"I learned so many things about Reah from that program," Fes sighed. "She never talks about those things. Ever."
"The ASD usually prevents their agents from discussing anything they've done. The information is generally too sensitive. Ceerah and that stupid program ruined Reah's cover. Why they thought not to hide her face is beyond belief. Ildevar Wyyld gave permission to release the information on Reah, to clear her name and her record. Those awards are generally kept by the ASD and never shown to the public."
"Did she really take down the drakus seed trade?"
"In ways you can't begin to imagine. Reah is very special, even among High Demons. None of the others can do what she does."
"She's not full High Demon, though. Is she? I'd like to say it's her Desh family genetics, too, but that probably isn't true. Go ahead; dash my hopes that my children might be special if I have any."
"I can't say whose children might be special and whose won't," Kevis smiled. "But in my opinion, aren't all children special? At least to loving parents?"
"Mother seems to think that about me. I try not to disappoint her."
"And there's your answer, right there," Kevis laughed.
* * *
"Get estimates," I told the head cook, who nodded and smiled at everything I said. Aurelius was also smiling and sending mindspeech, telling me the poor man was star struck. Lok, who was also grinning, told me he'd Looked. The man had watched the Hild Marolla special at least six times. I breathed a troubled sigh and went back to explaining what we needed done to Dee's. Head cook Jorden told me he'd get on it right away. We went over the books while I was there, too. Jorden seemed an honest man; Fes had done well when he'd hired him for me.
When I walked onto the floor of the restaurant, there were stares. And then whispers. I thought to duck back inside the kitchen, but Aurelius and Lok had firm grips on my hand and shoulder, so we went through the place. Jorden spoke to some of the lunch crowd, who seemed to be enjoying their food.
"Excuse me," a mother who was there with three children and an older woman, held a hand toward me when I was about to walk past.
"Can I help you with something?" I stopped at her table.
"You're that woman, aren't you? The one from that program." I wanted to sigh or skip away. Other diners were watching, so I could do neither. All I could do was extricate myself as quickly as possible.
"Yes, I am that woman," I nodded and smiled as pleasantly as I could.
"I saw that conference, too, where they asked you questions."
"Yes, that is certainly me," I agreed amiably. "I own this restaurant, and have for many years. I'll understand if you don't wish to bring your little ones here any longer, although I can assure you that your children would be very safe here. I seldom come. I'm only here today to see what upgrades are needed."
"But you're a hero," the woman sighed. "I stopped watching that stupid reality program after I saw what they did to you. I couldn't help thinking that some of those other people might have suffered at their hands as well. I find that attitude demeaning and revolting."
"As do I. I've never been able to watch those programs. We make fools enough of ourselves as it is. There isn't any real need to publicize it."
"I totally agree," she smiled. She was a pretty woman, with pale-blonde hair and hazel eyes. Her children—three girls, must have ranged in age from six to eleven or so. They were all staring at me while I spoke to their mother.
"Auri," I turned to Aurelius, "will you get some ice cream for our guests, here?" I winked at him when I looked him in the eye.
"Right away." Aurelius walked through the kitchen door and disappeared, coming back with two kitchen helpers, a load of bowls and an armload of gishi fruit ice-cream containers. He'd had to fold to Avendor to get it, but he'd accomplished it swiftly.
"We'll be providing free dessert today," I announced. Jorden placed bowls around the tables while the kitchen helpers dipped out generous portions of ice cream for each guest. The screams and excited shrieks began immediately. "This is the ice cream it's impossible to get," the woman was smiling after she tasted it.
"Yes, it is," I agreed. "We'll carry it here as well as Desh's. Here's my comp-code, if you need anything," I handed a small card with the code to her. "It was a pleasure speaking with you."
"Kevis is ready," Lok said when we finally escaped into the kitchen.
"I'll bring in contractors right away," Jorden's eyes were shining. "When will we have the ice cream?"
"Tomorrow," I said. "But I've been working on a special dessert for Dee's, using the ice cream. We'll unveil that next week, perhaps."
"Thank you," Jorden sighed.
"Call me when the estimates come in," I said as Lok, Auri and I walked out the employee entrance.
* * *
"You don't need another mate," Lok laughed. I thought about elbowing him in the ribs. Aurelius folded us back to Desh's.
"I've got one of the banquet rooms reserved for tonight," Kevis said when we appeared. "And an offer for a free meal, if the King of Karathia and the founding member of the Campiaan Alliance will agree to pose with Fes, here."
"What, you're passing on the Prince-Heir of the Elves?" I laughed at Fes.
