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Of all the females he’d known, his body decided Nadzia was the one. Why couldn’t she be Tramdin or Vonly? On those worlds he was practically a god. In fact, there were countless females in numerous systems, including his home world, who would be ecstatic to mate him. But he landed on the one who called him bonehead. Not to mention she came from a primitive planet, watched by an unwelcoming species a rift away.

Great, he moaned.

And yet the idea of spending his days with Nadzia, smart mouth and all, made him smile.

Then I guess I need to get serious about this.He could do it. He’d brought peace to feuding nations and won battles against terrible odds.

As he walked down the corridor, debating ways to sway Nadzia, another thing occurred to him.

“Infernal vasta,” he cursed.

The last thing he needed was to go soft or have his shell recede in front of his crew, before he had a chance to woo Nadzia. He could just imagine the disaster that would ensue. He could practically hear his crew congratulating him while Nadzia disavowed him with every obscenity in her very colorful vocabulary.

“Don’t you dare go soft,” he warned his shell, as if it were sentient.

But there was no reasoning with it. It responded to his mate’s touch and he had no control over any of it, at least not in the beginning when everything was new and their bond was forming.

I’ll just have to resist touching her in public. I can do that.

Aculus nodded to himself then his eyes widened as another thing dawned on him. This whole situation might be manageable but he’d forgotten he was going home.

The Conclave can’t know the affect she has on me.The Conclave above everyone else couldn’t discover he, the Premiere Servant, had found his weakness. There would be repercussions if they did.

“Grr.” He wanted to bang his head on the wall. He’d also forgotten he needed to contact the Conclave.

Aculus sighed and headed to his quarters. The door slid open, and as expected, Tarsus was sprawled in the middle of the bed.

“I don’t know how such a small thing takes up so much room.”

Tarsus peered at him, looking indignant that his nap had been interrupted, then leisurely rose and yawned, stretching out long on the bed he’d claimed. Aculus laughed, not only at the imperious gesture, but also the gem of information Ashtoret shared before leaving.

“Well, Tarsus, don’t get too comfortable. That bed belongs to a different pussy,” he chuckled, proud of the impromptu little joke.

Yeah, I better keep comments like that to myself,he groaned. Behaving was going to be difficult.

“And you need to behave, too. I have to hail the Conclave.”

Tarsus hopped off the bed and proceeded to climb his leg, the feline’s tiny claws digging into his suit the whole way up. Aculus looked down at the kitten, one brow arched, until Tarsus was hanging from his chest.

“Yes. What can I do for you?” he asked when they were nearly eye level.

Tarsus gave a raspy mewl and intently stared him down.

“Let me guess, you’re hungry again? I suppose I can’t blame you. Nadzia said you’re going to get big.”

As he walked over to replicate a bowl of broth, heavy on the meat chunks Tarsus preferred, he noticed the chair at the table.

“Did you do that?” He pointed to the long scratches, while staring down at the beastie clinging to his chest. “Of course, you did. Why am I asking? And why am I talking to you?”

He shook his head as he placed the bowl on the floor. Tarsus backtracked down his body then happily scampered to the bowl. Aculus smiled at the content rumble the kitten instantly started making as he ate.

He grabbed a stiff drink for himself then contacted the Conclave.

“Greetings, Matron Axilla.” He attempted to keep a pleasant face when the female answered, but he’d really hoped Matron Bregma or Patrem Tellar would respond.

“Greetings, Aculus. It is good to hear from you.”

The joy in Axilla’s voice made him smile in earnest. “You as well. You may have guessed, I’m reporting in. I’m back on this side of the Delta Rift.”