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dropped onto Beny’s knee. “Are you married?” he asked softly, not looking at him.
    “No, Luan. I’m too young, by our standards. But I have given my love-jewel to someone at home. His name’s Eulio and he’s a principal with the dance company that’s coming next week.”
    Luan withdrew his hand and turned away. “I see.” He wandered over to the window and looked out. “I should have known,” he murmured sadly.
    Beny watched him for a moment, a smile in his sherry-brown eyes. The boy was good to look at, tall and well-made, with the slight awkwardness of limbs not quite grown into.
    Beny got to his feet and went over to stand beside him. “Don’t take it so hard, Luan. You’re very attractive, you know. Those Abulonian mothers you mentioned must be lined up for you, too. No?”
    The boy put a hand to his hair and tugged at it nervously. “No, thanks be to the gods. Most of them have given up.” He took an unsteady breath. “Look… I couldn’t get any sleep last night for thinking about you. The dreams… They were different this time. I don’t understand.”
    Beny laid a hand on the boy’s trembling arm. “Hush, Luan. Don’t say any more. I do find you very attractive, but… It’s not possible. We mustn’t speak about it again.” Beny reached up with his small hand and followed the line of the boy’s cheek with his fingers. The skin was smooth and warm to his touch. Luan turned his head suddenly and kissed Beny’s hand.
    “I won’t say anything more, if that’s the way you want it,” said Luan, his voice dark with emotion. “But I can’t help feeling this way.”
    “You deserve more than a brief moment with a visiting alien.” Beny moved away and turned to look out the window at the pink-tinged mist of the Abulon morning. “Tell me about the androids,” he said, searching around for a less emotionally charged topic. “They really are quite remarkable. Are they manufactured here in the city?”
    Luan waited a minute, trying to calm his breathing before answering. “I think they all come from some place in the country. It’s a large operation and it’s handled by a special department under the direct control of the First Minister. I can find out more, if you want.”
    “Don’t bother. I was just curious. Thank you for bringing Dhakan. When I take him home, he’ll make me the envy of Merculian. Now I’d better get dressed. Thar-von will be expecting me in the office.” He held out his hand to the boy who took it in both his own. The dark eyes under the straight black brows were bright with unshed tears. “If there’s anything you want, just let me know. Anything!” He raised Beny’s small hand to his lips, turned it palm up, and kissed it. Twice. His lips were soft and moist against Beny’s skin. He bowed formally and left the room.
    Beny took a deep breath. About to step out of his robe, he paused, and looked from the dog to the android, standing stock still where he had been all this time. A shiver ran up Beny’s spine. “Bloody damn,” he muttered. He hurried into the other room and closed the door.

FOUR
    The Merculian National Dance Company arrived in a downpour of driving rain. Because of the weather, there were no official welcoming ceremonies, nothing but bows and salutes from an honor guard and some strange bouquets of brightly colored feathers, presented by children.
    Beny’s heart lifted with joy to see Eulio’s small, dark-blond figure walking towards him under the moving, transparent bubble, elegant as ever in his black and silver tunic and pants. Long curls framed the fine, sensitive face, the wide-set eyes, the firm, small chin. Around his neck he wore the symbol of their relationship, a large, pearl-like love-jewel which glowed a deep purple when it touched his skin.
    Triani was right behind him, holding Cham’s hand. Gravely, Eulio accepted the rainbow-hued, feathery bouquet and kissed the tiny hand of the little girl who presented it. Only then did