Page 59 of Golden Darkness

She shrugged. “But I wanted some clothing that was practical and fun but didn’t flash my bits to everyone.”

He was still chortling.

She looked down and jolted. “Oh geez. I think that whatever we just did is going to have to be repeated. The pattern got a giant boost.”

He stared and made a happy humming sound. “You have stabilized. It looks wonderful.”

She looked at the intricate pattern that was picked out in gold and black. She gazed at Kethen’s pattern and smiled. “Yeah, you would think so.”

He grinned.

“How big is it going to get?”

Kethen shrugged. “I honestly don’t know. I have never done this before.”

She looked at him and burst into gales of laughter. Of course, he hadn’t. She was the first mate to an Elder Hmrain. They would have to write the manual as they went along.

“You know what I want from you.” Kethen tried to sound stern as they walked onto the Yavor station.

“Yes, Overlord Kethen.” She grinned. “I have an appointment at the groomer to get metal implanted into my nail beds.” She sidled up to him. “So I can give your back a proper scratching.”

His eyes flickered gold.

She laughed and scampered off to find the grooming station to get her killer manicure while he went to register for contact with Yavor. They hadn’t been able to get a call through on their journey. Well, not one that Janessa had been party to.

Vreeka remained nearby in his bodyguard capacity. That was his technical position. In reality, he was registered to carry weapons she wasn’t allowed to carry. She hadn’t been able to get a proficiency standing yet.

She hummed as she walked through the station and found the salon. “Hello. I am Lady of Kethen.”

The receptionist smiled and got to her feet. “Of course, Lady. Please, come with me.”

Janessa followed her into the halls, and a familiar shape came out of a room.

“Janessa!”

Janessa blinked at hearing her name properly for the first time in years. “Iris!”

Her friend with black hair and surprisingly blue skin smiled, and Janessa said, “Iris! I heard you were out this way. How are you keeping?” She was trying to keep it casual and not like she had stalked her friend from across the stars.

Iris hugged her. “Janessa, what the hell are you doing here?”

“Uh, I am getting my nails done.” Janessa was amused. “My bond holder likes his back scratched.”

“Bond...” Her eyes got wide. “You have a Hmrain.”

“Yeah, he’s banged to hell and back, but I have one. Or he has me. Or something. I got to spend some time as a pirate, so that was fun.”

“So, all that in two years?”

Janessa grinned. “Yeah. Sorry that you got frozen. Based on your hair, I am guessing you have been out less than a month?”

“Just over a week.”

Janessa looked at the aliens surrounding them and remembered where they were. “Ah, and based on the salon staff glaring at me, you are getting hair extensions?”

“Something like that.”

“Well, blue looks good on you, and your mark is coming along nicely.”