Read Online Rystani Warrior 02 - The Dare by Susan Kearney - Free Book Online

of birds that had been discovered on Mystique. Despite Tessa’s busy days, her trading empire, she hadn’t taken one call, never mind left Dora’s side.
    “I think … I’m hungry.” Dora grinned and her mouth twitched. She hoped the uncontrollable muscle contractions would soon end. As she’d practiced walking, her spasming arm had almost toppled her balance. Frustrated that a baby could smile better than she could, she wondered how to make her expressions match her emotions when the muscles seemed to have a mind of their own.
    Tessa nodded approvingly and used her psi. A table unfolded from the wall. Food bins with materials for a food processor that materialized a cooked meal were there for convenience, but Tessa didn’t approach the raw ingredients, her expression excited as if she had a secret. “Are you ready to eat lunch?”
    “Yes.”
    “Miri wanted your first food to be home cooked.” Tessa pulled out a basket loaded with interesting aromas and held it up with a flourish. “She’s made us a feast to celebrate your birthday.”
    “With coffee?” Dora didn’t understand Tessa’s compulsion for the Terran hot drink, but she was eager to try it. In fact, she couldn’t wait to taste food period. She only hoped that she didn’t bite her tongue and didn’t have difficulty chewing and swallowing. But most of all, she awaited trying out her new sense of taste with anticipation.
    Tessa reached into the basket and took out breads—orangewheat, white, seeded, and ryedough. Next came small colorful clay pots filled with a variety of toppings—rich honey butter, thick barnberry jam, tempting garva jelly, janilla bean spread, and a medley of fruit preserves.
    Tessa didn’t look up from her task. “Dora, why don’t you put on some clothes?”
    “Why?” Dora looked down at her nudity. “Don’t you find my new body attractive?” Spinning, she felt centered, then her thigh muscle twitched, upsetting her balance, and she flung out an arm as a counterweight. Not only was her movement awkward, her head spun, the walls closed in again.
    Stars. She had to remember to move slower. Damn it—the walls were stationary. She stared them back into place with a scowl.
    Either Tessa politely pretended not to notice her awkwardness or she was too busy with the food to notice. “Your body is gorgeous, but it’s both Terran and Rystani custom to clothe ourselves during social occasions.”
    “Will looking at me spoil your appetite?” Dora fisted her hands on her hips, a gesture she’d seen Tessa use when in a combative mode. She’d waited so long for this moment that she didn’t see a reason to cover her skin. After all, Tessa had been watching her grow her body for months.
    “If Kahn joins us, I would be uncomfortable,” Tessa admitted as she smoothly unpacked a variety of meats—grilled, roasted, smoked, steamed, boiled, and fried.
    “But why? He’s already seen all of me.”
    Dora had never agreed with Tessa’s concept of modesty. She’d often wondered if her opinions would change after she’d taken human form, but Tessa’s preference still perplexed her. However, after everything her friend had done for her, she didn’t wish to make her uncomfortable. With a psi thought Dora altered her suit to encase her body in a deep violet-colored gown that would emphasize her alexandrite eyes.
    Immediately, she felt more feminine and added a simple threaded design to her outfit. She didn’t understand why color and clothing made her feel differently about her body, but the reaction was likely very human, and that pleased her.
    “Shoes?” Tessa prodded. “If you want other humans to accept you as one of us, especially Rystani men, you have to not only look the part but act like one of us, too.” Setting action to match her words, Tessa changed her clothing from her black pantsuit to an emerald gown that snuggled up against her skin.
    Human behavior could be very complex. Thankfully, Dora had studied and