Page 30 of Breaking Ties

“I am a Hmrain of mystery.”

She giggled and had a thought. “Is Aten on the way home?”

“It’s a few days of diversion. Why?”

“I have a list of colonists on Aten, and I am going to cross-reference them with the ladies here.”

“Why not the males?”

“Because I despise two of them and don’t want to go into the male space to make the offer. The family groupings are housed separately.”

“Do you want to take any of those?”

“I don’t know them. I am sticking to people I think of as friends. If you want to get any for colonization purposes later, that is up to you.”

“Thank you for allowing me some decisions.” He laughed.

She checked the icon outside of the classroom and said, “Lord Vress, would you put me down? They will think I have injured myself.”

He looked at her. “No. I am enjoying this.”

She sighed and knocked on the door. An instructor came out, saw her and the Hmrain holding her, and said, “Oracle, Overseer.”

“Overlord.” Aubrey corrected for her. “I need to speak to Alyssa and a few others.”

“Do you want them to come out here?”

Aubrey looked around. “Bring them to the seating area around the corner. It will be better than disrupting the class.” She rattled off the names. Elly, Priya, Whisper, and Candy.

She gestured to the spot. “Thataway.”

Vress laughed and carried her to the spot.

The guards surrounded them and kept them safe. There was seating for the five ladies, and Vress sat on a backless seat.

“You must have back muscles of steel,” she murmured while they waited.

He laughed. “You will get to explore all you like.”

She blushed again. The ladies came in, paused when they saw Vress and slowly settled where the instructor ordered them to sit.

Aubrey looked at Vress. “Did you want to do this?”

“I don’t know which is which, so I will correct you if necessary.”

Aubrey smiled. “I have seen Alyssa’s match, and he is on Overlord Vress’s ship.”

Vress added, “He’s a lieutenant, well respected.”

“His skin is soft lavender, and he has this neat, feathery hair. I see you two together, partially on the ship and partially at home with family. He has a lot of family.”

Alyssa blinked. “Can I see him?”

“Oh, sure.” She brought up the image and turned the tablet. “That’s him.”

“So, I have to...“

“Oh, no. You just have to be open to the possibility. The Hmrain are different than the other species. You actually get a proper courtship.”