Page 66 of Tamed By Her Touch

Clair sat straighter.

“Why not? You heard us tell you what awful things are going on with the Savage Syndrome.”

“Indeed I did—and I am very sympathetic. We both are, aren’t we, my dear?” he said to his wife and Maera nodded seriously.

“Oh yes, extremely sympathetic,” she murmured.

“Thank you,” Kaelus said shortly. “Then what is the problem?”

Varell folded his hands.

“Unfortunately, I have grave reservations about your mating.”

Kaelus stiffened.

“What? But our relationship is not relevant to our scientific qualifications,” he protested.

Varell frowned.

“On Titus Four, it is entirely relevant.”

“We came here to save lives!” Clair exclaimed.

“And I wish you to succeed,” Varell said. “But the Blood Archive is not merely a scientific resource. It contains the biological history of our people. Blood. Tissue. Genetic records. Family lines. Viral histories. Mating records. It is sacred.”

Kaelus felt Clair tense in his arms but she said nothing this time. To be honest, he was feeling tense himself. How could they go back to Commander Sylvan and tell him they had failed their mission because they weren’t good enough at pretending to be mated?

Varell continued.

“I do not believe you are cruel to your wife, exactly, Doctor Kaelus,” he said.

“Cruel?” Kaelus exclaimed. “I would never be cruel to a woman—especially not my wife! I am a Kindred—we revere women!”

“Kaelus,” Clair murmured. “Take it easy, sweetheart.”

“That is very reassuring,” Varell said calmly. “But if you would allow me to continue—I believe that you care deeply for your wife. But I do not believe you understand how to honor her.”

Kaelus stared at him.

“I honor Clair. I do it every day!” he protested.

Varell and his wife shook their heads in tandem.

“You allow her to carry burdens while your hands are empty,” Marea said softly. “You walk ahead of her. You sit apart from her. You answer questions meant for her. You reach for nourishment before ensuring that she is served. None of these are signs of a truly devoted husband.”

Kaelus felt his irritation rising again.

“These are mere cultural differences.”

“Yes,” Varell agreed. “Which is why I am willing to give you an opportunity to learn.”

Kaelus narrowed his eyes.

“What kind of opportunity?”

Varell looked at Maera. The moment his eyes fell on his wife, his entire expression softened.

“You and Doctor Donovan will remain with us for five days,” he said.