Page 60 of Golden Darkness
Iris blushed. “The blue is unexpected.”
“Oh, ho. It’s a side effect.” She paused and looked up. “We are on Yavor’s station. Is he your fly-boy?”
“Wow. I would not have put it that way.”
“Come on. Let’s get your head in the machine. If you let them clamp you in, we can keep chatting, and I can get my nails done at the same time.”
The salon staff smiled and nodded.
Iris and Janessa talked for an hour while her nails were slowly grafted, smoothed, and extruded into long, deadly claws.
A growling shout got their attention. “Janessa!”
She winced at the familiar voice with the desperate tone. “Kethen! Stop yelling, you big twit!” Janessa snarled and flexed her fingers. He generally healed fast, so if he flipped her over, the nails were too much. she grinned.
“Wow. You don’t seem timid anymore.” Iris observed as Kethen ducked down to come into the treatment room.
Janessa watched Iris’s expression as the elder Hmrain came in.
Iris muttered, “How did he find you so fast, Jan?”
Kethen looked at Iris. “Scent. I can find her anywhere. Also, anyone calling me a big twit narrows the options considerably.”
Janessa laughed. “Kethen, this is my friend and Yavor’s bonded mate, Iris. Though he pronounces it Irith.”
He chuckled. “Fledgling. Yes, that sounds like my little brother.”
Iris grunted. “Please, tell me they don’t get bigger as they age.”
The bot continued to whir on her hair.
Janessa snorted. “They don’t. They are as they were designed to be. Kethen was designed to be... whatever the hell this is.”
A sharp smack on her ass made Jan jump, and Iris giggled.
Jan asked, “How much longer until you are out of there?”
“About three hours?”
“Have Yavor call us, and we can meet for tea or something. Damn, I miss coffee.”
Kethen tutted. “I am working on the coffee, Pet. Now, let’s get you that medical workup that you need. If you need any supplements, this is the place to find them before we keep going.”
Janessa grinned. “Iris, just have Yavor call Kethen. I should be nearby. If not, he can find me.”
Iris chuckled. “Okay, and you have to tell me where you get your clothing. I love the leather trench-coat look with the side button overtones.”
Kethen snorted. “Yavor likes a warmer climate than I do. He dresses you accordingly.”
Iris leaned back. “I will definitely see you later, Janessa. Thank you for timing your visit accordingly, Lord Kethen.”
He set Janessa on her feet. “It was Janessa that said we had to be here, and it had to be now. I am glad she made contact with you, and now, I can get my back clawed up the way I like. It’s a good day.”
Janessa chuckled. “Stay still, Iris. The bot is doing a great job.”
Iris smiled and said, “Fine. See you later.”
Janessa turned to Kethen, “So, when did you get my language?”