Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 606(@200wpm)___ 485(@250wpm)___ 404(@300wpm)
“Mmm-hmm.” Kat nodded. “Then the next week—the Bathing Week—everybody gets naked and they get to take a bath with you and wash you all over. After that, they give you a really elaborate full body massage with all of these special exotic oils.”
“Dios,” Celia murmured. “I have to admit…that sounds kind of nice.”
“Oh, it’s amazing,” Kat told her. “They have an oil for your back…another one for your feet…another for your shoulders. They even have a special oil for your coochie, if you know what I mean.” She gave Celia a naughty little grin.
“Wow…it sounds like the Kindred are really into pampering their women.” Celia was trying hard not to imagine herself being massaged by Hold and Fierce…and not succeeding very well. “What happens next?” she asked Kat.
“Oh, the Tasting Week is next. I think you can guess what happens then.”
“I can, but…they have a whole week devoted just to that?” Celia asked with wide eyes.
Kat nodded.
“The Kindred love going down on their women. They actually have a biological need to do it—it helps strengthen the Bond between a warrior and his mate.”
“Dios,” Celia murmured again. “Do I dare ask about the last week of the Claiming Period?”
“Oh, that’s the Bonding Week,” Kat told her. “That’s when you either decide to go home…or stay here and Bond with your guys permanently.”
“Well, I already know I’ll be going home,” Celia said. “Only…”
“Only what?” Kat asked.
“Only, I had a fight with my fiancé last night,” Celia confessed. “He was really upset that I left with Hold and Fierce without putting up more of a fight, I think,” she added. “But what was I supposed to do—make them drag me out to their ship? I mean, I know the law—when you get called up in the Bride Draft, you have to go.”
“You did the right thing,” Kat told her, nodding. “So did you two make up before the call ended?”
Celia shook her head.
“No. In fact, I told him I wanted to take a break—just a little breathing space, you know?”
Kat looked at her speculatively.
“That sounds serious, doll. So tell me…does taking a break mean you’ll do more of the traditional Claiming Period activities?”
“Oh, I never said that!” Celia protested. “I mean, I am still engaged.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Kat nodded. “I understand. So did he call you to make up this morning?”
“Nope.” Celia shook her head. Actually, the fact that Peter hadn’t called back was troubling her. They hadn’t been engaged for that long—hell, they’d only known each other for around six months—and this was the biggest fight they’d ever had. Was it normal for him to not call? Should she call him? But no—she was going to stick to her guns and wait it out, she told herself firmly. She was not in the wrong here.
“Well, I’m sure he’ll come around later,” Kat said comfortingly, reaching across the table to pat her hand.
“Thanks.” Celia smiled at her. “And thank you for explaining about the different weeks,” she added gratefully. She wanted to ask more—about how two Kindred could fit inside one human woman at the same time. But it was kind of crowded at the little café and she didn’t really want Kat to launch into a graphic description in public.
“You’re welcome, doll—you can always ask me anything about dealing with Twin Kindred. Believe me, you name it, I’ve been through it with them.” Kat rolled her eyes expressively. “Now how about we talk decorations for a little while?”
“Oh yes—of course.” Celia nodded eagerly. “Tell me, what are you thinking?”
“Well, I wanted to bring some Christmas spirit without importing a bunch of plastic junk up from Earth, you know?” Kat said. “I was thinking it would be nice if we could find natural elements to decorate with. But not just mistletoe and holly wreaths and poinsettias from Earth. I mean, I want some of that, of course. But what about getting different little things from other planets—the other Kindred home worlds, you know, and incorporating them into the decorations?”
Celia was instantly intrigued.
“Oh, like what?” she asked, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand.
“Well, I’ve heard they have this special kind of glowing moss that grows on the cavern walls of some of the grottos and caves on Tranq Prime—that’s the Blood Kindred home world,” Kat added. “And get this—it glows red and green and gold! Very Christmassy, right?”
“Yes, very!” Celia agreed. “But how much would you need to bring to decorate the entire Mother Ship?” she added.
“That’s the beauty of it—I can just put it in my replicator and make copies of it. So you wouldn’t have to bring very much at all—just a sample, really,” Kat told her. “You could bring it back in a portable stasis chamber to keep it fresh.”
“Oh…you want me to go get it?” Celia asked, surprised.
“Well, you and your guys. I don’t expect you to fly off and fold space all on your own. Speaking of which, can you fold space?” Kat asked. “I mean, I’m trying to be delicate about it but…could you be pregnant? Because if you are, you can’t fold space—it’s bad for the baby.”