Honour by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online

it out as he uncovered dishes that were as lovely to look at as they smelled.
    Flowers were everywhere, but they didn’t add a sweet scent, some were citrusy, some smoky, all added to the presentation of the food involved.
    “I am aware that meat was a primary portion of your diet, so an effort has been made to acquire mushrooms and seedpods that mimic the flavour and texture. The craving for animal protein was removed from you, but it might still be there in psychological form.”
    He talked, but she was busy taking one portion of each plate and tasting them all.
    She didn’t know if it was the change in her physiology, but she didn’t find anything lacking. There were plenty of herbs and savouries, differences in textures, enough to keep her mouth humming along and her stomach eagerly awaiting anything she swallowed.
    The water was nice as well. No wine or juice to muddle the taste of the food.
    “We drink wine when we are socializing, not at meal times.”
    She paused and flicked him a look. “I didn’t say that out loud.”
    “You were touching the table. Are you up for a walk this afternoon? You can see more of the city and the forests.”
    “Of course. Give me a second.” She sent a request for Nayin through the table.
    “Very good. You are definitely doing very well. There have been few brides who were able to alter their clothing on day one, let alone send communications.”
    He was leaning back and looking satisfied.
    “So, you ordered me to do that just to see if I could?”
    “Yes.”
    She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him. “Bully.”
    “No. Merely encouraging education.”
    A knock on the door made her perk up. “Come in.”
    The door swung open, and Nayin was there with a small chair and a bag over her shoulder. “Lady, shall we get to work?”
    Honour smiled, “Please, I am eager to see the world around me and don’t want to do it with screwed-up hair.”
    Nayin bowed to Acuar. “Host. Good day to you.”
    “Good day to you, Nayin. We have a videoconference in an hour. See what you can do.” He rose to his feet and returned to his desk in the bedroom.
    Honour got to her feet. “Shall we?”
    “Yes, lady. We shall.”
     
    “Oh, my. This is very pretty. It sits so well on my head; it is as if the pins are holding their own weight…which they probably are.”
    Nayin grinned. “They are very strong and will hold your hair in place. I left the back long for the sake of tradition. Some length is always to be exposed. The rest is twisted into loops that link together to join the long tail that falls to your feet.”
    “I have never had anyone sew my hair into place before. It is neat, but do I need you to undo it tonight?”
    “No. Just grip it and ask it to leave. The materials will remove themselves with ease.” Nayin bit her lip and fussed a bit. “There. That strand was bugging me.”
    “Am I presentable?”
    “You are lovely. It is nice to work with such a contrast in colouring. I will try and get some cosmetics for those moments you want it,” Nayin smiled, “lady.”
    Honour got to her feet and turned so that Acuar could see her all decked out in Freyalki traditional garb and hairstyle. “Well?”
    “I would like to dismantle that hair, strip off that clothing and lock you in this room with me, but we have other matters to attend to. Shall we?”
    Bemused, she took his hand. “Thank you, Nayin.”
    “It was my pleasure, lady.” Nayin bobbed a curtsy.
    They walked through the halls, down the stairs and into the vaulted gathering space.
    “The videoconference room is this way. We use it for communication with the space station.”
    “The station is in orbit?”
    “Around our largest moon. It gives us a larger buffer between Yalki and alien species.”
    She blinked. “Oh, wow. The selection area was on the station!”
    He grinned. “Very good. We moved all unnecessary staff from the station and returned them home the moment you were in the tank.”
    “I