The Puppet Master

I leaned down to the small bot that was struggling to bring me my hot chocolate without spilling it. Thanking it, I snugged into Da'kea's embrace as I continued my story.

"Something that the Sisalik had done to me while they were experimenting brought forth a few recessive genetic traits that no one knew that I had. They had changed me from a human woman to the very last Ethawainian Royalty," I said, taking a sip of my drink.

I looked up at my newest mate from over the rim of my cup and studied his reaction—or lack thereof. 

"You are taking this surprisingly well," I said, raising my eyebrow to look at him.

"Maybe because I don't know where this is going," he answered. "You have said that I am your mate, whatever that means, and that comes with both benefits and disadvantages. But I am still not sure what you mean."