Page 71 of Phoenix's Fire

"Or if they have three boyfriends," I said, wishing I'd picked any other number for that example as soon as the words left my mouth.

Her eyes went wide and standing this close, I could see her pupils flare. "What?"

"Multiple boyfriends," I repeated. "Or girlfriends. Maybe two women with tails, a tailless man, and a tailless woman? A tailed woman, a tailless woman, and no men?" I was fighting a smile. "Typically, a family has at least one tailless woman, but that's not a requirement. It's simply the only way to add children."

"I don't think I understand," she admitted. "Why would anyone do that?"

"Ask my sister," I told her. "Jeera and Brielle are with Irrik. That's one man with two girlfriends. Lessa prefers to have many boyfriends, but never anything serious enough to consider a family."

"She said you were supposed to be her man."

"I'm not," I promised. "Lessa and I played around when we were younger." Okay, that was technically true. A few months younger, but still. "She also played around with Rymar, but Kanik wanted to date her - well, back when we were much younger, he did. She wasn't interested in him."

"But Kanik is an exceptional prospect!" she hissed, looking offended.

Which all but proved he was the one she was interested in. Yes, I was jealous, but also happy for him. Happy enough I would make sure Ayla gave him the chance he deserved. Considering her issues with kissing - let alone anything else - I had a feeling dating multiple people would not be something she was interested in. But Kanik? I knew he'd be good to her.

"He's brown," I explained. "Ayla, to Dragons, that is often seen as unattractive. Boring. Men are expected to be brightly colored and usually very confident."

"That's why vanity is wrong!" she grumbled. "Kanik is strong and fit. He's kind and intelligent. He's considerate!" Then she glanced away, a flicker of a smile crossing over her lips. "And purple isn't boring."

"No, it isn't," I agreed, hoping to encourage her. "Which is why it would be okay if you decided to kiss him - or anyone else."

"But they were mad at you for doing it," she said.

I wanted to groan. I'd been bitched at by all of my friends, and somehow Ayla had learned the exact wrong thing from that moment. Okay, kissing her wasn't something I'd thought through at the time, but my reasons still stood. They just hadn't been myonlyreasons for putting my mouth on hers.

Yes, I was an idiot. That didn't mean I had to admit it.

"They were mad at me," I explained, "because you made it clear you didn't want to. Just like we'd be mad at you if someone said no, andthenyou tried to kiss them."

"How do I know if it's okay?" she asked.

A shrugged. "You try. If they pull away or tense up, you stop."

She chewed on her lower lip, clearly thinking about that. "I think I'd be too scared."

"Well, if you ever do want to try," I said, hoping it came out nice and casual, "I'm sure Kanik, Rymar, or I won't mind. Even if you're wrong, we'll understand that you're learning."

"Yeah?"

"Promise," I said. "Cross my heart, Ayla. We're your friends, and that means it's okay to try new things with us, even if you end up making a mistake. Friends are the ones who understand and forgive you, right?"

She nodded. "Right, but I don't forgive you for kissing me."

My heart slammed to a stop in my chest, and it felt like all the blood in my body dropped to my toes. "What? Why? I'm - "

"Because," she said, interrupting my feeble attempt to apologize, "forgiveness is for mistakes, and you were right. I was scared of kissing. I thought it would hurt, but it didn't. You showed me that, just like you showed me all the other things. Knives, and bows, and pads. All the things I'm too scared to ask about, you find a way to show me which doesn't make me feel stupid."

"Because you're not stupid," I told her. "That's why I didn't want you cutting yourself down to vent your frustration. You, Ayla, are remaking yourself, and that isn't easy. Personally, I think you're doing an amazing job."

"Yeah?"

I nodded, making sure she saw. "Definitely. Now, let's see if we can make you an amazing hunter too, hm?"

"And the right kind of hunter," she said. "Not like the Moles."

With that, she turned, heading deeper into the woods with footsteps so soft I was honestly impressed. I wasn't sure if I was helping her as much as I hoped, but I also didn't want to hold her back. When this woman put her mind to it, she could accomplish anything.

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