His expression is lit up with the biggest smile I’ve seen him wear to date. He gives me another little wave, and I try the eggs. I can tell they’ve been standing for a little while, but he’s made them with real butter and I just can’t get enough of them. I’m so excited that I scoop some onto my pinchers and hold them out for Borak. “You’ve got to taste these. They’re heaven.”
To be honest, I’m a little awkward using the pinchers, and a few bits fall off before he can lean over and wrap his lips around the tip. The pinchers are kind of like chopsticks that are hinged at the back end. I click them open and closed a couple of times before looking down for another tasty morsel. I grab one of the little red pancake things, bring it to my mouth and bite off a piece. They taste just like pancakes with a strong berry flavor.
I wash it down with a drink of sim-caffeine. When I glance over at Borak, he’s happy as a clam. I quickly move a bunch of food to his side of the platter to encourage the man to eat. “You did really well. This is the best meal I’ve had in a very long time.”
“You speak truly or just to draw me in, my queen?”
I’m so thrilled to hear him call me his that I stand, lean over the table and wrap my hand around the back of his thick neck. Pulling him forward slightly, I murmur quietly, “If I wanted to draw you in, I wouldn’t lie to you. I’d do this.” When my lips ghost softly over his, he goes still under my touch. Since I’m brazen but not into excessive public displays, I quickly slide back into my seat.
His hand slowly comes to his lips. “You made the human kiss with me where others could see.” He doesn’t seem angry or upset, just dumbfounded.
Smiling, I can’t help teasing him a little. “I’ve got to let all the other women know that you’re spoken for. We might not be mates yet, but I’m staking out my territory.”
Just like I suspected he would be, Borak’s all in. His wings bounce happily at his sides, and his horns are laying back like it’s the most casual thing in the world. He shakes his head a bit before mumbling, “Though I appreciate the gesture, I do not see a multitude of human queens lined up to lay claim to the most primitive of the old blood warriors.”
I laugh and take another sip of my drink. “You might be primitive on the outside, but we both know you’re complicated on the inside.”
“You say everything a male such as myself wishes to hear.”
I bring a piece of bacon to his lips, and he eats from my hand like it’s the greatest honor of his lifetime. I guess everything feels new and special when you first get together with someone. My worry is that it won’t last. Chantel’s father, like so many other human men, wandered off when the newness wore off. He’s on his fifth wife now. With there being so few men on Earth, they tend to not stay in relationships very long. I’ve had my heart broken once. It made me cold and a little unforgiving. I’m wary of that happening again just when my heart is starting to thaw.
“Greetings, General Watson and Borak.” Kryos’ voice sounds strained, and I can’t imagine why.
Borak responds in kind. “Greetings, Kryos. Queen Juliet is no longer an Earth Gov general. Perhaps you have noticed she no longer wears her uniform.”
I shift in my seat. Borak just gave his friend a polite dressing down. Maybe this is what conflict looks like between warriors.
Kryos gazes at me. “Yes, I now see that. Forgive my poor manners, Queen Juliet.”
Since I don’t know what to say, I go with the truth. “It’s fine. I’m still switching gears myself.” There is an awkward silence so I fill it up with words. “I’d love to ask you to join us, but Borak and I are on a date. He made this lovely breakfast with his own hands and I’m too greedy to share any of it.”
Kryos’s wings jerk back and his gaze goes to Borak. “You still wish to be chosen even though…”
Borak cuts him off, his voice going deadly serious in an instant. “I do. Queen Juliet wishes to be mine.”