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order to set up housekeeping. They acted as watchers and woke me when there was an issue to deal with.”
    “But, why monks?”
    “They have both sexes but restrict breeding. Their population does not grow.”
    That made a certain amount of sense. If he didn’t want his world overrun while he slept, a group that didn’t have an interest in expanding was key.
    She eased past him and into the hallway, heading for the study. His even footfalls were right behind her.
    When she entered the study, he followed her in.
    She turned and looked up at him, trying to meet his dark gaze. “Um, why are you following me?”
    “You have not answered me.” He smiled.
    She thought seriously and cocked her head. “About the swimming?”
    “Yes.”
    “I think I might want to avoid the water for a few days.”
    “Nonsense. You need to learn to master your environment. I will come for you at dawn tomorrow when the surf is still.” He took one of her hands, lifted it to his lips and the kiss he pressed to her knuckles sent a shockwave through her limbs.
    She could feel her heart pounding in her throat as he departed.
    Her neat plan for herself had just taken a very dramatic turn.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
    Rad was true to his word. At dawn the next morning, his hand on her shoulder woke her.
    She clutched the bedding to her chest and squeaked. “Um, I need a minute.”
    He looked from her to the bed and back again. “Why are you clinging to the edge to sleep? You have the entire bed to roll around in.”
    She remained still. “I am used to sleeping in a small space. I also want to keep it simple for the bots to make the bed.”
    A bot rolled up with her robe. Zel cleared her throat. “Could you turn around? I need to get dressed and attend to brushing my teeth.”
    He smirked and turned, extending his wings to give her more privacy.
    She scooted out of the bed and pulled the robe on, pattering to the bathroom and attending to morning functions while her brain tried to start.
    Zel had never had a man in her bedroom in the morning, that he was standing next to her completely nude had also been very distracting. Yesterday, he had been concerned for her wellbeing; today, he had been enjoying the view.
    When she was ready to face him, she settled the robe into place again and headed into the bedroom.
    He was seated at the dressing table with his wings dragging on the floor behind him. “Are you ready to swim?”
    She looked at the bot that normally selected her wardrobe. “I don’t know what I should wear.”
    “Nothing. There is no need for concealment. Clothing will only get in the way while you swim.”
    Public nudity was not something she was prepared for.
    He chuckled. “You are already carrying my child; there can’t be any additional importuning that I could manage. I promise not to push any advantage.”
    Zel blinked in surprise. “Oh. I suppose that will be fine.”
    She walked out the balcony door, and he caught her the moment she was outside.
    He lifted her in his arms. “You do not wake up easily, do you?”
    She wrinkled her nose. “It must have something to do with the changes I underwent in the tank. I have always been able to stay awake as long as I liked and wake up immediately, but that is just another in a long list of changes that I have gone through or that have gone through me.”
    He nodded. “Remember to breathe.”
    She didn’t have a chance to ask him what he meant. He stepped to the edge of the balcony, stepped onto the rail and dropped off.
    It was her second squeak of the day, and she closed her eyes tightly, turning toward Rad as the steady beat of his wings took them out and away from the house, in the direction of the swelling dawn.
    When she was used to the heavy beat, she looked cautiously around and watched the sand and water meeting far below. They were flying up the coast, and when they reached a small, sheltered cove with a visible sandbar across it, he descended to the sand.
    “So, you