“Interesting,” I muttered.
The woman spread the liquid over the man’s entire length, then slathered some on his tail. Straddling his hips, she lowered herself on his length in the front as he slipped his tail between her butt cheeks.
Double-penetration? By one man? Well, that was...
“Interesting,” I repeated, flabbergasted.
Chapter 12
SUSANNA
I was glad Xavran wasn’t around when Stefan came to pick me up to go shopping for groceries. I didn’t think I could look the captain straight in the eye without imagining all the things I now knew he was packing in his pants.
The grocery store was under the open sky, as expected on Aldrai. Stands with fresh produce, water tanks with live seafood, and an expansive butcher shop gave it the feel of a farmer’s market combined with an aquarium.
“Are these the things we ate for dinner last night?” I wondered out loud, spotting the flat round creatures in one of the water tanks.
“Possibly,” Stefan replied. “There are lots of them in Diria Lake, just behind Xavran’s home. And he’s an avid fisherman.”
“They’re rather repulsive to look at.” I watched the creatures crawl on the bottom of the tank, their many legs scurrying beneath them. “But they taste pretty good.”
“Xavran is an excellent cook. I’ve had his dinner leftovers for lunch. Delicious!” He kissed his pinched fingers in a chef’s kiss. “I suggest you learn as many of his recipes as you can before he leaves town.”
That was a good idea. I made a note to research food sites and find videos about Aldraian meal preparation processes. With Xavran gone soon, I’d be left with four children to feed, in addition to my sister. Just like me, Mara had never cooked a meal in her life.
After the shopping, we went to school where I met the kids’ teacher as well as a group of parents of the children’s friends. Everyone was polite and friendly, and I responded in the same manner.
“If you need anything just ask,” a few of the mothers said. “It’s not easy to move worlds.”
It shouldn’t be. But it didn’t feel as hard as I would’ve imagined. I could learn this.
I could do this job.
So I thought.
Until the kids came out running.
Illal ran to me with a hug. The boys nodded in greeting. But Ene turned away, sulking. She wouldn’t even return my “hi.”
“Did I do something?” I asked Stefan quietly as we all boarded the aircraft.
He shrugged. “Change isn’t always easy on kids. She’ll get used to you. Eventually. Just be kind and patient.”
My patience got tested when we got home, however. Stefan went straight to the kitchen to make the kids’ snack. They tossed their school bags under the hedge in the front garden. As I learned yesterday, it wasn’t what they were supposed to do.
“Pick up your bags and take them to your rooms, please,” I told them.
Both boys groaned and rolled their eyes but picked up the bags and marched out. Illal lingered, her bag in her hands. Ene wouldn’t even touch hers. Chin up in challenge, she stomped toward the exit.
“Ene, you forgot something,” I called after her.
She paid me no attention, as if I hadn't spoken at all.
“Ene. Your bag...” I touched her shoulder.
“Leave me alone!” she shrieked so suddenly, I jumped. “You can’t tell me what to do. You’re not my mom!”
I jerked my hand away, frozen in shock.
She took off, running in the opposite direction from the kitchen and her room.
“What did I do?” I asked Illal.
“It’s not you,” she said with a solemn expression on her little face. “Ene cried during the break today. Again.”
“Why?”
“Girls make fun of her short hair.”
“Well, that’s ridiculous.” I scoffed, feeling offended on Ene’s behalf. “She can wear her hair any way she wants. If she likes it short—”
“She doesn’t.” Illal bit her lip.
“Then why did she cut it that way?”