queens. They treasured them, and by extension, marriage and love were sacred.
One day, he would find out that some people simply married for material advantages. Simple conveniences.
But she didn’t want to have to explain all that to him now.
I’ve been “acting” for a decade. I’ll have that big cat eating out of the palm of my hand—at least while others are watching.
“YOU MUST BE EXCITED.” Marcus carefully placed a third cryo-case full of chromosomal compatibility serum and hormonal boosters next to Ardol.
“I am. Very.”
“This is your first time meeting her, yes?”
“Yes.”
