by Autumn Dawn
Dey took the dessert from the cooler and cut them both a quivering slice, carefully transferring the spur-of-the-moment concoction to plates. She licked a bit off one finger and handed Luna the other plate. Mm. Very edible. “You could drench his bike with stink fungus juice. He wouldn't be able to get near it for a least a month."
Luna perked up. “Go on."
"We could hide rotten meat under his doormat. Or sneak into his house and plant moldy mushrooms in his boots.” She smirked as Luna snickered, picturing his expression. Now that would be worth seeing. It was funnier still when she pictured Keg as the victim. She'd have to make certain to doctor his boots, too. She might have only known Armetris’ cousin a few weeks, but she clashed with him more each time they met. There was just something unsettling about him, something that turned her into a snapping turtle. “Or we could tell Libya he's back in town."
That wiped the smile off Luna's face. Libya was like the annual race—every man had taken a go at her. As far she knew Armetris—and possibly his friends—were the exception to the rule; a situation that Libya was eager to change. Much as Luna disliked Armetris, the idea of him and Libya was vaguely revolting. “I'm not sure even he deserves that."
"Humph.” Dey finished her dessert. “So when are you planning the next raid? I know you won't let his threats stop you. After all, what's he going to do? Spank you?"
Luna shook her head and checked the cook pot. Still not done. “Not yet. I have to check my sister's research first. Somehow I doubt Armetris and his goons got in the same way we did. If there's an easier, alternate entrance, I want to know. Tomorrow I want to take a boat out there and check it out, if you've got time."
Dey sighed and rolled her eyes. “Great. A trip through the swamps. At least it's in the daylight this time.” She fiddled with her spork. “You don't think we'll run into Armetris and Keg, do you?"
Luna shrugged. “Might happen.” A mischievous look entered her eyes. “But you can always hope. I know how you feel about Keg."
"Him!” Dey's nose wrinkled in disgust as she lightly pushed her. The movement sent her bracelets jangling. “Do I look desperate to you?"
Luna tried to hide her smile, but a smirk pulled at her mouth. “I don't know, he's kind of cute."
"Cute! Is your brain soggy? You know he hits on anything over the age of consent.” She hunched her shoulders. “It's hardly a complement to get his attention."
* * * *
"I'm crushed.” Keg did his best to look devastated. In truth he was mildly annoyed. No matter what she said now, Dey was attracted to him. Just this morning she'd been classically wary of touching his bare skin. It had been part of the reason he'd teased her so. To be honest, her reluctance had also been rather challenging. It had been a long time since he'd had the chance to pursue a woman, and her virginal manner had been far more arousing than blatant teasing might have been. That she would deny her interest now pricked his vanity.
Armetris uncrossed his arms and shifted his boots from the consul where they'd been propped and dropped them to the floor. He frowned at the device that allowed them to eavesdrop on Luna's plans as if it might convey his warning. “I will not tolerate mushrooms in my boots. And if she thinks to get near my bike.... “He switched off the receiver. The women seemed to be done for the night.
They retired to the kitchen, the one room in the house besides their bedrooms that was free of Beast regalia, to scare up some drinks.
Keg was still muttering to himself. “You'd think the girl would be grateful for any attention, with the way the other men ignore her. That's what I get for trying to be nice.” He sent Armetris a disgusted look. “It's not as if I ever made a move on her.” Nor would he have to. Women, for whatever reason, had always found Keg irresistible. And Dey, well....
It wasn't as if she were ugly. If asked, most men would agree that she was passably attractive. Nor was she too-stupid-to-live or mean spirited. It was just that she was different. A contradiction. The woman walked around armed and followed Luna on her crazy quests, yet wore ultra-feminine pink and had a walk that could raise the dead. With all the mixed signals she was sending it was no wonder men hesitated to approach her.
"Forget her.” Armetris handed Keg a chilled beverage. He took a kitchen chair, spun it backwards, and sat. “What we need is a better way to keep track of Luna's movements. I hate this eavesdropping on private conversations. Half the time we learn nothing useful, and the other half just provokes us.” The bug had been installed just recently, and he'd been almost to the point of removing it before he'd overheard Luna's plans for the last raid.
