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his skin. It was so soothing that she let her arm continue as her mind went blessedly blank once again.
    * * * *
    The scent of food woke her. Her stomach growled in complaint, and she sat up, dropping a sheet to her waist. She was naked, and her red clothing was nowhere to be seen.
    A brilliant violet set was draped at the foot of the bed, and she followed Aldeen’s instructions carefully, approximating the graceful drape that her sister-in-law had achieved.
    The violet made the blue of her eyes pop and her hair shone a sparkling gold against it. She attended to other matters and did a quick tidy up in the lav, but after that, she went in search of a meal.
    An older woman whose sarong covered quite a bit more than Scotia’s did was setting the table.
    “Ah, Miss Scotia. I’m Hasja, the housekeeper. Please have a seat. Bael Alder is doing his rounds right now.”
    “Rounds?”
    “Of course, miss. Everyone has their task. Bael Alder has to attend to town matters before he returns to you.”
    Scotia blinked. “I see. I am guessing that I will have to find something useful to do. My talent doesn’t lend itself to daily use, and my previous job doesn’t exist here.”
    “You are Bael Alder’s wife. It is enough of a task to earn your keep.”
    Scotia frowned. “I am not simply going to be someone’s wife, Hasja. I need to be useful.”
    “Being Bael Alder’s wife is useful. It might abate some of his moods and help with the fishing. He gets in a mood and the fishing goes out the window.” Hasja set a tray of dishes down to Scotia’s left and filled her plate with a variety of foods.
    “Yes, but it would be a little annoying for me to not have anything to do all day but wait for him.” Hasja paused. “Well…”
    “For example. Do you have family?”
    “A long time ago, miss. They are grown and have their own lives. I am enjoying my current duties as housekeeper.” She smiled.
    “So, you needed something more than to just wait for someone to make you useful.” Hasja chuckled. “I see your point. Well, if you can’t find a useful application for your talent, you are best off seeking a position fitting your status as the Bael’s mate. Perhaps Bael Alder can help you find something useful to do with your time.” She lifted the eating prong and carefully tasted the first few bites before moving on with confidence.
    “Are you enjoying the stew?”
    She swallowed. “Yes, pardon my slowness, please. I am getting used to Ikanni foods. It will be a process that takes a few weeks.” Hasja paused. “I hadn’t thought of that. A whole new world. You have actually been to other worlds. It is something that most Ikanni dream of in passing, knowing that the Heshi will never let us leave.”
    “Why not?”
    “Despite their wanting to live and die, they do not wish to be parted from their own kind, which is something the Ikanni understand very well.” Alder came in with a gust of wind following, his hair back in a ponytail. “Scotia! You are awake.”
    He walked up to her and gave her a kiss. She smiled and patted his cheek. “Have a seat, Alder. I am eating here.”
    He laughed and took up the seat next to her, “May I tell you about my day?” She nodded and kept eating while Hasja filled Alder’s plate and then started to wash dishes.
    Alder finished his meal while she was still working on a stick of something that was sweet and tasted like pickles. That was a flavour that was going to repeat on her for a while.
    He had told her about meeting with Bael Orriko and Lilli. “It went fairly well except Bael Lillibeth kept trying to order me to give you back, and Orriko had to keep his hand over his mate’s mouth.”
    “Why?”
    “Her talent is command. You cannot refuse her.”
    Scotia whistled softly. “Damn. That is a helluva thing.”
    “I am aware. Bael Kaia has a projecting blade that she can use as knife or as harvester. She took out an incoming Raider ship with one.” He sounded admiring.
    She