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Aculus

“I hate to tell you, the comment Nadzia made about washing her hair wasn’t true,” Ashtoret informed him as they headed toward the loading bay.

“It did sound a bit odd,” Payim agreed.

“What do you mean? Nadzia’s hair is so long, I’m sure it takes a lot of care,” he replied with a quizzical tilt of his head.

“It doesn’t take that much care.” Payim tugged his own long black hair.

Unlike the Osivoire, the Cadi had hair similar to the humans, though not as varied in color.

“I’ve met more human females than you have. I once heard Giselle make that comment to our Daimio Kagan. After she left, he informed us she was really angry with him and basically told him to go knot his tail.”

“You think Nadzia is mad at me?”

Did I antagonize her too much?

“I think she’s pulling your tail.” Ashtoret smiled at him.

“I don’t have a tail, but she can pull something else.” He grinned at his Cadi friends.

“This is going to be an entertaining voyage,” Payim laughed. “I’m going to say goodbye to our Toufik brothers.” The male continued chuckling as he went on ahead.

“I imagine it will be quite an adventure,” Ashtoret laughed, then stopped just before they entered the loading bay. “I’ll tell you something else, but if it backfires you didn’t learn it from me.” A wicked expression transformed the male’s face.

“Yes.” His brow quirked, suddenly very intrigued.

“You know that feline you rescued.”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“It’s also called a pussy cat.” Ashtoret’s smile widened as he spoke.

“I don’t think I’m following.” Aculus’ brow furrowed.

“The word pussy is also used to refer to their slit, which has a little tuft of fur,” Ashtoret informed him in a whisper, as though any moment the females might pop out of nowhere.

Aculus burst into laughter as he realized the gem of information Ashtoret had just gifted him with. He could already imagine Nadzia’s face.

“Oh, thank you, my friend,” he chuckled, barely able to see straight.

“What are you two laughing about?” Vintor asked as he approached along with Maya.

“Nothing.” Ashtoret shook his head.

“Mmm hmm, I recognize trouble when I see it,” Maya, another human, side-eyed them.

“I don’t know what you mean. I’m a bastion of honor and all that is pure,” he teased Vintor’s mate.

“Oh hell,” Maya snorted. “It really was good meeting you, Aculus. And thank you for everything you did,” she said genuinely then turned to Vintor. “I’ll let you boys continue whatever inappropriate discussion was interrupted.” She nodded before heading down the corridor.

“Joking aside, it truly was an honor to meet you,” he called after Maya as he clasped Vintor and Ashtoret’s shoulders. “But I will see all of you soon.”

“I hope you know I want to visit Osi, but…” Vintor began.

“No apologies, my friend,” Aculus interjected. “Payim will make a great ambassador and you two need to take it easy for a while, enjoy the company of your new mates.”

Vintor especially needed a break. He was beyond relieved they’d been able to return with Vintor after the nightmare the male had been subjected to while imprisoned by the human military. It was the same military that caused Brennan Murray’s life-threatening injuries when they were escaping the underground prison.