asked softly. “Needles and thread? I can alter it to fit me.”
“You are a seamstress?”
Among other things.
“Yes. I’m surprised you know that word.”
“I live with one.”
Before she could react, he turned back to the alien. The male had been watching them intently, his eyes cutting to her every time she spoke, but he smiled ingratiatingly and started selecting sewing equipment from the shelves.
Why did the knowledge that Inzen lived with a female disturb her so? Despite what she was fairly sure was a mutual attraction, she didn’t have time for complications. Pushing the curious disappointment out of her mind, she inspected the proffered supplies and made her selections. Inzen added several additional garments to the pile despite her protests before he completed the deal.
After the shopkeeper tied their purchases into a complicated arrangement of fabric, they turned to leave. A small alien suddenly darted up to them, crashing into Jade. It wasn’t the first time someone had attempted to pickpocket her in a crowded market, and she reacted on instinct, her foot sweeping out as she grasped his arm—one of four—and whirled him around, yanking one of his arms up behind his back. Inzen reacted just as quickly, his hand at the alien’s throat. He gave her an astonished look before he focused on the pickpocket.
“You dare to try and steal from my female?”
“N-no,” the small figure stuttered.
A voluminous robe of many colors covered his slender form, and even though his features were unfamiliar, she suspected he was no more than a child.
“I will report you to the market master,” Inzen said sternly.
“No, please, Honored Sir. Not that.”
“What will they do to him?” she asked quietly.
“For stealing?” The alien in the stall behind them leaned forward, his face alive with interest. “He will lose at least one of his hands.”
Inzen looked at her and then shook his head. “I cannot be responsible for that.”
“Me either. Let him go.” She dropped the arm she had been holding.
“I will as soon as he returns your ring.”
With muttered apologies, the youngster reached into his robe and pulled out her jade ring. Despite her experience, she hadn’t even realized he slipped it off her finger.
“It matches your eyes,” Inzen said as he handed it back to her.
“I know—I have my father’s eyes. And that’s why my mother named me after the stone.” She smiled up at him. “Thank you, Inzen. My grandmother gave me this ring and it means a lot to me.”
“You are most welcome.” He turned and scowled at the boy, an imposing sight. “Now go and stay out of trouble.”
“Yes, Honorable Sir.” The youngster nodded enthusiastically, muttering thanks and apologies as Inzen released him. He started to disappear into the crowd but turned back with an unexpectedly impish grin. “For at least the rest of the day.”
Then he was gone. Jade burst out laughing, and Inzen ruefully shook his head. The stall keeper sighed.
“You know he’ll be back at it within the hour.”
“Perhaps. But he will still have all four hands.”
“I’m not sure that will be much comfort to his victims,” the alien muttered, but Jade smiled up at Inzen and tucked her hand in his arm.
“You did the right thing.”
Did the skin across his cheekbones darken? Before she could decide, his tail was once more around her waist as he led them back across the landing field.
She looked up to find him studying her.
“What is it?”
“Your eyes,” he said slowly. “Do all human children inherit their father’s eye color?”
“Not at all. They could inherit from their mother or another relative. It depends on their genes. You understand genetics, right?”
“Of course. But all Cire have black eyes.”
Now that he mentioned it, she realized that it was true, but despite the similarity in color, they were by no means identical. She already suspected that she would be able to recognize his eyes. “Why do you ask?”
“I wondered if your daughter would have green eyes.”
“No.” A lump appeared in her throat as she remembered Hana’s sweet face.
She pushed her thoughts aside as Inzen headed for a tall, sleek ship. It resembled the aerospace version of a yacht, and she nodded approvingly. It looked fast and expensive.
Unfortunately, he didn’t stop there. He led the way around the ship, and she saw another vessel. Small and squat, it had a neat paint job that did little to disguise the numerous dents that peppered the hull.
“Is that your ship?” She scanned the rest of the area hopefully. The only other ships in sight were larger cargo