Keg eyed him thoughtfully. “You could court her.” He held up a hand when Armetris gave him an incredulous look. “Hear me out. It might be the only way to make an impression on her. Like she said, there's not much you can do to her as is—just get in her way when she tries to make a raid, or run damage control when she succeeds, which is way too often. But as her man.... “He smiled a little, captivated with his fledgling idea. “There you have possibilities."
Armetris opened his mouth as if to retort, but didn't. He looked thoughtful for a moment, then slowly shook his head. “I don't think it's a good idea. After everything that's happened between us, if I move in now the entire settlement, Luna included, will think it's serious. I'm just not ready to suffer puppy-love again."
Keg snorted. “I doubt it will be a problem. In fact, I'd bet my symbiont she'd slap your face if you were to try anything. She's a grouch.” A grouch they had to find a way to neutralize. Could it be done without compromising Armetris’ principals? “What if ... ,” he said, thinking aloud, “you simply showed her how to have fun without raiding tombs? Surely part of her problem is too much time to nurse her grudges?"
The skeptical look on Armetris’ face wasn't encouraging. “And how will I do this without encouraging a crush? You know how women are."
Keg cocked his head. “Do you have a better idea?"
Chapter 2
"Forget it. You're better off without a man to complicate your life, anyway."
The ladies had woken up slightly cross, and a breakfast of stale bakery goods and burnt lizard eggs hadn't improved anybody's humor. Though just pulling on her purple snakeskin jacket was enough to move Luna from cranky to a sweeter temper. She loved that jacket.
Dey slammed their door shut behind Luna, still arguing. “How would you know?” She held up her hand to ward off Luna's hot retort. “All I'm saying is that you ought to give men a chance. They're not all a waste of oxygen. Just look at Scy."
Luna stayed planted on the stairs, one hand on the railing, her feet at different levels. “My sister's husband is a rare exception, but then so is my sister.” She smirked at Dey. “Name me one other man like him. And mind you, he must be still living, not married, and have at least half a brain."
Frustrated, Dey clamped her mouth shut and crossed her arms. The gesture pulled on her pink snakeskin jacket. Matching pink ribbons wove through her pig tail braids.
Luna smirked. “I'm waiting.” Except for her unaccountable and unacknowledged fascination with a certain new resident, Dey was even choosier than she was. Luna contemplated the pink-tinged clouds with an air of weary tolerance, but a smug smile played at her mouth. “My hair is graying, Dey."
Dey threw up her arms and flounced past her, her pigtails brushing against Luna's shoulder. “You'd just argue with any name I mentioned, anyway.” It was as much as an admission of defeat. Besides, it was far too nice a day to spend arguing. The gentle breeze was laden with the scent of morning, and it promised to be a warm day.
Many of the houses in their settlement had been built in the spreading branches of the trees. Some stone structures had been built underneath—well maintained residences with slate roofs, fanciful waterspouts on the gutters and scalloped trim. It was for one of these houses that they headed now.
Luna pushed open the carved door to the building and strode inside. Family never knocked. “Good morning!” The scen
t of something cooking teased her nose, and she fervently hoped they were in time for breakfast.
Dey sat on one of the red leather couches and admired the huge rainbow-hued snakeskin that hung on one side of the fireplace. Even better was the black and red one on the opposite side. There was a woven rug in front of the fire on the hardwood floor, adding warmth to the room. Various weapons hung on the walls and from the bare wooden beams overhead, along with all manner of herbs and drying foodstuffs. For a stone house, it was really very cozy.
When neither her sister nor her healer husband showed themselves immediately, Luna shouted, “Scy? Leo? Are you in?"
Dey smiled to herself, knowing that Luna would wait right here until they appeared. The pair might be married several years now, but they still carried on like newlyweds. They might not have children, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. She still remembered Luna's embarrassment at the first time she'd gone looking for them at noon—only to be brought up short in the hall by sound of heated moans coming from their bedroom. It had convinced her to wait until someone appeared or to try back later.
