“That is true.That is the burden of the instant patriarch.”
He laughed.“A house full of females, and I am in charge.That is going to be an issue.”
“Why?”
“Because I know your histories, and I want to make up for it.I don’t want Aretta to feel fear ever again.I wish to destroy those who threatened her.I want her to see the city, to learn the countryside, and to feel that she is free and safe.”
Zelda lunged up and kissed him.“Marta is going to have a coronary when she realizes what she could have had if she were just a little different.”
Orex grinned.“What could she have had?”
“The affection of a good male.A contract that covers things I couldn’t have gotten the nerve to request.My daughter safe, and someone who doesn’t want me killing people.”
Orex kissed her softly.“You have all of that and more.Just wait until I get you home.”
She grinned, and they moved together again until he curled her against him, kissing her lightly.
She didn’t get a lot of sleep, but she was still smiling when she sat up in the morning.There was a new black outfit at the foot of the bed, and Zelda got ready.Today, it seemed he was confident in what she could and couldn’t wear in front of her daughter.The skirt was low on her hips, and the top was comfortable enough that she could raise her arms with confidence.The top was snug and strapless.The skirt had two slits, one in the front of each thigh.The slippers went on, and she brushed her hair.
Orex walked in and said, “We are docking in four hours, and you need to look like a consort.Hold still.”
Zelda stood still, and he wrapped her with gems around her waist, over her shoulders, down her arms, around her ankles, and to her surprise, he brought out a coronet.
He grinned at her surprise.“Nothing gets the point across like a coronet.Plus, it helps you keep your shoulders back.”
She laughed, and he put the coronet on her head, bent to kiss her, and then held his hand out to walk her to the dining room for breakfast.
Aretta stared and then smiled.“That is how I see you in my head, Mom.You are beautiful.”
Her sisters just stared with their jaws dropped.
Orex said, “We dock at the station in four hours, and then we will take a shuttle to the surface.”
Zelda settled on a chair, and she ordered her meal from the in-table menu.
Aretta came over to learn how to use it, and then Zoey and Zaniah did the same.
It was fun, and Orex was using his tablet, smiling occasionally as he did something.“There.Seamstresses are going to meet us at the palace, along with shoes, tech, and jewellery.We minimize fabricators on the surface.”
Zelda nodded.She had done her homework already.
Orex looked at Aretta.“And once measurements have been taken, a yendal breeder is bringing the most recent litter to the palace.You can choose if you are chosen.”
The high-pitched squeal that emerged brought three crewmembers at a run.Zelda smiled and said, “Teenager Terran happy-excited sound.It fades with time.”
One of the males rubbed his ears.“I hope so.I feel I will be hearing it in my dreams, Lady.”
“Apologies for my child.”
The man blinked and nodded.“Of course, Lady.”
Zelda turned to Aretta.“First thing, most species that we will be associating with have hypersensitive hearing, including Orex and other Hmrain.Second, if you do that around the cute, venomous animals, the result might mean medics and antivenin sooner than later.”
Aretta looked to Orex.“I am sorry, Lord Orex.I am sorry, sir.”She spoke to the crewman.
The man nodded.“That has minimized the ringing.Thank you, miss.”
Orex nodded.“That was well done.Dismissed.”