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“Mayor Tetra, while I appreciate the horrible imposition of you coming up two floors, the ambassador is otherwise occupied this afternoon.”

It was day three of Daphne’s odyssey as the assistant to the ambassador and this was, by far, the most satisfying moment to date.

The mayor scowled at her. “I wish to speak with him.”

“I can schedule an appointment for tomorrow afternoon, but today is out of the question.”

It was the truth. Ambassador Leoraki was in meetings with some of the Shadow Folk who were asking him about the likelihood of finding matches with some of the Gaian women from the reception.

As she was about to get verbally blasted by the mayor, the ambassador in question poked his head around the corner. “Daphne, come in here please.”

The mayor fluffed himself up. “Ambassador Leoraki, I am happy to see you are adjusting to your surroundings. I was wondering if you would have time—”

Leoraki cut him off. “Not today, Mayor Tetra. I will be happy to meet with you tomorrow afternoon. Today, I am involved in a matter of urgency. Daphne, now please.”

The guards on the interior of the door stepped inward, blocking the mayor from following and herding him out.

Daphne got to her feet and followed the ambassador into his office. As he had instructed her, she stood at his right hand and looked from one Shadow to the next.

“Gentlemen, please explain to my assistant what you require.”

The Shadows shifted in their seats. One spoke, “I saw a woman at the reception, and I wish to court her, but I am unsure where to start.”

Smiling, Daphne ran through all of the protocols that Gaian’s enjoyed clinging to. She started with the first meeting, then getting the name and address of the lady or gentlemen of their choice and arranging the second meeting. After that, it was a series of progressively intimate meetings the culminated in one of two ways. Proposing a permanent connection or physical intimacy. Either one was acceptable.

The Shadows shifted violently while she explained the methods standard to Gaians. “That said, there is nothing wrong with carrying out the rituals of the Nine and seeing if the woman is willing. If she is, proceed as you would with a woman of your own kind.”

Apolan reached out and took her hand, rubbing his thumb along her knuckles. It was an intimate gesture in front of the strangers, but the Shadow Folk seemed pleased by her acceptance of the touch.

“Daphne.”

Something in his voice made her turn her head to look down at him, and his deep green eyes held a wealth of emotion. The motion exposed her earpiece to the Shadow Folk, and she heard a small gasp.

“Thank you for your help, Ms. Harrow. You may resume your duties.”

He stroked her hand again and smiled.

Dismissed, she returned to her desk and continued her research on the eating habits of the Nine. The earpiece was so comfortable, she didn’t even need to remove it in the shower. It held to her ear as if designed to be there.

She wouldn’t need it in a few days. Her subliminal lessons in the common language of the Nine were coming along. Each night, she put the unit in her ears, and she was slowly taught how to speak the words that her earpiece simply translated for her.

It would be handy if she was every caught without her jewellery, but she couldn’t imagine a day when she didn’t want to wear it. Aside from the curious glances she got when she went into town, she truly enjoyed the piece and the workmanship on it.

Her account was full. She had been paid for her first quarter of service up front, and it enabled her to get her pantry back to standard levels. The shopkeepers eyed her speculatively when she was able to pay without checking her balance first, but she was able to get what she needed.

It felt so strange to finally have the funds when she needed them that she wasn’t sure what to do first.

She spent her time as his assistant answering the com, checking his schedule and making sure that requests for specialty items were filed with the warship. It wasn’t a hard job, but she wasn’t sure how long she was going to be able to do it.

Her attraction for Apolan grew with every passing day. He picked her up in the morning and brought her home every evening. Each day, he made excuses to touch her hand or arm, and she felt an ache for him when more than three hours passed and she hadn’t seen him.

Falling head over heels for the alien ambassador wasn’t precisely a good career move.

Her com unit chirped, and she smiled as images of the new embassy came in. The Nine were sending the building down in complete chunks. The sole delay of the opening of the embassy was the landscaping necessary to create suitable environments for the members of the Nine who decided to visit.

She got to her feet and knocked on the doorframe of Ambassador Leoraki’s office. “Ambassador, the construction update is in.”

He inclined his head and smiled. “Thank you, Ms. Harrow.”

There were intercoms in the office, but he preferred to have her announce the markers of the day. She was beginning to suspect that he enjoyed seeing her and that was the sole reason for the announcements.

With a short nod of her head, she returned to her desk and continued her education in the ways of the Nine. There was a ton of information to absorb, and she did love to learn.

Apolan watched Daphne disappear around the corner once again. Moryk and Devokian watched her as well. He cleared his throat.

“Now, you were saying that you have both chosen Gaians to pursue?”

He brought their attention back to him.

Moryk nodded, the shadows that cloaked his body shifted. “I have seen her, but I am unsure how to proceed. I am not fond of the idea of seducing her first and wedding her second. It is not our way, as you know.”

Apolan grimaced. “Try to think of it as an extended courtship but draw the line at physical intimacy. From what I have been able to ascertain, the Gaians take to the courtship easily, and you do not need to tell them what your intent is.”

“Your courtship seems to be coming along.”

“I plan to take her as my bride the night of the embassy opening.”

Moryk whistled quietly. “That is a week away. Can you hold out that long?”

Apolan looked to the wall that hid his view of Daphne. “I will have to. She does not know where the new embassy is to be located, and I am sure that she will be a little upset when she finds out.”

Devokian cocked his head, “How can she not have seen it? It is right in her back yard.”

Apolan smiled, “I keep myself between her and the construction site at all times. There is a reason that she does not know where I sleep, but I have to admit that the proximity is tempting.”

The men laughed at the shared amusement, and Devokian asked, “Will there be a bonding garden?”

“That is the delay. The construction is almost complete. It is the gardening that is taking the time.”

Apolan kept his gaze on the wall. “It is almost complete.”

Moryk chuckled. “I hope so, for your sake.”

“Invite your Gaian to the opening gala. It will let you get close enough to mark her.”

“Our marks are not as obvious as yours, Apolan. I am not sure that I can convince a Gaian to take a piece of me inside her on a dance floor.”

Apolan laughed, “Don’t put it to her like that. They will think it is something sexual, and she might balk. Suggest that she absorb a piece of the shadow. It might sound better.”

“We can’t all simply give our beloved jewellery that links her mind to ours.”

“You know it only works if we are compatible. I have to tell you, it is exhausting to keep up with her mind. She has gone through all of our food requirements, clothing, planets of settlement and, tomorrow, she is going to work on courtship. It will be difficult to concentrate.”

“Isn’t tomorrow a rest day for the colonists?”

Devokian asked.

Apolan smiled, “I believe you are correct. I think I will ask my assistant to show me the sights.”

The men chuckled, and Apolan leaned back. A day off was just what Daphne needed. She was way too tense. A day of picnics and walks in the green might just help her breathe again.