Read Collecting for Free Online Page B

shrugged.
    “ If that is the way it is, you might just be meant for each other. Water is a very patient thing. ” Morro offered her his arm, and she took it, walking back to the habitat and lab.
    Harold was following, “ Mating? ”
    “ Married, Dad. Rivvin proposed, and I am seriously considering it. ”
    “ Oh. That ’ s all right then. ” Her father was trying to grapple with the concept.
    “ Ask Mom, she has been pushing me at him since he arrived. ”
    Morro laughed as Harold froze in amazement. “ I am going to tan her backside. ”
    “ Don ’ t be too hard on her. She finally found a guy as nuts about the ocean as I am. ”
    Her father was still grappling with the idea when they entered the kitchen where Weelar had one length of a fish out and Rivvin was loading the rest into the freezer.
    “ It looks like red meat. ” Morro was more interested now than he had been previously.
    “ It is. Tastes like it too. We had some for lunch. ” Rivvin smiled and lifted the empty container in his arms. “ I will just wash this out and put it back on the Nitka. ”
    Em smiled at him as he passed. No matter how much time he and Weelar spent in the sun, they didn ’ t change colour. She had asked them about that, and it was simply a matter of them being evolved for a little more radiation and a little less dryness.
    She shivered as her skin complained of its coating of salt. “ I am off for a shower. I will see you at dinner? ”
    Morro nodded. “ I am eager to find out what you discovered today. It is obvious that you have done far more than simply tagged some fish. ”
    Emharo shrugged. It was not her story to tell.
     
    * * * *
     
    Rivvin called the embassy and spoke with Daphne. “I want to take her to mate, but I want to make it official first.”
    “ So you want to use the mating gardens? ” Daphne smiled. “ Not a problem. Did you also wish to use the quarters for the Water Folk? ”
    “ For one night, please. We will return to her private retreat for the second night. ”
    “ Understood. Does she need proper attire? ”
    “ I don ’ t care what she wears, as long as she says yes. ”
    Daphne chuckled. “ That is a yes then. Women need more trappings than you do. We need to feel the solemnity of the moment or it will just be another day, and you don ’ t want that. ”
    “ You are correct. Please arrange the formal dress of the Water Folk. ” He grinned, knowing that Emharo would look stunning in the necklaces of pearls and shells…and nothing else.
    “ For you as well? ”
    “ Yes. Is tomorrow too soon? We will need retrieval. ”
    “ It will be done. There will be a skimmer for you at noon. ”
    “ Thank you, Daphne. Give my best to Ambassador Leoraki. ” He inclined his head at the image in the small view screen.
    “ I shall. Congratulations. ”
    “ Thank you. ” Rivvin disconnected the call and sat back. It was done. Tomorrow evening, he would have a wife, now he just had to convince her that it was a good idea.
     
    * * * *
     
    Dinner was quiet. Everyone rampaged through the fish steaks, the crisped kelp salad and the roasted tubers from the shoreline.
    When dinner was over, Emharo smiled.
    Morro asked Rivvin, “ So, explain where you went today? ”
    “ The Water Folk city of Carring. Emharo took us directly there. There was no delay, and Weelar and I swam down to mark the edges of the city with beacons. ”
    “ So, you went for fish and you found an ancient city? That is a pretty good day. ”
    Rivvin smiled slowly at Emharo. “ And it isn ’ t over yet. ”
    She was suddenly the recipient of every gaze in the room. Emharo cleared her throat. “ Well, I think I will be heading to my office. It has been quite a day, and I need a solid night ’ s sleep. ”
    She got to her feet, cleared her plate and cup, heading swiftly into the kitchen. Once there she rushed to her room, got a change of clothing and spare towels as well as a small data pad for her notes about the