Page 100 of Tamed By Her Touch

The other woman nodded her head graciously.

“Of course.”

Carefully, Clair lifted one of the leaves between her fingers, examining its surface. It was smooth and waxy on one side and softly furred on the other.

“What part do you use? Just the flowers?”

Maera nodded again.

“For the nectar, yes. The leaves have been used in poultices, but the flowers are considered the most valuable.”

Clair stroked one of the closed blossoms.

“And women really drink this every day?”

“Most do. Not always every single day, perhaps, but regularly,” Maera said.

“How young do they start drinking it?” Clair was fascinated by the idea that every woman on Titus Four was drinking the same thing. Surely there must be some significance here.

“Most women start drinking veloria nectar after their first flowering,” Maera answered.

Clair looked up, frowning in confusion.

“First flowering?”

Maera smiled.

“That is our name for the beginning of a girl’s fertile years.”

Clair nodded.

“Oh, right. Puberty.”

“Is that the human term?” Maera asked.

“Yes.”

Clair nodded again and looked back at the flowers.

“So women begin taking it at puberty and continue throughout their lives,” she murmured.

“Yes.” Maera nodded.

“But men don’t drink it?”

Maera shrugged.

“Generally not. It gives them no benefits.”

That little scientific itch at the back of Clair’s mind intensified and she rose and looked around.

“Has anyone ever compared the blood chemistry of women who drink veloria with women who don’t?” she asked.

Maera frowned thoughtfully.

“I am certain someone must have. We have been drinking it for generations.”

Clair frowned.