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“Right, that’s what I’ve heard, too,” Jade relaxed a little now that the lights were on. “Griselda told me the virus was related to hormone fluctuations and that Queens in heat have higher body temperatures for a month at a time?”
“Exactly. That, coupled with the high fevers of the virus, caused fatal febrile seizures. Hormonal treatments to suppress the heat cycles didn’t work. Radical surgery to remove the reproductive organs worked in most cases—but not all. I don’t know how we got on this subject, but I’d like to leave it.” His smooth, suave voice was thicker now, more guttural.
Jade suppressed a shudder. Alien. Bestial. She wasn’t attracted to the males in the Felid species for two reasons. One, she wasn’t attracted to anyone these days. Two, human males were dangerous enough, but throw in sharp claws, seven feet of muscle, and fangs? Why were women willing to risk it?
Jade found her knees shaking and sat, even though she didn’t want to relinquish the power that came with standing. She wouldn’t apologize. That was for life-or-death emergencies. “Let’s leave it then. We got onto it because of my work history. I worked in a Pleasure Park. I’m not someone you have to court. Being alone with you won’t hurt my reputation, such as it is.”
“I see. But... But I don’t care about your reputation. I care about you, as you are to be my Queen. If my Queen doesn’t want to be alone with me in her quarters until we’re legally bound in marriage, I understand that.”
“That’s nice that you care about what she wants.” Jade shrugged. It was nice. “What about after marriage?”
Ardol blinked at her. “I... I would hope she would want me to be alone with her.”
“Of course! Of course, she would. That wasn’t what I meant. Does her opinion still matter?”
“In things of a domestic nature, yes. In terms of the estate and business—not much.”
Another shrug. “I can live with that.”
He hovered by the door. “In or out? Is there a restaurant or someplace we could go to talk in public?”
“I don’t mind you being in here. Pull up a chair.” She kept her space on the bed and gestured to the single Felid-sized chair in the room.
He sat. No, he owned the chair, leaning back in it, sprawling and possessing.
So confident, but somehow cautious.
How does he do that?
Wait, isn’t that what I do? Project one, but feel the other? I mastered it after years of being a puppet. I wonder who’s been pulling his strings?
Jade rubbed her forehead under the guise of arranging her hair.
“The day after tomorrow, we’ll wed at sunset. Do you have all you need? A dress? Ceremonial jewels? Parents attending in person or on comms?”
“No special dress. No special jewels. No parents, anywhere.”
Ardol sat up. “This won’t do. People will expect us to have abundant wedding footage. Don’t worry. This one will be a simple legal matter and we’ll attend to the video and media requirements later. I have the jewels I was planning to—to give to my bride, and we’ll have a proper wedding on Leopardine-One, on my familial estate. It’s beautiful there. The perfect setting for a regal wedding, Jade. About the dress... In my culture, the bride marries wearing the colors of her husband's Pride. Purple.”
Jade frowned. “Purple? With my hair?”
“You’ll look beautiful. You would look lovely in anything! Nothing! Oh. I meant, anything.”
“I’ll wear the dress if you have it ready in time. I can wear purple for one day.”
The Felid’s tail was an emotional early warning system. He swished it now, so vigorously it caught her eye. “If that suits you. Cost is no object. You’d look lovely in white, with a purple sash, an accent of some kind.”
“White used to be for virgins. I’m not.”
The tail thwacked into the side of the dresser, and the thick fluff on his neck began to rise.
Shit. Agitated him. “You didn’t think I was, right? I mean, not after ten years in a glorified brothel.”
“I don’t care about your past. You’re mine now.” His eyes were suddenly hard, belying the smooth, easy tone. “Have you been with a Felid?”
“No. You’ll be my first.”
The tail calmed. The eyes softened. “That’s excellent. You’ll be my first human.” White-tipped paws flexed on his knees. “Bastet, you’re so calm about this. I suppose it’s easier for you than me.” Ardol leaned forward, then sat back, unable to keep still, seeming unsure what to do with his body in close proximity to hers.
