“Shunati.” Sinta smiled. “Sinta.” He was pleased she could tell him apart from Vor already. Some people had trouble even after decades. “What are you wearing?” She asked, looking at his clothing and boots. He smiled bashfully. “I just came from the palace. I can only stay a little while so I didn’t bother changing.” “Is that what humans wear?” He nodded. “You’d be half naked in Sen-gan.” “Really?” She looked down at her halter and wrap. “And no shoes.” “They wear shoes all the time?” “Not in bed.” “Well, I think all those clothes are kind of sexy. It gets the imagination going.” She smiled. Shunati blushed. He could control things like that, but he generally didn’t. He enjoyed seeing her in so little clothing. Forty-five years living in Sen-gan, he gotten used all the clothing humans wore. She saw him looking at her and smiled. She knew what he was thinking. “You’ve been in Sen-gan too long.” His blush deepened. Before he could respond, the judges came out to announce the results. He quickly made the blush fade. “We’d like to thank you for coming to show your support of the candidates. This election was a tense one. It was a close vote. We counted twice to be sure. The new ruler of Erilu is…” He paused for dramatic effect. Shunati took Sinta’s hand. He knew she was nervous because her family was divided. “Deyama tre Qituma.” “Oh.” Sinta’s face lit up, and she gave a little jump. She turned and hugged Shunati. He kissed her. He put his arms around her, one hand accidentally ending up under her halter in the back. His hand tingled slightly at contact with her skin, as did his mouth from the kiss. He didn’t mind. As he told her, it was light and rather pleasant. He didn’t want to stop. He transported her to the privacy of his room at his parent’s house. She looked around at the change in noise. Then she smiled and continued kissing him. **** Shunati lay holding Sinta. “Are you okay?” She asked. He nodded. “That was intense.” “You definitely enjoyed yourself.” He smiled. “It wasn’t me I was enjoying.” “Well, you really enjoyed it.” “You didn’t?” He frowned. “Of course I did. I just think you enjoyed it more.” “I’m sorry. There are a few tricks I know, but until we get married, I’m not supposed to use them.” “What tricks?” She looked intrigued. “Healer tricks. I can make things much more enjoyable.” He rubbed her arm and she gasped with pleasure. “But, that can cause problems.” “Problems?” “People get used to it. Regular sex becomes less enjoyable so, we wait. That way, if we don’t marry, there’s no loss.” There was a knock at the door “Shunati? Was that you?” A voice called. “Yes, Mom.” He blushed. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine. I thought you were gone for a few days.” They had said they were going to the glen. “We came home early. What was that noise?” “Can you guess why I’m an only child?” He whispered to Sinta. She smiled. “That was me,” He told his mom. He had gotten a little loud. “What are you doing in there?” “Is she serious?” Sinta whispered. “Mom…” “What are you doing home anyway? “I wanted to hear the election results and to see Sinta.” “So you two got along? Why are you in there instead of with her?” “I am with her.” “Oh. Okay. I’m sorry to interrupt. We can talk later.” “I can’t stay, Mom.” “You can scry me.” “Okay, Mom. Goodbye.” He looked at Sinta. “I’m sorry. If I had known they were home, I wouldn’t have brought you here.” “Where else would we go? It wouldn’t be any better at my place. My parents are there. I can’t leave Erilu.” “There are a couple of houses on the lake in Green Glen that are empty.” “You’d use someone else’s home?” “No. It’s where Vor and I grew up. When our parents moved here, they kept the places for us to raise our families in. But I’m stuck in Sen-gan and Vor can’t bear to be here.” “Well, hopefully, now that they’ve talked, they can work it out.” “I hope, but Vor is back in Thager.” “It’s going to take some time.” She kissed him and pressed against him. “Sinta, I can’t. I need to go.” “Are you sure?” She put his arms around her. “Unfortunately. I’ll come back when I can, but I have responsibilities.” “Scry me?” “Of course. You know I love you, right?” “I love you too.” Shunati got up and dressed. “Stay as long as you need to. Spend the night if you want.” “And get interrogated by your parents in the morning alone? You’re kidding.” “I can take you back to your place if you get dressed.” “Get dressed?” She frowned. “I’m not transporting you naked into your parents’ house.” She sighed and started dressing too. “I can get myself home. Go before you get in trouble.” He kissed her. “I’ll see you soon. I love you.”