I can usually sense these things and I’m surprised I didn’t see it before. I felt his body respond to hers as soon as she ran into him. He also...felt I would be angered by this; he was worried I would deny her to him. I couldn’t do that. A mate is a mate; it wouldn’t be very ‘kingly’ of me to do so. She would give birth to an heir and I would love her as well as Ryder. Ryder looked to me for permission as he felt her hunger just as I had when she awoke. Aria was getting closer to her. ”“You’re making this slag up, aren’t you, Gath?” demanded Ziggy, who actually sounded a bit ill at the thought.“Not at all,” Gath said. “It’s perpetually warm in Diphen and the days are really long. Playing in the river is something that every kid does there.”“Insane,” said Viv, and you could almost hear her shaking her head. “You groundies are torkin’ insane, Gath.”“We sometimes think the same about you spacies,” he replied with a chuckle.Fletch’s raft reached the ladder first. The marines. And don't forget Fran's a favourite of mine, too. She's lovely, she's clever, and she loves you very deeply. And she kept her head in that Nina incident, which I didn't; that must count for something, too." I didn't either," I reminded her. "Yes, that was what made me realise how I felt, but I have to be honest and say this has been coming on for a little while." I know. I'm not blind. I can see it's what you want. So I want it, too. Go and tell her, darling. She's a lovely person and it will. "Thank you," I mumbled."That will never do. Let's hear you clearly, and with a proper curtsy."Brittany roared with that. I wasn't sure how to curtsy; but I bent my knees, and spoke up, "Thank you." We will have to work on that. Now, you are wearing Brittany's dress, so I want you to be particularly careful not to get it dirty. Brittany, why don't you go downstairs and play with your new 'sister'? I'm sure she's dying to play with your new Barbie dolls, and eager to participate in other girlish.