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“Brace yourself, here comes the Conclave,” Aculus warned as the group emerged from the crowd.

“That’s better,” Axilla declared as she looked at Aculus’ clothing. “Don’t you think so?” she asked the other women of the Conclave.

“Yes, he does,” the woman Aculus called Bregma replied.

“I make impressive males,” Tellar commented, wrapping his arms around Axilla and Bregma.

“He says that as if he’s the only one involved,” Axilla said to Bregma.

“I don’t recall him squeezing either one out, do you?” Bregma replied with an amused snort.

“I’m sure Nadzia doesn’t want to hear about that. I sure don’t,” Aculus groaned.

“I don’t know. It’s kind of amusing,” Nadzia chuckled at the banter, and Aculus’ awkward expression.

Tellar smiled conspiratorially at her, then turned his gaze to the kitten. “So, this is the creature you rescued?” He leaned in to get a better look.

“Patrem, watch your eyes, Tarsus does have claws,” Aculus warned when Tellar got his face too close to the kitten.

“He likes it if you scratch his belly.” Nadzia gave the spoiled panther a good belly rub.

“Who doesn’t?” Tellar countered.

“You’re as bad as your son,” she snorted.

“Is that so?” Tellar asked, his expression quizzical.

How does he not know Aculus is a total flirt?Her gaze darted questioningly to Aculus, who was absolutely no help, looking totally ignorant.Maybe I shouldn’t talk.

“How about you let me take Tarsus, so you can catch up with everyone.” She grabbed the kitten.

Aculus handed Tarsus off without a word, his gaze riveted to the crowd of guests. Thankfully Tarsus snuggled up against her chest rather than squirmed. He really could be a handful sometimes.

“Aculus!” Several exuberant voices called at once as they were suddenly swarmed by a gaggle of Osivoire women.

Nadzia had to back up before she and Tarsus were crushed by the large women as they surrounded Aculus.

“It’s been so long.” One of them slammed her shoulder into Aculus, then sort of rubbed up against him.

“Costa.” Aculus greeted her wearing a smile she hadn’t seen before.

Her eyes widened as another of the women did the same thing. Then her gaze narrowed when the third in a row aggressively dry humped him. Aculus sheepishly looked toward her. She wasn’t sure if it was because she’d nearly been mowed down by his fan club, or because she’d just been figuratively slapped in the face by not just one, but seven of his past conquests.

Tellar must be blind if he doesn’t know Aculus is a giant flirt. What the hell?

“It really does look like you have alotof catching up to do. I’m going to find Payim,” she informed Aculus and took off.

Rather than attempting to squeeze through the mass of people that dwarfed her, she skirted the crowd, hunting for the only other person she knew. It reminded her of the times she’d been to parties where she didn’t know anyone, except the sensation was magnified being the only human in a sea of aliens. But even that unbelievably awkward feeling was eclipsed by what she’d just witnessed.

“Unbelievable,” she mumbled to Tarsus then sighed, frustrated with herself. “I don’t know why I’m jealous. I already knew the man likes the ladies. Just because we’re…” She paused and looked Tarsus in the eyes as the realization of how deeply involved she’d become with Aculus struck her.

“Greetings. You must be one of the humans I keep hearing about,” someone said behind her.

Quickly she wiped the aggravated look off her face, before turning to greet the Osivoire man and three women.

“Yes, I am.” She attempted a normal smile. “I’m Nadzia.”

“I’m Merus. This is Lacuna…”