chapter 7
"Too gaudy." Lok shook his head at the huge diamond ring presented to him. "The cost isn't an issue," he assured the sales assistant, a bright young man who was hoping for his largest commission ever. Eight men stood inside the jewelry store, all determined to buy something.
"Something smaller and more tasteful," Ry agreed. "Reah won't wear anything that huge. She'll just use it the next time somebody needs medical treatment."
"At least she had something to use. I don't mind that a child's life was saved through the sale of a necklace," Aurelius said. "But I want to get a replacement. Today."
"This," Farzi and Nenzi were in total agreement. The gold and platinum had been etched in a snake scale pattern on the bracelet and necklace. It wasn't too thick, either, and both knew the set would be striking on Reah.
"Where are our rings?" Lendill asked Gavril.
"I have them at the palace," Gavril replied. "In her jewelry box. I was waiting to make sure she wanted them before returning them."
"Gav, she could have sold your ring by itself and had any life she wanted. You know the first things she asked that thieving woman about were her rings." Rylend referred to the woman Garde had hired to take Reah's place in the groves. The woman, with her husband, had taken Reah's things and burned what they thought to be trash. Those things had been important to Reah; she wouldn't have kept them if they weren't.
"You're right," Gavril pinched the space between eyebrows. He had all of Reah's rings inside her jewelry box at the palace in Campiaa City. "And she needs clothing and shoes and anything else she wants. We should take her to one of those places that sell cooking knives and utensils. That woman on Kifirin took those, too."
"She won't go out in public. Not after that f*cking nurse screwed her. Twice. I can't believe it's the same woman who cut her hair and then sold that recording to a reality show. That one should have been locked away long ago."
"Norian is going back through her employment records, to see if any other incidents happened around her. We'll get to the bottom of this," Lendill said. "What do you think of this?" He held up an emerald necklace. It looked like delicate filigree, with an emerald drop.
"Perfect for her eyes," Gavril said. "Are there earrings to match?" He and Ry went to look.
* * *
"I don't believe this." Gavril stood, stunned at the sight of Reah sleeping peacefully against Astralan on the hammock. Astralan grinned cheekily at Gavril before placing a kiss against Reah's forehead, waking her.
* * *
"Huh?" I looked up at Astralan, who gave me a gentle smile.
"Time to wake, I imagine, your mates are here."
"Oh." I turned to blink at Teeg, Lendill, Ry, Lok, Tory, Aurelius, Farzi and Nenzi.
"Have a nice nap?" I shrank away from Teeg; he didn't look happy.
"Baby, don't." Teeg held out a hand. "I should have seen it coming a long time ago. Astralan, don't make me shorten your name by mistreating Reah."
"As if I would. And you'll have other competition, too, I think. Edward Pendley asked her to marry him this afternoon. I think she's settled for a date first."
"What were you doing with Edward Pendley?"
"Working on my future, I hope," I said.
"Gishi fruit ice cream," Astralan grinned and then employed power to get both of us out of the hammock. "She's going back in two days to look at what he's done with a temporary building and make some samples to take to vendors. They'll buy, no matter how much it costs. That's the best thing I've ever eaten."
"Reah, come here, sweetheart," Teeg pulled one of my hands to his lips and placed a gentle kiss there. "We picked up a few things while we were out. You need to come see."
The kitchen island was covered in jewelry. I stood, shocked, staring at all of it.
"This for you, love of our hearts," Farzi smiled.
"Farzi," I sniffled, wrapping my arms around his neck.
* * *
"What are you doing?" Karzac stood in the doorway to the bedroom Kevis kept at the villa.
"Righting a wrong, I hope," Kevis replied, tossing a few things into a bag. "I'll be back tomorrow if everything goes well."
"You're not getting into trouble, are you?" Karzac lifted an eyebrow.
"Trouble? Me?" Kevis folded away.
* * *
"These cartons are nice," I held one up. The container was gold on the outside, with black and silver lettering. The cartons would have to be nice to convince a customer to spend at least one hundred seventy-five credits on it.
"I have an office in Adrixx, complete with an advertising account," Edward said. "Apparently when I say jump, they don't even bother asking how high. They just jump as high as they can and see if that's good enough." We were ready to fill the cartons with ice cream to take to Edward's vendors. It was a gift of sorts; an attempt to get them to buy.
"The inspectors are coming in three days," Edward added. "When are we going on our date?"
