Page 17 of Legends and Longing

I wasn’t sure that was the correct word but I followed the instructions to extend my hand. I did not like being told what to do, but he seemed to be an expert and that must be respected. “I am your mate, so your instinct to touch me is understandable.”

His smile indicated I may have either done something awkward or correct. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

Well, at least dealing with one of my mates might not be as confusing as I’d feared…I wasn’t going to deal with the other at the moment.

Doing the activity of putting my head in the sand was starting to make much more sense.

English was a language that needed to be explored in context.

Chapter 5

Raxius

I was not stupid.

“What…what upset you?” The male named Shiloh, according to Toman, took Professor Zorin’s hand. “I…I could feel you were frustrated.”

What had the strange male been confused about?

“I did not like how I was constructing the English sentence to obtain information on how much privacy around your needs that you would like.” The professor actually frowned. “I can perform the facial movements for you, but the sentence is confusing.”

“Significant. He would like significant privacy around his needs.” That should have been obvious. “I want privacy around his needs as well.”

They both turned to me like they had forgotten I was there.

Zorin actually produced the facial movements to show his frustration in the form of a frown. It looked startlingly Earth-like on him. “Our mate is more important. He is clearly the submissive member of our bonding, and according to human customs, must be protected.”

I could not argue about Shiloh being labeled as the submissive partner as defined by English, but I was not sure that made his needs the most important. “Mates are equal. That means all our needs will be taken into account.”

Equal.

Individuals were always equal…our society was very clear about that and did not tolerate otherwise.

As Shiloh’s gaze went back and forth between us, Zorin performed the Earth movement of putting one hand on his hip. Before I could respond, Wren spoke up. “That means he’s frustrated…and possibly a bit sassy.”

Earthlings were very strange.

“Thank you.” I had manners. I had manners. I had manners. “Please accept my apology for our behavior.”

Zorin’s entire body tensed. “Shiloh has not done anything he needs to apologize for, and I do not think I have either. Asking questions is my job as well as my responsibility as his mate…and his…his something.”

The English word fuck seemed to be the most appropriate under the circumstances. If Shiloh was indeed a submissive Earthling of some kind, he would need us to be his counterpart.

Something, indeed.

My first reaction to that odd realization was to focus on Shiloh, but he may have taken it as aggressive because he made a squeaking sound and released Zorin’s hand as he stepped halfway behind the male Toman had said was Hugh of Earth.

“I do not think you have done anything wrong.” Zorin was still frustrating, at the very least, so I stayed focused on my Earth mate. “I am not…I am not displeased with my mating.”

Ugh.

As frustration built in me, Hugh groaned and looked back at our Shiloh. “How did you end up being the sanest person you’re mated to?”

Lifting his shoulders to perform a shrug, Shiloh spoke quietly. “That’s a good question.”

“There is nothing wrong with being quiet or easily…or shy.” There may have been another word that fit better but sorting through their extensive list of options was time-consuming. We did not naturally have this many variations of words. “Of course he is sane.”