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Aculus had attempted to explain but she wondered what Umerus’ view was.

“Yes,” Umerus sighed.

“I don’t mean to judge. Where I’m from people do marry for status or wealth, but love is the ideal. There’s also polyamorous relationships although it’s generally not the accepted norm.” She tried to wrap her head around it.

“Affection is also our ideal. That’s why so many siblings and friends are part of the same conclave.”

That’s not exactly what I meant, but okay.

“We’re leaving,” one of the women called to them.

“We better go.” Umerus got up.

“I think I’ll stay and make sure Tarsus wears himself out. He’ll cause less mischief that way.”

“I can stay,” Umerus offered even as she looked toward the group heading back up the stairs.

Clearly the woman wanted to go with the others. It was apparent that Osivoire conclaves were close knit in ways she’d probably never understand.

“That’s okay. I really am good on my own, but thanks for the offer and the company.” She gave Umerus a genuine smile.

I guess not all of Aculus’ conclave is that bad,she decided as Umerus followed the others out of the garden.

A nearby splash captured her attention and she looked over to see Tarsus was again frolicking at the edge of the cool pond. He tried to wade deeper but hit the limit of his wireless leash.

“Sorry, buddy,” she chuckled, seeing his perplexed expression as he struggled to go farther out.

It was hot and poor Tarsus could barely wade in up to his belly with her sitting on the shady bench. It would’ve been nice to go for a swim, too, but that wasn’t happening, unless she wanted it to be a wet t-shirt contest, considering she was wearing all white.

“Give me a second. Let me extend the range.” She fidgeted with the program on the comm she’d been given.

A laugh burst out when Tarsus suddenly bound forward, like a horse coming out of the gates at the Kentucky derby. As the mini panther played in the water her mind wandered, replaying everything from last night up to this morning. She’d been a little bit jealous a time or two.

Just a little?she questioned herself.

So maybe she’d been a lot jealous. And maybe she liked Aculus a lot more than she was admitting to herself. The real question was, what was she going to do about it?

I don’t know.

Life had a way of throwing curve balls. Every time she thought she had it all figured out things changed. She thought she’d work her way through college, then a decade later she still was tending bar and had no degree. Her family was happy and she had a boyfriend she was making plans with, then Providence went missing and she discovered she was being cheated on. All of it made making decisions real damn difficult.

So don’t. Just enjoy the moment.

She nodded at the conclusion and focused on the otherworldly garden, soaking up the sight that few others would ever see. After a bit it dawned on her she hadn’t heard splashing in a while.

“Shit, Tarsus, where are you?” She jumped up and frantically searched the pond.

Her eyes widened when she caught a glimpse of his furry tail disappearing into a crevice in the rock on the far side of the estuary. Clearly, she screwed up the settings on the remote leash.

“Son of a bitch.” She bounded after him, jumping into the pool.

She swam across the pond as fast as she could and emerged by the rocky edifice. The rift was small, but big enough she could squeeze through.

“Tarsus, where are you? Come back here.”

A swipe on her comm illuminated the dim space. But the only thing it revealed was that the flat roof of the tiny cavern was sloping downward. No naughty kitten. She should’ve expected as much, he’d had quite a head start.

“I’m gonna find a newspaper and swat your behind, you rotten beast,” she grumbled as she got down on her knees and started to crawl through the narrowing passage.