"Edward, we need to have a talk," I said. "You see how I'm crazy and all, according to my mates and the doctor. And a nurse in the Reth Alliance sold some sensitive vid to that stupid reality show, Temporary Insanity. The whole Reth Alliance and at least half the Campiaan Alliance thinks I'm crazy. Some think I'm dangerous, too. You should have seen those mothers pulling their babies away from me when I went out in public."
"Those people are fools," Edward huffed. "Reah, if you think we can't go out somewhere on a date, then we'll stay in. I have a pool and a game room and a vid room and a lot of other rooms I probably don't realize I have."
"Then we can stay in, as long as I get to cook."
"You don't have to do that."
"But I want to. You can help if you want."
"Sweetheart, I can scramble eggs. That's about it."
"I like an honest man," I smiled up at him.
* * *
"You have something for me?" Dandril Wond asked. Dandril was Edward's gishi fruit distributor throughout the Campiaan Alliance. Edward set a tink carton of gishi fruit ice cream in front of Dandril and offered him a wrapped plastic spoon.
"A new product that's about to go into production," Edward smiled. "I wanted to give you first crack at it."
"What is it?" Dandril lifted the top off the carton and gazed at the contents.
"Gishi fruit ice cream," Edward's smile widened. "Go ahead, try it." Dandril dipped the spoon in and lifted ice cream to his lips. And then lifted another, larger spoonful. "I want everything you produce," Dandril declared, dipping out more ice cream.
"I was hoping you'd say that," Edward laughed. "Dandril, this is going to make us three times as wealthy as we are. Production starts in an eight-day, and we have an ad campaign to plan."
* * *
Kevis had been gone for three days and my healers came out of bedrooms every morning with wide smiles. In fact, two of Franklin's mates, Shane and Tomas, had come, met with Celestan and Galaxsan and that was that—they were hooked. We went up the mountain with them one afternoon and watched—Astralan and I, while they snowboarded down. "Reah, I don't think I've ever been this happy," Astralan sighed, leaning over to give me a kiss.
"Hon, don't say that yet. I don't know when I'll feel like sex again."
"You will. Kevis will get you back to us. Besides, I've waited this long. I can wait a while longer. Tell me you care for me, Reah, that's all I need."
"I do," I said. "I can't say how much right now, because I'm still numb from Cloudsong. You're going to need that patience, honey."
"Teeg just hunches his shoulders around me, now. He doesn't know how this will fit into our working relationship," Astralan said. "I don't mind, as long as it doesn't interfere with us. Come over here. You look tired. How's that baby?" Astralan rubbed my belly soothingly as I watched Franklin fly down the slope, just ahead of Galaxsan. We'd gotten a private room with a balcony so I wouldn't be subjected to the scrutiny of the other guests. Ceerah had ruined the possibility of my going out in public and remaining anonymous. She'd likely gotten me shot by whoever had a vendetta against me.
"You have good hands," I said, tracing the veins on the back of the hand that wasn't rubbing my belly.
"Those hands want to touch a lot of things," Astralan breathed against my ear. "Don't tempt me, Reah. I'm patient if you don't dangle that in front of me."
"I can't touch you?" I turned to look up at him.
"Reah, you set my blood on fire. You have to be careful, my heart."
"All right. Go back to the belly rub," I sighed.
* * *
"Reah is coming to make dessert for Mom's birthday," Franklin grinned at his father. Merrill, the former King Vampire, was now a member of the Saa Thalarr's elite corps of Enforcers.
"I hear you're going to introduce a couple of new mates as well," Merrill smiled. He had a very dry sense of humor, when he employed it.
"Reah is responsible for that," Frank was still grinning. "They fit right in, Dad. Joey, Norton and Bearcat aren't the only ones who have a warlock mate. We have two."
"I didn't realize it was a contest."
"Dad, I love you," Franklin gave Merrill a hug.
"I love you, too, son. Always have. Do you know what Reah is making for us?"
"I don't want to spoil it, but word has it that it's the most expensive dessert you'll ever eat."
"Then I'll look forward to it. How is Reah, by the way?"
"I think she has three people panting after her, and only knows about two of them," Franklin's dimple appeared.
"Besides what she already has?"
"Well, yeah. That Edward Pendley guy asked her to marry him already."
"He's at least half Elemaiya. Was born on Earth, did you know that?" Merrill smiled.
