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the dew-covered stem only to find that it
wasn't moist. It just appeared that way.
    How strange, Frederika thought.
    “It's a Ziral-Kheigra . It means
‘light-cat’.” Mia rolled over onto her stomach atop her futon. “The
last time I came there were these most scrumptious saffron
candies.”
    “You speak Falcanian?”
    “No, but after a while you pick things up.”
Mia grinned. “Besides, the flowers grow all over the island under
the large trees. The forest is interesting at night. Wait till you
see the air squid.”
    “An air squid? You're kidding, right?”
    “They’re very real and a few other new,
strange kinds of beasts.”
    “I can't wait to see all these new
creatures.” She placed the flower next to her and looked at Mia.
“Speaking of new species, you were telling me about Falcanian
biology before we boarded.”
    Mia hesitated for a moment. “Falcanian
biology is not a thing we should speak of. But what you wonder is,
do they have wings?” Mia nodded. “Yes they do, and to see a
Falcanian soar the skies is a thing I will always remember to my
dying day.”
    “I bet it is most awesome.”
    “Your questions will all vanish at Vorkrür.
I promise.” Mia confessed. “It's just that they don’t like to talk
about their biology to outsiders.”
    “Why?”
    “It's one of the few taboos that Falcanians
have.”
    Frederika sighed. Clearly, either Mia did
not know or she was unwilling to discuss what she knew about
Falcanians and their physiology with her. To push the matter
further might endanger her operation.
    “Why are you here?” Frederika asked,
changing tactics.
    “My family was killed in a border skirmish
three years ago and I have a little brother I need to care for. I
earned enough last time to keep us up and running, though even that
wasn't sufficient for my brother's needs.” Mia's amber eyes filled
with tears. “Philip, my brother. He... he’s blind.”
    Frederika's heart was moved by Mia's plight.
Born in superior health and not likely to contract anything but a
genetic specific disease, Frederika did not know what it was like
to be sick. In this day of genetic therapy such injuries could have
been corrected though it was only an option if one belonged to the
middle and upper classes.
    “I hope I can strike a deal with Hawk. See
if he will have his genetic engineers correct Philip's vision.”
    For a few minutes, the two women sat in
silence. “Why are you here?” Mia finally asked.
    “Me?” Frederika searched for a believable
lie. “I seek knowledge.”
    “Knowledge?”
    “Ja! I want to learn more about this D’Har
Tarik.”
    “I’d have thought a tourist visa would be
better for such things?”
    Frederika allowed herself to laugh. The
girl's logic was on target. “Well, there seemed to be more
dividends in this vocation. Having the ruler of a nation shower you
with gifts for a few weeks of your time isn't a bad way to learn
about a culture.”
    “I can understand that. But...” Mia blushed,
“are you a stripper by choice?”
    Frederika grinned widely. “When I think the
payoff will be better for my needs, I have been known to utilize
my… assets as a career choice.”
     
     
    [Vanguard Island: Narshin Thryak Palace,
Evening]
    Nadia lounged on top of Sharr's opulent
nest. An arm slung over her abundant bare breasts, she wore nothing
except skimpy Persian blue panties and metal bands on her upper
arms. The Queen’s nutbrown locks hung down her back, and golden
earrings sparkled reflected light. Nadia smoldered a cobalt gaze in
the direction of Sharr, now returned to his lair. She swished her
armored tail in anticipation.
    Like a predatory animal, filled with lust,
his eyes narrowed at the gorgeous sight of her.
    The Shotar ran a hand up the cinnamon curve
of his mate’s thigh to find the place in the small of Nadia’s back
where the Garuda joined to her spinal column. She exhaled at his
firm caress as he worked that erogenous spot just how she liked it.
The