“That is why he is having a difficult time accepting your interest. In his mind, he will still think it is a trap, that like us you will be unable to accept him. So, we have to work through that.”
“How do I even start to do that?”
“Well, it doesn’t hurt to at least dress like you are sexually interested in him. Tell me that, at very least, you were not wearing this when you propositioned him.”
Charlie rolled her eyes, snorting a laugh. “It’s not that bad.”
“It is something that a virginal unmated female might wear—or the dam of her dam. Not to inspire the passions of a male whose gaze lands upon it.”
“Well, you can rest assured that I was wearing my blue kassan that you selected, and he still turned me down flat.”
“The blue kassan? But how could he resist? It matches your eyes perfectly! We will have to think of another plan to work at his defenses.” Ag’hana sat down on the edge of the couch.
Charlie stared at the other female. “Okay, that’s a little unexpected. Can I ask why you’re working so hard at being a matchmaker?”
“A matchmaker? We do not have such a term, but I do like it. A maker of your match. Yes, consider me that. As for the why—what difference does it make? Number one, you are clearly not at’sahl, no matter what people may think of your species.”
“What exactly is at’sahl? I understand it’s used for humans, but I keep feeling there’s more to it than that.”
Ag’hana nodded, her lips twisting in distaste. “It is a curse among our people. It means the people who are bloody. It refers specifically to your uncivilized behavior.”
Charlie paled. “From those men…”
“Yes,” Ag’hana interrupted, shuddering as her eyes saddened and her ears tipped down in misery. “I apologize, but I prefer not to speak of it. A dear friend of mine was one of those who lost her child. All I care about in this matter is that you are obviously not at’sahl.”
Charlie felt her breath catch in her throat, her eyes stinging. “You can really see that?”
Ag’hana leaned forward, her eyes sharp. “I can, and to anyone who dares question it, I would tell them that anyone with eyes and any sense can see that you are too good to be one. I can see that, and my brother, who has the best instincts among the a’sankhii, sees it. He would not trust you as he does if you were.”
“Thank you,” Charlie whispered.
Maybe there was a chance for things to turn out well for her and Rhyst.
Her friend sat back, folding her hands in her lap. “Which brings me to point number two. I want my brother to be happy. He has given everything up to be a’sankh. He deserves to have you, and you need and deserve him. I am not blind. I see the connection between you. So, I will do everything in my power to make it happen for both of you. But to do that, you need to get your butt off this e’nnda and get dressed. If you are going to be a part of us, you cannot hide out here in Rh’ystmal’s cave. We will have a wonderful midday meal, and when we return, I will show you how to work the orb so you are not left staring at the walls—my guess is that he did not think to show you.”
Charlie shook her head. “Things were pretty tense last night. We haven’t talked since then, and he left before I woke up this morning.”
“Right. Do not worry. You have me in your corner. I am tenacious, or so I have been told.”
“I believe it.” Charlie laughed and set MacGyver on the e’nnda so that she could rise and select her attire for the day.
“Something fitting for an afternoon in town. Not that everything is not superb, but dress exceptionally well, if possible.” The last was said with a final cringing glance at Charlie’s paja, which she ignored.
Dressed in record time in a flattering moss green kassan, Charlie grinned as Ag’hana practically shoved her out the door. Their first stop was a cobbler to measure Charlie’s feet for shoes that would actually fit her, after which they left the market to make their way down to the entertainment district.
Set snug against the square, performers were on the street, but Charlie followed Ag’hana into a building with the finest decor she had ever seen. She stiffened