Unlike coffee, it was tar black, but still had the lingering sweetness and tang of cream to it. That was strange. She lifted the cup to her lips and sipped. The flavor flooded over her tongue, and she moaned happily, taking another deep sip. It tasted of coffee and spiced chocolate with a strong hint of dulce cream in the dark brew.
“I see that she likes it.” Ma’Souel laughed. “Would you like your usual amount, Rh’ystmal?”
“No, Dama, I think it would be wiser to order double, with the way my mate is enjoying it.”
When they finally departed, one lengthy visit later, with a large sack of ground om’sakou thrown over her mate’s shoulder, they made their way back through the market to the square. With the sun setting, she once again admired the food stalls being rolled out and tables rising from the flooring with their activation.
Males and females milled about, settling at tables. Many had animal companions that looked like dogs. These were near identical to the ones in the lab, but noticeably domesticated, their ears and muzzles rounder and their bodies stockier, bred for strength. An’dangal, Rhyst called them. With their spotted gray pelts, they were beautiful. One couple had a pup, and she nearly whimpered with want while Rhyst arranged their food.
Her mate took note of her longing gaze and laughed. “Maybe we should see about acquiring another companion for you while I am attending guard duties. Even the pups are clever and will alert you to the presence of anyone you do not recognize.”
Charlie shrieked with joy and leaped into his free arms, his other two held their food safely out of the way as she hugged him and pressed kisses into his fur. Silence fell behind her, and there was more than one startled voice murmuring to another, likely commenting on the spectacle she was making.
She didn’t care. She was showing her male her appreciation. And she did thoroughly until he groaned and gently set her on her feet again, directing her toward a table. Though they didn’t make pillows large enough for a’sankh to sit on, he reclined at her side.
The evening passed magically with delicious peppery foods, a fantastic view of the gates and the mountains beyond them, and performers wandering to earn their zelbs. She couldn’t get enough of it—or of Rhyst. They got several stares as they fed each other choice bits of food and enjoyed their meals, but Charlie ignored them all. She felt cherished, and she could see that her mate felt the same as he cuddled her close to him. The interruption and unwanted attention aside, the day had been perfect.
Chapter 33
Charlie walked at Rhyst’s side; her fingers entwined with his. It was a little awkward with their height difference, but she wasn’t letting it frustrate her. Nor did she mind that she had to hold her arm up to grasp one of his lower hands. She loved the texture of his hand, soft with velvety fur, except where it thinned to rough patches of exposed skin that allowed a better grip.
She imagined the ribbing the guys would have given her for it, but she didn’t give a fuck. Thinking of the guys made her anxiety surge, but she pushed it back down. It wasn’t something she could change right now. Right now, she would focus on the things she could control and experience in her immediate circumstances. And right now… she loved holding her mate’s hand.
It was ironic that such a simple contact could make her heart fill with affection and contentment. It was like everything she had seen from vids that highlighted romantic moments and genuine shared love. Rhyst had been startled at first by the gesture, but soon warmed to it. From the pleased look he bestowed on her every time she reached for his hand, and the low purr that rumbled from deep within his chest, he enjoyed it too. Come to think of it, her big, bad warrior was purring a lot these days.
She did that. She was making him as happy as he was making her. She grinned and leaned into him. She was smiling more than she had in years, too. But it helped to have something in life worth smiling about.
“Just where are we going? You don’t like going anywhere,” she observed as she looked around. He had never once taken her outside the city gates since they arrived.