"Funny, baby girl. Give me a hug before you go," Fes said. I gave him a hard hug and Aurelius took us away."Lunch and then a nap," Kevis ordered.
"Do people always do what you say?" I wrinkled my nose at him.
"If they know what's good for them," he replied. "Come along. I think lunch is ready."
It was. A nice soup with crispy finger sandwiches. The soup was wonderful. Farzi and Nenzi, who'd been out with Edward, came in and sat on either side, eating with me. "We lie down for nap," Nenzi announced when I was pointed to my bedroom.
"Sounds good," I said. I brushed my teeth first, as did my reptanoids. They helped me into lounging pajamas and crawled into bed with me.
"Kiss me?" Nenzi said hopefully.
"Sweet man," I brushed his mouth with mine.
"Your sweet man here for you, Reah-love." Nenzi deepened the kiss, placing hands on my face. His kisses became more demanding. As if he wanted something he'd never gotten before. I blinked at him when he pulled away for a moment. "We give Reah what we always want to give," he said, and came right out of his clothing. When I saw what he wanted and what he now had to get it, at first I was shocked. And then I smiled at him.
Chapter 13
"Dee and Aurelius talk to us," Farzi was smiling, his nose rubbing mine. Had I ever known that lion snake shapeshifters had a few extra vertebrae? It makes them very limber. I was exhausted and now knew exactly how Lissa had ended up pregnant by her Falchani twins. My reptanoids, given back what was taken from them at an early age, had gotten a quick lesson in sex education from two very old vampires. Farzi and Nenzi appeared to be fast learners.
"You sleep now. We want to do this again soon," Nenzi said. "That amazing. We always wonder what fuss all about."
"Fuss?" I turned to Nenzi and gave him a kiss. "That wasn't fuss. That was fun. Amazing."
"Yes. Reah amazing. We do this again. Often."
"Did Kifirin say whether you might father children?" I asked, hugging Nenzi.
"He not say. We not ask. He just say we get back what we lost. And Aurelius say that this not hurt baby. We skeptical at first."
"He's safe, unless somebody means harm," I said.
"We not ever mean harm. We know what happened at awful place. We never do anything like that."
"Honey, I love you. And my Honey Snake, too. I know you wouldn't do that." I rubbed the back of his neck with my fingers. He seemed to like that. He leaned in to kiss me. "You sleep. Tired. Kevis say not to wear you out."
"He knew about this?" I lifted an eyebrow at Nenzi, who smiled.
"He did. He examine us afterward," Farzi turned me to him. His brown eyes held a bit of laughter. "We not know what to think when this happen," he placed my hand on a newly formed erection.
"Honey, you may have to take care of that yourself," I yawned, covering it up as well as I could.
"He say that, too," Farzi grinned. "He say that what showers for."
"Honey Snake, you're going to make me laugh," I said, settling on his shoulder to sleep.
* * *
"Just relax. Let the water support you," Kevis said later. We were having a session in the pool.
"I don't think I can relax when you're asking me personal questions," I said.
"Sure you can. My hands are beneath you. Do you think I'd let you sink?" he asked.
"Hmmph." I glared up at him, his face was over mine and he seemed grimly determined about something. I guess it was a good thing that we'd gotten a swimsuit that would cover Garwin Wyatt when we'd been out shopping for baby things.
"Reah, close your eyes. I wish you'd learn to trust me."
I crossed my arms over my chest, almost turning over in the water.
"Now, what did I say? Wasn't it relax?"
"That's just a word."
"And it means something. Relax. Just let yourself go limp. Nothing will happen when you do. I'll hold you up."
I tried. Really. It wasn't going to be easy. "Now," Kevis said when I'd gotten halfway there, "why are you so angry with Tory for not marrying you?" I almost turned over in the water again. "Reah, you're not trying. Meet me halfway, here."
"All right," I stared up at the clouds floating overhead, instead of at Kevis' face. I still wanted to cross my arms over my chest. "He never made any promises to me. Like he did Darletta. The marriage vows are standard across the Reth Alliance. Both parties promise to love, honor and support one another. Tory never said that to me. He did say it to someone he barely knew. How was that supposed to make me feel? He'd made me pregnant—twice—by that time, and there I was, carrying his twins, and he walks away because Wylend lied. Well, lied is the wrong word. Withheld part of the truth, I guess. And he didn't even come to me to ask me about it. He just got all pissy and went off to make promises to Darletta, because she was pretty and crooked her finger at him. I figure that's what I can expect from him always, if we stayed together. He'd get angry over something and find a way to retaliate. I can't live with that."