Free Kneus: A Terraneu Novel (Book Four) by Stormy McKnight Page B

completely destroyed. The sacath had created a
large cave like hidey-hole for Tabec to nest. Gwen noted the proud father was
resting outside the entrance, his large glowing eyes watching them from his
position on the floor. Inside the sacath made cave you could just make out
Tabec’s luminous emerald eyes. She twitched her tail as if to say, “I can see
you standing over there...and over there is where you should stay!” and Gwen
agreed with her wholeheartedly. She had no intention of getting any closer. As
if they sensed an audience, the two sacathies started mewling and trying to
move around.   She could just make out a
golden body nursing against the black of its mother. The brindle was so well
camouflaged she couldn’t see her. Then Tabec shifted and there was the little
female. Nursing alongside the slightly larger male. They were about the size of
a large Earth puppy, but much smaller than their parents.
    “They are really adorable Amber.” Gwen whispered to her friend as she
slowly backed away. “Thank you for letting me take a look.”
    Mairi who had left the twins with Knollig to come look at the sacathies
agreed. “They are so cute Amber. Cat and I have agreed to wait until they are
bigger to choose ours. You are still letting us have one?” She ended questioningly.
    “Yes. As much as I’m sure I will grow to love them, we just do not have
the space for that many sacath. Not to mention I’m worried that Cebat and Tabec
would get territorial over their space here in our dome after awhile.” Amber
sighed then backed away with the rest of them. “We are going to be giving them
their space, but live our lives as normally as possible so the sacathies can
adjust to how things usually are around the dome.” Amber laughed, “Well except
for the courtyard obviously. That is going to take a long time to get back to
normal.”
    When they reached the door Gwen said her good-byes to the others. She was
a bit surprised when Kneus asked if he could escort her home.
    “Of course. I would enjoy your company on the walk back.” Gwen turned and
started down the path with Kneus at her side.

Chapter Fifteen
    Kneus had talked with his brothers on their way from
the medical dome to Kniam’s living dome. They had just coughed or muttered
nonsense into their hands when he had said he had kissed Gwen, and didn’t know
what to do next.
    Thian was the first to recover and asked, “Exactly what advice are you
asking for here?”
    He looked around at the males, and when he saw them all laughing into
their hands or looking away he thought about his last statement. When it dawned
on him what the others were quietly amused about he snapped, “Not what you are
thinking! I know what kissing normally leads to Thian.” He looked around again,
“I need to know how you four went about courting your mates. I want to ask Gwen
out on an official date, and I’m not sure how to go about it.”
    “You know every dating couple is different Kneus.” Knaleg spoke before
the others, “It took Cat and I forever to be ‘official’ while Kniam and Amber
happened overnight.”
    “I wouldn’t say overnight!” Kniam interjected, “It wasn’t as if I didn’t
have some obstacles to overcome.”
    “You need to personalize the experience to what you know Gwen might
like.” Knollig stepped in before an argument could ensue. “With Mairi it was
just a matter of...”
    “Letting her finally catch you!” Knaleg interrupted, “With Cat is was a
matter of letting her train with the men, and taking her exploring.” Knaleg
finished smugly.
    “Letting her train with the men?” Kniam snorted out, “If you were so okay
with it, then why then did I have to do an official request to ask the women
not to train?”
    “I was trying to be honorable when I forced myself to stay away from
Mairi!” Knollig protested. “I wanted her from the beginning...”
    “Enough!” Kneus yelled, “Enough. I get it. I have to make my own path
with Gwen