Catalyst by Viola Grace Page A

Are the others here?”
    Minski and Wellor must have been waiting for the signal, because they rushed in and gave her effusive congratulations while Nothven stood by, amused. The other Tuulor representatives fluffed their feathers out with pride at the bride’s involvement with their species. Despite the fact that they were the indigenous species, they just were not aggressive enough to compete directly with the Oefric.
    After a charming meal, some dancing that was made more formal than she would have liked by the addition of laces and boning, Mae and Nothven waved farewell to their guests, and they left the reception.
    Mae sat as close to Nothven as she could manage with the restrictions of her gown. “So, that was a nice ceremony.”
    He looked at her as if she had grown another head. “If my family would have let me get away with it, I would have held you in my home until no one could have denied our union.”
    She chuckled. “Another Oefric tradition?”
    “If the female has no family, there is no one on her side to confirm the match. If the male does not take steps to secure her, their union can be challenged by his family.”
    “So, I am guessing that the steps involve pregnancy.”
    He shrugged. “It is the way things have always been.”
    “On Earth as well. In some areas, it was the way to get a wife. If she was pregnant, she was yours. Even in modern families, pregnancy is often the spur for a wedding.”
    “Interesting. I think I would enjoy studying your society.”
    “There isn’t just one or wasn’t when I left. Billions of people pulling against each other for superiority. Some cultures are ancient, some are just finding their way and all existing at the same time.”
    “I definitely want to learn more about your people, but first, I believe that you have a promise to keep.” There was darkness to his tone, an eagerness that she hadn’t heard before.
    “Oh, the chasing? You still want to do that?” She tried to play calm, but her heart was pounding in her chest. She ran her hand over her hair and he grinned.
    “Oh yes. Even Oefric women are usually afraid to play with our old traditions. This is one I am very glad you are interested in resurrecting.”
    “You will have to help me out of this corset before I start.”
    He grinned, “Done, but keep the gown on as long as you can.”
    “It is more of a robe under the corset, but yes, that is currently my plan. Did the rest of my trousseau arrive today?”
    He chuckled. “It did. I have already hung up your gowns and folded your undergarments next to mine.”
    “I haven’t noticed you wearing undergarments.”
    “I know. You get the whole drawer.”
    She was still giggling when they arrived at his home. He lifted her out of the skimmer and carried her over the threshold.
    When they were seated at the kitchen table, Mae began to loosen the laces of her corset. Nothven brought her a glass of wine, and they sat across from each other while she slowly worked the corset loose enough for her to pop the busk open. Under the corset, the transparent fabric was doubled by the wrapping effect, but the dampness from being compressed against her made it a gauzy tease to his gaze.
    In her mind, she knew the thrill of the chase and the larger thrill of the catching from her point of view. Nothven would look feral, but when he took her in his arms, he was her mate and there was nothing to be afraid of.
    She hoped that was the way it worked out, because sometimes, the wrong stimulus at the wrong time causes a little hiccup in her mental design.
    They sat in silence while she sipped at her cup. He did the same with his until he said, “The clock is ticking. You get five minutes head start. I will restrict myself to this form and come after you.”
    “When does the clock start?”
    “Fifteen seconds ago.”
    Adrenaline hit her system and she got to her feet, lifting the edge of the robe and running for the back door. She was wearing soft leather slippers,