Page 21 of Monster Married
He narrowed his eyes. “Crazies?”
I looked at the rest of the guys, but they seemed content to watch the exchange. Or to give Hove the chance to practice with a real-life human.
“It’s…like very bad people. When something bad happens, the very bad people get worse.”
Inkiri rubbed my back as if he were worried talking about bad people might summon them.
Hove’s eyes lit up with understanding. “Yes! Yes. That is. And when bad people are, good people need protecting. Raiken is protecting.”
I nodded as I sipped more fanny. “You mean you can help?”
Inkiri clicked. “We must. Humans are not prepared to deal with the Koa Esher.”
Hove nodded. “And magic.”
Vergis snorted. “Humans wish they had magic, and evidence suggests if they do, it’s not great.”
Huh. Was this real? Were Vergis and I agreeing on something? I nodded as I took another careful sip.
Hove nodded and clicked at Vergis. “Your magic skill from Earth, is impressive.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Nokim frowning at that interaction. He shifted closer to the two of them, and I hid behind my tankard, wondering how that was going to go.
I leaned closer to Inkiri, and before long, I’d lost track of the conversation. I kept looking at what was happening around us, loud noises startling me even though they were just laughter or conversation.
“Sweet thing.” Inkiri ran his hand through my hair. “You’re so tense. What’s the matter, hmm? What do you want?”
I looked up at him, reveling in both his warmth and attention. “I’m fine. I’m just not used to crowds anymore, I guess. The last time I saw lots of people together was back at the cult, and that was not fun at all. Sorry. Don’t mean to ruin the party.”
“You’re not ruining anything, Sadir. Lissir? Rory and I are heading back to the rikori. The crowd and noises are a bit much for him right now.”
Lissir took our empty tankards, and Inkiri was leading me away from the noise so fast I barely had the chance to wave goodbye to everyone.
“Better now?” Inkiri asked after we’d walked a block or so.
We’d moved farther into the city and not toward the bridge we had crossed to get here. It was quieter, though I could still hear the distant sounds of the honk roar week.
The wide road we were walking along was paved with smooth cobblestones, and the buildings here had signposts with writing and pictograms on them out in front. I was guessing this was the downtown area, with the shops all around us closed for the night. They still had paper lanterns out next to their signposts though, colorful ones. It was really pretty. Only a few bagua passed us by.
“Yeah. I’m sorry for pulling you away from the party. Truth is, I never was a good party animal.”
He smiled. “A party animal? What’s that?”
I shrugged. “Someone who likes parties and attention. Who’s good at having a good time. I prefer things a bit quieter.”
“Quiet isn’t a bad thing.” He brought the wrist he was leading me by up to his mouth, and his rough tongue tickled my pulse point.
“You never hold hands, do you? Licking or smelling someone’s wrist is important, right?”
Inkiri nodded. “Yes. It’s where a person’s scent is very strong. Any hangu-na would do well not to touch you there uninvited.” He released my wrist and put his hand in mine. Or around mine, since he was a sword-wielding giant with nice big hands. “You want me to hold you like this?”
“Almost. Here.” I braided our fingers together, human-style.
“Hmm.” We walked on for a few steps. “I think I still prefer taking your wrist, Sadir.”
I giggled. “Come on, give hand-holding a try. It’s awesome. I always wanted someone whose hand I could hold in public, you know. You’d think a wedding ring shows the world you have someone, but the hand-holding shows you truly like the person walking next to you, enough to keep up the prolonged skin on skin contact. It’s, like, even better than a wedding ring.” I tugged on the scarf he’d put on me. “This scarf is basically like a wedding ring. You know, you should be ashamed of yourself for making me wear one and not telling me. Before we got here, I mean.”
Inkiri clicked. “You readily let me mark your neck and throat, so it felt right.”
