Lock’s broad shoulders slumped. “I know he’s difficult to get along with. But he truly does care for you.”
“Then why don’t I feel it?” Kat asked. “I get all these strong emotions from you two but what I mostly feel from him is lust and annoyance. He wants me but mostly I irritate him.”
“You’re only feeling what he lets himself feel,” Lock protested. “But under all that, he cares. I know he does.”
“Maybe you just want him to,” Kat said gently. “Because you two come as a package deal and I can’t take one without the other. Look, I can tell how hard it is for you and I’m sorry—really I am. But aside from the whole feeling both of your emotions thing and the, uh, way you perform bonding sex which is scary to say the least…” she shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “Aside from that, the fact is, I just can’t let myself get involved with two guys when one of them can’t stand me.” She shook her head. “God, that sounds so weird.”
“No, it sounds like common sense.” Lock looked down at the green wooden floor between his black boots. “I can’t blame you for what you feel, my lady. But I can’t help what I feel, either.”
“I’m so sorry.” Kat put a hand on his knee to comfort him. Then she pulled it away quickly. “Oh, I didn’t think. Did that hurt you just now? Me touching you without Deep being here?”
“A little.” Lock gave her a sad smile and put her hand back on his knee. “But it’s worth it.”
“That’s sweet.” He looked so dejected and his feelings of sadness and loss were so overwhelming, Kat felt like she was going to cry if they sat that way much longer. Clearing her throat, she rose and began pacing in front of the bed. “So when do the effects of this, uh, bonding fruit I ate kick in? And how long do they last?”
Lock shook his head. “The fruit should be in full effect in a few hours. As for how long it will last, it could be days.”
“What?” Kat rounded to face him. “Are you telling me I’m going to be feeling…uh, amorous for days?”
“No, no.” He shook his head hastily. “That will be the first effect to fade. But your scent will remain enhanced for a long time. As well as your…” He coughed delicately. “Flexibility.”
“Oh, well…” Kat crossed her arms over her chest protectively. “I don’t think we need to worry about it then. As long as I can get through tonight at the party…”
“You’ll be all right,” Lock finished for her. “And I promise we’ll take you back to Mother L’rin tomorrow. She wanted to examine you after we healed you, anyway. And maybe she can help you to shield yourself against some of our emotions.”
“I certainly hope so,” Kat muttered. “But about the party, tonight—before we go, I really need a shot of those translation bacteria that Sophie got. I mean, this whole mess could have been avoided if I could have talked to your mom instead of just pointing at the fruit I wanted. I don’t want to get into any more trouble.”
Lock shook his head. “I’m sorry, but those are only available on the Kindred Mother ship.”
“Really? Damn!” Kat sighed and raked a hand through her hair. “You know, I don’t get it. Back when you two were bringing me here in the spaceship I heard Deep talking in another language and I could understand it. But when I talked to your mom I didn’t catch a word.”
“You weren’t conscious in the ship,” Lock protested. “In fact you almost…almost died.” His face had gone pale and the last word came out in a whisper.
Kat nodded grimly. “I figured it was something like that. I was floating above my body looking down. And I saw you doing some kind of weird CPR on me. But the talking…I don’t see how I could understand the Twin Moons language then and not now.”
“Maybe you were dream-sharing with us.” Lock looked thoughtful. “It might explain why your spirit didn’t drift away entirely and also why you could understand our language. However tenuously, you were linked to our minds, seeing and hearing as Deep and I saw and heard.”
“Well I wish I could have a little of that now,” Kat grumbled. “This is going to be some fun party. I’ll be high on horny fruit and I won’t have any idea what anyone is saying to me.” Then she thought of the males who had seen her in only a sheet that morning. “Come to think of it, maybe that last part won’t be such a bad thing.”