Page 135 of Trove’s Purpose

“You two need a female,” Trove said, gesturing with his cup, golden cider swishing inside.

“No,” Sorbet said again. He pointed to Rok. “Play with him. We’re fine.”

“What do you have against a mate?”

“No,” was all he said.

“I’ll take a mate,” Rok said from across the table, his face brightening. “I want a sweet one like you all have.”

“Mine’s not sweet,” Vytln said. “She’s fierce and intelligent.”

“Mine isn’t sweet either,” Sway smiled at Grace. “She’s elegant and poised.”

Garnet gave Tanin a look. He looked back and asked, “What?”

“Aren’t you going to say that I’m sweet?” She poked his chest expectantly.

“You’re many things, Garnet. Sweet isn’t really up there.”

“I am so sweet,” she gasped, affronted.

Trove just laughed. “Okay, Rok. A sweet female. What else do you want? Pretty?”

“Oh, I know she’ll be pretty already,” Rok waved the words away. “But I wish she’d be kindly. I’ve always wanted a mate who was kindly.”

“Always? How long have you wanted a mate?”

“Since you all started getting one,” Rok beamed. “I was promised one when I was young if I was good and worked hard. It never happened for me, but I’ve always kind of wondered…”

“Er, Rok?” Garnet started cautiously. “Females aren’t prizes to be given to you for good, hard work. You know that, right?”

Rok cocked his head. “They’re not?”

Trove knew immediately that was the wrong answer by the judging looks suddenly cast at him by every female at the table. Their faces were blank, but their gazes were staring, and it wasn’t anything good in their eyes.

Rok’s focus darted quickly around. And he might not have been their brightest crewmate, but he certainly knew when he just got himself in trouble.

“Go easy on him,” Tanin interjected calmly, taking his own cup. “He doesn’t know better.”

“He will,” Garnet promised while Haven nodded quickly along.

“I’m sorry,” Rok said, staring between them all, looking decidedly uncomfortable now that he was in trouble.

“What are you sorry for?” Grace asked easily, her tone even and unjudging. Only serving to make him shift uncomfortably.

“Talking?” He finally asked, clearly not understanding.

“Don’t worry, big guy,” Goldie told him with a tight smile. “We’ll teach you. You’ll learn better. It’s okay.”

It certainly didn’t look like it was okay. Trove wisely kept his mouth shut as he brought another bite of his tart to his mouth, enjoying the metallic blood and sweet fruit blended together in peace.

Chapter 46

Chee

It was a great night. Chee would categorize it as a qualified success. The others had all wandered from the room, full and happy and seeking their beds for the night. They were already swinging to their next job, though it would be another day before they swung out. She was pretty sure they were transporting some rich person’s fur collection. She was interested to see the fur that would justify their prices and specialty. She’d get to find out more tomorrow as Tanin had asked her to meet him in the captain’s bridge so he could go over some things with her. She didn’t know how she’d be able to help, but she was looking forward to trying.

With the others all off seeking their beds, she was cleaning up the remnants of the feast. All the leftovers were going back into the synthesizer to be destroyed. As much of their parts were going to be broken down and reused as possible, the rest would be wasted. The dishes would be cleaned and stored automatically.