Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Smiling wider, he seemed to appreciate my story. “I take it that’s not how it is for everyone?”
“No.” Thank goodness as the people who spoke English would say. “Most matings I have seen from the beginning go slower. The couple or group shows special interest in each other. They talk. The bond grows.”
Hmm.
“If they are waiting for their third, for example, the first two that meet are sometimes…there is an English word…oh, in limbo.” They had the most interesting words. “They are waiting to complete the bond until they find the rest of their family.”
How many of our people were waiting for their third because they were on the other side of the portal?
The professor and Raxius both turned to study me like I had said something interesting.
Had they not talked to anyone about their own bonding?
“Waiting?”
Raxius’s question had me understanding why so many humans rolled their eyes on a regular basis.
“Yes. The bond begins to fully form when all the parties who will become one are present.” Two could not become three even with magic.
I knew they were given this information in their earlier education but it seems like they had forgotten it somehow.
“There is some belief that fear or emotions of that nature will slow the bond to give the parties time for discussion, but studying that is difficult.” No one wanted to admit to fear which made it hard to research the effects it had on bonding.
My people were stubborn and did not always work in their own best interest.
The professor and Raxius glanced at each other for a moment before going back to focus on Shiloh, but the look was enough to speak volumes.
Were they ready to communicate more effectively?
Were we still necessary?
“Why don’t we give you guys some privacy.” The almost question from my mate had the three males nodding as he stood and looked to me.
Nodding, I gave him a physical showing of my agreement. “I think that is a wise course of action.”
Standing, I focused on Shiloh. “You are more than welcome to ask either of us any questions you may have about mates, bonding, or our world in general.”
His mates did not seem very well versed in helpful verbal communication, so help and conversation might be necessary.
“Thank you.” Shiloh blushed as he glanced between his mates and back to me. “I appreciate that and thank you for coming over.”
The quick glance he gave the professor made me think he understood his mate had been less than polite about the invitation but he kept those thoughts to himself. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner?”
Shiloh’s request seemed to be more out of Earth politeness than real interest, so I was glad when my mate shook his head. “Another time.”
Yes…another time when they were less confused and the bond had been more deeply established.
For both parties…because it was time for me to take my own advice and communicate with my mate to deepen our bond.
I just wished knowing how to do that came easier.
The English phrase about a pot meeting a kettle was starting to make more sense.
Taking the first step was easier than I expected as we exited the professor’s home. My human agent frowned and looked around. “If we’re not careful, I’m going to get another invitation to dinner.”
He was being humorous as well as factual.
“Would you like to come to my rooms?” There were many English ways to ask him to come to my home, but I wasn’t sure which would give him the right information. I wanted communication and intimacy, but I did not want to give him the impression I wanted to Netflix and chill.
He nodded, giving me a faint smile that said he was pleased. “That sounds wonderful.”
Moving closer to him, I brushed my arm against his and inclined my head in the direction of my home. “Good.”
Because I could hear footsteps coming closer and whispers of words like human and toilet.
My people needed a hobby besides asking my mate ridiculous questions.
Explaining in words that we needed to move quickly was not an option, so I did my best to give him the nonverbal signals of jerking my head and frowning to show frustration. After a moment he stood straighter and his strides grew longer.
My mate was highly intelligent…and had learned to expect my people to be frustrating.
We reached my rooms just as our audience came into view, but I was quicker and had us behind the privacy screen before they could call out.
“We are safe.” No one would interrupt with a privacy screen in place unless it was an emergency.
My frustration must’ve shown because my mate chuckled and pulled me into his arms. “Thank you.”
Curling into him, I let out a dramatic breath to show him my emotions. “They had questions and I do not feel like having you answer them.”