Chapter 12 – MRin
Carmen is distraught and exhausted.
I order H'Nue to supervise a complete flush of our systems to remove any unwelcome presents M'Rinna may have left behind, then I gather her up into my arms and take her back to her suite. She keeps her face tucked into my neck the entire time.
I lay us both down on the sleep cushions and hold her.
Eventually, she stirs and goes through the motions of her day. I can tell she isn't okay–how could she be?–but there isn't much I can do, except be there for her.
So I do that.
I do it again the next day.
And the one after that.
The following day she is a bit more like herself.
Enforcement has her identify M'Rinna's contact from a series of photos, and after that she is even more like herself.
By the time a week has passed, she only seems to have occasional low spirits. I find reading primers and start teaching her to read Bovarian. It's difficult to know how to go about it, but we do our best. At the very least, I enjoy our time together, and I think she does, too. There are flirty touches and long looks, but other than an increase of restlessness, there is no sign of her season. Her transformation is now a week later than average, when she was tracking two weeks early.
I'm starting to get worried, wondering if her mistreatment has affected her transformation. I'm also not sure how a prolonged transformation period might affect her. The process will only be complete when she's had her first season. After that, only sunning and semen will be needed to maintain her transformation and keep her healthy. But she needs to have her season first.
I'm contemplating this, and the dearth of research on the issue, when H'Nue calls me.
“Sir? I think she's finally started.”
Relief courses through me, washing away my concerns and leaving determination in its wake. “Are you sure?”
“As sure as I can be, given the circumstances. You'll be able to confirm it.”
I would. The scent will be unmistakable to me, since we have been swapping biologicals. In addition to that, Carmen's reaction to me should make it abundantly clear if she's in season or not.
“I want you to be our contact person.”
“But–”
“I know we usually have a female staff member perform that role, but Carmen is comfortable with you, trusts you, and you don't set off my instincts.”
“I may not right now, but...” He grimaces.
“But if it becomes a problem, you can switch out.”
H'Nue blows out a breath. “Alright, we will see how we go.”
“Excellent. Thanks, H'Nue. Which breeding suite is ours?” I know he'll have one ready.
“The Green Suite. Its paddock gets the best sunlight.”
A wide smile spreads over my face at his thoughtfulness. “Perfect. Thanks.”