Page 74 of I Dated the Lost Song

Chapter Eleven

Sarel took Leska’shand and showed her where the bathing room was, where the lavatory was, and where the enormous slab that passed for his bed was.

After she had washed her hands, she walked with Sarel out to the deck, where Vinul scrambled to his feet.

“Wow, Leska, you look lovely.” He looked at her with wonder in his feline expression.

“Thank you, Vinul. I have something to discuss, and I am going to need to eat while doing it.” She sat carefully with the chains on her back slithering over her skin.

Sarel lifted his hand, and the cushions were tossed to him so she would be surrounded on both sides. Leska used small tongs and put a series of small bites on her plate. Once that was done, she nibbled on an olive.

Sarel said, “I am supposed to eat first.”

“You were taking too long, and I am hungry now.” She closed her eyes as she realized how true that was about to be.

“What is your concern?” Sarel just ate from the platters. Vinul did the same.

She got a piece of meat and ate it. “Um, you know how my heat is due in three weeks?”

Sarel nodded. “Yes, I am looking forward to it.”

Vinul nodded.

“Yes, well, it’s going to be a little sooner.” She rushed. “Khytten helped me heal scars, and I didn’t think about it, but there was some acceleration of my body, and now I have about six hours before I am sobbing and writhing. I am so sorry.”

Sarel rubbed her back. “It’s fine. We will get your measurements for some clothing, and the seamstress will get on that while we are soothing you. Food will be brought, and we will keep you fed and hydrated as best we can. I know it can be difficult.”

She looked at him and kept eating.

“I have never had a proper heat. Mine are always slow and mild.”

She snorted and said, “This isn’t that. I can feel things starting.”

Vinul stared at her. “You are starting tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Shit.” He bolted and walked off with long strides.

Leska looked to Sarel in confusion. “What? I thought he would be keen.”

Sarel chuckled. “He went off to trim his claws. He doesn’t want to hurt you.”

Leska kept eating. The blush that crept up her cheeks was intense.

Sarel kept rubbing her back with light fingers. “We honestly want to make sure you don’t come to harm. He would be delighted if you got pregnant.”

“You wouldn’t?”

“It won’t be mine.”

“Why not?”

“I am sterile.”

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