"And now he grows gishi fruit."
"And now he does. Perhaps you should invite all of Reah's mates and prospective mates to the party. I wouldn't mind talking to Mr. Pendley, son."
* * *
"Reah, can you make twice as much ice cream as we originally thought?" Frank moved the hair off my neck and fanned it gently—it was hot out by the pool. "Those are claiming marks?" He examined the four punctures on my neck.
"Yes, those are claiming marks," I said. "And I can make three times the original amount, if you want it."
"Let's do that, then," Frank grinned before hugging me. "I think I love you as much as any gay man can love a woman."
"Hey, now," I turned to poke him in the ribs. "Those eyes are way too tempting. You should watch out," I hugged him back.
"Got those from my dad," he laughed.
"On your birthday, right?"
"First one."
"I'll bet your dad is something," I said.
"He is. Mom is, too. She says she's not freaked out or scarred for life, she was just shocked that a naked nymph was drawing designs on her belly."
"No designs, I promise," I said. "I know nothing about the naked nymph thing."
"It's hot. Let's get in the pool," Franklin lifted me up, and just like that, every stitch of clothing I wore disappeared. As did his. We were floating around in the pool in no time. The water was nice, actually. Farzi, Nenzi and their six brothers showed up and dropped into the pool as lion snakes.
"Honey Snake," I reached out to stroke Farzi's head.
"You can tell them apart?" Franklin didn't know what to think about eight snakes swimming around him.
"By the patterns," I nodded. "They're all different. See, this is Nenzi," he lifted his head and I kissed him between the eyes. "And here's Chazi," I pointed out the slight differences in his pattern. "Bekzi, Hirzi, Yanzi, Perzi and Darzi," I pointed all of them out. Nenzi curled around my neck. "Sweet man," I stroked his scales.
"A party?" Teeg walked out, immediately dropped his clothing and slipped into the water.
"Damn." Joey and Norton came out of the house, drinks in hand. They were impressed by the snakes and the males in the pool.
"Holy shit." Kevis chose that moment to come back.
"Aw, come on. I'm in here," Frank said.
"Baby," Teeg moved Nenzi aside and hugged me against him. "Put your arms around my neck. Come on." I worried my lower lip while staring into his dark eyes. "Come on," he coaxed softly. "Yeah, that's right," my arms went around his neck. "How's our baby doing?" A hand slipped between us, stroking my belly. And then he pulled my head against his shoulder.
"There's nothing to worry about, unless you attack one of them or Reah," Astralan slapped Kevis on the back and shucked his clothing too. Astralan didn't have a thing to be ashamed of, sliding into the water easily. "Just right," he sighed with pleasure.
"I will join you." Nefrigar, whom I hadn't seen for days, appeared in the water and sat in a corner. His head was far above the water in the four-foot depth on one end.
"Kiss me, baby. Tell me you still care about me," Teeg murmured against my ear.
"Teeg," I hugged him tighter.
"That's good, sweetheart," he sighed. I was glad the reptanoids had built a huge pool after a while. Everybody was in the water. Mathilde came out with trays of drinks, didn't even blink and went back for more.
"Bro, can I get a turn?" Tory was behind us, tapping Teeg on the back.
"This looks like fun," Ry, Erland and Corolan appeared. Was I prepared to see Erland naked? I guess. Ry got every bit of his good looks from his father.
"Come on, baby, come to your High Demon," Tory sighed, sliding me away from Teeg. Except for Nefrigar, Tory was the tallest one there. Tory held me, but I had difficulty meeting his gaze. He tilted my head up. "Do you know how sorry I am?" Tory said softly. "I can't believe what kind of fool I was." He tilted his head and kissed me.
I should have remembered about the linking. I should have. I hadn't had a High Demon lover for twenty-five years and I'd forgotten that until the moment we came into contact. His desire linked right into mine. It didn't matter whether I wanted him to start with. Tory's rush of fire heated my blood. What he wanted, I wanted. And he wanted everything. Right away. "Don't be scared, don't be scared," he whispered against my mouth. Was he going to do this, right in front of everybody? He skipped us away at the last possible moment, landing us in a bed, somewhere.
"Won't hurt, I promise," his body pushed against mine. I only had a moment to be frightened before we were one. It didn't hurt. Didn't burn or sting. His body was treating mine gently, with careful strokes. Instead of bites, I received kisses. Whatever he could reach was kissed and teased and caressed. "Love you, Reah. Love you. Love you. Love you."
