Sylvan shrugged. “I suppose. I know there’s no direct correlation between the Mistresses of Yonnie Six, whom you were raised to serve, and the Potentate of Helios Beta, but I thought it might be…awkward for you.”
Ty shook his head.
“I have no problems taking orders from a female—or protecting one,” he told Sylvan. “I simply have to watch myself and see that I do not become slavishly devoted to one.” Which was why he guarded his heart so carefully…so jealously.
“Well, if that’s how you feel, then I’d like to have you on this mission,” Sylvan said, nodding. “I can’t think of a better male for the job.”
“I can,” Ty said bluntly. “What about Commander Asher? He took the first mission to Helios Beta and saved this Potentate of theirs in the first place. He already knows the people and their customs—why not ask him to go back and finish the job?”
“Because Commander Asher has recently Claimed a bride and gotten bonded,” Sylvan explained. “He has requested some time off to be with his new bride and I don’t blame him.” His face grew serious. “He almost lost her to the rage of an abusive ex-mate of hers that she was trying to escape.”
“Oh?” Ty couldn’t hide his surprise. “But I thought Asher’s kind couldn’t call brides without their specific DNA?”
Sylvan shrugged. “Asher thought so as well but the Goddess made a way for him and gave him a bride. I can’t fault him for wanting to spend time with her when he never expected to have that blessing in the first place.”
Blessing. Right, Ty thought sourly. It was the last thing he would have called being bound to a female for life—though he was well aware that almost all of his Kindred brethren felt differently. For most of them, finding the right female and bonding her to them was their goal in life. It was simply the way they were wired.
Only they were wired by the Goddess, Ty told himself. I was genetically engineered for that purpose—artificially made to fall hopelessly, helplessly in love with whatever female chose to buy me and then to devote my entire existence to pleasuring and protecting her.
But aloud, he only said, “I see,” in a neutral tone of voice.
“If you take the mission, I’d like you to go see Asher.” Sylvan made a wry face. “Be sure to call first, though. You know how newly-bonded couples can be.”
“Of course,” Ty had said, still in that same, carefully neutral tone of voice. “I don’t foresee any difficulties. I’ll take the mission, Commander.”
“Thank you.” A relieved smile crossed Sylvan’s face and he rose and offered his arm again. “You’re the right male for this job—I know you are, Commander Ty’rial.”
“Thank you for your faith in me.” Ty had clasped the offered arm. “You won’t be sorry, Commander Sylvan.”
And then he had left, to go track down Asher.
Chapter Four
His old friend had been blissfully ensconced in the new couples’ suite he’d been assigned after his bonding. His bride, a girl with long brown hair and big blue eyes—Lisa was her name—had been busy arranging wall-hangings on the far wall as Asher invited Ty inside and asked him to have a seat in the living area.
“Well, you look…different from the last time I saw you,” Ty had said as he settled himself on a chair.
“I am different—completely different.” Asher settled himself on the couch and a small, furry creature with smoky gray splotches on its fur ran up his arm. It perched itself on his head and chattered in a conversational tone, almost as though it was talking.
“Um…what is that?” Ty pointed to the creature.
He couldn’t help noticing that Lisa, Asher’s new mate, had one as well but hers was bright pink. It was sitting on her shoulder and chattering in her ear as she decided where to hang the various pictures she was placing. She seemed to be talking back to it in a low voice, too—almost as though the two of them were debating the proper placement of the various art.
Which was ridiculous, of course, Ty told himself. Why would anyone consult a pet on such a matter? Especially when a pet couldn’t answer back?
“This is something you’re going to have to get used to if you go to Helios Beta.”
Asher reached up and stroked the small creature perched on his head and the little beast responded with a sound like, “Gruff! Gruff!”
“Yes, all right—I’ll tell him,” Asher said, apparently in response to the noise. “This is Gruff—my chewchie. And he wants you to know that he’s more than just an animal so please stop looking at him as though he’s your inferior because he is not.”
“What? He said all that?” Ty had stared at the little creature, wide-eyed.
Asher nodded. “Not in so many words—Gruff tends to communicate more with emotions and images—though he has been known to speak as well. Lisa’s chewchie, Isabel, is more vocal than he is. But of course every chewchie has his or her own unique way of communicating. And you’ll need to get used to them because every citizen of Helios Beta has one.”
“Really?” Ty raised his eyebrows in surprise. “They all have these little pets and talk to them all the time?”
“Gruff! Gruff-gruff!” This time the fluffy creature sitting on Asher’s head sounded positively angry.
“Gruff wants me to let you know he is not my pet,” Asher said dryly. “He’s my companion—just as Isabel is Lisa’s companion. He says please don’t insult him by calling him a pet again.”
“Or what?” Ty demanded, frowning.
“Well…” Asher shrugged. “He’s been known to bite.”
“He’s never bitten me.” Lisa had come over at that
