by Robin Roseau
We greeted people in the grotto, but we let those who wished to tour the house. Finley and Amanda stopped back, talking about the amazing view.
We had food, including fish that Carolina had caught, but other foods for those who couldn’t eat Komodo style. But then Carolina declared, “It is time.”
She took my hands. And then Jasmine stepped up behind me. Carolina began speaking, but in Komodo. I only knew a few words. Apparently, Jasmine knew more.
“My wife, this ritual is most typically performed a year and a day from the day we declare ourselves mated. But I wanted to do this here, in our new home on this beautiful planet, and so it has been somewhat longer.”
She looked around and switched to English. “I do not know if everyone understands Komodo customs. I do not know if you understand the significance of this… head ornament my mate wears.”
“Tell us,” Jasmine said gently.
“May I?” I asked
“Yes.”
I smiled and then wrapped Carolina around me, turning to more fully face everyone. “Almost everyone here appreciates the differences between the species. Mama, has anyone explained?”
“They tried to,” she said.
“Well, I will try again.” And then I spent a few minutes. Mother and Father grew quiet, and I could see they were tense, but I said, “Carolina has taken such good care of me, and she has shown me wonders. Father, I have seen the rings of Saturn with my own eyes.” I brushed the net. “This is something Carolina needed, and we all know that we do what is needful for those we love.”
And so, I explained the net, and about my teeth. And then I turned back to Carolina. She spoke in Komodo, slowly and carefully. And Jasmine translated.
And then, for the last time, Carolina removed the hair net. Felicia and Yvette stepped forward. They brushed out my hair for me.
“My wife,” Carolina said. “You have grown accustomed to this. It is very easy to bite yourself.” She smiled. “Or me.”
“I won’t.”
“If you do, these go back in.”
I laughed then opened my mouth. It took her a minute, but she pulled the softening caps from my teeth, but she held my mouth open with her fingers. “Close slowly and carefully.” I did, and then she spoke for another minute.
“Congratulations, my mate, my partner, my love.” And then she pulled me into a kiss.
I didn’t bite her.
Arena Victory
We sat together in the stands overlooking the arena. Down below, Violet called Begin. Felicia and Swept Light began to battle it out, firing their lasers at each other and at their respective targets. At first, Felicia did well, scoring several times on the Luxan, every third shot shifting to one of the targets on the opposite side of the arena. Each successful hit either further isolated her opponent or increased mobility for her.
But then he got a hit on her right arm, not immobilizing her, but it tended to put off her firing. But she continued shooting, scoring twice more on him and several more times on his targets.
But then he went after the targets on her side, his aim slow and methodical. He began shutting her down, the force fields springing into place and pushing her towards the front of the open cage. She gave a cry of determination then carefully took aim at him. She fired just a moment after he hit another target on her side, and the resulting jostle from the force field threw off her aim.
It was the last clear shot she had at him, as he dropped his gaze and hit her three times as rapidly as his gun let him fire.
After that, it was all but over. She entirely stiffened, and he dashed forward, not fully trusting there was no ruse, but he came to her, took her gun from her, and then gave her a gentle backward push into the cell.
From the stands, we went crazy. Swept Light stepped forward, reached into the cage, and withdrew his mate. She clung tightly as he carried her from the arena.
About the Author
A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
Robin can be reached via email as [email protected]. Robin's web site is http://www.robin-roseau.com.
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Run
Fox Play
Fox Mate
Fox Afield
Fox Revenge
Fox Dish
Fox Lost
Wolf Watch
Wolf Ways
Wolf Women
Fox Fate
Jaguar
Omega Born
Omega Life
Omega Choice (coming soon)
Fox Short Stories
Hunting Pups
Fox in the Water
Fox Rematch (set after Fox Mate and Fox Afield)
Fox Opponent
A Foxy Valentine
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
Familiar
Kitty Cat
Poor Little Witch Girl
Seer
Seer: Thrall
Seer: Guardian
The Selected Series
Collected
Taken
Volunteer
Candidate
Recruited
Galatea
Beginnings
Lottery
Selected Roommate
Selected Assistant
The Games People Play Series
Stories that ask a simple question: do you want to play a game?
Do You Want to Play a Game?
My Soul to Play
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Win
The Five Kingdoms
Privateer
Searching the High Seas
The Pawn Series
Pawn
Bishop
Rook
Queen (Coming Soon)
Ressaline
Encircled (Claary)
Delegation (Allium)
Ambassador
Princess
Heir (Ahlianna)
Tiara Parts One and Two (Darfelsa, coming soon)
Other Novels and Novellas
Anonymous Bidder
Blood Slave
A Charming Brew
Emergency Claus
Encircled
Fitting In
Fluid
Free to Love
Galatzi Trade
Galatzi World
Galatzi Joy
Galatzi Life
In Custody
Lace
Lost in the Words
Metabrain
Mind Wipe
Outside The Box
Red Paws Inn
Reluctant Host
Stark's Dell
Submission
Sugar Baby
Surprise
Team Building
More Team Building
The Interrogation
Tresjolie
Trust
White
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short stories of love and lust amongst the slopes.
Snow Fox
Short Stories
Cooking for Love
Southern Night
Captured by the Raptor (writing as Rosetta Robins)
Selected Assistant
Copyright 2019 by Robin Roseau
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to
actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.
* * *
License Notes
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Table of Contents
Credits
Selected Assistant
Travel
Arrival
Test Drive
Nowhere
Taking a Break
Cell
Herd
Taken
Herded
Dinner
Sand Everywhere
Disregarded
Ohhh
Conversations
Pathway
Recovering
Hobble
Real Dates
Niecor
Breakfast
Catseye
Kitsune
Laser
Dance
Argument
Interference
Loris Fur
Actress
Hunted. Again.
Foursome
Swim
Beachside Lunch
Lingering Days
Color
Love
Home
Ceremony
Arena Victory
About the Author
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Short Stories
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
The Selected Series
The Games People Play Series
The Five Kingdoms
The Pawn Series
Ressaline
Other Novels and Novellas
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short Stories