Free Between Darkness and Light by Lisanne Norman Page B

him. It confused the hell out of him to find himself drawn to them both. The food was good, but he had little appetite to enjoy it. Offered wine, he refused it, sticking to the jug of water nearby. His senses were disturbed enough by the closeness of the two females without alcohol.
    At first, even his enhanced sense of smell couldn’t tell the two females’ scents apart. The difference, when he found it, was subtle, one he couldn’t put his finger on, but he knew it was there. At the far end of the table, where the other female officer sat, he could see that Banner and the rest were coping well. Thankfully, Dzaou was confining himself to growled, monosyllabic answers.
    Eventually, the interminable meal was over and they rose to follow the General back out into the small lounge. When Zayshul stood up and turned round, he found himself staring at her exposed back. The dappled iridescent patterns on her skin fascinated him, and he found the desire to reach out and touch them overwhelming.
    Zayshul swung round in confusion, bumping into him and almost losing her balance. Instinctively, he grabbed hold of her waist, steadying her. Realizing he was touching bare flesh, he let go of her as if stung.
    â€œApologies,” he murmured automatically as she spun away from him with a smothered exclamation of shock.
    As he watched her push her way through the other young officers into the lounge, he stood there trying to make sense of the signals he’d picked up from her. For one brief moment, she’d leaned into his touch, almost welcoming it. Suddenly aware of being watched, he turned round. As he did, Zhalmo moved forward and took hold of his arm. Beyond her, he could see M’kou regarding him thoughtfully.
    â€œYou knew the General’s wife on the Kz’adul, didn’t you?” she said, deftly turning him back toward the door and drawing him with her into the lounge. “I heard about your dreadful experiences. Nothing like that could have happened on a military ship.”
    He made a polite sound, his attention divided between concern for Zayshul, and M’kou’s continued interest in him.
    â€œI hadn’t realized how soft your body covering is,” said Zhalmo, her hand stroking the exposed area of his wrist.
    â€œPelt,” he said absently, looking around the knots of males for Zayshul as they came to a stop near the center of the room. Her scent was still strong in the air but he couldn’t see her.
    He was barely aware of Zhalmo removing her hand, but when he felt her touch his neck, she had his undivided attention. Grasping her wrist, he pulled her hand away.
    â€œNever touch a Sholan there,” he said, ears flattening in embarrassment. “It’s taboo, forbidden—unless you’re a family member or a lover.”
    â€œOr a doctor,” said Zhalmo, looking past him as she freed her hand from his.
    He froze, the sound of low male laughter making him turn round. In front of him, the young Primes had parted, leaving him facing Kezule, and Zayshul.
    â€œIt seems our females find you attractive, Kusac,” said Kezule, mouth widening in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Think yourself lucky. You’ll not lack for company during your stay with us.”
    The General stood beside the sofa on which Zayshul, her face a pale green unmoving mask, was sitting. The patches of iridescent color round her eyes looked livid by comparison.
    â€œFor us, touching a female’s lower back, not her neck, is an act of intimacy,” Kezule continued, resting his hand on his wife’s neck. “I find the differences between our people interesting. As I’m sure my wife does.” The look on the General’s face was Challenging in any species.
    Kezule knew about him and Zayshul! He fought to keep his ears upright, thanking Vartra that at least the instinctive flicking of his tail was concealed within his robe. Between Zayshul and the cub,