In this scene from Forever Love, Izzorah and Luc are about to face an unexpected trial. They'd practiced every scenario, but not once had this been in the cards.
Tangled Bonds
Izzorah and Luc stopped before Pietas. Luc was seven Tradestandard inches taller than Izzorah, and Pietas and Uurah were almost that much taller than Luc.
The breeze tickled Izzorah's ears, and he lowered them.
"I see the wind bothers you," Pietas said. "I'm sorry about that, but don't worry. We won't be out here long. Uurah, fetch her, please."
The android touched a bracelet he wore and disappeared.
Izzorah stiffened. It hadn't surprised him, but Pietas didn't need to know that.
Luc had called it portaling; moving from one place to another instantly. Only Pietas and Uurah had the tech to do it, but they could take others with them. Luc had assured Izzorah they wouldn't be separated. He promised that Pietas had given his word and said the king didn't lie.
That, however, was not borne out in the king's scent.
Uurah reappeared, a Kin female with dark hair and dark furskin beside him.
Pride radiated from her like light from a lamp, as much a part of her as her bones. She wore black leather, and carried a hook knife on one hip. Blue turquoise of the Marasova clan embedded its dark wooden hilt. But... so did stones of light green peridot from Izzorah's clan.
Confusing. Kin clans didn't mix colors on a hook knife, even in marriage, and there wasn't one bead in her hair. Clanless.
Turquoise also represented Pietas, according to Luc.
The female brought her ears forward as she studied Izzorah. That she'd noticed the bead marking him as Luc's showed in her scent. It might not be obvious to others, but it was to Izzorah. She had a strong feeling of sadness toward Luc, but why, Izzorah couldn't imagine.
All this sizing-up between them came in an ear-flick of time.
Not enemies. Not yet friends.
Like most Kin females with a male, when she held out her hand, it was for the male to put his into. A more submissive pose for the male; her hand over his. When she held out her hand to Pietas, he allowed the position. Her pride softened into affection toward him, and she drew him toward herself with a smile.
Her control laid bare their relationship. Not mates, but definitely lovers, and she was the alpha in their intimate relationship.
Well... That wasn't what Izzorah expected at all.
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What a great scene! I love the way they size each other up through scent. And I also love that Izzorah was surprised!
Izzorah knows so much more than people think he does. He is fun to write. 🙂
Love that she is the alpha.
I know, right? I introduced this character in Ring of the Dragon.