* * *
"It's the linking," Gavril blew out a sigh. "All he has to do is touch her and it activates."
"Linking? Have I heard this before?" Kevis asked. He'd finally gotten into the pool with everyone else. Dee had come and was now coaxing Mathilde into the water.
"Once a High Demon puts his teeth in a High Demon female's neck, the next time forms the linking. His desire is hers and vice versa. Hard to stop, once it's started."
"Your brother told you this?"
"Uh, not exactly. I was a curious child," Gavril admitted.
"Uh-huh. Care to talk about that?" Kevis asked.
"I'm not having a session with a naked man," Gavril groused.
"Point taken," Kevis sipped his drink and grinned.
"I'm much older, guaranteed," Dee pulled Mathilde along, her nicely plump form an enticement to the old vampire.
Gavril grinned. "Time to get out," he said quietly. Kevis agreed. Everyone slipped out and quietly made an exit.
* * *
"That is a fool's errand," Maldak, the Copper Ra'Ak Prince glared at the ones standing before him. Both claimed to be Elvish Princes. "We have no power against one of that kind," Maldak continued. "I will not even consider it."
"But we will pay very well. Offer sacrifices, if you want."
"Faugh. You think to tempt me with that?" Maldak snorted. "We can get our own. We do not need such brought to us. Leave now and you keep your lives."
"Come, Naldill," Reldill grasped his brother's arm. "We'll find another way." Maldak's eyes narrowed as he watched the two elves disappear. He'd known about the rogue attack upon the Saa Thalarr. Had it on good authority that a High Demon had come and destroyed all thirty-six rogue Copper Ra'Ak. Just as well. It saved Maldak the trouble of killing them himself.
* * *
"Reah, baby, are you hungry?" Tory traced a finger down my cheek. I huddled farther into his warmth. Why were the men always so warm? Unless there was a heat wave, I felt cold most of the time.
"Cold, avilepha?" I was gathered closer. I still hadn't opened my eyes. Tory was practically reading my mind. "Do you feel all right? How's the baby?" A hand, warm, splayed on my belly. "Come on; let's get you fed before you feel nauseous." I was lifted off the bed, carried into the shower and finally forced to open my eyes when the spray of warm water hit my skin.
"See, those pretty eyes can open," Tory smiled at me.
"Where are we?" Tory grabbed the soap and began working over my body, not answering my question for a moment.
"The palace in Lissia," he finally said. "My suite." It must have been updated since I'd visited last, but that had been more than twenty-five years earlier. Of course it had been updated since then.
"Great. Now your mom and everybody else will know." I pushed wet hair back from my face. I hoped at that point that I could get it trimmed soon. The length was almost too long for me to handle.
"Know what?"
"That we—you know."
"Is that a crime? Reah, we're mated."
"Since when?" I turned away from him.
"Don't go back on me now," Tory turned me around and blinked concerned, dark eyes into mine.
"Tory, we were mated long ago. I don't know what we are now. You never married me, if you'll recall."
"I know. Baby, that was long ago and I've learned my lesson at least ten times since then. Can't we let it go? We were good last night. You wanted it as much as I did."
"I don't know what I want anymore. Not as far as we're concerned."
"You have to sort this out with Kevis. I know that. Whatever it is. He'll help you."
"And then what? I can just forget about the last twenty-five years?"
"Look, I know that's not possible. I was hoping we could set that aside and go on from here." He raked wet hands through his dark hair in frustration.
"Tory," I dropped my face in my hands. Here he was still not offering to marry me. Not taking responsibility. What did he want from me? Confessions of undying love? I wasn't sure I was capable of that. Not in my present state.
"Can we agree to a truce, at least? Until we figure this out? Tell me you didn't enjoy what happened between us. I wish I hadn't been so thickheaded about all that. Darletta couldn't even come close to what we have."
"You had to bring her into it, didn't you?" I skipped angrily away.
"Don't ask." I walked furiously past Kevis, naked, wet and angry. Turning on the taps in the shower, I stepped inside, intent upon finishing what I'd started on Le-Ath Veronis.
"What happened?" Kevis was inside the bathroom, asking questions while I was cleaning up. Well, he'd seen all of me before, why would this be any different? Why didn't I just walk around naked all the time? I slapped the soap onto the shelf and scrubbed my skin.
