lines up with what I already know. Anticipating the next piece of the story, I ask, “When the stealing didn’t work, you decided to bargain to get what you wanted?”
Dipping his head much like a Draconian warrior, he answers. “Yes. I still did not understand feelings and emotions. I reasoned that if I had three females it would increase the probability of one selecting me for mating.” His head turns to look at Amber, and something approaching pure love shines in his eyes. “I continued not to understand until I found my Amber. The moment I saw her and touched her, my mind understood feelings of love. Amber has chosen me as her mate. I have no need for extra females. They do not mix well with my new clade.”
“So what, you’re dropping them off and abandoning them?”
“Among the Draconians, if someone gives you a thing that you do not need or desire, it is polite to return the gift. Although this is not true of humans, I do not know what else to do with live beings that I have no wish to care for any longer.”
“Of course we will accept them if they want to stay.” I don’t even have to ask Borak, because he still has extra sons that need wives, and if these women don’t like his sons, they can always accept visitors from other clades.
By now Molly and Chantel are outside along with the males. Penelope is still hovering around the doorway to the common area. The women cautiously approach, so I make sure staying here is what they want.
“Are you all three willing to stay here with us? There’s plenty of room, and I promise no one will force you to do anything you don’t want to do. If you don’t like it here, there is a special resort-style complex in the city where all the single women stay until they pick a mate. I guess if you insist upon returning to Earth, we can probably arrange that, but it’ll take some time.”
They don’t look happy with their choices. Molly chimes in, “The men of our clade are really nice, and you won’t have to worry about anything while you’re with us. I promise what Juliet’s telling you is true.”
They move reluctantly forward, and I take that as agreement since I don’t know what these women have been through since the shifter has had them. Maybe they’re too traumatized to talk. Molly and Chantel hustle them all off before anyone can change their minds.
I turn my attention back to the shifter. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like to stay awhile?” It’s cold outside, but I know the shield on their shuttle platform regulates the temperature inside.
He begins moving to the front again and climbs onboard. Amber is the one that answers. “We can’t stay. We’re delivering my friends to their new habitat today.” That’s when I notice one of the canisters we used to collect the harmonic creatures in is wedged between her body and the multitude of little ones on the platform. I remember there were four canisters, and imagine the other three are tucked safely into the mix as well.
“Well, you’re always welcome here. If you need anything at all or ever run into trouble, know you’re welcome here.”
“I really like you, Juliet. You’re my second human friend.”
“I like you as well, Miss Amber. Don’t be a stranger.”
“We won’t. See you soon.”
Waving to her hurts my heart. Everything about their story is almost tragic. I give a little prayer that she’ll be okay and those kids will have everything they need. Maybe we could visit them with some of Molly’s famous baked goods. I make a mental note to do that as I follow Borak back into our keep.
Personal Growth
Juliet
When we enter the common room, the three newbies are all standing by the fireplace warming their hands. They all turn accusing eyes on me at the same time. Borak moves closer, as if intuiting how difficult this moment is going to be for me.
The one with red hair turns all the way around to face off with me. “So who are we being given to next?”
“No one. What I said outside is true.”
“Well, you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t believe a damn word you have to say.”
One of the others grabs her arm. “Don’t provoke her, Jill.” The fear in her voice makes me tear up as my two worlds come crashing into one another. The world where I think