was that his home is a disgrace, and he does not have a clue of what a female needs to be comfortable. I have some things I can lend you, but you are small, and we will need to get you some extra items to serve your needs. Like a bucket of soap maybe? And something clean to wear that doesn’t stink like eg’grilt droppings?”
Rhyst growled at the intentional insult, offended that his sister would speak in such a way—and in front of the females listening. “Ag’hana…” He snarled as he cast a concerned look to Cha’lii.
The fine strips of hair over her brow drew together as she stared at his sister before the muscles in her face relaxed, the color faded from her cheeks, and she actually smiled. The soft laughter that rolled out of her startled him, and he stared, watching her face transform as the melodious, happy sound skated through him.
“Got me there, creampuff. I would love a bucket of soap and some clean clothes so I can wash this.”
His sister stilled, her eyes focused on Cha’lii’s face, weighing the other female’s words. If he had to stop his sister from attacking Cha’lii for the insult, it was going to make things even more complicated for what was to come. A human offering a public insult and starting a fight would do nothing to help her species. He held back a frustrated snarl and a few choice expletives at the soft laughter from the females around them, but when he turned his head to look at them, they were moving away, indulging in whatever interest had now engaged their attention.
He lifted his eyes to the temple of En’el, praying that his sister not react harshly. He had not felt the bite of his sister’s claws since his youth, but he had no doubt that, a’sankh or not, it was going to rekindle a few memories from their sharp sting.
The throaty sound of Ag’hana’s delighted laughter snatched his attention, and he stared in surprise as the female reached for Cha’lii with a hesitant companionability rather than anger.
“I do not know about humans in general, our only introduction to them being unpleasant, as I am sure you are aware,” Cha’lii colored and looked away, but his sister nudged her gently, “but you, I believe I will like. You have spirit, like the Tak’sinii. Let us shop the market while Rh’ystmal returns to his home and attempts to bring order to it.”
He made a sharp hiss of objection. It was not appropriate for her to refer to him by that name, and she was fully aware of it. He did not wish for her to confuse Cha’lii. The human threw him a curious glance. He realized that she might interpret that he did not wish for her to go with his sister. That might be taken as mistrust. Though he still was not sure how fully he trusted Cha’lii, he was more concerned for her safety than his sister. But his objection had nothing to do with it.
“My sister’s plan is a good one,” he assured her. “She merely enjoys speaking out of turn. A characteristic that her mate finds charming rather than maddening and thus encourages more than he should.”
Ag’hana grimaced and cast her eyes heavenward. “My apologies. I meant Rhyst, of course. And naturally my plan is faultless. My brother has plenty of zelb but lives simply due to his aversion to the markets. It will be expedient if we go.”
“You will watch for her safety?” he asked.
His sister was not fooled; she knew that full weight that he was entrusting her with. She raised an eyebrow at him at the question. Technically speaking, it was used by tradition when entrusting one’s mate into the care of their family, but it was equally necessary in this case. That it would bring this to mind was inconsequential, though he did feel a strange longing that he refused to acknowledge.
“Yes, of course,” his sister said. “I am honored to be entrusted with a precious jewel.” His heart ached at the traditional response, but he refused to read anything into it, other than that perhaps his sister was toying with him once again. Turning away from him, she touched Cha’lii’s arm to steer her in the right direction. “Come, Cha’lii. We should get started immediately. The markets will be open for a few spans more after sundown, but it is little time to accomplish much.”