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In the end, the Light Phases’ simpering praise of her grew too much for Kahn. They’d huddled around Randa, stealing her attention. He couldn’t join in, because he was too afraid of saying the wrong thing to even speak to her. He’d decided to take a shower, rather than punch them for fawning all over his Match. Those assholes were lucky Kahn was so tolerant. (Also, he didn’t want to piss Randa off by ruining the feast.)

Besides, they had a date tonight that he needed to prepare for. He’d wanted to look his best. His human haircut took far more maintenance than his old one. But in the time it took him to shower and shave, Randa had been threatened by her stalker again.

Clearly, the other Light Phases weren’t doing their job.

“You were supposed to be protecting her!” He raged at Julius.

Julius sighed. “Just read the card that came with the flowers. If you need a target to yell at, that’ll be a better one.” He handed Kahn the plain white note.

They can’t keep us apart much longer, my flower.

“Shit!” The stalker knew she had protection now, and he was threatening something imminent. This was an escalation.

Julius seemed to agree, which was another terrible sign. Jules was the most levelheaded of the Light Phases. “No florist delivered the bouquet. We’ve intimidated every shop in fifty miles. They’re all too scared to come to her door.” He hesitated. “I think the stalker brought them here in person.”

Kahn’s anger somehow built even higher. “How did someone get past us and onto her property?”

“I don’t know.” Julius admitted.

“I set up cameras. Did you check those?”

“Of course. There’s nothing. It’s like the stalker was invisible.”

Kahn swore loudly. He crumpled up the paper and threw it in frustration. Then he cursed some more.

“One day, I’m going to surprise you all by learning the Light Phase language.” Randa called from the front steps. “Then, I’ll know exactly what all those words you’re always yelling mean.”

Something deep inside Kahn stilled at the sound of her voice. The swirling anger dissipated enough that he could think. “That’s my Match.” He whispered to Julius. It still struck him as unbelievable. Like someone might show up, declare it all a huge mistake, and take Randa away from him. He couldn’t lose her. “I have a Match.”

Julius heard the wonder and the fear in his tone. “I know. And perhaps you’re right. She’d rather be with you than sit alone.”

Kahn would rather be out there with her, too. But… “I’ll say something wrong and piss her off. I always do.”

“I think the woman likes being pissed off at you. Otherwise she would have kicked us out of her life days ago.”

Kahn shook his head. “This is all my fault.” He admitted, and he knew it was true. “I haven’t killed the stalker yet. I can’t even talk to Randa. If I was a better Match…”

“You are her Match.” Julius interrupted. “That is all you have to be. Randa needs you. Just you.” Jules slapped him on the shoulder. “Go. I will get rid of the flowers.” He headed into the kitchen.

Maybe Julius had a point. Randa could’ve been safe in the Earth Kingdom with Job, right now. Instead, she was still with the Light Phases. With Kahn. Maybe he didn’t need to worry quite so much about saying exactly the right thing. Maybe he just needed to say something.

Kahn ran a hand through his hair and went to his Match.

She glanced up, as he settled beside her on the front step.

He cleared his throat, hoping he didn’t ruin everything. “I’ll teach you our language. But you’ll mostly hear swearing and the other Light Phases mocking me for being so smitten with you. It’s all they’ve talked about since we met.”

“Just so we don’t talk about the flowers.” She agreed softly.

“Would you like to start learning, now? I can teach you all kinds of dirty words.”

“Maybe later.”

Kahn sighed, noting the way Randa’s arms were wrapped around herself. She definitely needed to talk. It would do no good to discuss the stalker again. Nothing new could be determined right now, and it would only upset her to rehash what they did know. But he also didn’t want Randa to retreat into her shell, all her thoughts closed off to him.

Kahn cleared his throat. “You told Julius you want a relationship based on communication and respect.”

Her forehead wrinkled. “I do want that.”