The sound of voices made her look toward the snakeskin curtains that covered the hall leading to the kitchen. She was just in time to see them flung open.
"Hello, little sister.” Her sister's husband greeted them both with an affectionate grin. “You're just in time for breakfast."
Scy was a little over average height, with curly hair that parted in the middle of his ear-length pageboy haircut and frizzed at the sides. In spite of this he was gorgeous. Or maybe he was just so good-looking that nothing could detract. At one time Dey had been just a little sweet on him, but that was before Leo had chosen him for her own. But that was okay, because her interest in him had been a passing thing. Leo's was for real.
Besides, she thought with glee as she and Luna joined them at the breakfast table, this way she still got to sample his cooking.
Scy's kitchen was every bit as orderly as the outer room, and as interesting. The counters were all topped with polished granite embedded with fossils. The large bay window in front of the table was framed by a flowering, vining plant and equipped with wrought iron shutters. The bowls and platters were made of pieced wood that alternated light and dark in a diamond pattern.
Dey sat on one of the leather-covered stools around the table—a breathtaking affair made of fitted octagons of polished purple, ivory and honey-colored wood—and tried not to drool. There were a mountain of savory meat patties, wine-sauced fruit and puffy balls filled with creamy vegetables. Best of all was an earthen jug full of her favorite hot, spiced juice.
She closed her eyes and inhaled reverently. “Heaven. I'm in heaven.” She fixed her earnest gaze on the blond Leo, who was already seated at the table. “Have I told you how glad I am that you married Scy?"
Leo snorted and filled her plate, a small smile on her face. “Every forth day. Which is about how often you dine with us."
"Not that we mind,” Scy added gallantly as he smiled at his wife. “As long as you promise not to return the favor.” His grin was wicked. “I've tasted your cooking.” He speared a piece of meat and popped it in his mouth.
Dey and Luna exchanged indignant looks.
"Such abuse,” Dey complained, gesturing dramatically with her spork. “And it isn't as if we don't supply you with a fair share of wild-crafted herbs and mushrooms in our wandering. And that's not even counting the times we've grubbed around in the mud hunting for shell fish and slugs.” Dey shivered in mock horror. “If they didn't taste so good...."
"And we all appreciate your sacrifice,” Leo said dryly. She turned her attention to her sister. “Speaking of travels ... I've heard a rumor that yours haven't gone so well."
Luna speared some breakfast to avoid Leo's sharp stare. “I've had a minor setback. Nothing to concern yourself with."
"You know it's affection, Sis. I care.” Leo smiled, but it was a little sad. “I remember how it was; I want happiness for you.” Leo had roamed as restlessly as anyone before she'd taken up with Scy. She still wandered from time to time, but with him, and less frequently. She claimed that life with Scy was the adventure, and loving sister that she was, she wanted the same for Luna.
Careful not to hurt her sister's feelings, Luna said slowly, “Leo ... I'll be all right.” Her smile was less than convincing. “Anyway, what I really came for this morning was a look at your books. There was a site I've wanted to look at, and I know you've been there. I also wanted to know if you've made any progress deciphering the Beast's hieroglyphics. I don't know how, but I'd swear Armetris and his lot didn't enter the same way I did."
Leo and Scy exchanged glances. There was a wealth of communication in the trade. Leo poked at her breakfast. “Maybe you should ask Armetris to teach you,” she said slowly, cautiously. “About the glyphs, I mean. Compared to what I know, he's a book."
Luna's gaze narrowed. “I doubt he'd willingly teach me such a thing. Why should he?” She held up a hand to halt protests. “I know what he is and who he represents, but it has nothing to do with me. The only time our paths cross is when he gets in my way, and I like it that way. Jackson once told me that the Beasts refuse to have anything to do with me, and that's fine. I wouldn't want a whiny throwback making demands on me either—"
"You are not a throwback!” Leo cut in furiously, half-rising. “I won't have you talking about yourself that way!"
Scy gripped Leo's arm, concerned. “Leo...."
