willing to give them juice in exchange for sex. They do not care if it is against the law.”
“It is the eastern Draax,” Melu said. “Those rakart do not care about anything but themselves and Eastolf encourages their behaviour. He does not care how his men lure the females to his province, only that they are there.”
Melu wasn’t wrong. The eastern Draax had always had a reputation of being hotheaded, and since King Cteri had died and his son, Eastolf began his rule, it had only gotten worse in the last decade or so.
“If Quillan is not careful, Eastolf will attempt to conquer our province. Just like his father did before him,” Melu said.
“And just like Quill’s father stopped Cteri, Quill will stop Eastolf. Eastolf desires power, but he would be a fool to think he can take Quill’s,” I said. “Our provincial military and King’s Guard are the strongest in Odias.”
“The north then,” Melu said. “Eastolf will start a civil war with us or the north, mark my words.”
The sound of soft and feminine laughter drifted over the rushing water. Both Melu and I stood when the three females rounded the corner. They walked down the path and I smiled and nodded to them when they stopped in front of us.
“Good evening, little females.”
“Hello. How are you, Galan?”
I smiled at the pink-haired woman. “I am well, Candala. How are you?”
“Good. Have you met Inara and Jane?”
“Not formally,” I said. “It is nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Jane.” The blonde woman with pretty blue eyes and generous hips shook my hand.
The redheaded woman smiled at me. “Sorry again about spilling the water on you.”
“It was an accident, Inara,” I said. “Do not worry about it.”
I turned to Melu. “This is Melu. He is the head of our docking bay.”
“Hello, Melu.” Inara held out her hand and I watched in puzzlement as Melu’s face turned a dark shade of green and his tail flicked out and whacked against the bench behind us.
“Melu,” I prompted.
He gave Inara’s hand a brief shake before staring at the waterfall.
Inara glanced at Jane and Candala, her cheeks pink and her face confused.
Candala made the barest of shrugs and I cleared my throat. “Are you enjoying your walk in the garden?”
“We are,” Candala said. “Actually, we just finished doing yoga.” She held up a flat pink mat that she carried in her left hand. “Do you know what yoga is?”
“Of course,” I said. “Many of the King’s Guard practice the art of yoga.”
“Really?” Jane said. “That’s weird. Although, I guess in your line of work being flexible is a good thing.”
“Yes, I’m sure it’s all about the flexibility and not another way the Draax try and make us believe living on this planet is just like living back home,” Inara said with a teasing grin.
I laughed. “Perhaps it is a little of both.”
“We should get going. Nice to see you again, Galan,” Candala said. “Melu, it was nice to meet you.”
Melu grunted out an unintelligible reply. He was still studying the waterfall like he’d never seen it before, but the moment the females’ backs were turned, his gaze swung to the one called Inara. He stared at her long red hair before studying her ass, his tail flicking rapidly and his meaty hands held in a tight fist behind his back.
I recognized the look on his face. It was the same one on mine whenever I thought of Ellis. A combination of lust and longing and frustration.
“Inara is a beautiful female,” I said when they had disappeared down the path. “Her red hair is apparently a rarity on Earth.”
Melu didn’t reply and I said, “You should ask her out. The waiting period is over.”
He jerked all over before glaring at me. “Have you gone mad, Galan? She is too young for me.”
“You are not an old man, Melu, no matter how hard you try and persuade me you are. Ask the female out, there is no harm in it. Unless you are afraid of a helpless little female?” I said teasingly.
If I were not the head of the King’s guard, I was certain Melu would have punched me. As it was, he gave me a look that could melt steel and said, “Mind your tongue, Galan. I do not care if you are best friends with the king, it will not stop me from teaching you a lesson in manners.”
I held my hands up. “I am only teasing, Melu. What has gotten into you