Page 18

Riley stared. “Now I am really worried. Have you been hypnotized? Are you all right?”

Ranna sighed. “My father explained a few things that I was not thinking about. In a Hmrain sexual companion relationship, the Hmrain provides their companion with energy and other factors that keep their companion healthy. I haven’t been doing anything to help you feel better. I have simply been draining what I could from you without giving thought to how you would replace it. My father suggested crafts or hobbies.”

Riley ignored the hot flash.

“There! You just did it again.” Lady Ranna smirked. “Both after the mention of my father.”

That cooled things fast.

“Fine. I get all hot and bothered at the mention of your dad. Don’t worry. It won’t affect me at all, unless I am talking to him and slip in my own drool.”

Ranna smiled. “Hmrain were designed to be attractive to other species. I would be more surprised if you weren’t attracted to him.”

“So, it isn’t a problem?”

Ranna grinned. “For another female, no. But you are obsessed with contracts, and I know you are at my side until we finish our run.”

Riley started on her broth and the protein tea and kept eating as Ranna went over the new rules for how they were going to live together.

Ranna looked nervous. “What do you think?”

“You know I love a fresh start,” Riley responded. She gave Ranna a blast of enthusiasm that made her blink. They were off to a new start.

Riley stood near Lord Rath as Ranna flirted with some of the Hmrain half-breeds that he had brought in for her. “Aw, they grow up so fast.”

Rath laughed, causing many locals to look at them in the foyer of the theatre.

The chime rang for the patrons to get into their seats. A male, who was emerald and shiny, offered Ranna his arm, and she took it.

Rath offered Riley his arm as well. “You did very well with her.”

“After the first few months, it was easy. You did well coaching her.” She took his arm, and they made their way through the crowd that parted and up to his private box. Ranna was in the balcony next door, laughing softly and whispering to the male who was courting her.

“Do you think he is the best match?”

“Yes. His blue-skinned buddy is bad news. He wanted me as the free gift with purchase. That’s not good.”

“Noted. I will make sure he is removed from Arro. Unless you wanted him.”

“Uh, no. He and I don’t have compatible energies. I would be dead in weeks.”

She shivered. Rath took her hand, and she warmed up right away.

He spoke quietly. “What are you planning for your next adventure?”

“I was going to open a small shop that caters to Terran replicas. I won’t sell much, but it will be nice to be surrounded by memories of home.”

“You will leave Arro?”

Riley swallowed. “I wasn’t thinking about it. I mean, I am comfortable here, but if I will get in the way of Ranna’s new union, I guess I should leave, right?”

He smiled. “After all the effort you have put in to raise my daughter, I believe that I can offer you a place to stay while you make up your mind.”

She gave a weak smile. “I don’t think proximity to you will help.”

“I disagree. The only thing holding me back has been your contract.”

She blushed as the theatre slowly filled. “Right. I am sure it is just a pity effect. I have seen images of your past companions. You have a type, and I am not it.”