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It was also kinda sweet, but she wasn’t about to tell the randy man that.

“Tarsus may not be a normal kitten but perhaps you can tell me more at mealtime?” he suggested as they entered Ash and Abby’s quarters.

“Oh, sorry, I think I have to wash my hair.”

Her flat expression almost cracked as she made the excuse. It was lame but the moment she gave the hopeless flirt an inch he’d take a mile plus some.

“Seriously, sis!” Abby admonished as she gave her a hug. “What are you two antagonizing each other about now?”

Nadzia panned the room, it looked like Payim, a red-skinned Cadi warrior, and her mother, Carol, had also come to say goodbye to the couple.

“You’ll never believe what bonehead’s been hiding in his quarters,” she snorted as she squeezed her sister tight.

“It looks exactly like a kitten. Was I supposed to let it get eaten?” Aculus interjected.

“Oh, you found a kitten?!” Abby squealed.

“That was sweet of you, rescuing a kitten,” their mother added.

Aculus looked smugly at Nadzia, wallowing in their approval. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“It’s not a kitten, it’s a Florida panther cub,” she countered.

“Either way, Tarsus is a juvenile that needed my aid. And that’s what I do, selflessly aid those in need.” Aculus solemnly pressed his hand to his chest

There was truth to the comment, but he was laying it in on awfully thick and she just couldn’t let it stand.

“Don’t break your arm patting your own back, bonehead,” she retorted.

“Oh my gawd, just fuck and get it over with!” Abby declared, making the three men in the room grin.

“Abigail Murray!” their mom snapped.

“Yeah, don’t cuss.” Nadzia made a snotty face at her baby sister.

“Heaven help me.” Carol rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “I swear you girls antagonize each other just to hear me holler at you.”

“We do it so you still feel young,” she snickered, and Abby nodded emphatically, her grin a mile wide.

“I think that’s our cue to leave you females alone,” Ashtoret chuckled. “Here, help me carry our stuff.” He tossed the bags to Aculus and Payim.

“You’re probably right.” Aculus followed the red-skinned men out the door, leaving her alone with her mom and sister.

“Our stuff,” Abby snorted. “He means his stuff. I don’t have any things.”

“Is that your way of saying you want to go back home?” she probed her little sister.

“No.” Abby shook her head. “But this is very overwhelming,” she admitted.

Her gut twisted. Overwhelming was an understatement. It wasn’t like her baby sister was moving to another country and visiting would be inconvenient. This was forever.

“Just remember, the moment Dad is healed we’ll be there.” Their mom pulled them in for another hug.

“I really can’t wait to see Pro,” Abby whispered weepily.

“Me, too.” Nadzia closed her eyes and soaked in the hug.

That was the one bright spot in all of this.