Asteroid by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page A

are used to, but it is fairly tasty. We can make other arrangements in the future, but for tonight, we are stuck with Reeban cuisine.”
    “I will deal with it as long as Zeering keeps me from having any untoward reactions spurred by ingesting the food.”
    “You will be impervious to anything that his soil can produce, as well as most commonly imported substances.”
    “Nice.” Sebena eyed the food on the wide platter in front of her. The colours were bright and the combination was appetizing.
    “What is your impression of your maid?”
    “Karri? She seems genuine, but they will try and use her against us. That much is certain.” Sebena mimicked his hold on the eating utensils that resembled chopsticks crossed with spoons. It took a few tries, but he didn’t seem to mind getting the small noodles flicked in his face.
    Issul simply wiped the food away and continued his meal, his shoulders moving in silent laughter.
    She shrugged and kept working to get some of the food into her. She wasn’t brave enough to ask what it was quite yet. Sebena would let the contents of her plate remain a mystery.
    “Zeering will guard you against anything that they plan. We will not be allowed off world for a few decades, but I am sure that we will find ways to amuse ourselves.”
    His switch of topics made her blink.
    “Please tell me that your mind isn’t always on sex.”
    “Only when you are around, Sebena. It seems that I have a weakness where you are concerned.” He portioned off another serving and continued to eat.
    She finished her meal and sat back. The table was strewn with the wreckage of her attempts at learning how to use the implements.
    “Who does the dishes?”
    “There will be some acolytes here in an hour to remove the remains of our meal.” He finished his food and sat back.
    “So, what is the routine here? Do we engage in public spectacles every day or was this a special occasion?”
    “A special occasion. Zeering had to refresh his connection to me and begin his connection with you. It was a matter of urgency that the toxins be removed from your body and the only place to do it was within Zeering’s energy column. I did not have enough power stored in my body to heal you.”
    “Will we find out who poisoned me?”
    She was amazed as he smiled. “I know exactly who poisoned you. Priest Novik Alort. He is descended from the high priest that was in power when I disappeared . He is the only priest recorded as coming through those doors in the last few weeks.”
    She paused. “Wait. Recorded?”
    “Of course. When this temple was built, my private quarters had full scanners implanted in the hall outside the doors as well as the balcony. Everything coming into this room is recorded in detail and Zeering accessed the computer while we were joining.”
    “He can multitask? How nice.” Her voice was dry.
    “He is a good planet to be linked to. He has never forced me into any position that I would not have wished to be in.” Issul smiled.
    Sebena smiled shyly, got to her feet and dropped into his lap. “That is the sweetest thing.”
    “You will be fitted with a wardrobe suiting your new station in the morning and we will meet with the high priest and local politicians and work out the current state of the population.”
    “Is that it?”
    He loosely draped his arms around her hips and nuzzled at her neck while speaking. “We don’t do much aside from negotiating for mineral rights and determine colony statuses. Our concern is the state of the planet, not its population.”
    She lifted her chin as he rubbed her neck with his lips and nose. Sebena sighed and enjoyed being cuddled.
    “I am amazed that I am not sore from our previous joining.”
    “Zeering is thoughtful that way. He keeps our bodies up to species standard at all times and will attempt to grant any requests you have regarding your physical systems.”
    “Like my hair?”
    “Precisely. He increased my height to a more intimidating size