"Torevik Rath, that's what," I muttered. "He proceeded to tell me that the sex he had with me was better than the sex he had with Darletta. Like I wanted to hear that."
"Perhaps he thought to pay you a compliment."
"Bringing up sex with the woman you married to the one you didn't isn't a good idea in my book," I grabbed the shampoo bottle and squeezed out a generous portion. "I don't care how good he thinks the compliment is. Want to go into the outside world with me while I get my hair trimmed today?" I snapped.
"Reah, I will go anywhere with you, but we'll look for a place where you won't be harassed."
"Good luck on finding that," I huffed.
"We'll find something, I promise."
Mathilde was smiling and humming as she placed breakfast in front of us. Teeg had an eyebrow lifted but didn't say anything when I sat between him and Kevis at the table. Farzi and Nenzi watched too, but remained silent. Joey, Norton, Franklin, Celestan and Galaxsan ate quietly. Astralan stole a look in my direction occasionally but didn't interrupt my meal. Lok and Aurelius weren't there. I wondered where they were but didn't send mindspeech or ask the three healers.
"We're going to get our hair trimmed," Kevis announced when I finished eating.
"Huh?" I turned to him. He'd said we.
"We're going," he repeated. "As many as want to go." He made a circle with a finger, indicating everybody at the table.
"Ah. Mathilde, would you like to come? Get your hair washed or something?" I looked at our cook.
"If the bosses say it's all right," she smiled.
"It all right," Farzi nodded.
"Then I'll come."
"Let me brush my teeth. Where are you taking me again?"
* * *
"Reah, this is Conner." I was introduced to a beautiful woman with long, blonde hair. Not as long as mine, but most women didn't have hair that long.
"Honey, we're going to take you to my favorite salon. You and Mathilde both." She had a slower way of speaking and a lovely accent. "We'll get your fingers and toes done, too." We were folded to an exclusive salon, with private rooms and such. Mathilde and I were allowed inside the same one. We were given manicures and pedicures first, then the hairdressers arrived.
"Is this your natural color?" The young man stared at me in surprise.
"Everything about her is natural," Connor observed dryly. "We just want a bit of a trim. About eight inches, I think," she added.
"To the middle of the back?" he asked, drawing a finger across the designated spot. "My name is Todd," he introduced himself.
"Maybe a little longer than that," I said. Someone named Mari worked on Mathilde while Todd walked around me. I sat in a hydraulic chair that Todd raised quite high. My hair hung over the back of it.
"Let's trim those bangs and taper them. We'll make the hair softer around the face," Todd said, chin in fingers as he decided what to do. "You must have had beautiful parents; you got great genes from somewhere," he said as he worked on my hair after wetting it down for the cut.
"Ixnay on the arents-pay," Conner said. I didn't understand what she said at all. And I didn't want to go into my troubles with a hairdresser, so I remained silent.
"See, you can still pull it back, but it'll be feathered around the face and not so severe if you do pull it into a braid," Todd showed me later, holding the length in his hands. "But look at this." He turned the chair around and gave me a mirror to examine the back. My hair was cut to the right length, the heavy weight curling under slightly. "Honey, that is movie star hair. No doubt about that. I know women who would kill to get it."
"They'd have a fight on their hands," I handed the mirror back to him. "I like your work," I added.
"Thanks," he smiled. Mathilde was finished shortly after I was. She'd gotten her shoulder-length, reddish-brown hair colored and layered. She looked quite nice. Dee would be impressed, I think.
Conner insisted on paying, and all my men rose from their seats in the waiting area when we walked out.
"Beautiful," Teeg walked around, examining the cut. "Very, very nice," he moved hair aside and ran a finger down my cheek. "Here." He tossed a wad of paper currency to Todd as a tip. My hairdresser caught it with a smile.
"Will you come to the house for tea?" Conner asked.
"We will," Kevis answered. We ended up at a manor house. The architecture was archaic. Certainly not modern, but well-kept for all that.
"This is where we live," Franklin informed me. "Shane, Tomas and I. We'll bring Celestan and Galaxsan here soon. Conner wants to meet them."
"That's wonderful," I said. "They've been looking for you for a while, I think."
"We know about the hundred year thing," Franklin said. "But they say it won't matter."
"I've heard that it doesn't with your true mates." Ry had told me about it.
