Huros.”
“Citadel Master Yoris, I have to tell you of a recent development.”
Yoris smiled grimly, “My daughter has already given me the rough details of the situation.”
Huros looked confused. “Daughter? You are not old enough to have an adult daughter.”
“I am and I do. Her mother was an off-worlder with a penchant for helping those around her and an amazing smile.” His expression was wistful.
She filled in the obvious. “And my people mature faster than the Ypran.”
Huros suddenly came to a realisation. “So, there is a family to deal with.”
Yoris nodded. “Oh, yes. I may have shed my last name for duty, but I am still my parent’s child, and as she is my child, our families will now have to meet.”
Jimra pinched the bridge of her nose. “I am a full citizen of my own people. I do not need to be under the protection of your family.”
“ Our family. I have just been working to introduce you. It is a delicate matter.”
“Is it because I am alien?”
“It is that, and also because, by and large, I prefer men. No one ever imagined that I would have a child, so the family structure must be altered with your arrival in it.”
She blinked slowly. “Oh. Well, that explains a bit.” It did explain why he had never thought of having a child. It simply had not occurred to him.
Yoris shrugged. “Does this disappoint you?”
“No, it just explains why you didn’t follow up with my mother. My people are not as hung up on sex as the Ypra seem to be.” She shrugged.
Huros blinked and laughed. “You have an open mind.”
“That is what has gotten me into this situation to begin with.”
Yoris sighed. “It isn’t that I prefer men, it is that we are allowed to choose only one. I was still inside my selection time when I met your mother, but after she was gone, I chose males as my companions.”
Jimra looked at Huros, “What did you pick?”
“I prefer females.”
She nodded. “Good. I don’t know how I would have dealt with being kissed by a man who didn’t have any physical interest in me.”
Yoris stiffened. “You kissed her?”
Huros’s golden skin darkened. “It seemed the fastest way to reinforce the link.”
Jimra looked from one of them to the other. “This is stupid. I am going in to get some food.”
Viika came with her and kept her company while she loaded her tray. “They mean well.”
Jimra looked at her trainer. “I know. I just hate it when men posture like that. It irritates me. It probably has something to do with being raised by a woman.”
“Do you prefer women?” Viika sounded a little hopeful.
Jimra walked to a table, chatting away. “No. I have always enjoyed looking at men. Touching as well, when the occasion called for it.”
The host brought tea over, and they sat in silence while Jimra anger-ate her way through a tower of pastry.
“You prefer women, don’t you, Viika?” Jimra sipped at her tea and brushed crumbs and sugar from fingers.
“I declared that way. Yes.”
“You look uncomfortable. Do the Ypran not talk about this?”
Viika looked surprised. “Oh, no. We discuss this frequently. I just have affection for you that goes beyond my position as your trainer. I fondly imagined that you might be inclined the same way.”
Jimra shook her head. “While I am flattered, I am sadly interested in the opposite sex. I sometimes think it would be easier to be with women, but the mind and body want what they want.”
“Tell me about it. I declared with my family when I was thirty. The day I turned forty, my mother held a party with all the wealthiest ladies in our city who had accepted the invitation with my image on it. I applied to the Citadel the next day.”
“How long has the Citadel been open?”
“Six years.”
“So, does your mom still try and set you up with eligible young ladies with money?”
Viika wrinkled her nose. “Now and then I am invited to a very formal brunch. I am considered a catch in our community.