Undaunted, Luna waved off the protests. “I speak the truth and you know it, Sis. But it doesn't matter. Let them keep to themselves; I'll find out what I want to know without their help.” She leaned forward, pressing her point. “You can help me, Leo."
Jaw clamped tight, Leo looked away. “You know my books are always open to you. Help yourself.” She got up and stalked away.
Scy looked at Luna in reproach as he stood, too. “Don't hurt her this way. You know what you are to her.” He went to comfort his wife.
Hunger gone, Luna stared at her plate. He was right. She knew how much her sister hated the unvarnished truth, how protective she got. She shouldn't have opened her mouth.
Dey sighed. “I guess this means we get to clean up, huh?"
* * * *
Dey sat in the shadow of her favorite people-watching tree. It had a bench at the bottom where she liked to observe the Beasts riding in. Much as she distrusted them, she had to admit to a strange fascination. They were the essence of the exotic, and they brought the most interesting trade items.
"See something you like?” Keg asked as he joined her without waiting for an invitation.
She frowned at him. “I see a dubious use of common sense."
"You're afraid of them? Don't you know one of them would faint with joy if you so much as smiled at him?"
She couldn't tell if he was joking, but he must be. “Be serious."
"I am.” He nodded toward the visitors. “Beast women are scarce and growing more so. That's why they fought so hard to reclaim the edge of the swamps. It's the only place a certain plant grows that allows for the birth of daughters."
Stunned, she stared at him. She'd never heard of such a thing. “How do you know?"
He simply raised a brow: Remember who I am.
Dey blinked and looked away. “If that's so, why didn't they just offer to trade for the plant and benefit everyone? Why start a war?"
"They tried to trade. The Symbionts wouldn't let them have it. Too paranoid. It was either take the land by force or watch their people die out."
Uneasy with this new information, Dey kept silent.
As if she'd expressed interest, he went on, “The Beasts will go to great lengths to rebuild their race. Since they can't force a woman to have their children—the chemistry must be extremely balanced and receptive or the male seed won't survive—they've come here hoping to find wives."
She gaped at him. “Why would any man let his daughter marry a Beast? They're not even human."
; Tiny lines appeared at the corners of his mouth. “Were they to remove their armor you wouldn't be able to tell them apart from a human.” He leaned closer and whispered provocatively in her ear, “And they're better in bed. Taught from a young age how best to please a woman so her body won't reject their seed. Very important to continue the line, you know."
Shoulders hunched, she looked around to make sure no one had overheard his outrageous remark. She just knew her face was flushed pink; it was so hot. “Will you hush?"
He grinned. “Want to meet one?"
"No!” But he was already on his feet, dragging her by the hand behind him. Forced to pretend nonchalance, Dey matched his pace and tried discreetly to free her hand. In response, he twined his fingers with hers. Her face burning, Dey followed him right up to the cluster of three Beasts who were gathered around a basket weaver's stall. She couldn't help but notice it was manned by a pretty young woman.
"Hello!” Keg wrapped an arm around her shoulders and beamed at the Beasts. “My small friend here wished to meet a real Beast. Do you mind?"
Dey gulped. She was surprised when the tallest of the three glanced at his companions and said carefully in her language, “Well met. I am Drostra. Your honor is mine."
One of his comrades elbowed him. “It is, ‘the honor is mine,’ Drostra-Ra."
Drostra cleared his throat. “Honored.” He glanced at Keg's arm. “You are ... promised, then?"
Since the arm served more to keep her in place than as a sign of affection, Dey answered truthfully, “No."
It caused some muttering among the Beasts. “Would you walk over me, then, pretty one?” Drostra cajoled. “I have many properties."
Baffled, Dey glanced at Keg.
"He's rich. Able to provide well for you,” Keg translated. “He wants you to walk with him and consider him for a husband."
Shocked, Dey stared at the Beast. Keg hadn't been kidding. “I-I...."
"I will undress for you,” the man offered shyly.
She goggled.
"Bare his head,” Keg told her, barely able to hide his smile. “Beasts don't usually move so fast, but as I said, they're desperate. Normally it takes several dates before a woman ever sees a man's head."