"That's what they say," Frank grinned. "I'm afraid we don't want to give them up. Come along, let's have tea and cake."
"These are very good," I said. The tiny cakes were lightly frosted and melted in the mouth.
"I love petit fours," Conner laughed.
"You ready for tomorrow?" Joey asked.
"Nearly. I need to pick up a couple of things and get the fresh gishi fruit from Edward, but that's it."
"We can take you when we leave here," he offered.
"That sounds good. I need to talk to Edward anyway."
* * *
"Here it is, and the inspectors passed the temporary facility. We're laying the foundation for the other one tomorrow. It'll go up quickly after that." Edward smiled and led me to a barn where crates of gishi fruit waited.
"Here are the sugar and spice suppliers," I handed my comp-vid to Edward, who tapped his codes in to transfer the data.
"Are you available to come tomorrow?" Franklin asked Edward. Frank, Norton and Joey had come with me; the others had gone back to Campiaa.
"I would be happy to go if Reah is going," Edward grinned.
"Then please do. We'll come pick you up," Franklin smiled.
* * *
"I'm surprised you love cooking so much, when working in the kitchens when you were a child was so traumatic for you," Kevis said, watching me pull dark chocolate cakes from the oven. The cakes had to cool before I set them inside boxes for transport. Franklin had gone to get Edward, who'd agreed to come with us. The gishi fruit ice cream was prepared already and packed in cartons inside the large freezer in the reptanoids' kitchen. Edible gold flakes were stored inside shakers, the fresh oxberries and redberries were already washed and ready to use.
"There you are," Edward appeared with Franklin inside the kitchen.
"Want something to drink?" I asked.
"Of course I do," he grinned. He was such a wonderful man, and not difficult to look at, either.
"Kevis?" I raised the pitcher. I was about to make the rum and fruit drink that everyone seemed to like so much.
"Sure." He nodded at me while pulling a stool out for Edward.
"This is very good," Kevis sighed, sucking the last of his drink through a straw.
"You only get one, unless you want to attend the party a little sloshed," I said.
"All right, but I may want to be sloshed later," he smiled.
"Good enough. Let me know when you want the sloshing to commence," I said. "Just make it before my bedtime."
"Okay, boss," Kevis laughed.
"You've had too much already," I pulled the glass away from him.
"Are we ready?" Franklin asked later, after I'd gotten cakes settled into boxes. Everything else, including the ice cream, was sitting on the huge island, waiting to be transported.
"I'm ready." I'd changed clothes, although I still wasn't dressed for a party. I wasn't an invitee, just one of the cooks, after all. Garwin Wyatt had finally made his presence known, too. I couldn't fasten the waistband on any of my pants, so I'd worn a pair of black jeans with the stretchy front, coupling them with a jeweled blue top gathered slightly between my breasts. The outfit was comfortable and looked nice enough. Low, black heels finished everything out, and I'd elected to wear the jewelry that Farzi and Nenzi had purchased for me.
"This nice," Farzi grinned when he saw the jewelry. All my mates had been invited, in addition to Edward and Astralan. I just shrugged and allowed Franklin, Joey and Norton to fold us to the party.
* * *
"This is my mother," Franklin introduced me to Kiarra, who refused to tell us how old she was.
"We've met," I nodded at Kiarra, who smiled graciously at me.
"I should have known," Frank laughed. "Mom gets around, and half the time she forgets to tell me. This is my father, Merrill," Franklin added. Frank looked very much like his father, who also had black hair and piercing blue eyes.
"We'll place everything in stasis, so it won't melt or spoil," Merrill informed me when we settled everything on another huge island. "Dinner is about to start. We'll let you know when it's time for dessert."
I nodded to him; he smiled and then went immediately to Edward. "You don't know me," Merrill held out his hand, "but I know of you."
"How's that?" Edward asked, clasping Merrill's hand.
"I used to be vampire," he said. "I know about the half-Elemaiyan children. What I wanted to talk to you about is gishi fruit. Adam and I would like to either buy into one of the groves, or purchase it outright."
"EastStar isn't for sale, and I know the owner of SouthStar very well. He won't sell, either. You might be able to approach WestStar and NorthStar. I don't get along with them; they're always looking for ways to sabotage my groves," Edward huffed. "They think I'm cutting into their business, and they're terrified of SouthStar's owner and his manager. They don't try anything with them, but they love to dig at me whenever they can. The feud has gained local notoriety," Edward admitted with a wry smile.
