Page 64 of Golden Darkness
Kethen stroked her cheek. “She was the most tempting of creatures.”
“I was black and blue and trying to negotiate with a starved Hmrain. A very big starved Hmrain.”
Kethen chuckled. “You dealt with me like a champion and got me strong enough to break out and take my ship back. They really regretted tossing you in my cage after that.”
Janessa resumed eating. “Not for long.”
The laughter was dark. “No, not for long.”
They finished their meal, and Janessa hugged Iris. “Take care of yourself, Iris.”
“You too, Jan. He looks like a handful.” Iris grinned.
Janessa closed her jacket and put her hand on the back of Kethen’s wrist. He made his farewells to Yavor, and then they were on their way.
Janessa frowned. “I can’t believe it took us four months to get here.”
He chuckled. “You wanted to see the spring festival, which changed our arrival time. Are you saying you didn’t enjoy our months together in our quarters?”
“It was delightful. I learned a lot about Mavarin mating behaviours. Did you have to keep putting me on that while I slept?”
He laughed. “No, but the look on your face when you woke up is something that will warm my years.”
They got onto the ship, Vreeka confirmed that the entire order was intact, and Kethen hustled her to their quarters.
The door closed behind him, and he opened his wings to prevent her escape. He whispered, “Do it.”
She blinked innocently. “It?”
“You know.”
“Fine, but I may need help getting back up.”
He grinned. “Whatever you need, Janessa.”
She turned and stepped toward him.
“Ah, without the jacket.”
She snickered and undid the closures, setting the leather aside.
She walked up to him and dropped to her knees. “It is an honour to be in your presence, Overlord Kethen. My life is beneath your wings, my body at your will.”
Kethen looked down at her and sighed. “I am too used to you, Pet. With you down there, I thought you might start biting.”
“Oh, mighty Overlord, may I rise?”
“Of course, Pet.”
Janessa grabbed his coat and used fistfuls of leather to haul herself upright. “It’s weird when I am all polite and stuff, isn’t it?”
He sighed and watched her open his coat. “It is. But you were true to your word. That is the formal greeting for an Elder Hmrain.”
“How long until we get home again?”
“Two weeks. We are in a better position here.”
“Well, I will try and come up with a formal greeting that will be acceptable to other Hmrain when I greet you if you get us home before I get too much bigger.”