Born of Defiance

Qorach gave her a droll stare as Felicia laughed at her unexpected comment.

“And to answer the questions everyone has when they first meet me, but those with manners are too nice to ask… No. I don’t glow in the dark. So don’t even think of using me for a glowstick. Yes, I’m this green all over. Even my lips are neon green, as are my nail beds. The red lipstick and nail polish are a personal choice. And no, I have no intention of proving it. You’ll just have to take my word for it, as I only drop pants for super hot and sexy green men. I’m a Schvardan from Phrixus. We’re the land-walkers, which is what schvarda means in Phrixian. And while you might think I’m small, so are the deadliest explosive devices. Think of me like that tiny little bomb that can take off all your limbs and destroy half the city when it blows, and we’ll get along fine… And yes, frog jokes are highly offensive to me and I will hurt you for making them. Now, let me go catch a fly. I’m a little low on protein.”

Qorach made several hand gestures at her.

“No, I’m not saying that. And no one ever asks about you, anyway. They’re too afraid to.”

He grinned proudly at that.

Morra turned her attention back to Felicia and Talyn. “He can only speak with Qillaq sign language, and some League. So, I’m his translator for most things.”

Felicia cocked her head at that. “How similar are Qillaq signs to League or Andarion?”

“More similar to League gestures than Andarion. You speak League?”

Felicia gestured at Qorach. His entire face lit up as he responded.

Morra slapped at Jayne’s arm. “Well hell, I just got rendered useless. Look at them go!”

Jayne nodded. “I’m impressed.”

“I’m concerned,” Talyn added quickly. “I’m not sure I like this.”

“No.” Felicia gestured more. “Talyn doesn’t sign.”

Talyn snorted. “Not true. I know obscene gestures in fourteen languages.”

They all burst out laughing.

Qorach began signing again.

Felicia frowned. “But I don’t know all of those signs.”

Morra smiled. “He says it’s an honor to be assigned protective detail to such a generous and intelligent lady. And for Talyn not to worry. While he’s pretty sure he could kick Talyn’s ass, he knows for a fact that Jayne would cut his testicles off to protect her sexy baby.”

Talyn let out a tired sigh. “I’m going to be ninety and you’re still going to call me that, aren’t you?”

Jayne patted his cheek lovingly. When she spoke, it was in the high-pitched tone reserved for mothers talking to small children or pet animals. “Yes, I will, my sexy baby.” She glanced around the gym. “I have to say, this is a nice place. When you first called, I was worried about having space for my team. But I can see that there’s plenty of room, even for Qory.” She turned back to Felicia. “I know he’s huge, but I wanted someone who would intimidate Andarion males and make them rethink any stupid ideas they might have where you’re concerned.”

“I would say you succeeded admirably.”

Jayne winked at Talyn’s comment. “It was a tall order, and yes, you walked right into that one. As Hadrian says, my family motto is ‘anything worth doing is worth overdoing.’ And Morra’s orders are to stay with Felicia even when you go potty. It’s why I have a female in the mix. Until we get this resolved, they are your shadows, night and day. They will give you privacy inside the condo when Talyn is in residence. Only. When he’s gone, Morra will be your new bed buddy. We’re not going to take any chances.”

“Don’t worry,” Morra said with a bright smile. “I don’t take up much room and I don’t move when I sleep. My people nest in trees or off mountains. Once you fall out of your bunk or off your shelf, you learn not to be a restless sleeper.”

“Shelf?”

“Canopies on the side of mountains. Phrixus is a very dangerous place with a lot of deadly creatures. It’s why our races are lethal. We had to be, to survive. And it’s also why the Naglfari cowards took to the seas to live. They couldn’t cut it on Phrixian land.”

Felicia frowned at the unfamiliar term. “Naglfari?”

“They’re the pasty repugnant semisentient creatures that most know as Phrixian. They’re more human in appearance than the Schvardans. And my race is even more xenophobic than they are.”

Deciding to change the topic away from something that was obviously an emotional trigger for Morra, Felicia inclined her head to them all. “I can’t thank you enough for agreeing to this. While I don’t relish the thought of being shadowed, I don’t want Talyn distracted by unnecessary worries for my safety. And honestly, I’ve been really skittish since the attack.”