"You're famous?" I smiled up at Edward.
"Not really. I'm just the guy who grows gishi fruit. Those other two fail to realize that there's a ready market for everything we produce, collectively."
"Growing gishi fruit works for me," I said. "Can I have your autograph?"
"I offered you my name. You haven't said yes, yet." He laughed.
"We haven't had our date yet."
"True enough. We'll do that soon. Don't forget, we start making ice cream in four days."
"I have shipments of supplies coming your way," I said. "I sent that information to you."
"And I received it. We'll make this work, just wait and see."
They should have asked you to do the cooking, Teeg sent to me. The food was good, but Teeg obviously thought I might do better. It didn't matter, dessert had tired me out. At least seventy people had come, so I was glad we had enough dessert for around a hundred.
Many of the dishes were vegetarian, too. Franklin's mother didn't eat meat, like several others, there. I'd met Kevis' mother, Grace, as well as Karzac's third mate, Devin. They were very polite; I learned both were vegetarian and they kindly asked about the baby.
"Now, let's have some of that dessert," Franklin said when everyone had retired to what he called the ballroom. The cooking staff would supply coffee and other drinks; it was my job to get the dessert ready for the guests.
"Just tell them what you want them to do," Franklin led me into the kitchen, where a line of temporary employees waited for instructions.
"Cut the cake thin, like this," I sliced a piece that was little more than an inch at the widest part. "This cake is very rich, so we don't want it to overpower the ice cream and fresh berries. Now, scatter a good mix of berries around the top, like this," I demonstrated what I wanted. "Then, add a sprig of mint, dip a generous scoop of ice cream and drop it at the bottom of the cake, and sprinkle the entire thing with gold flakes."
"That looks pretty, how does it taste?" the cook demanded. I think he'd been insulted that someone else was inside his kitchen.
"Taste it, this one is yours," I handed it to him. He dipped up a bit of the cake with a little of the ice cream and tasted it.
"Holy shit," he sighed and dipped up more. "What kind of ice cream is this?"
"The most expensive you'll ever eat," Franklin said, patting my shoulder. "Come on, let's get it onto plates and serve the guests." We put an assembly line together and trays filled with dessert went out quickly.
"You're telling me this fruit only grows on two planets?" The cook, who said his name was Rio, asked.
"It's true. It harvests two or three times a year on or near the equator, in a particular volcanic soil. They've tried to grow it elsewhere, but the trees just die or the fruit is bitter."
"Amazing," Rio said. "I think I could ask any amount if I could get it here."
"There's barely enough to satisfy the demand as it is," I informed him. "I used to manage the groves on one of the planets. It turned into a very lucrative business."
"So you decided to make ice cream with it?"
"I did. I took the slightly blemished fruit that we couldn't sell and made ice cream for the employees. They loved it."
"Sounds like a nice bonus for them," Rio said.
"They deserved it."
"Reah, this is Glendes Grey, of Grey House," Joey introduced a dark-haired man to me. He took my hand and kissed it.
"I'd pay whatever you asked, I think, if you'd come and make this dessert for a special occasion sometime," he smiled at me.
"Your house made my favorite knife," I said. "I'd do it, just for that."
"Reah, are you frightening Rio?" Franklin asked.
"I hope not," I said. "We were just having a great conversation with the Eldest of Grey House, here."
"Rio, you won't be able to repeat a single word of this outside this house," Franklin said, "and I'm sorry for that. Knowledge of our race protects its own."
"I won't be able to tell my brother?"
"Not unless he's here now."
"He isn't."
"Sorry. Reah, it probably isn't a good idea to tell him anything else. It may frustrate him when he finds he can't pass the information along."
"But am I included in that?" I asked. "I'm not one of you."
"The Larentii are taking care of you and the others tonight. It will all be the same."
"Rio, ask any question you want, and I'll answer it," I said. "But as Franklin says, the information will remain with you afterward."
"I don't mind, I've seen and heard a lot that makes me hopeful tonight," he said. "What is your race, Reah? Which one do you belong to?"
"At times, just the mention of my race conjures up the wrong image," I said. "Just bear in mind that some of us, not all, but some of us have gotten an erroneous reputation. I'll show you what I am." I turned to my smaller Thifilatha and Rio, poor soul, fell over in a faint.